Keith Zimmer

Keith Zimmer is in his 40th year at Nebraska, where he directs the Life Skills Department, serves as a Sport Administrator, and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team.  Zimmer provides direct sport oversight and supervision to men’s basketball and softball.  He has represented Nebraska on various campus, conference, and NCAA committees.

Zimmer and the Life Skills team oversee the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame overseeing the annual selection process and enshrinement ceremony.  The Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2015 and honors legendary Husker alumni athletes and coaches for their extraordinary achievements.

After starting his Nebraska career in academic support, Zimmer pioneered Nebraska’s award-winning Life Skills program which focuses on the total person development of all Husker student-athletes.  Nebraska’s comprehensive Life Skills program provides required life skills education from day one through graduation, career development, leadership, and community service opportunities, ultimately preparing student-athletes for life after graduation.   

Nebraska Life Skills offers multiple leadership groups in which more than 100 student-athletes are selected annually to advance leadership skills, ensure student-athlete welfare, and improve marketability.  Every Husker team has representation on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which serves as the voice of the entire student-athlete population.  

Community service continues to be a pillar of the Husker Life Skills department.  In addition to team service projects and individual community requests, Life Skills directs Husker Heroes, Link-N-Leaders, area hospital visits, extensive school outreach campaigns, and holiday outreach.  In the spring of 2025, a record 433 Husker student-athletes earned a spot on the coveted Tom Osborne Citizenship Team, recognizing their dedicated service.  Life Skills continues to play a pivotal role in the production and execution of the annual “A Night at the Lied” student athlete awards show honoring Nebraska student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.

During his Nebraska tenure, Zimmer has been selected as the Life Skills Administrator of-the-Year, Team Jack Teammate-of-the-Year, and a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Exemplary Service.  Zimmer is an honorary member of both Golden Key National Honor Society and Mortar board. 

Zimmer earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College and master’s in education from Springfield College (Mass.).  He and his wife Michelle, have two sons, Logan and Caden.

Updated: Aug. 2026