Category: University of Nebraska Lincoln

From The AD’s Office: Bill Moos, UNL

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

From The AD’s Office: Bill Moos, UNL

Longtime College athletics Administrator Bill Moos took over the reins of Husker Athletics in 2018 and immediately set upon the task of making Husker athletics competitive again for both Conference Titles and National Championships in some of the highest profile sports.

Since his arrival in Lincoln, he has hired Scott Frost as Football Coach, Fred Hoiberg as Men’s Basketball Coach and Will Bolt as Head Baseball Coach.

The former standout offensive lineman at Washington State, has directed athletic programs at Montana, his Alma Mater (WSU) and the University of Oregon.

Raised on a cattle and wheat ranch near Olympia, WA he has won the popularity of Husker fans across the USA and around the World.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB SINCE COVID-19?

The challenges have been many and are constantly changing.

For me the most difficult challenge has been the inability to interact with people.

I have missed the chances to have daily interactions with our student-athletes and staff.

The ability to sit down at the training table and have lunch with our young men and women and talk about their seasons.

And I miss the ability to interact with our great fans.

Whether it is at a game in one of our sold-out venues, or visiting cities and towns across our great state.

I cherish all of those opportunities and have missed seeing our great people.

THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE DOESN’T LEAVE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IF SCHOOLS LOSE GAMES—-HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU ABOUT A MAJOR DISRUPTION IN NOVEMBER AND EARLY DECEMBER?

All we can do is continue to be vigilant and cautious in everything we do here at Nebraska to maintain our ability to play games.

If nothing else, this pandemic and this virus should have taught us all to control what you can control.

That is how we are operating at Nebraska and that is how we will continue to operate as we head into the late fall and winter months.

NOW AT NEBRASKA FOR THREE YEARS, WHAT ARE THE MAJOR GOALS YOU’VE REACHED FOR THE DEPARTMENT?

I am confident we have positioned Nebraska for success in the years to come.

The wins and losses aren’t quite where we want them yet, but I know we are about to turn a corner in a lot of our programs.

I have been fortunate to hire nine head coaches since I have been at Nebraska and those coaches, and all of our long-time coaches, are building programs with a strong foundation that are positioned for long-term success.

I would also add that we have made strides in the area of facilities. We have upgraded our facilities in several sports and are prepared to build the finest football training facility in the country. That project has been delayed by the pandemic, but it will be ready to roll next year and when it is complete it will be a difference-maker for our program.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES NEBRASKA FOOTBALL AND MEN’S BASKETBALL FACE IN CONSISTENTLY COMPETING FOR A BIG TEN TITLE?

We have the resources in place to compete for conference championships in all of our sports.

The biggest challenge is pretty simple.

We play in the most competitive conference in the country with a lot of great programs.  Winning isn’t easy.

That being said we are poised to start competing with the top programs in the Big Ten.

NOT MANY FANS REMEMBER THAT IT WAS YOU AS A.D. AT OREGON WHO brought PHIL KNIGHT into the fold with the Ducks. TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT PHIL MOST PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW?

Phil is a brilliant visionary who is extremely innovative and fiercely competitive.

One would never guess that he is somewhat shy and reserved.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE GAME OF FOOTBALL? AND AS A FORMER OFFENSIVE LINEMAN HOW DO YOU WATCH A GAME?

I do often focus in on line play when watching as it will most often determine the game’s outcome.

WHO’S THE TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU FACED ON THE FIELD?

Jeff Winans (USC), Dave Tipton (Stanford), Dave Butz (Purdue).

(Note: played against Dave Butz in the East/West Shrine All Star Game)

TALK ABOUT WHY YOU AND THE NEBRASKA ATHLETIC DEPT HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF THE NEBRASKA GREATS FOUNDATION?

The Mission of the Nebraska Greats Foundation fits so well with everything I believe in, what our department believes in and how Nebraskans live their lives.

This is an organization that prioritizes Huskers looking out for Huskers who may be in need.

It is no different than how neighbors help neighbors in our state.

THERE HAVE TO BE FORMER HUSKERS WHO FACE MEDICAL AND FINANCIAL CHALLENGES….WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE RELUCTANT TO ASK FOR HELP?

Particularly in the challenging times we are currently facing, I am sure there are many in our Husker family who could use assistance.

