Board leadership that turns Nebraska pride into real support for athletes.
Nebraska has always been about more than wins and championships. It’s about community. It’s about pride. And it’s about taking care of your own.
At the Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF), that belief is at the heart of everything we do. We exist to support former and current Nebraska collegiate letter-winners when life gets hard, especially when injuries, medical bills, or emergencies become overwhelming. But what makes NGF truly special isn’t just the assistance we provide, it’s who is behind the mission.
Our legacy isn’t something we only celebrate in the past. It’s something we live out every day, through the leadership of people who helped define Nebraska greatness, and who now dedicate themselves to ensuring that no Great is left behind.
Nebraska Greats Don’t Stop Giving When the Game Ends
Many athletes give everything to their sport: time, discipline, physical sacrifice, and heart. But once the cheering fades and the seasons end, life can become complicated fast. Old injuries can resurface. Chronic pain can become a daily reality. Medical bills can stack up. And while many former athletes remain proud of their playing days, few people realize just how often the toughest battles happen after competition.
That’s why NGF exists and why our board plays such a vital role.
Leadership That Represents Nebraska Greatness
NGF is proud to have respected leaders who shaped Nebraska athletics—people who understand the athlete journey from the inside, and who have committed to supporting athletes long after their playing days are over.
Eric Crouch — A Legacy of Leadership
Eric Crouch is widely recognized for his excellence on the field and the example he set in Nebraska athletics. But his legacy today is also defined by service, showing up for athletes whose needs extend beyond the spotlight.As a board member, Eric helps guide NGF’s vision and support initiatives that directly impact Nebraska athletes facing hardship. His involvement is a reminder that leadership doesn’t end when you leave the field, it evolves.
Boyd Epley — Building Strength, Supporting Strength
Boyd Epley helped revolutionize athletic performance through strength and conditioning, shaping generations of Nebraska athletes. His contributions to Nebraska sports history are legendary but what matters just as much is what he continues to do now. By serving with NGF, Boyd is helping athletes rebuild their strength in a different way: through recovery, stability, and support. He understands that physical resilience is only part of the equation and that athletes need resources and community when their bodies or lives take a hard hit.
Bruce Rasmussen — A Legacy of Integrity and Athlete Advocacy
Bruce Rasmussen has long been known for his leadership and commitment to athletic excellence. His time in Nebraska athletics represents decades of integrity, dedication, and investment in student-athletes not just as performers, but as people. As an NGF board member, he continues that work by helping ensure athletes are supported when life after sport becomes challenging. His involvement reinforces a key NGF value: athletes should never be forgotten once the scoreboard goes dark.
Jerry Murtaugh — Our Founder and the Heart of the Mission
Every organization has a beginning, and NGF’s began with a deeply Nebraska belief: we take care of our own. Founder Jerry Murtaugh saw a need, former athletes struggling with medical or emergency situations and built a foundation that meets those needs with compassion, action, and respect. Jerry’s vision wasn’t just about charity. It was about restoring dignity. About making sure athletes who gave so much to their schools and communities weren’t left alone when hardship hit. Because of that vision, NGF has grown into a lifeline for Nebraska athletes across the state.
Board Involvement Means Direct Impact
One of the most meaningful aspects of NGF is that our board members aren’t just names on a website, they are directly involved.
They help guide the mission.
They help assess needs and support decisions.
They help raise awareness and resources.
They help ensure support reaches athletes who truly need it. When leaders like Eric Crouch, Boyd Epley, and Bruce Rasmussen choose to serve with NGF, it sends a powerful message to every athlete who needs help:
You still matter. Your story still matters. You’re still one of us. Continuing the Nebraska Tradition: Greatness With Purpose
Greatness isn’t only measured in trophies or records. It’s measured in how you show up for others, especially when someone is struggling. NGF exists to honor the past while protecting the future and our board members represent that mission through their commitment to giving back.
Be Part of the Legacy
Legacy doesn’t end when the game does. Legacy continues when we give back.
If you believe in taking care of Nebraska athletes and preserving the values that make this state special, there are many ways to help:
Donate to support medical and emergency assistance
Share NGF’s mission to help more athletes find support
Sponsor or attend events that raise resources for those in need
Join the community that keeps Nebraska Greats connected
Learn more and get involved: https://www.negreats.org
