(Peru, Neb.) – During the recent Peru State College (PSC) Football Banquet, the PSC Football Booster Club made two donations to the College's Athletic Department.
 
The first of the donations was a framed print of the Oak Bowl entitled, “1^st and 10” which was painted by former Peru State Professor Emeritus of Art, Dr. Leland “Shorty” Sherwood, in 2003.  Sherwood had painted the scene that shows the Bobcats' game against Dana College from the east side of the Oak Bowl.  The game against the Vikings was the final game of the 2003 season, which saw the Bobcats win 13-10.  Play is taking place and it shows the full crowd in attendance that day.  The Booster Club was given the rights to the painting and have sold prints for several years.  The Booster Club decided to frame one of the prints for the Department to place in its SkyBox.  Sherwood is considered to have been one of the top watercolorists of the region.  On football Saturdays, Sherwood was a regular in the Oak Bowl and was also very supportive of the other athletic programs.  Sherwood retired from PSC in 1993.
 
The second gift was a plaque recognizing the endowed scholarship established in Harry Whitney's name.   Text from the plaque reads, “In honor of Harry Whitney, his family, the Football Booster Club Board of Directors, and the 2006 Football team have established an endowed scholarship in Harry's name.  Harry Whitney was a native of Omaha who attended Peru State during the late 1950's and early 1960's.  After serving in the United States Armed Forces, Harry played football for the Bobcats and legendary coach Al Wheeler for four seasons beginning in 1959.  Harry played on Nebraska Collegiate Conference Championship teams in 1960 and 1961 and the Bobcats produced a 25-6 record for the seasons Harry was on the squad.  After graduating from Peru State, Harry spent several years as a teacher and coach, starting at the Primrose Public Schools and ultimately moving to the Omaha Public Schools.  After his service in education, Harry entered the private sector and owned businesses in Omaha and Council Bluffs.”
 
The text continues, “Harry Whitney was extremely proud of his Bobcat heritage and especially enjoyed his relationship with the Peru State football team during his years as a student/athlete at Peru State.  He was a major supporter of the Bobcat football program and was a member of the Peru State College Football Booster Club Board.  Harry's dedication to the Bobcat football program was well known to his friends and former teammates.  His legacy will live on in the form of an endowed scholarship dedicated to future Bobcat football players.”
 
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:  This scholarship will be awarded to an offensive or defensive lineman from Iowa or Nebraska.  It is the intent of the benefactors of this scholarship to honor Harry's legacy by helping a student who has struggled academically but is determined to complete his education.  In honor of Harry's belief in hard work and determination, the recipient will be a student who needs academic support provided by Peru State College.
 
At the recent banquet, this year's award was presented to Jeremy Crump (Omaha).   Crump is a 6', 290 lb. offensive lineman for the Bobcats.
 
Peru State athletic director Steve Schneider said, “The athletic department is very appreciative of the Sherwood framed print and plaque honoring Harry.   Shorty's painting of the Oak Bowl is reflective of the tremendous history and the great, natural setting of the facility in which the Bobcats play football.” 
 
Schneider continued, “Having an endowed scholarship for the football program is great for the team.  And in this case, Harry was a true Bobcat and this plaque will help remind everyone of his legacy.”
 
In conclusion, Schneider added, “The Football Booster Club has been, for many years, very vital to the Bobcat football program.  Their hard work and many contributions to football, as well as, other athletic teams, is certainly appreciated.”