Tag: recipients

A Journey Through Concordia University

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Concordia University

Concordia University Nebraska is a premier Lutheran higher education school that teaches students about faith, life experiences, and academics by developing mind, body, and spirit to serve Christ in the church and in the world.

They aim to help students fulfill a higher purpose in life in an atmosphere where everyone can learn from each other. 

Concordia University Athletics

Concordia University 

Nestled in the heart of Seward, Nebraska, stands the private Lutheran institution known as Concordia University, Nebraska. Established in 1894, this distinguished institution has long been affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

It is one of seven schools forming the dynamic Concordia University System. Organized into three main schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Graduate Studies, it offers an array of educational opportunities for its students.

The Concordia University System was established in 1995, integrating Concordia into its fold. The college, in turn, upgraded to university status in 1998, expanding its educational horizons even further.

The main campus, spread over 85 acres is a hub of academic and administrative activities with over 11 buildings dedicated to these pursuits. Providing ample accommodation options, the university also hosts 11 residence halls, with the most recent addition being Jonathan Hall, offering apartment-style living.

Concordia University Athletics

Concordia University: Go Bulldogs!

Sports are a significant part of Concordia University’s culture. The athletic teams, known as the Bulldogs, are a proud part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They’ve been mainly competing in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) since the 1969–70 academic year, exemplifying their spirit and dedication.

With 23 intercollegiate varsity sports on offer, students have a wide range of athletic pursuits to choose from. Men’s sports encompass baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, powerlifting, soccer, tennis, track & field, and wrestling. Women’s sports include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, powerlifting, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The university even provides co-ed opportunities with eSports and shooting sports.

Concordia University Athletics

Victories and Achievements

The Bulldogs have tasted the joy of victory with three NAIA National Championships in their portfolio: men’s outdoor track & field (2015), women’s outdoor track & field (2016), and women’s basketball (2019). Concordia’s softball team has also shown remarkable prowess by making it to the Women’s College World Series in 1970 and 1971. The university fosters a vibrant intramural sports scene as well.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Concordia Nebraska’s teams utilize top-notch facilities for their competitions, including the recently constructed Walz Human Performance Complex, Bulldog Stadium, and Plum Creek Park baseball and softball fields.

The Concordia Invitational Tournament (CIT)

A long-standing tradition since 1950, Concordia participates in an annual men’s basketball tournament against other LCMS universities. A women’s tournament was added in 1965, increasing the scope of the competition. Concordia Nebraska has distinguished itself by holding the best aggregate record in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Since 2001, the participating teams include Concordia University, Nebraska, Concordia University Wisconsin, Concordia University Chicago, and Concordia University, Ann Arbor.

Concordia University stands as an institution of academic excellence, athletic prowess, and community spirit, continually nurturing its students in a holistic manner. From its academic achievements to its athletic victories, Concordia continues to shine.

Nebraska Greats Foundation Recipient

For the Nebraska Greats Foundation, every Bulldog Athlete is part of the football and sports community history, and we are eager to give back to the people who have made so much for sports in the state and the people of Nebraska.  

Joel Brott

Brott is a former Bulldog team member and Concordia’s excellent graduate; unfortunately, he suffers from early-stage complications from Multiple Sclerosis. 

Despite living miles away from the nearest hydro-therapy treatment center, Joel was determined to keep up with his treatment; however, these constant travel expenses were taking a toll on his health and economy. 

But thanks to all supporters and donors of The Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF), we installed a hydro-therapy device right in his home. This made his health journey so much more comfortable and allowed him to get more regular treatments. 

Now he can run his family-owned small business without long commutes or other health interruptions. 

Concordia University Athletics

Nebraska Greats Foundation

The Nebraska Greats Foundation is dedicated to giving back to the athletic community by helping former graduates of Concordia University and any other College. 

The foundation provides financial assistance and mentorship as athletes navigate their health journey. We aim to help them regain their health, self-esteem, love, and confidence. 

As Jose said, the NGF “restored the confidence in myself I’d lost. How do you really thank somebody for that?”

If you are a current or former college athlete letter-winner and need medical or financial assistance, the Nebraska Greats Foundation is here to help you just like we’ve helped all of our recipients from all 16 colleges in Nebraska, including Wayne State College. CLICK HERE to apply for help and CLICK HERE to refer an athlete needing care so we can help.

