Student-Athletes + N Club Members + Staff = 33,366 Meals

Video: Watch How Huskers Collaborate to Make 33,366 Meals

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

The night before the Huskers hosted No. 1 Michigan in a three-game weekend series, the first and only softball member of the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame inaugural class was focused on packaging more than 30,000 meals to help feed hungry kids locally, nationally and internationally.

Lori Sippel, Nebraska softball’s Hall of Fame inductee, former Olympic pitcher for her native country Canada and longtime pitching coach for the Huskers, was working hard for a great cause when I angled to the line she was serving to ask a simple question: Why is she one of 200 people inside Memorial Stadium preparing meals for the hungry?

While concentrating on the work at hand, Sippel provided an immediate answer that reflects her innate ability to multi-task while merging her heart with her mind.

“Sometimes, the best way to go into a big series is to seek perspective,” Sippel said, standing in an assembly line to measure, pour and package dehydrated foods for kids.

Sippel: Filling Somebody's Stomach Way More Important than Winning

“This is a great opportunity to take part in something like this,” Sippel said. “Any time you can fill somebody’s stomach for the first time in a long time, I think that’s way more important than wins or losses. I’ve learned that I play better and coach better when I go into the game with a grateful heart and this is one way to get it done.”

In slightly more than half a minute, Sippel reinforced what makes Nebraska what it is and why life goals are every bit as important as academic and athletic objectives.

The ultimate takeaway? Behind a masterful performance from junior right-handed pitcher Cassie McClure, Nebraska upset No. 1 Michigan the next night at Bowlin Stadium. Sippel’s strategic contributions cannot be ignored and somehow her global view matches her grateful heart, enabling the results to speak for themselves.

Nebraska cross country runners Austin Post (left) and Katrina Santiago inspire each other while volunteering at last Thursday night's event.

100 Student-Athletes + 50 N Club Members + 50 Staff = 33,366 Meals for Hunger

“You always talk about giving back to the community, but this is bigger than the community,” Nebraska defensive end Freedom Akinmoladun said after participating in the event. “This is worldwide, so it makes more of a major impact. We care for everybody. This is my second year and I know it’s not just me. I see the bigger picture better than I ever have. I love going out there and volunteering to help kids and other people. It’s not about me. It’s about them.”

Let the record also show that this N Club-sponsored event included 100 current Husker student-athlete volunteers, 50 N Club members and 50 Nebraska Athletics staff. Working together in less than two hours, those 200 volunteers ended up packing 33,366 meals.

Becky Snedeker, executive director at Lincoln Kids Against Hunger, was impressed with the organization, commitment and follow-through. "It means the world,” she said. “It means life to so many people, including meals for local families who are in great need, plus families who are really struggling financially to put food on their table.

Exec Director: If We Didn't Help Some Children, They Wouldn't See Tomorrow

"Everybody worked their heart out,” Snedeker said. “They started the moment they hit the table and didn't stop until that last bag was packaged. To bless that many lives in two hours is phenomenal. We have children we serve around the world. If we didn't help some of them, they wouldn't see another tomorrow, so these are lifesaving meals."

Keith Zimmer, Nebraska’s senior associate athletic director for Life Skills and N Club, said the “Kids Against Hunger N Club” service project highlighted teamwork and showcased a core value that made the event special.

“To have current student-athletes work closely with alumni athletes and Nebraska Athletics staff shows how we can make a difference and strengthen the bonds within our department,” Zimmer said. “Everyone raved about the opportunity to collaborate for a great cause and we look forward to a similar event next year.”

Kids Against Hunger Followed the Lead of Huskers' 2015 Bike with Mike Project

Nebraska’s inaugural 2015 N Club service project was Bike with Mike!, featuring first-year head football coach Mike Riley, a biking enthusiast who led the charge to deliver new bikes to kids who dreamed about riding them.

Ashley Stone coordinated this year’s voluntary service project with help from fellow Life Skills coordinators Jordan Wilson, Stacey Burling and Kayla Conrad.

