Theron
Kitt
(1978-2003)
(UNK Press Release)
Lopers Mourn the Loss of Kitt
Played on the last four Loper football teams
Kearney, NE - The Nebraska-Kearney football family is today mourning the loss of former player Theron Kitt (pronounced there-run), who passed yesterday near his hometown of Wauneta. He was 24.
"Theron will be severely missed. He was the epitome of what a student-athlete should be," head coach Darrrell Morris said. "Theron was always where he needed to be, when he was needed to be there, doing what he was supposed to be doing. You can't ask much more of a student-athlete than that."
Kitt, who wore No. 22 for the Lopers, graduated in December from UNK with a degree in Public Administration.
A 1997 graduate of Wauneta-Palisade High School, Kitt began his collegiate career at Chadron State before transferring to UNK. A member of the football team the past four years, he was one of the Lopers' top cornerbacks the past three seasons. He also was one of UNK's top punters in 2001.
A three-year letterwinner, Kitt played in 31 games in his Loper career, making 85 tackles and having one interception. He averaged 38.8 yards in 12 punt attempts in 2001. This past fall, he missed the first five games of the year with a hamstring injury. Kitt finished 2002 with 18 tackles, including one in the NCAA Division II playoff game against Texas A & M-Kingsville.
Kitt earned 12 letters as part of three teams at Palisade. At the 1997 Class D state track championships, he won the 800 meter run and also ran on two winning relay teams (4 x 100 and 4 x 400). Those efforts helped Palisade finish runner up in the team race.