Husker Broadcast Legend Kent Pavelka Next Face on Barroom Floor

As a longtime broadcast voice for the Nebraska Cornhuskers during a career spanning more than four decades, Kent Pavelka has thrilled generations of fans with his exciting calls of basketball and football games.

Now, it’s his turn to be entertained.

Pavelka will be honored September 13 as the Omaha Press Club’s next Face on the Barroom Floor when he will be skewered by an illustrious group of roasters that could set a record for the most laughs ever at a Press Club event. The roasters include two past Faces (Larry the Cable Guy and Gary Sadlemyer), Nebraska Basketball Coach Tim Miles, and Matt Davison, the Husker who made the “Miracle at Missouri” catch on a pass from Scott Frost in 1997.

Pavelka will be the 158th Face on the Barroom Floor, a Press Club tradition that began in 1971 when then Omaha Mayor Gene Leahy was the inaugural Face honoree.

“I’m certainly aware of the great honor that comes with being a Face on the Barroom Floor,” Pavelka said. “I am truly humbled that the Press Club has decided to include me on this stellar list. I’m just afraid that I’ve given the roasters too much good material over the years. It could be brutal.”

The event is open to the public. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. with the roast starting around 8 p.m. Cost for the event will be $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Reservations can be made by calling (402) 345-8008 and providing your credit card information or your Press Club account.

The Press Club (omahapressclub.com) will be closed through August 13 for its annual summer vacation for the staff. People can still make reservations online during this time period by going to the front page of the OPC website and clicking on the promotion box for the Pavelka Face event.