10 Photos Reflect Uplifting Athletes' Heart, Hope

Husker Fans Get a Chance to Vote for Team Jack

Westerkamp: Team Honored to Support the Cause

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Sunday’s 4th Uplifting Athletes Road Race was another resounding success with nearly 800 runners who raised $36,000 for the continuous fight against pediatric brain cancer. To honor Sunday's experience, we take an N-Side look through the lens of staff photographer Scott Bruhn.

Four days before the Road Race, presented annually by Nebraska’s football team in honor of fellow participant Jack Hoffman, the Nebraska chapter of Uplifting Athletes celebrated good news. Grady Simants, an 8-year-old North Platte, Neb., native with pediatric brain cancer, learned last Wednesday that he was cancer free.

“He was diagnosed in April of 2015 and just completed treatments in June,” said Jodi Simants, Grady’s mother. “He will continue to have side effects from the medicine he’s been taking, but they’re going to take out his port next month, so he can be a normal little boy again.”

Nebraska senior wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, pictured above holding Grady before Sunday's Road Race, celebrated the news. Even though he wasn't feeling well Sunday, Grady came to Lincoln with his family to support all the other families involved in the Road Race.

Shared Vision: Nebraska Draws a B1G Crowd for a Very Meaningful Cause

With all due respect for Nebraska's annual Football Fan Day (Aug. 3), the easiest way to intermingle with players, get autographs and talk to Husker football players is to support the Uplifting Athletes Road Race. The photo above is just one section of Husker players in uniform, along with women and men and girls and boys who relished the opportunity to get upclose and personal experiences before the Fun Run and 5K races.

Central Figure: Jack Hoffman's Electrifying Touchdown Run Lit Fire for Race

Has it been three years since Jack Hoffman's 69-yard touchdown run electrified a Nebraska Spring Football Game crowd and made him an iconic figure nationally and internationally? He was 7 then and 10 now, but still the central figure for the Huskers' annual road race, wearing race number 2482 above on his red shirt.

Off and Running: Diverse Group of Runners Inspire and Lift Up Each Other

Check out this photo. This could be one of the nation's best road race billboards. There's a sense of anticipation regardless of age group. There's also a certain element of chemistry and camaraderie. Perhaps it's because all 800 runners know they're congregating on a Sunday to support something that's near and dear to their hearts.

Extra Energy and Role Reversal: Football Players High-Fiving Their Fans

Talk about a photo that shows extra energy and role reversal. This shot is equally unique in character because it shows Nebraska's proud football players high-fiving and cheering on the fans who follow the Huskers year-round. Every Division I program should develop this kind of culture. It's humbling, motivational and the right way to look at the world.

American Idol: Running With One of Nation's Best Punters Surreal Experience

All-Big Ten punter and All-America candidate Sam Foltz (27) is focused on the course in front of him, but that didn't stop a young fan suddenly realizing who's running next to him. What a great time to gawk at one of your heroes. Foltz is one of the most talented student-athletes on the team, not to mention one of its most humble...a true idol in middle America.

Popular Portraits and Major Partners: Uplifting Athletes and Lincoln Track Club

There is no question why the first four Uplifting Athletes Road Races were successful. Two partners have collaborated in every way possible. The Nebraska football chapter of Uplifting Athletes works hard and digs deep to succeed. The Lincoln Track Club, one of the nation's best, has been a perfect partner. Together, they are strong. Ask quarterback Tommy Armstrong, pictured above with popular portraits representing both partners supporting an event that should continue for decades.

Healthy Enough to Run, Jack Continues to Help Uplifting Athletes in Own Way

Pictured above left in red, Jack Hoffman told me that he ran his mile Sunday in eight minutes and 30 seconds. Great effort Jack. You and Team Jack make Husker Nation proud.

Uplifting Athletes President Chris Weber Congratulates Road Race Winners

Last year, Chris Weber came out of nowhere and became a Blackshirt linebacker for the Huskers. Sunday, Weber, the 2016 president of Nebraska's Uplifting Athletes, congratulated the two 5K Road Race winners, pictured above: female Cameron Hucke of Hastings, Neb., and male Wyatt McLeod from Lincoln. Fun Run winners were female Jordyn Wissing from Lincoln and male Kyler Seman from Omaha. Kudos to all four winners who took the time to compete.

Westerkamp Group and Team Jack Support Pediatric Brain Cancer Patients 

This last photo features two forces for fighting pediatric brain cancer: Jordan Westerkamp, left, and Andy Hoffman. The Westerkamp Group, headquartered in Illinois, was a very generous donor to Nebraska's Uplifting Athletes chapter. Andy oversees the Team Jack Foundation, a national brand, focused team and pediatric cancer research champion. Both advocates encouraged Road Race participants to support Team Jack and to vote here online.

Votes for Andy in a national competition creates the opportunity for Team Jack to earn a $100,000 donation. Voters can cast one vote daily from now until the poll ends on Sept. 26. First-year Nebraska defensive line coach John Parrella spoke before Sunday's Road Race. So did UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green. Both reminded runners, volunteers and spectators that a Race Day featuring Uplifting Athletes and a solid core of Team Jack represent another iconic example of the Huskers' favorite defining six-word phrase: There Is NO PLACE Like Nebraska! 

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