Category: University of Nebraska Lincoln

GORDON, HENDRY AND DUENSING HEADLINE THE 2021 MILLARD ROOFING CELEBRITY SPORTS NIGHT EVENT PRESENTED BY 1ST STATE BANK

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

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

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

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.”

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Issues Grant to Former Husker Standout Battling COVID-19

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Issues Grant to Former Husker Standout Battling COVID-19

The Nebraska Greats Foundation which serves former letter winners from Nebraska’s 4-year colleges and universities who face medical and financial challenges, has issued its first grant to a victim of COVID-19.

Former UNL Football standout Keven Lightner, an All Big 8 performer in 1987 was struck with the Corona Virus while visiting Nebraska in the summer of 2020. He is an assistant coach with the Fujitsu Frontiers of Japan’s professional football league. Health authorities are certain he was infected while in Lincoln.

Said Lightner, “I would like to thank the Nebraska Greats Foundation for coming to my family’s aid after my long and difficult battle with COVID-19. The bills piled up quickly and the foundation stepped in and took this financial burden off our shoulders. I will be forever grateful!”

Lightner entered St. Elizabeth Regional Health center on July 28th and spent the next 32 days on full life support, including a 10-day induced COMA. While in treatment, he was on a 24-hour ventilator, suffered a collapsed lung and cardiac arrest. His fever spiked to 104 degrees.

Employer sponsored health insurance benefits only provided for a percentage of the seven-figure cost of his care. He and his family applied for support from the NGF.

“COVID-19 has affected so many Nebraska families. In many cases, like Keven the victim recovered but now must face crippling medical expenses. Hopefully Keven’s story will shed light on the increasingly unreachable cost of health care. On behalf of our donors and corporate partners, we are pleased to be able to assist Keven and his family at this time and hope we can do more if needed.” Says Jim Rose, Executive Director of the NGF.

A Nebraska native, Lightner starred at Adams Central HS near Hastings. After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach at Ohio University and Vanderbilt prior to his position in Japan. He became a legend off the field as one of Nebraska Football’s strongest players. He set numerous weightlifting records including a 441-pound bench press and a 756 pound squat.

He has returned to Japan to continue his recovery.

Tommie Frazier: Fan’s Choice as Favorite Husker of the Last 50 Years

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Tommie Frazier: Fan’s Choice as Favorite Husker of the Last 50 Years

After a HuskerNATION wide poll, former All-American QB Tommie Frazier was selected as the “Fan’s choice as the favorite Husker of the last 50 years.” Tommie will be presented with a special award at the annual Celebrity Sports Night event in August.

Thanks to everyone who voted and donated $50 to the Nebraska Greats Foundation which sponsored the on-line poll.

A legend among legends in a long line of transcendent Big Eight quarterbacks, Tommie Frazier helped College Football Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne and Nebraska to back-to-back perfect national championship seasons in 1994 and 1995.

The 1995 consensus First-Team All-American and Johnny Unitas Award winner was runner-up for the 1995 Heisman Trophy and a finalist for the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards. Frazier led Nebraska to four consecutive bowl appearances, claiming MVP honors in the 1995 Orange and 1996 Fiesta bowls en route to the national title. Frazier missed seven games during the 1994 season due to blood clots, but the junior was able to return and direct Nebraska’s come-from-behind win over Miami in the national title game. The 1995 Big Eight Player of the Year set a conference record with a 33-3 overall career record as a starter. Frazier won the Big Eight title in all four of his seasons, posting three straight years of undefeated league play.

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Veteran Fund Raising Executive Dobbs To Join The Nebraska Greats Foundation

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Veteran Fund Raising Executive Dobbs To Join The Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (www.negreats.org) a 501C-3 public foundation which serves the medical needs of former Nebraska collegiate athletes is proud to announce the addition of Development Executive Mike Dobbs. He will serve as Chief Development Officer and begin officially on January 4, 2021.

“Mike is a terrific get for the NE Greats. He brings years of experience connecting the donor community to the needs of athletes, young and old in Nebraska. He is well liked and respected across the country representing collegiate athletics. We couldn’t be more pleased for our organization and the athletes-in-need we serve.” Says Jim Rose, NGF Executive Director.

Dobbs joins the NGF after 12 years in the Development office of Husker Athletics. While with UNL, he generated support for scholarships, premium seating, legacy, and capital projects.

Dobbs was a standout pitcher for Nebraska Baseball after a decorated prep career at Lincoln East HS. Upon graduation, he embarked a 10-year coaching career in the Lincoln Public School System followed by a stint in private business.

Says Dobbs, “I’m looking forward to beginning the next chapter working with the NGF. Supporting individuals that need assistance is a great cause. I’m looking forward to building relationships with all the Nebraska-based colleges and universities.”