Construction management major, Seth Rinderknecht, doesn’t miss a beat with hands-on projects when schools close for the rapid-traveling COVID-19.
The senior from Cedar Rapids, Iowa is one of the members on the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) soccer team. Despite his spring season being cut short due to the Coronavirus, Rinderknecht used the break to focus on his favorite hobby; building.
“This break is a blessing in disguise,” Rinderknecht said. “Soccer isn’t forever, and now that we are officially finished, I get to focus on what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Rinderknecht and former teammate, Matthew Smith, borrowed a friend’s garage during the winter of 2018 to build a portable kick-back board for Tim Walters, head women’s soccer coach.
From then on, the two have built a bond inside the garage making anything from cornhole to dining room tables.
The defensive captain has built more than just tables in a garage, Rinderknecht has earned 8 awards during his time at UNO.
“[Seth] is one of the best players that I have ever gotten the chance to coach,” Bob Warming, the men’s head soccer coach at UNO, said. “His legacy will be burned into this program forever.”
Before UNO, Rinderknecht was given a handful of small Division 1 scholarships.
“I chose Omaha because it was close but not too close to home,” Rinderknecht said. “When I was a junior in high school, the team had just gotten off of a championship season and that’s what I wanted to be a part of.”
Rinderknecht was so excited to get to work that he skipped his senior high school season to begin practicing with the Mavericks early. He wanted his game to be ahead of the other newcomers and it worked.
The senior has started every season at UNO.
“I am forever grateful for what Omaha has brought me,” Rinderknecht said. “They have built far more than just a great soccer player. I plan to stay here and build with Matthew for quite a while.”
Rinderknecht measures out 16 in. for a new project-of-the-day. 
“I’m making a table so one of my friends can eat and do homework in her bed,” Rinderknecht said. 
His construction management classes have helped him understand the use of every tool he comes across in the garage. 
“I try to be as precise as possible,” Rinderknecht said. “People pay me for these projects, so they deserve the best quality.” 
Tools used in Seth and Matthew’s Garage watch patiently until they are used. 
He planned to finish the table in less than an hour. 
The garage used by Seth and Matthew to store previous projects and a few goodies that belong to the owner. 
Cornhole boards await their pickup by their customer. 
“Seth and Matthew’s Garage” est. 2018 
The kick-back board that Rinderknecht created for the women’s soccer team.
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