I would simply tell them if you are hurting—medically, financially, emotionally, whatever the issue—turn to your Husker family.

You made life-long bonds with teammates when you were here at Nebraska and those teammates are eager to help.

Once a Husker, always a Husker!

Former Husker Latest Sports Hero Supported by the Nebraska Greats Foundation

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Former Husker Latest Sports Hero Supported by the Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (501C-3) www.negreats.com is pleased to announce its latest grant award.

Former Nebraska Football walk-on Cartier Walker applied for assistance with lingering expenses related to his recent bout with prostate cancer.    These were expenses not covered by health insurance.

Says Walker “I would like to thank the Nebraska Greats Foundation for their support and kindness in my time of need.  Without this lifeline things would be very tough.  This is deeply appreciated and a great Foundation helping former players in need.”

Walker, originally from Atlantic City, NJ lettered on the 1988 Big 8 Championship team and is best remembered for a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in the Huskers win over UNLV.

Walker is the 26th former letter winner from 16 Nebraska based 4-year schools to receive assistance from the Nebraska Greats Foundation since 2014 but he is the 7th to be approved for a grant in 2020.   The NGF has granted over $340,000 to in-need former athletes since 2014.

The NGF is a public non-profit foundation aiding any former letter winning athlete from 16 Nebraska-based 4-year schools with a medical emergency and a financial challenge.  Recipients NEVER receive a direct subsidy as all proceeds are directed to service providers.   All gifts are tax deductible and can be made at www.negreats.org/giving/

NGF Outcomes: Tim Wurth

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

NGF Outcomes: Tim Wurth

One of the NGF’s most recent recipients is former Husker I-back Tim Wurth. He started at Burke High School in Omaha in the mid 70’s before a productive career at Nebraska. He lettered on the 1977, ’78 and ’79 Husker FB teams as a quality back up to I.M. Hipp, Rick Berns and Jarvis Redwine.

Tim has been struggling with a variety of health issues including Neuropathy and Type II Diabetes which has led to serious vision issues.

Before applying for a grant from the NGF, Tim faced emergency Cataract surgery, but was unable to access the health care. Because he needed the surgery now, the application was expedited. His situation was vetted thoroughly and his grant was approved in less than one week. He is now scheduled for Cataract surgery and hopes to be back working full time soon.

Said Tim upon hearing the news, “The Nebraska Greats isn’t just a SIGHT savior, but a life saver. They came to my assistance when my sight was compromised. I was having a hard time financially and personally until I asked for help. And they came through.
If you’re an ex athlete and need help, don’t let your pride get in the way. Ask for it!”

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and sponsors, Tim Wurth’s life has changed!

NGF Supporter Spotlight: Bruce Weber

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

NGF Supporter Spotlight: Bruce Weber

Nebraska Greats Foundation Supporter Spotlight: Bruce Weber

Bruce Weber of Atlanta, GA, founder of American Home Surfaces, one of the largest flooring companies in the country was one of the first supporters of the Nebraska Greats Foundation. A former letter winner and key offensive lineman, he has two rings from NU’s first national title teams. In 2019, the NGF made Bruce the first ever recipient of the “Andra Franklin Service Award.”

Bruce, what kind of a football player were you?

Both 1970 & 1971 National Champions teams… Specialty Teams, Smaller Size (5’11/225lb), Fastest Offensive Pulling Guard, Smart, Swift, Quality Depth, 5-year Red-Shirt, Chicago Proud, Out-Of-State, Business College Graduate.

How do you think your teammates from those days would have described you?

High Spirited, Hard Practices, Trusted, Always lots of Laughs.

Who was the most UNDER-rated player you faced?

Our own now deceased too young but loved by all Eddie Periard, a walk-on defensive Nose Guard, All Big Eight. Beloved by all!!! Eddie was the only one smaller than me, but a heart 20ft. tall. He’d made me chase his back shadow many, many times.

One-time Coach Devaney was so upset with me during a team scrimmage he kicked me out of the whole stadium!! Eddie was a real star…under estimated by every opponent week after week!!!

What lured you to the University of Nebraska?

