Category: News

Tim Wurth Memorial

Posted on by klarinc

Tim Wurth Memorial

Former Husker Running Back, 1976 World-Herald boys athlete of the year and Nebraska Greats Foundation recipient Tim Wurth passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022.

Wurth was known as a tenacious football player who had a career total of 766 yards and seven touchdowns. Wurth lettered at NU in 1977 to 1979. He is also in the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

Zac Wurth wrote on Facebook; “It is with great sadness we announce the death of our beloved dad, Tim. We have had many people reach out and ask what they can do to support us. We ask that if you would like to do anything please support the Nebraska Greats Foundation that helped him in his time of need.”

Without insurance, Wurth applied for a grant from the NGF seeking assistance with Cataract surgery stemming from Type II Diabetes. Wurth also needed assistance with multiple hospital stays as a result of chronic neuropathy.

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.

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.