Paul Kastl
"I’d like to say that I’m honored and blessed to have been introduced to the NE Greats foundation and their amazing staff. They have come to my side in a great time of need. I cannot thank them enough.”
Gerald Morris
“The NGF is truly one of the things that give me faith in humanity…those who have the willingness to others in need.”
Jose Calderon
“The Nebraska Greats Foundation was help from heaven, without their help I would not have been able to pay for the hospital bills. I am very grateful for the help they have given me and the assistance they gave me. They are an incredible foundation, very professional and concerned.”
Giovanni Froldi
At an NAIA school and coming from a foreign country (Brazil), I needed help with an injury. Me and my family couldn't afford some of the care I needed. In came the NGF and it stood behind me.
Tesla Oldfield-Davis
After I was diagnosed with ALS, the Nebraska Greats came to me and asked 'what can we do?' There is a lot of stuff insurance doesn't cover. The NGF bought me a special bed that gives me comfort. Maybe a little thing to most. But a very big thing to me.
Ade Dagunduro
After exhausting all of my own funds to pay for medical care, I was between a rock and a hard place. The Nebraska Greats Foundation worked with doctors and hospitals to get me surgery I couldn't afford so I could get back on my feet. Thank you, NGF.
Joel Brott
My MS (multiple sclerosis) was getting worse and I needed to get hydro therapy each day. The NGF put a therapy tank in my house. I use it every day. It restores the confidence in myself I'd lost. How do you really thank somebody for that?
Larry Florence
Battling cancer requires travel for treatments. My insurance doesn't cover travel. Without the NGF, I couldn't go to the treatments. It's that simple. The NGF has saved my life.
Josh Jones
When I got that call from the Nebraska Greats Foundation---that said they would help. Man.....it changed my life. It CHANGED MY LIFE!
Jim Unger
After my accident, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't move. My life stopped. The Nebraska Greats stepped in, bought me a motorized wheel chair. It put me back in 'the game of life.' Now, I'm back to setting goals for myself just like when I was an athlete.
Tami Harris
It wasn't easy for a former All-American athlete to ask for help. Thank God I did. I was at the end. I had lost all hope. And then the Nebraska Greats Foundation gave me hope back.
Willie Miller
The NGF stepped in and was a lifesaver for me. It has given me a whole new life. When we need it, we need to reach out and let this foundation help.
Brianna Perez
I had medical bills that I couldn't afford to pay...I came across the NGF and they just seemed too good to be true. I am honored to be the first female recipient and am thankful to have found this unique organization.
David Humm
You never think you're going to be that person in the middle of a story that says you need help. What an honor and relief for me and my family to have the support of the Nebraska Greats Foundation.
Nebraska Greats Foundation Leadership
The NGF is led by a volunteer board of directors from which four elected officers serve as the executive committee. The executive committee oversees the contracted executive director and administrator positions. The executive director and administrator execute daily operations ranging from development activities, outreach methods, facilitate grant requests and public events. They report on a weekly basis to members of the executive committee for oversight.
Founder of the Nebraska Greats Foundation, Murtaugh is a former standout football star from Omaha on Nebraska’s first National Title team. Held the record for career tackles for 33 seasons. After retiring from Union Pacific Railroad, Murtaugh has committed much of his time to the Nebraska Greats Foundation.
Omaha Native Bill Hamik brings 35 years of business and philanthropic leadership in both Nebraska and the Chicago area. Bill Chairs the DuPage PADS one of the largest homeless shelters in Chicagoland while also serving on the Board of Trustees at Omaha’s Creighton Preparatory School and the YMCA of Naperville, IL. His family founded Nebraska based USave Pharmacy.
A former All-America baseball player and MLB draft Pick (Marlins), Dorn enjoyed a decorated athletic career which included an appearance in the College World Series and spot on the USA National team. The Grand Island native is the owner/operator of the Omaha office for Cresa, the world’s largest commercial real estate advisory firm.
Former walk on football star from a ranch near Brady, NE to starter on a conference title team, Kratzenstein began his career in high school coaching before getting into business first in medical supplies now agriculture. Monte and his wife Lexi live in Kearney, NE where they serve numerous community boards and causes.
Nebraska’s third Heisman Trophy winner, Crouch concluded his record setting career as the starting QB in the 2002 CFB National Title game. A standout multiple sport star at Millard North High School, he was a Parade All-American. Today, Crouch serves as President of Crouch Recreation, a playground equipment dealer in Omaha.
One of Omaha’s most recognizable Creighton supporters Rod Kestel, CU class of ‘78 has a long history of serving the community. In addition to the NGF, Rod has served the Ronald McDonald House, Kicks for a Cure, The Jet Foundation, the Komen Foundation and Defy. He’s now in a leadership role at the Waitt Corp.
From Geneva, NE, Brett was a multi-sport four-year letterman at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (1996-2001), earning multiple All-Conference and All-American awards as a Co-Captain in Football and Track and Field. After pursuing a career in the NFL, Brett has spent most of his career in the medical field: including sales, biomedical entrepreneurship ventures, corporate sales training, and consulting. He currently works for Zoll Medical in the cardiovascular field. He, his wife Vanessa and three kids reside in Kearney, NE.
Tom and wife Kim are members of one of Nebraska’s most successful and generous families. Longtime central Nebraska car and truck dealer, Tom also serves as Vice President of Pinnacle Bank Corp. Kim is a Trustee of Hastings College. The Dinsdales have been honored as “Outstanding Philanthropists” by the Association of Fundraising professionals.
In 2010, Tom was named “Man of the Year” by the Grand Island Independent. He has also served as a member of the American Legion for half a century.
