UNK Loper Backers Banquet 2024 // Ryan Held X
KEARNEY – The 14th Annual Loper Football Backers dinner and scholarship fundraiser held on Thursday night (April 24) at the Younes Conference Center North capped off a great spring for the Nebraska-Kearney football program.
“Wow! The Kearney Community really came together for us tonight. It just shows home much people care about the Lopers and our football program,” said head coach Ryan Held. “Now I’ve got to hold up the end of the bargain and our team has to do the same and go out, win some games and keep the momentum going.”
Well over 700 Loper fans, encompassing 73 tables, got a chance to bid on 24 live, 10 super silent and 150 silent auction times as well as taking part in several raffles. Once again, there was strong individual tickets sales with 59 corporate tables purchased. In 3.5 hours, these fans helped raise just under $254,000, surpassing this year’s goal of $250,000. Nearly $114,000 of the final tally came from the “Scholarship Ask” with the live auction providing $56,000 and the silent totaling nearly $41,500. Finally, ticket sales and corporate tables provided another $33,000.
“This gives us a really good foundation to be able to get the right student-athletes and to make sure they are taken care of,” said Held. “I feel really good, and I’m fired up about tonight.” 
Since it was first hosted in 2010, the event has now garnered over $2.65 million dollars for scholarships and other program needs. The Loper Football Backers is a community-led volunteer organization whose mission is to raise scholarship dollars for the UNK Football program.
“I can’t thank people enough and it’s very humbling. It just motivates you even more that people believe in what you’re doing,” said Held. “We’re always going to work hard but now there’s maybe a bit more we can squeeze out of the lemon because of how much support we have.”
Riley Gallaway, UNK Football // UNK Communications
Continuing a recent tradition, a player received scholarship money for the upcoming season and this year’s honoree is redshirt junior linebacker Riley Gallaway (Amherst).
“Riley has worked very hard since we’ve been here and exemplifies what we what; he’s a great student, he’s great in the community. Everything added up and, you know what, he’s earned the right to have some scholarship money,” said Held.
UNK beings fall camp on Monday, Aug. 5, with the season-opener coming Thursday, Aug. 29, at Chadron State.
