Bellevue JSA celebrates 50 years of community and tradition

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - For half a century, the Bellevue Junior Sports Association (BJSA) has been more than a place to play.

It’s been a second home — where kids grow up, parents cheer from the sidelines, and friendships last a lifetime.

For Bellevue resident Justin Hansen, BJSA is deeply personal.

“My family has been here since the beginning,” Hansen said. “My grandfather was really big on sports. He has an award here in his name called the Ralph Boyce Sportsmanship Award.”

That award, Hansen says, is a reminder of how his grandfather and many others helped build BJSA into the community staple it is today.

Founded in 1975, BJSA has introduced thousands of kids to sports ranging from football and volleyball to basketball, baseball, cheerleading, and wrestling.

But alumni say the real lessons go far beyond wins and losses.

“It gave me a lot of the skills that when I was 12 or 13 years old, I didn’t realize they had any value until I got a little older in life,” said Bellevue native Scott Eby.

BJSA Director Matt Goetz agrees.

“Wins and losses mean something,” he said. “But the dedication to a team is really important to one’s cause.”

What sets BJSA apart is its tradition.

Parents who once played here are now watching their children — and in some cases, grandchildren — take the same courts and fields.

Leaders say that’s why the nonprofit has endured for five decades: the Bellevue community never stopped believing in it.

As BJSA celebrates its 50th anniversary, leaders say their mission hasn’t changed — to give every child the chance to play and every family a place to belong.

“It’s about more than sports,” Hansen said. “It’s about memories.”

BJSA is planning a community celebration later this year to mark its golden anniversary. More details will be shared on the organization’s website, bjsa.net