Coach Fred Hoiberg
August 27, Omaha, NE – The Team Jack Foundation hosted its second annual Omaha event, An Evening with Fred Hoiberg, presented by the Baumert Family Legacy, on Thursday, August 27, at the Scott Conference Center in Aksarben Village. The evening brought together Nebraska basketball fans, Team Jack supporters, medical professionals and families affected by childhood brain cancer for a memorable night. Together, more than 320 attended the event and helped raise $100,000 for childhood brain cancer research, making the evening an important step toward better treatment options for children battling brain cancer.
Emcee, Ava Hoffman
The evening began with a social hour featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres generously donated by Sysco before guests gathered for an engaging program emceed by Ava Hoffman, sister of Team Jack namesake Jack Hoffman.
Featured speakers included Dr. Don Coulter and Dr. Sidharth Mahapatra of Children’s Nebraska and UNMC who gave an update on Team Jack’s POWER 5 Initiative and the Nebraska Childhood Brain Tumor Program.
Kati Settles, mother of Liam
Following the updates from Dr. Coulter and Dr. Mahapatra, Kati Settles, mother of Papillion brain tumor fighter Liam Settles, shared her family’s story. Liam had planned to attend the event and even picked out his outfit, but he has been hospitalized since August 3 as his condition has declined. A longtime Nebraska basketball fan, Liam and his family have shared many special moments watching the Huskers, including a March Madness trip to Oklahoma City that Kati called their “best-ever family vacation.” She spoke about the impact Nebraska Basketball and Sam and Fred Hoiberg have had on Liam and expressed gratitude for the care he has received through Children’s Nebraska’s. Accompanied by family photos, Kati’s speech was a touching glimpse into Liam’s journey before attendees heard Liam himself lead a “Go Big Red!” chant, which was a powerful reminder of the children and families at the heart of Team Jack’s mission.
Following Kati’s remarks, the voice of Nebraska Basketball, Kent Pavelka, took the stage to introduce the evening’s keynote speaker, Coach Fred Hoiberg.
Hoiberg shared highlights from his remarkable basketball journey, from his college playing days at Iowa State to 10 seasons in the NBA and, his coaching career at Iowa State, with the Chicago Bulls and at Nebraska. After the best season of his NBA career, Hoiberg was diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition that required surgery. The experience helped lead him to coaching and eventually back to Nebraska, a place that holds special meaning for him. Born in Nebraska, Hoiberg also has a family connection to the program as his grandfather served as head coach of Nebraska basketball decades earlier.
An Evening with Fred Hoiberg was more than a night celebrating basketball. It was a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with the shared goal of funding research so every child with brain cancer has safe and effective treatments.
Members of the Baumert family.
Special thank you to the Baumert Family Legacy for presenting this wondering evening in memory of Dennis & Jeanne Baumert! The ongoing dedication from the Baumert family is making a significant impact for children battling brain cancer.