Nebraska Athletics and First National of Nebraska Enter Into Corporate Agreement

Nebraska Athletics and First National of Nebraska Enter Into Corporate Sponsorship Agreement That Will Provide Nearly $3 Million to the Athletic Department Over a Three-Year Period

LINCOLN, Neb. ? The University of Nebraska Athletic Department is pleased to announce that First Nationalof Nebraska and its affiliates will become a premier corporate sponsor of Husker Athletics.

Pending approval of the Nebraska Board of Regents at its June 2004 meeting, the agreement will span three years and will provide the Nebraska Athletic Department with a total of nearly $3 million in revenue over a three-year period. While the most visible components of the First National sponsorship agreement will be in football and basketball, a portion will also help fund scholarships for Nebraska’s student-athletes, support women’s athletics, and benefit the Huskers’ widely successful Olympic sports.

"The success of Nebraska athletics has been the result of great teamwork," Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson said. "It takes tremendous resources to run a great program and educate our outstanding student-athletes. We are so grateful that First National has chosen to be an important part of the future of athletics at the University of Nebraska. Their support and our partnership strengthen our entire program."

First National joins three other major companies ? ALLTEL, Pepsi and adidas ? as premier sponsors for Husker athletics. With the signing of the sponsorship that will provide $2.85 million in cash revenue to the athletic department beginning in the spring of 2004 and continuing through the spring of 2007, First National will serve as the official commercial bank sponsor of Husker athletics.

First National, which is the largest banking institution in Nebraska, serving 27 communities statewide, supports other institutions of higher learning throughout the state, and is committed to helping the University of Nebraska maintain its standing as one of the top athletic programs in the nation. First National of Nebraska President Dan O’Neill said it’s a natural fit to partner with the Husker athletic department to help support student-athletes.

"The University of Nebraska and First National have deep roots in the state, and both organizations have a respected national reputation," O’Neill said. "It makes sense for First National to partner with the university."

First National of Nebraska is one of the largest bank holding companies headquartered west of the Mississippi River. First National and its affiliates have $15 billion in managed assets and more than 7,000 employees located across the United States. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.