Apply for Medical Assistance
Donate Now to Support Athletes

Bellevue University A Legacy Of Lifelong Learning

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

Bellevue University

Bellevue University, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is a one-of-a-kind school that offers a unique learning experience with a flexible and non-traditional class format. 

Through the University’s online platform, students can pick the best format for them. Bellevue’s flexibility is convenient for students seeking higher education tailored to their needs and lifestyles.

Bellevue-university

In 1987, the college introduced an accelerated bachelor’s degree program, and three years later, it launched its first master’s degree program. In 1994, Bellevue College metamorphosed into Bellevue University.

Bellevue’s primary campus is in Nebraska. It underwent significant expansion in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the opening of the Lozier Professional Center in west Omaha and the Riley Technology Center at the main campus.

The Lakeside Center was another addition. The campus also revamped the library, humanities center, athletic center, and the student center, and constructed a new 72,000-square-foot Educational Services building to accommodate classrooms, offices, and faculty spaces.

Bellevue-university

Bellevue University Athletics: Go Bruins! 

Bellevue University takes pride in its athletic teams, known as the Bruins. The university, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), has been competing primarily in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) since the 2015–16 academic year. The Bruins previously participated in the now-defunct Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) from 1994–95 to 2014–15.

The Bruins field 14 intercollegiate varsity teams. Men participate in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track, and volleyball. Additionally, the university fields a co-ed eSports team.

In 2022, Bellevue University announced a collaboration with the Southern Professional Hockey League to offer tuition reimbursement to SPHL players, staff, and family members, enabling them to attend Bellevue.

Bellevue-university

Home of the Bruins

Bellevue’s athletic successes include the men’s baseball team winning the NAIA Baseball World Series in 1995. In 2011, men’s and women’s golf teams were introduced.

The university launched its first women’s basketball program in 2016, which posted a 16-15 overall and 9–7 in conference play in its debut season.

Men’s and women’s cross country teams and a co-ed eSports team were added to Bellevue’s athletic roster in 2017.

Bellevue University Baseball

The team was founded in 1995 when the school first began its athletics program. From there, the group quickly rose to prominence and became a regional powerhouse. 

Today, the Bellevue University baseball team is one of its most successful athletic programs. The Bruins team has taken home conference titles in 2018 and 2019 and frequently appeared in regional playoffs. 

Through its dedication to academic excellence and its robust athletic program, Bellevue University stands as an institution that enriches the lives of students of all ages.

Bellevue Champion: Dennis Stahlnecker

Dennis Stahlnecker is a former Bellevue University baseball star and an example of hard work and dedication; He recently faced a financial burden due to hospitalization for heart disease and pneumonia. 

Dennis had been fighting these terrible conditions for some time now, but he endured and persevered through them. 

His disability insurance could not cover all medical-related expenses, leaving him desperate for help; That’s when he reached out to the Nebraska Greats Foundation in 2020 for assistance with his unsettled invoices. 

Thankfully, we offered some much-needed relief and ensured his medical bills were covered.

Bellevue-university

Nebraska Greats Foundation: 

The Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF) has been helping out promising and former athletes for many years. We aim to support student-athletes and graduates’ from Nebraska State with their medical expenses.  

Through donations and sponsorships, we are able to provide this financial assistance and mentoring to the athlete community in Nebraska. 

The NGF recognizes and applauds the hard work and dedication that athletes put in every day to make this a better community, and that is why we have helped more than 30 athletes who have received some kind of financial support from the fund; And we are hoping to help many more.

If you are a current or former college athlete letter-winner and need medical or financial assistance, the Nebraska Greats Foundation is here to help you just like we’ve helped all of our recipients from all 16 colleges in Nebraska, including Wayne State College. CLICK HERE to apply for help and CLICK HERE to refer an athlete needing care so we can help.

Apply for Medical Assistance
Donate Now to Support Athletes

UNL Football and sports program

Posted on by Matt Tompkins

UNL Football and sports program

Have you ever felt the electric energy of a college game? What makes us so passionate about cheering for our team? Why do we love UNL Football, basketball, or any Nebraska Huskers games so much? What drives our spirit? 