I came to Lincoln as a senior in high school on the weekend they were to play Oklahoma State. Had me right on the sidelines with the team so I was really close to the action. I had never seen hitting like that going on all over the field. I could just sense something good was going to happen at Nebraska. That night after dinner with the coaches at the Veterans Club they set me up with Barry Alvarez and Wayne Mehlan to take me around that evening to see and enjoy the college party life!

What are some of your fondest memories from your playing days?

Senior Parent Day: Announced and met both of my Parents out on the 50-yard line— big, big hugs.

Graduation: I graduated in mid-year, 2-weeks before leaving for Miami and the Orange Bowl.
But I kept it a secret because I was afraid, I wouldn’t be eligible to play in the Alabama Orange Bowl Game.
We finished practice in Miami and I was sitting in the back of the bus going back to the hotel.
A few of the guys walked on the bus with a Miami newspaper shouting out the headlines “Nebraska to field a college graduate” I was shaken. Then, the guys came back to me and instead of congratulating me- they just wanted to know what classes and professors I had!

1970 Nebraska vs So. Cal @ USC: Last play of the game I missed my block and forced Jerry Tagge to throw the ball 2-seconds quicker than he wanted to and the ball came up 5-10 yards short of a wide-open Johnny Rogers in the end zone. I lost my starting job forever.

Orange Bowl vs Alabama: All of the Seniors were going to be introduced on National TV. When it was time to go out I just froze in the locker room. Suddenly, it hit me this was going to be my last time in a football uniform and I had missed the TV introduction. Finally, someone behind me said “come on Webb- we need to get out there.” 40-years later I found out that voice was Monty Johnson. His superstition was that he always had to be the last one out on the field!

“Game of The Century Nebraska vs Oklahoma”: As was our tradition we would always return to our locker room after warm-ups and say a prayer down on a knee then jump up with a loud cheer.  Back then, the Coaches didn’t have computers or I-Pads. Many many pages of notes were stacked up on clip boards. Unknowing to me, Coach Devaney was standing directly over my helmet.
When I jumped up with everyone else my helmet hit his clip board throwing all of his plays and notes in the air and all over the room 2-minutes before kick-off of the Game of The Century! He yelled out “Weebbbbeerrr!” Thank God we won the game.

Post Orange Bowl: The next night celebration at a posh, very private Miami Country Club and there was an open beer bar for players. We handed the beers through the hedges to Alabama players because “The Bear” (Alabama coach Paul Bryant) wouldn’t let his players partake.

Talk about the highlights of your life after your playing days ended?

Married my beautiful Chicago Italian wife who sat behind me in 8th grade. Her mother never forgave me when Kathi had to give up her beautiful Italian last name “Colianni” for “Weber.”

Births of our 3- Children – Lisa (45) Denver, Co., Jeff (43) Cincinnati, Oh., Joseph Weber (40) So. California. And now 2 Granddaughters Maddie (8) and Christina (1).

Blessed all of my Family lives in Atlanta area.

You’ve built a successful business, what are your core philosophies?

• Love the Industry you’re in
• Never stop reading and finding new ideas
• Don’t be afraid to take meaningful chances and opportunities
• Choose your closest friends carefully
• Know where the curve is and try to stay ahead
• Always try to improve your Patience
• Build Championship “game plans” yearly
• Always Look for ways to help others less fortunate
• Get rid of debt as early as possible in your life
• Stay close to God. Pray everyday
• When the time is right; step-up and diversify
• Surround yourself with good people
• Get a goodnight sleep every night
• Stay in good shape physically
• Eat healthy!

You’ve been one of the founding supporters of the NGF, what attracted you to the Foundation?

I would rather help fellow Nebraska former athletes in need than send anymore large tax payments to the federal government! (Ha)

What would you say to former players who may benefit from a grant from the NGF, but who are reluctant to ask for help?

There is nothing more humbling than knowing you need help and have nowhere to go. Don’t be afraid to ask. Understand that’s why we are here!

Catching Up with NGF Recipient Jim Unger

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Catching Up with NGF Recipient Jim Unger

Jim Unger

Former UNL Varsity and All American Gymnast Jim Unger was one of the NGF’s first recipients. Jim was injured in a freak bicycle accident and is confined to a wheel chair which was provided by the generous supporters of the NGF.

Today, he leads an active lifestyle and is an outspoken supporter of what the Nebraska Greats Foundation can do to assist those in need.

