Hello. My name is JJ Toczek and I am a Business Teacher and the Head Volleyball Coach at Papillion-La Vista High School in Papillion, Nebraska. I am also a doctoral student in the Educational Administration Program at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Through my doctoral research focusing on the motivation of female athletes, I have continually used my aunt, Loup City High School Graduate, and current Loup City Mayor Alicia Toczek; as a resource and sounding-board regarding females in the competitive arena of sports. I have also used her to help generate ideas, not only because of her involvement in sports as a former female athlete, but also because of her leadership role in business and politics over the past 40 years. With the continued research on my dissertation topic, I have not only learned a great deal regarding what motivates and enables females to compete; I have also gained a better understanding and a greater appreciation for my Aunt Alicia as a leader and role model in today’s political environment.

With this in mind, I believe Alicia J. Toczek would be an excellent candidate for the Loup City Alumni Wall of Fame Award.

Alicia Toczek graduated from Loup City High School in 1959. A product of the Pre-Title IX Generation; according to many of her classmates and per her brother Joe (LCHS Class of 1960 Graduate and Loup City Alumni Wall of Fame Inductee), Alicia was not only one of the best female athletes in school, but was also considered one of the best all-around athletes growing-up in the area during the 1950’s. With no organized high school sports to compete in, Alicia, her three sisters, and her fellow female classmates participated in LCHS’s Physical Education/Girls Athletic Association program and played summer softball on the women’s town team. After graduation, Alicia headed to Business School in Lincoln and then on to college at Kearney State. During this time she stayed active in sports playing softball, bowling, golfing, and participated in President Richard Nixon’s Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge. After moving to Denver in the early 1970’s, she was able to continue to play sports by being involved in fast pitch softball. During the first phase of the Title IX Era, Alicia epitomized the aggressiveness and strength not just that of a female athlete, but that of a woman working in the competitive world of corporate business and politics.

Alicia began her professional career working in the savings and loan industry after completing Business School in the early 1960’s. She then went back to college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. At the beginning of the 1970’s Alicia taught and worked as a school administrator. She then moved to Colorado, taking on numerous leadership positions within the United Bank of Denver. During this time she did graduate work at DU, became engaged with politics, and also became involved in the Women’s Movement that was sweeping across the nation. In the late ‘80s after her work with the US Postal Service and the Peace Corp, she moved back home to Loup City to help care for her mother Helen. During this time, she became owner and manager of the Loup City Drive Inn Restaurant. Throughout the 1990’s and into the millennium, Alicia was active in the Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development Program, County Extension, and also with the Nebraska Democratic Party. In 2006, she took her political involvement a step further by running for and being elected Loup City’s first female mayor. Since her time in office she has helped obtain grants for Loup City totaling more than $800,000, done work with the Nebraska Housing Authority, worked with the Policy and Prevention Board and with Economic Development, and continued her involvement with the University of Nebraska College Systems and their Community and Regional Planning Research Projects. Alicia strives on a daily basis to give back to her community and to help keep Loup City and smaller communities like it thriving throughout Central Nebraska.

In conclusion, with not only her political, professional, and personal experiences, but also with the LCHS Class of 1959’s 50th Class Reunion approaching (in May 2009); I believe the Loup City Alumni Wall of Fame induction would be a perfect fit and honor for Ms. Alicia J. Toczek.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
-JJ Toczek
Nephew of Alicia

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JJ Toczek
Business Educator
Head Volleyball Coach
Papillion-La Vista High School
402 E. Centennial Road
Papillion, NE 68046
Phone: (402) 898-0400
Fax: (402) 898-0415
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*Photo and Documents of Proof available upon request.
**Home/Cell Phone (402) 525-9912