Boyd Epley, known as “The Godfather of College Strength and Conditioning” is recognized as the pioneer in the field
after serving at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for most of 50 years. His vision made “Husker Power” a brand
name in college sports and UNL as the birthplace for modern day S/C programs. He retired July 1, 2020. Globally
renowned and copied, his original strength and conditioning guide book is on display at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA.
A former standout at Westside HS and Creighton U, West played on two MVC Championship teams under coach Dana Altman and served as team captain his senior year. After graduation from Creighton Medical school, Dr. West and his wife Jane returned to Omaha and serves the Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and is a team physician for the Bluejays.
One of the NCAA’s most admired executives, Rasmussen served 28 years as Director of Athletics at Creighton University. Along the way, ushered the Bluejays into the Big East Conference and served as Chairman of the prestigious NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee. Prior to, Rasmussen build the CU women’s basketball program into a conference champion and NCAA invitee. A native of Webster City, IA he is in demand across the country for motivational speaking and as an expert in the future of college athletics.
Nebraska Greats Foundation Former Board Members:
Bob Danenhauer, Bill Hamik, Steve Edlefsen, Sandy Buda, Maurtice Ivy, Dan Randone, Dave Davis, Denny Walker, Shawn Buchannan, Karen Jennings, Dave Hoppen, Darrell Smith, Dave Slagle, Garry Clark, Mandy Monson, Michael McGlade, Mike Peterson, Kris Brown.
Nebraska Greats Foundation Administration
Lincoln native, long time “Radio Voice of the Huskers” Rose’s career in broadcasting, marketing and development has spanned nearly 40 years. He is now a commentator on KFAB Radio and iHeartMedia; and managing Principal at the J Rose Group which assists nonprofits in strategic and organizational planning and community engagement. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the NAMC, Nebraska Alumni Association and Omaha Sports Hall of Fame.
“Being a part of the NGF is a great privilege for me. Hopefully, the NGF can be a bridge for our recipients to having better days!”
Should you have any questions about Nebraska Greats Foundation please contact Sandy at szoroya54@hotmail.com
“Being a part of the NGF is a great privilege for me. Hopefully, the NGF can be a bridge for our recipients to having better days!”
Should you have any questions about Nebraska Greats Foundation please contact Sandy at szoroya54@hotmail.com
Dobbs is a familiar face to fans across the state and region after serving the Huskers Athletic Fund. There, he raised support for premium seating, scholarships, legacy projects and capital facilities. A former standout pitcher for the Husker Baseball team, before a ten year career coaching in the Lincoln Public Schools, Dobbs is also a member of the Lincoln East HS Hall of Fame.
Physician's Review Board
The following Board certified, licensed physicians donate their time and expertise to evaluate each applicant. They provide guidance for the foundation but also alternatives and options for each applicant based on their own circumstances. The physician’s board also is a valuable resource in identifying worthy candidates.
Dr. Monte Christo is an anesthesiologist in Omaha, Nebraska and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Midwest Surgical Hospital and Nebraska Methodist Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Nebraska College of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years.
Dr. Monte Christo is an anesthesiologist in Omaha, Nebraska and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Midwest Surgical Hospital and Nebraska Methodist Hospital. He received his medical degree from University of Nebraska College of Medicine and has been in practice between 11-20 years.
Dr. John Horgan is an urologist in Omaha, Nebraska and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Boys Town National Research Hospital and CHI Health Lakeside. He received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Dr. John Horgan is an urologist in Omaha, Nebraska and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Boys Town National Research Hospital and CHI Health Lakeside. He received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Dr. Michael Peetz is a general surgeon in Greeley, Colorado. Originally from Omaha, he received his medical degree from University of Nebraska College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Dr. Michael Peetz is a general surgeon in Greeley, Colorado. Originally from Omaha, he received his medical degree from University of Nebraska College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
Dr. Scott Strasburger is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Originally from Holdrege, NE and received his bachelor’s degree in life sciences from Nebraska. He attended the Nebraska Medical Center School of Medicine and served a surgical internship at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis.
Dr. Scott Strasburger is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. Originally from Holdrege, NE and received his bachelor’s degree in life sciences from Nebraska. He attended the Nebraska Medical Center School of Medicine and served a surgical internship at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis.
Dr. Rob Zatechka is a board certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing at OrthoNebraska since 2010. A Lincoln native and 1994 UNL alum, he attended medical school at The University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating in 2004. He completed his residency in 2008 with an emphasis in anesthesia for organ transplantation and regional anesthesia. Dr. Zatechka stayed on at Nebraska Medicine as an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology for two years prior to taking a position at OrthoNebraska as staff anesthesiologist.
Dr. Rob Zatechka is a board certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing at OrthoNebraska since 2010. A Lincoln native and 1994 UNL alum, he attended medical school at The University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating in 2004. He completed his residency in 2008 with an emphasis in anesthesia for organ transplantation and regional anesthesia. Dr. Zatechka stayed on at Nebraska Medicine as an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology for two years prior to taking a position at OrthoNebraska as staff anesthesiologist.
A former standout at Westside HS and Creighton U, West played on two MVC Championship teams under coach Dana Altman and served as team captain his senior year. After graduation from Creighton Medical school, Dr. West and his wife Jane returned to Omaha and serves the Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and is a team physician for the Bluejays.
A former standout at Westside HS and Creighton U, West played on two MVC Championship teams under coach Dana Altman and served as team captain his senior year. After graduation from Creighton Medical school, Dr. West and his wife Jane returned to Omaha and serves the Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and is a team physician for the Bluejays.
