Centennial High School is now home to a special artifact – a retired Nebraska softball jersey.
The jersey, No. 15, was worn by Julie Geis, a Centennial graduate who was inducted into the Centennial Hall of Fame Aug. 1.
Geis was killed on Sept. 11, 2001, in the terrorist attack on New York City. An employee of Aon Consulting in Kansas City, Geis was in the south tower for a meeting.
“She was meeting with a group of employees to discuss the possibilities of the internet,” her brother Mike Geis said July 31. “From rural Nebraska to the top of an international company.”
Mike and Julie are two of the eight Geis siblings. Their parents are Paul and Betty Geis, both of whom have passed away. Mike is four years older than Julie, who he described as the bridge between the older four and the younger three.
He said giving Julie’s jersey to Centennial made sense.
“What better place to put it?” he said.
Mike remembered Julie as a competitor who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Although she was overlooked for summer ball, she “became the first pick because of her ability to enlarge a room,” he said.
She was a great athlete, as well, playing a variety of sports, but softball was her favorite. In her senior year of high school, Julie wanted to play basketball, but CHS didn’t have a girls’ team. So she petitioned to start one and was successful.
After she graduated from CHS in 1976, she went to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for school and to play softball. She was one of the first players to receive a full-ride softball scholarship, Mike said. Title IX was just taking hold and providing women with more opportunities, especially in athletics.
“Nothing would get in her way,” Mike said.
Julie earned a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in educational psychology and a PhD in educational administration.
While at UNL, Julie was one of the first tutors for student athletes, Mike said.
She played shortstop for the Huskers from 1976-79 and was a team captain. She played for 10 more years in the ASA Women’s Class A fast pitch league after college.
Julie was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame in 2025.
After her death, the family set up an endowed scholarship in her name for UNL softball players who embody her spirit.
Mike and Julie were close, and Mike said he’s become the custodian of Julie’s memory. He said each sibling remembers her a little differently, listing her competitive spirit, determination, encouragement, quiet respect, confidence, courage, responsibility, ability and leadership as characteristics.
Mike was the spokesperson at the Centennial Hall of Fame banquet Aug. 1 to accept Julie’s honor. He said, with 20 years between the oldest and youngest Geis siblings, Julie was a natural bridge.
“Perhaps it’s no surprise she spent her life connecting people,” Mike said.
With her Husker jersey on display at Centennial High, Mike said the family hopes people might see it and ask about Julie.
“Her story will continue to be told,” he said.
