Category: Events

Volleyball Night in Nebraska: The event of the year

Posted on by Julia Genoves

Volleyball Night in Nebraska

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF) and Farmers Mutual Insurance are proud to announce “Volleyball Night in Nebraska,” an extraordinary evening celebrating the success of Nebraska volleyball, scheduled for August 12, 2023, at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska.

This historic event will feature Justine Wong-Orantes, Kelsey Robinson, and Jordan Larson, Olympic gold medalists and former Husker Volleyball standouts, who led the US team to its first-ever Olympic  Gold in the 2020 Tokyo Games.  

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Volleyball Night in Nebraska

About The Volleyball Night in Nebraska

The event, sponsored by Farmers Mutual Insurance, will include live and mobile bidding auction items and appearances by athletes served by the NGF, an organization providing assistance to  Nebraska-based letter-winning athletes facing medical, substance abuse, and financial challenges.  

This dinner event is a key highlight in a series of volleyball activities involving the University of  Nebraska Lincoln, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska Kearney, and Wayne State  College, set to take place this August.  

Among these, a monumental volleyball event at Memorial Stadium stands out, an occasion that saw tickets sell out within just three days. This underscores the enormous popularity and statewide support for volleyball in Nebraska. 

“We’re thrilled to host these esteemed athletes, along with Coach John Cook, for an informal Q&A  session,” said Jim Rose, NGF Executive Director. “This is a unique opportunity for fans to engage with  their volleyball heroes.” 

Volleyball Night in Nebraska NGF

The state’s fervor for the sport has even caught the attention of Governor Jim Pillen, who will issue a  special proclamation in recognition of volleyball’s significant impact on Nebraska. 

Head Coach John Cook expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming month of volleyball, stating, “This is going to be a monumental month for volleyball in Nebraska. We’re not only dreaming big but  achieving big, fostering a true statewide celebration of the sport we all love.” 

NGF Executive Director, Jim Rose, stated, “Our gratitude extends to all our generous sponsors,  including NRG Media (B107 FM), Olsson and Associates, WarHorse Casino, and Two Brother’s  Creative. Their support is pivotal in making this celebration of Nebraska volleyball a reality.” 

the Nebraska greats foundation

Adding to the excitement, the 2023 Husker Volleyball team will be present, along with approximately  400 area youth volleyball players and their parents.  

Farmers Mutual Insurance CEO, Mark Walz, echoed these sentiments, expressing his company’s pleasure in supporting the NGF event. “We have a great love for the State of Nebraska, Husker  Women’s Volleyball, and the mission of the Nebraska Greats Foundation. It’s our honor to support this  event.”

Olympian Jordan Larson added, “I’m excited to join the Nebraska Greats Foundation. It’s an honor for me to not only have represented the USA but also Nebraska around the world. Looking forward to  seeing you all soon.” 

GET YOUR TICKETS

Tickets for this unforgettable night are available HERE. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Nebraska Greats Foundation, benefiting former collegiate letter-winning athletes in need. 

Join us for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and support for our Nebraska athletes.  

For more information about the Nebraska Greats Foundation, click here or follow the  Nebraska Greats Foundation on Facebook. 

About the Nebraska Greats Foundation 

The Nebraska Greats Foundation provides financial assistance to former letter-winning athletes from any of Nebraska’s 16 four-year colleges and universities facing medical and financial challenges. The  Foundation is a recognized 501(c)3 organization. 

Media Contact/Request High-Resolution Files 

Jim Rose, Executive Director 

jrose@negreats.org

Hoibergs Headline the 2023 Tom Dinsdale Auto Celebrity Sports Jamboree Presented By 1st State Bank

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Hoibergs Headline the 2023 Tom Dinsdale Auto Celebrity Sports Jamboree Presented By 1st State Bank

The Nebraska Greats Foundation brings a celebrity event this summer to Grand Island’s Riverside Golf Club for the 5th consecutive year.

Thursday night, July 20th, the event will feature dinner, cocktails, auction items, tributes and testimonials to and from recipients served by NGF support.

The Thursday night event is headlined by Husker Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg and wife Carol.

Says Hoiberg, “Carol and I are thrilled to be a part of the event in Grand Island in support of the Nebraska Greats Foundation. The NGF does amazing things for athletes and their families and since there is no other organization like it in the country, it’s just another reason there truly is no place like Nebraska.”

To date, The NGF has provided life-changing assistance to men and women former letterwinners at 12 of Nebraska’s 16 4-year colleges and universities including three former Husker Basketball standouts Bernard Day, Larry Florence and Ade Dagundaro.

Click here for a complete list of Nebraska Greats Foundation recipients.

On Friday, July 21st college athletes will serve as celebrity “captains” for area golfers for a round on the course at Riverside to benefit NGF recipients.

More information and an event schedule will be available later this spring.

