Grew up in small town. Been in Omaha working in huge schools for 18 years. The kids aren’t going to Nebraska because we suck. They have better options with better weather. I don’t think they lack in pride. They are proud to be from Omaha. If you’re a young person from Omaha that is a high level athlete, you have more in common with others from large Metro areas than you do with somebody from Chadron. Are people from Chicago proud of Illinois, or are they a Chicago kid?
Also, Omaha definitely sees themselves as above the rest of the state. Conversely, the rest of the state believes in the “Omaha a$$h@!e” stereotype.