Category: News

NEBRASKANS FAR AND WIDE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE NGF ON #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW, 2020

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

NEBRASKANS FAR AND WIDE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE NGF ON #GIVINGTUESDAYNOW, 2020

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3) www.negreats.org generated just over $70,000 cash to assist former letter winners from each of 16 Nebraska-based 4 year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges. The effort was part of the global #GivingTuesdayNow initiative seeking global support for worthy causes.

The effort included a significant social media presence in the form of Facebook posts, tweets and videos produced by an army of athletes and coaches representing all 16 schools served by the NGF.

“This shows that to Nebraskans, the care and concern for college student-athletes is a lifelong commitment. Long after their playing days, we care about them like family. On behalf of them, THANK YOU!” Says NGF Board President Jerry Murtaugh.

The mission of the NGF is to provide life-saving support in the form of equipment, facilities, insurance deductibles, procedures, prescription medication, and pre and post-operative care not covered by insurance and only to applicants who qualify medically and have a financial need that precludes them from getting the critical care on their own.

The NGF encourages all Nebraskans who may be aware of former athletes in need to please refer the athlete to the Foundation at www.negreats.org which will then reach out to the athlete privately. All referrals can remain anonymous.

The Nebraska Greats Foundation provides life-saving emergency support to male or female former letter winner from any of the 16 Nebraska based colleges and universities who qualify financially and medically. The NGF is a 501C-3 nonprofit. The NGF is a member of the Non-Profit association of the Midlands. All cash donations are tax deductible and can be made online at www.negreats.org

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

Nebraska Greats Foundation Board Members Eric Crouch and Maurtice Ivy Named to the Nebraska Athletics Hall Of Fame 2020

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Nebraska Greats Foundation Board Members Eric Crouch and Maurtice Ivy Named to the Nebraska Athletics Hall Of Fame 2020

Nebraska Greats Foundation Board of Directors members and former Husker standouts Maurtice Ivy and Eric Crouch were announced as members of the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame Class for 2020.

They are joined by former volleyball coach Terry Pettit, former Volleyball standout Jordan Larson, bowling standout Amanda Burgoyne, and football/TF star Sam Francis.


Crouch, of Millard North HS was the 2001 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner as the best collegiate player in the USA after being named Big 12 Player of the Year in 1999 and 2001. He accounted for nearly 9,000 yards of total offense and scored 97 touchdowns. Earlier this spring, he was also named to the class of 2020 in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Ivy, of Omaha Central was the first Husker women’s basketball player to amass 2,000 points (2,131), was a 3-time All-Big 8 pick and was the 1988 Conference Player of the Year in leading NU to the regular season title.

Says NFG Executive Director Jim Rose, “Maurtice and Eric are truly deserving of this distinction as legendary Huskers. They are fantastic ambassadors for the state and university and have been ‘game changers’ as representatives of the Nebraska Greats Foundation and all
we do.”

The class of 2020 will be inducted in the Fall.

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 prof

Kim and Tom Dinsdale honored at NGF 2020 Celebrity Sports Night Event

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Kim and Tom Dinsdale honored at NGF 2020 Celebrity Sports Night Event

Grand Island philanthropists Kim and Tom Dinsdale were honored with the “Andra Franklin Service Award” by the Nebraska Greats Foundation at the 2020 Millard Roofing Celebrity Sports Night presented by 1st State Bank Thurs Feb 13, 2020 at the LaVista Convention Center.

“There are no two people in the world who care more about their community, state, country and the people in it than Kim and Tom.  Their support of the NGF mission has been transformational and speaks to the innate care and concern they, as Nebraskans have for each of us.” Says Jim Rose, Executive Director of the Nebraska Greats Foundation.

Recognized as two of Nebraska’s most generous philanthropists Kim a native Texan and Tom, who grew up in Palmer, NE have led major development efforts at Hastings College, The Duck Derby, the United Way of the Heartland, The Stuhr Museum, Heartland Events Center, the Grand Island Community Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and the University of Nebraska. Their commitments range from the Arts to Athletics to Education.

The Award, named after the former Husker football standout is the inspiration for the NGF. Franklin, an All Big 8 running back and 2nd round NFL draft choice, passed away in 2006 unable to access life saving medical care due to financial difficulties

In addition to the Franklin Award, the 2020 event highlights included a public reunion of the 1983 Husker Football “Scoring Explosion” backfield combination of Turner Gill, Mike Rozier, Irving Fryar and Mark Schellen reminiscing about their record setting days on and off the field.

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

GTA Insurance Group joins the NGF as a Corporate Partner

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

GTA Insurance Group joins the NGF as a Corporate Partner

Nebraska-based GTA Insurance Services will serve as a corporate partner of the Nebraska Greats Foundation.

The two sides agreed to a 2-year partnership starting in 2020.  Terms were not disclosed.  The partnership will provide GTA Insurance Group branding opportunities through www.negreats.org and on-site activation at NGF public events in exchange for financial support of the NGF.

GTA joins Broadmoor Development, 1st State Bank and iHeart Media as official corporate partners of the Nebraska Greats Foundation.  

