Tyler Kai was promoted to Deputy Athletic Director for Revenue Generation in July of 2024. Kai joined Nebraska Athletics in August of 2021 as the Associate AD of Leadership Gifts & Capital Projects for the Huskers Athletic Fund. Kai leads the overall major gift program for capital projects and endowments, secures major gift commitments from Huskers supporters, manages the Huskers Athletic Fund major gift officers to reach targeted goals, while also tracking and reporting progress to complete specific goals and projects. In the Spring of 2023, Kai directed enhancements to the Nebraska Leadership Society including a rebranding, the introduction of new recognition levels, and enhanced member benefits to better serve the generous supporters of Nebraska Athletics.
Kai came to Nebraska from Tulane, where he served as the Associate AD for Development. He oversaw the Green Wave Club and Ticket Office, while creating the departmental fundraising and revenue generation strategy and setting annual goals. He also led the department’s fundraising effort by securing significant gift commitments for department priorities, including the Slatten Family Strength Center and Don & Lora Peters Academic Center renovations. Kai joined Tulane in March of 2017 to lead the day-to-day operations of the athletics annual fund including donor relations, stewardship and fundraising initiatives. The Green Wave Club’s membership and donations grew to record highs, under Kai’s leadership. In 2019, Kai led a comprehensive effort to refine Tulane’s priority seating model in Yulman Stadium, Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse and Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.
Prior to Tulane, Kai served as the Assistant Director of Campaigns for the University of Tennessee. His primary role was identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts to benefit the athletics programs. During his term, the Tennessee Fund reached record years in annual giving, sold out of season tickets at Neyland Stadium and surpassed a three-year campaign goal of $147.5 million.
Kai earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and a Master of Science degree from Kansas State University. Tyler and his wife, Caitlin, have two children - Harrison and Liam. Kai was born in Pender, Neb and raised in Urbandale, Iowa.