The 200 volunteers split shifts and packed 16,000-plus meals in each session. “Everything we put in the packages was dehydrated and included rice, vegetables and nutrient powder,” Stone said. When distributed, recipients boil water to turn the food into soup or porridge.

The Purpose: Champion a Cause and Bring All Kinds of Huskers Together

“Every six seconds, someone dies, so every package we complete, we feel like we might help save someone’s life,” Stone said. “It was also nice to see student-athletes and N-Club members hanging around and interacting with athletic staff. The whole purpose of doing events like this is to champion a cause and bring former Huskers together with current Huskers to do something that has an impact on the community.”

There are two notable footnotes related to last week’s accomplishment: 1) A new era launched to include volunteer help from Nebraska Athletics staff and 2) the event gave current student-athletes a unique way to celebrate their own Student-ATHLETE Day, an NCAA-recognized promotion throughout March and April at NCAA colleges and universities.

Inspired Leblanc Became the Ringleader for an Impromptu Volunteer Chant

One thing is certain. This multi-team event motivated all who volunteered, including Dennis Leblanc (pictured above), Nebraska's longtime executive director for academics. 

“I was asked to help and glad to help," Leblanc said. "The Life Skills area has taken our N Club to another level. When you combine  administrators with current athletes and former athletes, it’s great, especially when you can work together with other people throughout the world.”

Uncharacteristically, to prove his point, Leblanc started a “Go Big Red” chant that drew immediate response from those around him. Here are other inside looks at the volunteer event:

Michaela Foecke, freshman volleyball player who volunteered to serve the night before she flew to New York City as a Sullivan Award finalist:“I think this Life Skill event really says what Nebraska is. It defines us. Events like this make me feel honored to be part of Nebraska. Not many schools are taking time out of their Thursday nights to do something like this. We’re not only helping our country. We’re helping the world.”

Danny McEntarffer, guest relations and security attendant: “I’ve done this 20 times and even volunteered at the national headquarters in Minneapolis, getting to meet the gentleman who started this fascinating program. Volunteering to help starving kids around the world is so special for all of us who take the time and share the camaraderie. I was thrilled to see three former fellow police officers participate in this event, including Joe Buda, P.J. Schneider and Mike ‘Red’ Beran.” Buda hopes the N Club event “inspires more opportunities to serve” and Beran said the N Club “is doing amazing things that will allow us to do even more meaningful things.”

Sam Sharpe, former All-Big Eight Conference baseball infielder at Nebraska: “Any time you can help out the N Club and serve the community and the world in providing food to kids, you feel good. This was the first time I’ve done something like this but it won’t be the last time.”

Robin Krapfl, women’s head golf coach: “It’s always important when you help starving kids around the world, let alone right here in our own backyard. It means so much for all of us who take the time to help society in any way we can.”

Kerry McDermott, men’s head tennis coach: “Our players jumped on this opportunity without us asking if they were interested. They’re unbelievable individuals who care about people and their feelings. They’re not so into themselves and see opportunities like this as a chance to make a better world. It’s our culture here to give and not expect something in return.”

Frosty Anderson, former Husker football receiver who volunteered along with his wife and grandchildren: “This IS a big deal. The No. 1 thing is interacting with the kids and just knowing how the Life Skills group has worked to open up the reaction that people get when they have a chance to help others. They do whatever’s asked, and I wish we had done more things like this when I was going to school here.”

Bill Kosch, former Husker defensive back who started on two Nebraska national championship teams: “Last year, I helped when we gave kids new and fully restored bicycles. This is my second event and I can’t imagine anything being more important than sending to food to those in the world who need it. Anytime you can participate with the community, it’s important. Last year, we gave bikes to kids who didn’t have them, and this year we’re giving food to kids who really need it. It’s so gratifying when you help in events like both of these, and you can’t help but wish we could have done more of this kind of volunteering while we competed here.”

N Club Service Event Photos

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