Says Krae DuToit, CEO of GTA Insurance Group, “We are so excited to align our agency with a foundation that prioritizes Nebraska athletics & giving back to local communities. We look forward to being an active participant in changing & directly affecting lives for the better. We appreciate & value the work that the Nebraska Greats Foundation does on a daily basis & look forward to where this partnership will lead us in the future.”

Says NGF Board President Jerry Murtaugh, “This is another example of how an outstanding Nebraska business is stepping up to help our former athletic heroes in need.  We are so appreciative of Krae and his staff across the state for their support.”

GTA Insurance Group, formerly known as the Gary Thompson Agency currently has 22 Nebraska locations and counts a number of former Nebraska College Athletes as associates.

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 nonprofit.  All cash donations are tax deductible and can be made online at www.negreats.org

Former Dana College Standout Garry Clark to join the Nebraska Greats Foundation Board of Directors

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Former Dana College Standout Garry Clark to join the Nebraska Greats Foundation Board of Directors

Garry Clark, a nine time All-American in Track and Field and holder of 11 school records at Dana College in Blair, NE has been named to the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Greats Foundation.

“Garry is a rising star in Nebraska business and credits much of his success in life to his time competing for the Dana Vikings on a college Track and Field scholarship.   We are thrilled to have him serve on the Board and as an Ambassador of the NGF mission.  The fact that he is a true representative of Nebraska’s small college community is a tremendous asset.”  Says Jim Rose Executive Director of the NGF.

Clark is currently Exec Dir of the Fremont Development Council after leadership roles with NIFA and Cuming County Economic Development.  He is also a national leader in rural economic development and was awarded a “40 under 40” distinction by the Midland’s Business Journal. 

Clark earned a BA in Sociology from Dana and a Masters of Science Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. 

Says Clark, “I feel extremely honored and humbled to have this opportunity.  As a Nebraska Collegiate Athlete, I found the opportunity to change my life in Nebraska, make life-long friends, build a family and so much more.  It’s totally appropriate to join an organization whose legacy is tied to providing for the needs of former Nebraska athletes like me.”

A past NGF recipient is the late Alan Pogue, a two-sport star at Dana in the mid 1980’s who passed away in 2016 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

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

MILLARD ROOFING IS TITLE SPONSOR OF THE 2020 CELEBRITY SPORTS NIGHT EVENT

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

MILLARD ROOFING IS TITLE SPONSOR OF THE 2020 CELEBRITY SPORTS NIGHT EVENT

Omaha-based Millard Roofing Company, will serve as the Title Sponsor of the 2nd annual Celebrity Sports Night event on Thursday, Feb 13, 2020 at the LaVista Conference Center to benefit the Nebraska Greats Foundation.

The 2020 event The Millard Roofing Celebrity Sports Night presented by 1st State Bank is highlighted by a rare, public reunion of “The Scoring Explosion” Husker football backfield of Mike Rozier, Turner Gill, Irving Fryar and Mark Schellen.  Together, they set numerous NCAA scoring and yardage records in leading the Huskers to the 1983 Big 8 Championship and a spot in the National Title Game.  Gill, Rozier, Fryar and Schellen will share stories from the days on and off the field. 

In addition, the NGF will present its second annual “Andra Franklin Service Award,” salute each of the 15 4-year schools whose former athletes are served by the Nebraska Greats Foundation and profile the past and current recipients of NGF grants.   The evening will include former athletic legends from across Nebraska

Says Jim Eggers, CEO of Millard Roofing, “we are pleased to be a part of this event and to support the Nebraska Greats Foundation.  It’ll be a fun night!  All of us at Millard Roofing are big fans of all the sports teams and greatly value the efforts of former athletes.   The Nebraska Greats is ensuring that when in need, Nebraskans are there for them.“

Says NGF Founder Jerry Murtaugh “Millard Roofing is proof positive that all Nebraskans are family and we take care of each other.  This is a tremendous partnership and will make our event even more successful”

Individual or group tickets are available on line at www.negreats.org

Millard Roofing is an Omaha based commercial and residential roofing contractor on line at millardroofing.net

The Nebraska Greats Foundation provides life-saving emergency support to any former letterwinner 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

Nebraska Greats Foundation adds former volleyball standout Mandy Monson to Board of Directors

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Nebraska Greats Foundation adds former volleyball standout Mandy Monson to Board of Directors

The Nebraska Greats Foundation proudly announces the addition of former UNL volleyball standout Mandy Monson to the Board of Directors.

She was unanimously approved for a 5-year term.

A native of Wallace, Nebraska, Monson played from 1996-1999 and served as co-captain her senior year. 

Today, Monson serves as VP/Finance for resort lifestyle communities and Cameron General Contractors in Lincoln.  

Says Monson,

“it is an honor to be selected to serve on the board of directors for the Nebraska Greats Foundation.  I appreciate the opportunity and I’m excited to join this fantastic organization!  

I look forward to being a part of the support system that former varsity athletes from all of the 15 four-year Nebraska-based colleges and universities can tap into.”

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501c-3) provides lifesaving funds to former Nebraska college athletes.   Grants are available to any former letter winner from any of the 15 Nebraska four year colleges and universities who meet financial and medical needs.   Www.negreats.org