GORDON, HENDRY AND DUENSING HEADLINE THE 2021 MILLARD ROOFING CELEBRITY SPORTS NIGHT EVENT PRESENTED BY 1ST STATE BANK
Three of the biggest names in Nebraska baseball history headline the Millard Roofing 2021 Celebrity Sports Night event presented by 1 st State Bank to benefit the Nebraska Greats Foundation www.negreats.org
Former college All-American, 1 st Round draft choice and World Series winner Alex Gordon, MLB veteran and Millard South and 10-year big leaguer Brian Duensing will join former Creighton head coach and MLB Executive Jim Hendry on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the Ralston Arena to raise life changing funds in support of former collegiate athletes who face medical emergencies and financial challenges.
The baseball-themed event headlines Gordon, Duensing and Hendry and will highlight NGF grant recipients, school partners and the presentation of the Andra Franklin Service Award for meritorious service to Nebraska athletes.
Says Gordon, Lincoln native and all-star from the KC Royals “It’s my pleasure to be a part of the Nebraska Greats Foundation which is doing amazing work for former athletes in need. This is going to be a fun night with a lot of great people involved.”
Says Duensing who won 46 victories for four different MLB teams, “There is no greater feeling that helping those in need from our own community. I’m excited to be a part of the Nebraska Greats event to help those in need now and in the future.”
Says Hendry, 1991 NCAA Coach of the Year after guiding the Creighton Bluejays to a 3 rd place finish in the CWS before an eight-year stint as VP/GM of the Cubs, “The Nebraska Greats is doing great things for people in need. This will be a fun night for every fan. I encourage fans of all these schools to support it.”
The evening will also feature rare live and silent auction items. All net proceeds benefit grant recipients.
Follow www.negreats.org or the Nebraska Greats Facebook page for individual and group ticket information.
FORMER CREIGHTON BASKETBALL AND UNL FOOTBALL STANDOUTS JOIN THE NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Nebraska Greats Foundation (www.negreats.org) announces the appointment of former Creighton Basketball captain Matt West and Husker Football record setter Kris Brown to three
year terms.
“These are two outstanding professionals and family men with tremendous records of achievement during their playing days but even more so since entering private life. Our organization will be enhanced by their contributions and our current and future recipients couldn’t have two greater advocates.” Says NGF Executive Director Jim Rose.
The Dallas-native Brown helped bring home two national championships and set numerous school place-kicking records. After 12 years in the NFL he transitioned from professional athlete to businessman by co-founding the Berliner Group – a Dunkin Donuts franchisee holding company based in Omaha. He and his wife, Amy, are parents of three. Says Brown “The NGF is doing life changing work that reflects our state’s core values, compassion, teamwork and family. I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
West, of Omaha Westside HS was a key cog in two MVC Conference championships for the CU Bluejays from 1996-2000 serving as team captain his senior year. Upon graduation, the University presented him the “Spirit of Creighton” Award. After attending CU Medical school, he completed his residency and fellowship training at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He currently practices as an interventional spine specialist at the Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and as a team physician for CU Athletics. He will also serve concurrently on the NGF Physician’s Board. West and his wife Jane are the parents of four. Says West “This is an important mission to help those in need. I am excited to be a part of positively impacting the lives of former athletes.”
Former Wayne State Football Player Latest Recipient of Support From the Nebraska Greats Foundation
The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501c-3) proudly announces the awarding of another life changing
grant to a former Nebraska College Athletics letter winner.
Drew Caskey, a two-year letter winner in football at Wayne State College (2000-2001) suffered a serious
hip injury while playing. It grew progressively worse until doctors recently advised a complete hip
replacement procedure. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, Drew was furloughed from his position at the
University of Nebraska and was left with a financial hardship, unable to access the procedure, travel
costs and post-operative care. His application was reviewed for qualification and approved by the NGF
Board of Directors.
Says Caskey, “Faced with the daunting diagnosis of needing a total hip replacement (THR) at just 39
years old, I reached out to the Nebraska Greats Foundation for financial assistance in hopes of achieving
a surgical alternative procedure to resolve the degenerative joint disease in my right hip. My life had
come to a grinding halt due to my painful arthritic hip. I learned that I needed total hip replacement at
just 39 years old. Then the global pandemic hit. Nonetheless I was now faced with financial hardship
due to the furlough assignment from my job.
In stepped the Nebraska Greats Foundation offering to help with out-of-pocket expenses and travel
costs so I could get the best surgeon possible. I knew that help for travel expenses is very rare!
I am forever grateful to the Nebraska Greats Foundation because without them, my dream of traveling
to New York to undergo Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR), by renowned orthopedic surgeon, Edwin P.
Su, M.D., and receive the “gold standard” of hip resurfacing implants, would have stayed just that, a
dream and never a reality. Thank you for helping me get back to winning in the game of life!”
