Source: Millard High Level 1 Vol 3 1980-81 Yearbook

Buell Stadium is used for countless activities such as marching band, JROTC, and—of course—football. We all love Buell Stadium, but have you ever stopped to wonder how it came to be? Who was Lyle Buell? Well, after reading this, you’ll know.

Lyle Buell was an excitable, athletic, funny, and hard-working individual. He taught as a teacher, coached basketball, and was the activities director for Millard South from 1962 to 1977, right after Millard North and South split. He contributed to many students’ lives, and the school ethic they have now.

He led Millard South’s basketball team in such a way that all students were comfortable with him. Even his past players kept in touch and had deep conversations with him. He was a fantastic teacher, too. “He was known for having special education students be the student managers for different sports, taught them responsibility and taught his players to respect those who were in need of special kindness,” Jan Hermesch, Lyle’s daughter said.

He also faithfully contributed to the community here in Omaha and touched many more lives.

Sadly, one fateful day, Lyle got into a terrible car accident with his wife, Sue (also a teacher at Millard South), and their friends, Lois and Lou Jipp. He died at the scene with Lois, only being about 45 years old. On the way to the hospital, Lou died and nine days later Sue succumbed to her injuries. It was a loss that affected our whole community, which Mr. Buell was so involved in.

Just before a Friday night Millard South v. Millard North game, they held a ceremony to name the stadium after Mr. Buell. Jan Hermesch, now without a mother or father, accepted the dedication with tears. “The impact of naming the stadium after my Dad can be seen in the picture of me accepting the dedication on the field, it was one of my proudest moments of my life, and one of the hardest moments.” She later said. That night, Millard South’s team played harder than ever before and won after a four-game losing streak.

Lyle Buell has left a lasting legacy, now honored in the Athletic Hall of Fame, Millard Hall of Fame, and now has a scholarship named after him (Buell-Jipp Scholarship).  He left us with the trust to always be hard workers, be kind, be humorous, and always value others.

“The naming of the stadium was after a good man, a good coach, and a good teacher, and a friend to many.  The school system honored him, and I hope that your research might educate those who have not heard of Lyle Buell,” Hermesch said.

He was “A man among men and a champion among champions!” and will always be honored here.