UNO Announces Major Gift To Maverick Hockey
Feb 10, 2011 | General, Hockey
OMAHA, NE - The University of Nebraska at Omaha's hockey program recently received the largest gift in its history – a gift that will be used to enhance its future. The gift, made by Omahans Ron and Connie Brasel through the University of Nebraska Foundation, extends the lifelong hockey fans' support of the Maverick team, a program they have supported since its inception.
“When UNO's program began we wanted to see what the college hockey experience was like,” said Ron. “We absolutely fell in love with the college game. We've been hooked on UNO hockey since day one at the Civic Auditorium.”
It was not only their love of the game that motivated the Brasels to give. Ron explains that they've had the opportunity to meet student-athletes, who he calls “an incredible bunch of kids,” as well as UNO Athletics staff and hockey coaches. He says it was upon meeting them that he and Connie “really saw the fire and passion for the program.”
“It ultimately was the passion at UNO for hockey that inspired us to make the gift,” said Ron.
“The Brasel family has been tremendously generous over the years to our Maverick hockey program,” said #Dean Blais#, UNO's head hockey coach. “It's because of supporters like the Brasels that our program continues to grow on the national scene. We cannot thank them enough for their ongoing commitment to UNO hockey.”
#Trev Alberts#, UNO's Director of Athletics, says the Brasels' gift will benefit the hockey program in many ways.
“Because their gift is directed toward enhancing the future of Maverick hockey, our program will benefit today and in the seasons to come,” said Alberts.
Ron believes the gift will enable Maverick hockey to become a top-tiered program.
“We are extremely proud of what UNO has become and very pleased to be in a position to help,” he adds.
The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that has connected the dreams and passions of donors to the mission of the university for the past 75 years. In 2010, donors designated more than $136 million in gifts to scholarships, academic programs, medical research and other priorities at the university. The foundation's current $1.2 billion fundraising initiative, the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities, concludes in 2014. For more information, visit nufoundation.org.