We believe college sports are exciting because they bring together students, faculty, alumni, and fans from across campus and worldwide, creating a thrilling and passionate community. For the  University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), this community has produced some of the Midwest’s most talented football and basketball athletes. 

-university-of-nebraska-lincoln

UNL Husker

Herbie Husker, or as we often call him: “Husker,” is the UNL official mascot, and it’s the character that represents every UNL athlete and fan out there. “Huskers” is a name that means more than just trophies and awards. In this blog, we will delve beyond the gold medals and into how the UNL shapes students’ lives for the better.

The UNL is a public research university located in Lincoln, Nebraska, Founded in 1869. The UNL has become one of the leading universities in the Midwest for its athletic program. From football games at Memorial Stadium to basketball tournaments at Pinnacle Bank Arena, UNL provides fun and dynamic spaces for students and community to get together. 

Any Huskers program aims to recruit and develop students and guide them to achieve the highest level in academics, athletics, and life, all served by hard-working professionals looking to make Nebraska athletics elite.

-university-of-nebraska-lincoln UNL Football

UNL Athletic Success

Integrity, trust, respect, teamwork, and loyalty: These values are not just filler words but the foundation for the campus community. By having these core values at the center of each interaction, the university creates a strong team of athletes that can succeed beyond any sport. These values allow the Huskers students to be accountable and respectable humans for the rest of their lives. 

For the University of Nebraska Lincoln, success is more than just winning games. For coaches, teachers, and directors, students’ well-being is the top priority, so they make sure all athletes receive the support they need to thrive in all areas of their academic and personal lives.

From the many accomplishments UNL Huskers have made throughout the years, we can highlight the 29 national titles in school history and five national championships in football. Husker teams have also won eight national titles in men’s gymnastics, eight in women’s bowling, five in women’s volleyball, and three in women’s indoor track and field.

These achievements are impressive, but where do we stand in all of this? What do WE give back to these fantastic people who have done so much for the sports community? 

-university-of-nebraska-lincoln UNL Football

At the Nebraska Greats Foundation (NGF), we wish to give back to all people that have invested years of their life into making the UNL the strong sports school it is today; that is why the NGF is always looking for former athletes that need our help to improve their quality of life through medical funding or assistance.

Anthony Branch

Anthony, a former UNL Football player, moved from Idaho to Lincoln because he believed in Coach Tom Osborne and the University of Nebraska. He poured his heart and soul into the Huskers team until he earned a wingback spot on the roster. Since then, Branch has stayed close with his Huskers teammates and coaches.

After a long and satisfactory football career playing for the University of Nebraska, he is now a dedicated and caring father and grandfather; however, he was hit with Polycystic Kidney Disease, a hereditary condition that threatened to take his health down a dark road. 

This disease causes cysts to develop around the kidneys, resulting in function loss over the years. This did not stop Anthony from continuing his joyful life. With help from the Nebraska Graets Foundations, he received the assistance he needed to cover his medical expenses. 

Larry Florence

Larry was a UNL Basketball standout performer in the late ’90s. In his senior season, Florence was the only Husker to start all 30 games and led Nebraska in scoring at 13.0 points per game. All his hard work throughout the years regarded him to the title of Husker Power Male Athlete of the Year in 1999.

After a long and successful career in Basketball, Larry faced one of his life’s toughest opponents: cancer. It was a brutal fight, but he wasn’t alone. At the NGF, we could help him with travel expenses for the treatment he needed away from home. With this support, Larry was able to focus on his health and keep fighting his battle.

UNL Football

Nebraska Greats Foundation

At the Nebraska Greats Foundation, we recognize the great labor students and graduates put in daily to make the Huskers a top team. We know the huge lengths athletes will go to be the best of the best; we know how much time is invested in their bodies and mind.

Our mission is simple: we want to be there for people when they need us the most. So, join us in making a difference!

If you are a current or former college athlete letter-winner and need medical or financial assistance, the Nebraska Greats Foundation is here to help you just like we’ve helped all of our recipients from all 16 colleges in Nebraska, including Wayne State College. CLICK HERE to apply for help and CLICK HERE to refer an athlete needing care so we can help.

Apply for Medical Assistance
Donate Now to Support Athletes