Kearney, Nebraska – The 14th Annual Roper Football Backers Dinner and Scholarship Fundraiser, held Thursday night (April 24) at Younes Conference Center North, capped off a great spring for the Nebraska Kearney football program. KRVN's Jason Jorgensen spoke with head coach Ryan Held about the night.
More than 700 Roper fans across 73 tables had the chance to bid on 24 live auctions, 10 super silent auctions, 150 silent auctions, and also participated in several raffles. Once again, individual ticket sales were strong, with 59 corporate tables purchased. These fans raised just under $254,000 for him in three and a half hours, exceeding his $250,000 goal for this year. About $114,000 of the final total came from a “Scholarship Ask,” with the live auction offering him $56,000 and the silent auction offering a total of about $41,500. In the end, ticket sales and corporate tables raised an additional $33,000 for him.
Since it was first held in 2010, the event has now raised more than $2.65 million for scholarships and other program needs. Loper Football Backers is a community-driven volunteer organization whose mission is to raise scholarship funds for the UNK Football program.
Continuing a recent tradition, players receive scholarships for next season, with this year's recipient being a redshirt junior linebacker Riley Galloway (Amherst). UNK begins fall camp on Monday, Aug. 5, and the season opener will be played at Chadron State University on Thursday, Aug. 29.
