Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame
At 6-8, 280 pounds, John Strand was an imposing offensive lineman.
He broke into the starting lineup midway through his sophomore season, replacing injured Chadron State Hall of Famer Chase Olsen at right tackle.
Strand started at left guard as a junior, when Danny Woodhead ran for an NCAA-record 2,756 yards and scored 38 touchdowns. As a senior, he moved to left tackle, which coaches said was his best position. The Eagles were 12-1, won the RMAC and were ranked fifth nationally both seasons.
At the end of his senior season, Strand was All-RMAC, All-Nebraska, and a First Team All-Southwest Region selection. He also was a Daktronics Second-Team All-American and on the RMAC All-Academic team. Strand also played in the Cactus Bowl, a Division II All-Star Game in Texas.
John’s brother, Matt Strand, was inducted into the CSC Hall of Fame in 2018.
John currently teaches mathematics and is the boys’ basketball coach at Arapahoe High School in Araphoe, Nebraska. His wife, the former Amy Niederklein, competed as a sprinter on the CSC track team. The couple have five children—Emma, Elsie, Easton, Eva and Eleanora.
