Dani Busboom Kelly helps kickoff 2025 Cornhusker State Games

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska head volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly helped kick off the Cornhusker State Games with the torch lighting ceremony Thursday evening.

Kelly, doing the honorary lighting of the torch, marked the official beginning of the games.

The torch was escorted by soldiers from the Nebraska Air National Guard and eventually Husker volleyball team members from across the pedestrian bridge to the front of Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Rebekah Allick, Bergen Reilly and Olivia Mauch helped start the 41st Cornhusker State Games.

The Cornhusker State Games are officially here!

Really cool seeing the @HuskerVB team getting it started! #GBR @Channel8ABC pic.twitter.com/MM7ExHZccz

— Nate Johnson (@n8_johnson_) July 11, 2025

The games run until July 20 with more than 7,000 athletes reportedly already signed up.

For the full schedule of events head here.