Many who follow the Nebraska Greats Foundation know of how the NGF assisted you after your accident. Update us on how you are doing and what you are doing?

I am doing great–many Healthcare workers, and others think that I am a paraplegic rather than a quadriplegic. After going through somewhat tedious training, testing, and red tape, I am now able to drive! This has freed up a lot of opportunities to get things done.

You competed for the University of Nebraska Gymnastics team when the sport was starting to boom internationally. Did you ever think it would become THAT big?

When I competed at Nebraska, there were 216 schools with gymnastics. Now that Iowa dropped its program last week, sadly there are only 14 left. Obviously the budget is the main reason, along with Title IX. However, since gymnastics is an Olympic sport, we hope that it will be retained by those remaining schools.

Over the last 40 years, Nebraska has dominated men’s gymnastics why is that?

Gymnastics exploded in the 70’s due to more coverage, equipment advances, and Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner winning internationally. Of all the advances in equipment, the most exponential were the spring tumbling floor, and the in-ground foam pits. Nebraska was the first college to install a pit, in the Devaney Sports Center. The pits allow learning of double somersaults until the athlete has mastered the skill, before performing it on a mat landing.

Did you know that on the 1984 men’s team, Olympic gold medalists, 4 out of the 7 competitors were from Nebraska: Jim Hartung, Phil Cahoy, Scott Johnson, and alternate Jim Mikus. The 1980 team that “didn’t go” had Coach Francis Allen, Jim Hartung, Phil Cahoy, and Larry Gerard all from Nebraska.

Talk about how the NGF helped you.

I was one of the first to be helped. In my case, they generously provided me with physical therapy equipment and a motorized chair…which has been beneficial for my circulation and muscle tone, as well as keeping my hopes alive for medical advances to walk again (and play golf!).

A lot of athletes are reluctant to ask for help. There are many out there who probably need assistance with the medical issues, what would you say to them?

I would encourage other athletes in need to be sure to ask the Nebraska Greats Foundation for help! We all go through tough times in life, and whether yours is financial, medical, or other, please reach out.

You competed when most young boys were playing football, basketball and baseball. What got you started in gymnastics?

I tried out for all sports, and did pretty well. When we had to hop up on the pommel horse and do leg cuts, or walk on our hands on the parallel bars, Coach Fox (Jr. High PE teacher) liked the way I could keep my legs straight, and point my toes. That was how I started in gymnastics, just during the season.

Our high school teams won 2 state championship, and were recently inducted into the Lincoln Southeast HS Hall of Fame. But, it wasn’t until college that I trained gymnastics year-round.

I feel very fortunate that I ended up getting a full athletic scholarship to pay for college. I ended up becoming Francis Allen’s first All-American; I didn’t know that I would end up teaching kids for 40 years…I feel very blessed.

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Partners With Social Media Heavyweight Opendorse To Assist In Reaching Those In Need

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

The Nebraska Greats Foundation Partners With Social Media Heavyweight Opendorse To Assist In Reaching Those In Need

June 23, 2020

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 partnership with Lincoln-based Opendorse, a social media marketing firm to assist
the NGF in identifying qualified applicants.

Terms were not disclosed.

Opendorse will assist the NGF in building a roster of high-profile former Nebraska college athletes who
will share NGF content on their social media platforms.

“It’s time to turbo-charge the NGF brand directly to those who we believe influence their former
teammates more impactfully than about anybody. To many athletes, their teammates really are like
family. Opendorse will deliver us to them.” Says NGF Executive Director Jim Rose.

Says Opendorse Co-founder/President Adi Kunalic, “The Nebraska Greats Foundation is an excellent
organization with a mission that we genuinely believe in. As former Huskers, we want to do all we can
to help our alumni community. I’m proud that Opendorse can be a part of helping spread their message
to Nebraska college sports fans across the state. And am hopeful that through our partnership we can
increase recipients and ultimately assist alumni who need our help the most.”

Founded in 2012 by former college football players turned social media marketers, Kunalic and Blake
Lawrence, Opendorse was built to provide athletes with a solution to publish content from partners on
social media. Today, 10,000 athletes and thousands of their partners — teams, leagues, players
associations, and brands — trust Opendorse to deliver outcomes, connect with fans, and ultimately,
make the most of their moment on social media.

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