Category: NGF Recipients

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.

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Assists a Former Husker Football Player

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Assists a Former Husker Football Player

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Assists a Former Husker Football Player

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3 non profit) www.negreats.org which serves former letter winners from Nebraska’s 4-year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges, proudly announces a grant for former Husker football letter winner Paul Kastl.

The NGF is assisting Paul with past due medical expenses.

Kastl, who lettered at Nebraska from 1998-2002, was a walk-on running back after a standout HS career at Lincoln Pius X.

Says 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.”

International Masters Swimmer and former Husker served by NGF

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

International Masters Swimmer and former Husker served by NGF

The Nebraska Greats Foundation, 501C-3 nonprofit (www.negreats.org) which aids current and former Nebraska athletes in need has provided a grant to Keefe Lodwig, a former All Big 8 swimming champion from UNL.

Lodwig, who starred at Omaha Benson High School in the 1960’s has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a degenerative neurological disease that progressively robs its victims of motor skills. It is commonly known as ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”

While an accomplished swimmer in his youth, Lodwig shined the most as one of the world’s top Master’s Swimmers. He competed globally, setting records, and capturing gold medals well into his 70’s.

ALS victims require constant medical care. The NGF is assisting Lodwig with needs as the disease progresses.

“I feel lucky that I was able to be an athlete for Nebraska and I am very grateful for the help I am receiving from the Nebraska Greats Foundation.” Says Lodwig.

Donations to the NGF are tax deductible and can be made online at www.negreats.org/giving

Nebraska Greats Foundation Comes Through for Another Small College Nebraska Athlete

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Nebraska Greats Foundation Comes Through for Another Small College Nebraska Athlete

The Nebraska Greats Foundation, 501C-3 nonprofit (www.negreats.org) which aids current and former Nebraska athletes in need has provided a grant to Keven Marques, a freshman Midfielder from Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

Keven was admitted to a local hospital in August complaining of severe abdominal pain and severe vomiting. After a series of tests and other procedures, doctors located the cause of the illness and began treatment. Keven made a full recovery.

The Nebraska Greats Foundation assisted Keven, who is largely funding his own education with funds to cover outstanding medical expenses.
“I am very grateful for all the help and assistance provided by the Nebraska Greats Foundation. I appreciate and recognize the great work they do in helping people and families who need or have needed help, just like me.” Said Marques.

To learn more about the mission of the NGF or provide tax deductible assistance to athletes in need, please visit www.negreats.org

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Supports a York College Soccer Player

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Supports a York College Soccer Player

The Nebraska Greats Foundation, which aids current and former Nebraska college or university athletes has provided a grant to Carlos Ortega a sophomore Midfielder from York College.  Carlos is originally from Margarita Island, Venezuela.

Carlos applied for a grant to assist him with medical bills stemming from an injury he suffered while competing.  The NGF provided funds to a provider for services not covered by insurance.

Said Carlos “I want to thank the Nebraska Greats Foundation for all your help and support.  I truly appreciate what the NGF does for athletes in need.  It will allow me to stay in school to continue competing and getting a college education.”

The NGF a 501C-3 non profit www.negreats.org seeks applications from any former letter winning athlete who may have a medical need and a financial challenge.   The NGF has provided over $500,000 in qualified grants since its founding in 2014.

Doane College baseball alum, Concordia football star and former Husker basketball player are the latest recipients of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Doane College baseball alum, Concordia football star and former Husker basketball player are the latest recipients of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

Doane College baseball alum, Concordia football star and former Husker basketball player are the latest recipients of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3 nonprofit) www.negreats.org which serves former athletes from Nebraska’s 4-year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges, announces life changing grants to three in-need former college sports heroes.

Jeremy Fossum, of Bellevue, NE (Doane/Baseball) was diagnosed with an operable brain tumor. Beyond the age when he could be covered by his family health insurance, Jeremy was saddled with sizable expense from the operation and associated care. The burden was made worse by significant student loan debt as he pursues a career in physical therapy. Said Fossum, “Finding out about the tumor, I had no thoughts about the cost but then when the bills started to arrive, I became very concerned. I wasn’t sure I would have any way to pay for the health care. Glory to God, He changed my life through the NGF.”

Gerald Morris (Concordia/Football) was seriously injured as a passenger in a spring automobile accident in Utah.His injuries required extensive surgery, rehabilitation and hospital stays. “The Nebraska Greats is a god-send to Gerald and his family. What an incredible, caring organization that literally changes peoples lives.” Said Concordia football coach Patrick Daberkow.”

Larry Florence (UNL/Basketball), a past NGF recipient continues his valiant fight against Multiple Myeloma. His grant will assist with travel to and from treatments, hospital stays and care.

Former Husker basketball standout latest recipient of grant from Nebraska Greats Foundation

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Former Husker basketball standout latest recipient of grant from Nebraska Greats Foundation

Former Husker basketball standout latest recipient of grant from Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation, a (501C-3) nonprofit providing life changing support to former letter winning athletes from any of Nebraska’s 16 4-year colleges and universities, proudly announces its latest grant.

Bernard Day, a two-year standout for Husker Basketball from 1985-87 received a grant to support his recovery from reconstructive knee surgery.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Nebraska Greats. You all have come through for me by granting me the help I am so thankful for. Having required knee replacement surgery, the last few years have been very challenging, and this is such a blessing. Thank you for taking some weight off my shoulders. I greatly enjoyed my time playing for the Huskers. And even though I was miles away, I always felt that as a Husker, I was always among family.” Said Day who led Nebraska into its first NCAA Tournament game in 1986 and helped lead the Huskers to the NIT Final Four in 1987 as a two-year starter for coaches Moe Iba and Danny Nee.

Since its founding the NGF has provided more than $400,000 in grants to athletes who face a medical need and a financial hardship.

York College Soccer star latest recipient of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

York College Soccer star latest recipient of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

York College Soccer star latest recipient of assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3 nonprofit) www.negreats.org which serves former letter winners from Nebraska’s 4-year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges, announces a grant to aid a current student-athlete.

Christofer Monje, a senior Goalkeeper for the York College Panthers recently underwent facial surgery after being injured in a game. Medical expenses exceeded those covered by school provided insurance. Monje, originally from Santiago, Chile applied for a grant to cover those expenses directly related to the procedure and post operative care. “When it came to cover the medical expenses, it was really hard, and more so being an international student. This is when The Nebraska Greats Foundation came to help me. Without them I couldn’t afford this injury and might have had to leave school.” Said Monje.

The NGF serves both female and male athletes from 16 Nebraska colleges and Universities. A complete list of past recipients can be found at www.negreats.org. Donations to the NE Greats are welcomed at www.negreats.org/giving