Husker Athletics Fund Unanimously Agrees to Pursue Restructuring

Lincoln -- The Husker Athletics Fund Board of Directors agreed unanimously Tuesday at its annual meeting in Lincoln to pursue a more efficient structure that would help all of its clubs increase support for Nebraska’s teams.

Pending the approval of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman, the restructuring of the Touchdown Club, which is the oldest and most established support group of the Nebraska Athletic Department, would form its own unrestricted 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The move would renew the Touchdown Club’s original status to better reflect its mission and help the Husker Athletic Fund Board of Directors function with greater efficiency. Nebraska’s fans would see no changes in their interaction with the Huskers.

As a distinct 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Touchdown Club would continue to work hand-in-hand with the Nebraska Athletic Development Office to broaden its support. The Touchdown Club would benefit from the move because it would be able to return to its more traditional roots in events and fund-raising efforts. The Touchdown Club has been giving $1 million annually in unrestricted donations as part of the Husker Athletics Fund.

Bob Knowles, president of the Touchdown Club said he is eager to move the Touchdown Club forward at an accelerated pace.

"As the largest booster club devoted to supporting University of Nebraska athletics, we believe that this move will allow us to offer our members more benefits and services," Knowles said. "That should then result in an increase in our membership level and the amount of our annual donation to the athletic department."

Bob Cummings, President of the Husker Athletics Fund, said the vote was unanimous to allow the Touchdown Club to function outside of the Husker Athletics Fund organization.

"It really is a win-win situation for everyone involved," Cummings said. "The Touchdown Club is moving at a completely different pace than most of our other booster clubs."

Along with its annual donations surpassing $1 million, the Touchdown Club recently donated an additional $1 million to the Husker Nation Championship Drive. Nebraska’s 16 other booster clubs combine to give the remainder of the Husker Athletics Fund’s $2.3 million in support to the department. Members of the clubs also volunteer thousands of hours of their time to make NU’s athletic programs a success.

In 1997 the tax-exempt Husker Athletics Fund was formed to assist the various athletic booster clubs with events and organizational skills. It was originally comprised of 17 clubs, three of which are unrestricted, including the Touchdown Club, the Beef Club and the Cattle Club.

The restricted-donation clubs, such as the Volleyball Match Club, give their time and monetary support to specific programs. Many of the smaller clubs operate at a different level than the Touchdown Club, and the departure of the Touchdown Club from the Husker Athletic Fund would allow for the restructuring of the board of directors.

Assistant Athletic Director for Development Paul Meyers said the athletic department would continue to work closely with all 17 booster clubs to utilize the strengths of each club to benefit Husker student-athletes.

"Our booster clubs mean so much more to us than just the monetary support they give," Meyers said. "They provide an incredible volunteer network to promote and support our sports programs in addition to supporting our departmental needs. We are happy to continue to partner with the Touchdown Club and all of the clubs in the Husker Athletics Fund."