Brenden Stai

HuskersAthleticFund.com

Brenden Stai joined the Nebraska Athletic Department in July of 2018 as a Director of Development, and he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director - Leadership Giving & Football Relations in 2022. As a member of the Huskers Athletic Fund (HAF), Stai is responsible for fostering relationships with donors in the state of Nebraska and throughout the United States. Since joining the Husker Athletic Fund, Stai has been an instrumental part of multiple fundraising efforts, including but not limited to the Osborne Legacy Complex.

A native of Yorba Linda, Calif., Brenden has a deep connection with Nebraska as he was recruited to play football by Tom Osborne. Stai started his Husker career in 1990 and left after his senior season in 1994. Brenden was a Consensus All-American & 1st Team All-Big 8 Offensive Lineman for the 1994 National Championship Cornhuskers. Stai was then selected in the 3rd round of the 1995 National Football League (NFL) draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (1995 AFC Championship team; Super Bowl XXX; 1995 NFL All Rookie Team) and enjoyed a 9 year professional football career (3 years as a NFL Players Association (NFLPA) representative).

After his playing days, Brenden spent 10 years in coaching (College, Junior College and High School) and 10 years in both the private business sector and real estate.

Brenden, and his wife Jennifer, have three children, Christina, Bryce and Brianna and a granddaughter, Lucy and have called Lincoln home for the past 17 years.

Updated: Sept. 2026