ROCKETBASKETBALL
Northeast was the first school that won the Class A Boys State tournament four consecutive years
Northeast owns an all-time record of 12-7 in State tournament finals
Head Coach David Mercer is a third generation Rocket, following his grandfather, Rex Sr and his father Rex Jr.
Northeast was the first school that won the Class A Boys State tournament four consecutive years
From the halls of the honorable traditions of three previous high schools, Bethany, Havelock and Jackson High, came the new Lincoln Northeast High School prior to the start of World War II. In the fall of 1941, the first students enter the doors and became known as the Rockets. In a state known for football, the school that sits in the Northeast corner of Lincoln, succeeded not only on the gridiron, but on the basketball courts. When Northeast was built, it brought together three tradition basketball powers. Lincoln Bethany, 13 state tournament appearances, Lincoln Havelock, 14 state tournament appearances, including 1920 Class C State Championship. Lincoln Jackson, who reached the state tournament 11 times, finishing with three runners-up.
Players who don the Black and White, not only play for the school but for a community that has supported Lincoln Northeast for over eight decades.
COLLURA'S UNDEFEATED
PINK SWEATER
When vistors come to Lincoln Northeast, they stand in awe of the numerous trophies that the basketball teams has won since the school opened in 1941. One item that stands out is a pink sweater that Head Coach Rick Collura wore during the Rockets run to four-straight Class A State Championships.
Prior to the 94-95 season, basketball districts were geographic in nature. Omaha was divided up, Lincoln schools were in one district, etc. So when district time came at the end of that season, Class A was grouped according to size of school, by the NSAA. Northeast was put in a district with Millard South and played at Omaha Bryan.
Coach Collura's protocol was to wear a sports coat at home games and a sweater on the road. Because Northeast was on the road, Coach decided to go to Richman/Gordman, and buy a new sweater. There they had crew neck (Coach Collura's favorite style) on sale. Coach decided on the white one, because they were on sale and he also bought a pink one.
When Northeast went to districts, Coach Collura decided to wear the pink one. Not really knowing why, the choice paid off as Northeast won their first game setting up a championship match up with Millard South. At the time, Millard South was coached by Larry Ribble, who Coach Collura hadn't had a lot of success against in the past. Coach Collura decided to again wear the pink sweater, hoping for the good luck to continue. After defeating Millard South, Collura, being a former baseball coach (very superstitious people), wore it again and eventually won state. Wanting to see if the streak could continue, Coach Collura, would continue to bring out the pink sweater for district play.
When Coach Collura retired in the spring of 98, Bob Fensler, former security coordinator at NE, made the frame and put the sweater behind glass. He stretched it out, and made it look like Coach must have weighted 250 lbs. Actually, according to Coach, he was barely over 210.
The success of the pink sweater was not only worn by Coach Collura but found its way onto the wardrobe of fans, students, teachers and administrators. One could say that the color "PINK" was the unofficial third color of Lincoln Northeast during the late 90's.