2017 Service Award Winner, Michael Behrens - Michael Behrens graduated from Lincoln East in 1990, where he competed in football, basketball and track & field (discus and shot put).  After high school, Michael attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he earned BS degrees in Physics and History. While at NWU he worked in the athletic department all four years in many different roles. Starting in his junior year, he worked as the event manager for all home sports, including track and field. After NWU, he transferred to Washington University-St. Louis, where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. Again, while at Wash U. he worked in the athletic department in many of the same roles as at NWU. Michael returned to Nebraska in the fall of 1996 and attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a MS in Environmental Engineering. He began working track meets for UNL in the spring of 1997 and as a volleyball line judge in the fall of 1997. He has had the opportunity to work many conference and NCAA postseason track meets over the past 20 years. In addition to working track and field, Michael has gained great experience as a volleyball official, both as a referee and as a line judge. Michael has earned his USA Volleyball National Referee certification, is a Professional Association of Volleyball Officials (PAVO) state-level college referee and a National Certified Line Judge, who has worked many NCAA postseason matches from Division I to Division III, NAIA and NCJCAA. Also, he has been able to work a number of international volleyball match with both USA National Teams. Outside of his officiating roles, Michael has his Professional Engineering license as an Environmental Engineer and has worked as an environmental engineer for more than 18 years in both consulting and for the government. Michael is not married and does not have any children, but has a 7-year-old nephew (Logan) and an almost 5-year-old niece (Hattie), and he strives to be the best uncle he can be. He is an usher at his local church in Lincoln.