Former Creighton Athletics Director Rasmussen to join the NGF Board of Directors

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Former Creighton Athletics Director Rasmussen to join the NGF Board of Directors

Former Creighton Athletics Director Rasmussen to join the NGF Board of Directors

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3 non profit) www.negreats.org which serves former athletes from Nebraska’s 4-year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges, is pleased to announce former Creighton University Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen has been elected to a three year term on the Board of Directors.

Says NGF Board President Jerry Murtaugh, “We are very pleased that Bruce is joining our mission of serving former collegiate athletes. Bruce’s career in coaching and athletics administration gives him a special understanding of an athlete’s struggle. He has been a great cheerleader for the NGF. His experience will be a great plus for us.”

Says Rasmussen, “I’m excited and honored to be a part of the NGF. In athletics, its’s ‘once a teammate always a teammate.’ Being on a team is being a team member for life. It isn’t a nice act, it’s a necessary act. The NGF helps our teammates for life.”

Rasmussen retired from CU in the summer of ’21 after a distinguished career first coaching women’s basketball then serving for 28 years as Director of Athletics. During his tenure as AD, The Bluejays reached unprecedented heights in on-field success, off-the-field success, fund raising, facilities, graduation rates, fan engagement and sustainability. The highlight of his career was ushering CU into the Big East Conference and serving as Chair of the prestigious NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Committee.

Since its inception in 2014, the NGF has issued over $400,000 in grants to qualified in-need former athletes.

Nebraska Greats Foundation to Join #GIVINGTUESDAY

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

The Nebraska Greats Foundation to Join #GIVINGTUESDAY

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501c-3 non profit) is planning a national outreach as part of the global #GivingTuesday movement on Tuesday, May 5th to raise awareness of the plight of former Nebraska college athletes.

On #GivingTuesday former athletes from each of the 16 4-year colleges and universities served by the NGF will urge fans to support former teammates in medical and financial hardship. They will produce social media posts directing fans to www.negreats.org to make cash contributions of any size.

In a recent study by Indiana University, 50% of former athletes experience some form of chronic injury from their playing days, 55% report at least one, unaffordable medical bill and 67% report suffering at least one major injury while playing.

Meanwhile, 71% of workers are under-insured and out of pocket spending for health care has risen 50% since 2010.

These statistics are even more daunting given the Covid-19 crisis which has forced many former athletes, like many Americans out of work and without adequate health insurance.

Says NGF Executive Director Jim Rose “We are blessed with a huge number of popular former athletes from all 16 schools who care about their former teammates. We are hoping they reach many of the great fans of all these schools, make them aware of what we are doing so their innate generosity to shine through. The Covid-19 pandemic is bringing out the best in all of us and we are excited to be small part of #GivingTuesday this May 5th”

The Nebraska Greats Foundation provides life-saving emergency support to any former letter winner from any of the 15 Nebraska based colleges and universities who qualify financially and medically. The NGF is a 501C-3 non profit. All cash donations are tax deductible and can be made online at www.negreats.org

Tom Dinsdale Automotive to serve as title sponsor of 2019 Nebraska Greats Foundation Golf Classic Presented By First State Bank

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Tom Dinsdale Automotive to serve as title sponsor of 2019 Nebraska Greats Foundation Golf Classic Presented By First State Bank

The Nebraska Greats Foundation 501(c)3 is pleased to announce that Grand Island-based Tom Dinsdale Automotive will serve as the Title Sponsor of the 2019 Nebraska Greats Foundation Golf Classic, July 26, 2019 at the Riverside Country Club.

“We are excited about teaming up with an organization that is so perfect for Nebraska.  The NGF has a giant heart as it seeks to support our state’s sports heroes when they need us the most.  And to have such a high profile event in Grand Island is a coup for all the fans in our area.”  Said Tom Dinsdale, CEO

The event is officially The Tom Dinsdale Automotive Nebraska Greats Golf Classic presented by First State Bank.

As part of the sponsorship, Tom Dinsdale Automotive will have unique branding and activation opportunities.

 “The state of Nebraska has the most generous people and businesses in the country.  It means so much to our current and future recipients that companies such at Tom Dinsdale Automotive support their cause.” Says NGF Board Chairman and Founder Jerry Murtaugh.

The event features former celebrity athletes representing many of the 15 Nebraska colleges and universities served by the NGF who will be celebrity captains for a day of golf. Among those who have committed to appear are the three Heisman Trophy winners from UNL Football:  Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier and Eric Crouch, plus former Husker standouts Johnny Dorn, Loren Kaiser, Maurtice Ivy, Mike Anderson, and Phil Ellis.  A morning autograph session with each of the celebrities will be free and open to the public.  Ticket information about the evening session will be made public at a later date.

All net proceeds from the event will support qualified former letter winners from any of the 15 Nebraska-based 4 year colleges and universities who have an emergency medical and financial need.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.   For information, contact Derek Apfel at derek@apfel.care

The Nebraska Greats Foundation is a 501C-3 non-profit that provides grants to qualified recipients for emergency financial and medical needs.  All donations are tax deductible.  For more information, log onto www.negreats.org