Coach Callahan 5K Raises More Than $10,000

Lincoln - More than 800 people participated in the first-annual Coach Callahan 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday.  The race, which began and ended on Stadium Drive on the NU campus, was sponsored by Holiday Inn.

Valerie Callahan, wife of Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan, started both races and greeted the winners as they crossed.  With the generous contributions from event sponsor Holiday Inn, Coach Callahan Charities will be able to donate more than $5,000 to each of the event’s designated charities--the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the University Libraries Electronic Resources Fund.  Combined with the $35,000 raised by Coach Callahan’s Football 101 for Women, more than $45,000 has been donated to date in Coach Callahan Charities first year.

The one-mile walk/fun run for kids began at 8 a.m. and was won by Lincoln native Joe Cascilla in 6:01.  Cascilla, age 12, has ran many races and attends North American Martyrs School.  The first girl to finish was Rachel Hansen, who lives in Lincoln and attends Norris School.  Hansen, age 12, finished in 7:01.

The five-kilometer race was won by Jim Heinlen of Lincoln (18:55), followed by Brandon Gries (Paxton), Matt Premo (native Nebraskan who now lives in Wisconsin) and the women's winner Shelly Haller (Ceresco, 20:04).  John Joseph Jones III, of Lincoln, was the first youth to finish the 5K in 25:36.  Dot Hof, age 90, recruited 25 friends and family and was the oldest participant in the day’s festivities. 

Many of the athletic department staff members participated, including wives and families of Coach Phil Elmassian, Coach Kevin Cosgrove and Coach Aaron Stamn. NU Athletic Director Steve Pederson, his wife Tami and daughter Kari participated, as did Associate Athletic Director for Football Tim Cassidy and his wife Nancy.

Lewis Runnion, the International Board of Directors representative for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation said 80 cents of every dollar contributed will go toward research.  “The mission of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is to cure diabetes via research,” Runnion said.  “The foundation will spend over $100 million each year to fund research internationally.  Diabetes and its complications result in $130 billion in health care costs, but with the help of private and federal funding, we can cure diabetes and eliminate those costs.”

The $5,000 that goes toward the University Libraries Electronic Resources Funds will benefit current and future faculty, students and staff. Nebraska Dean of Libraries Joan Giesecke said the University is honored to be a beneficiary of Coach Callahan Charities. 

“We are grateful for the support,” Giesecke said.  “These funds will allow the libraries to add additional electronic resources so our faculty and staff can use the library wherever they are--whether its on campus or on the road to a game.”