Longtime Nebraska athletic administrator Al Papik passed away peacefully on Saturday morning in Lincoln at the age of 95. Papik served the University of Nebraska for nearly three decades, beginning in 1973 and concluding with his official retirement in 1999.
Papik served many roles during his career with the Huskers and left a lasting legacy in Nebraska Athletics. Papik was presented with the Dick Herman Lifetime Achievement Award at Nebraska’s 2017 Night at the Lied awards ceremony. In Al’s honor, the Papik Compliance Center is part of the Herman Student Life Complex in the West Stadium.
Papik first came to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1973 as the Director of Admissions, a position he held for 12 years. Papik then joined the Athletic Department in 1985 when he was hired by Athletic Director Bob Devaney to serve as the assistant athletic director for student services. Papik’s first task with the Nebraska Athletic Department was to unify the student support systems for the men’s and women’s athletic programs. Papik also became Nebraska’s first compliance coordinator in 1986.
Papik later assumed the role of senior associate athletic director, serving as the No. 2 athletic administrator. His primary responsibilities encompassed the entire area of compliance, including rules interpretation, education and serving as the liaison to the Conference office and the NCAA. In addition, Papik had the administrative responsibility of Academic Student Services and Athletic Medicine.
In December of 1996, Papik assumed additional responsibilities in football operations. He worked in that role for three seasons, then concluded his career in athletic administration as Senior Associate AD Emeritus.
Papik’s time at Nebraska marked the second part of a highly successful career in college athletics. A 1950 Doane College graduate, Papik first served as a high school coach, before being named the Head Track and Football coach at Doane in 1955, a position he held for 18 years. During his time at Doane, Papik was named the Nebraska College Coach of the Year in three different years.
Papik’s lifetime of service in athletics has been recognized by many groups nationally and in the state of Nebraska. Papik is a member of the Nebraska Football Foundation Hall of Fame, the Nebraska Basketball Hall of Fame (contributor), the NAIA Hall of Fame (coach), the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame (contributor), the Nebraska Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame, the Doane College Athletic Hall of Fame (coach) and the Nebraska Track and Field Hall of Fame (official). Papik served as the head referee at the Nebraska High School Track and Field Championships for 23 consecutive years.
