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The Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. do not just play football, but are very committed to making a difference throughout Omaha and the surrounding communities, particularly as pertains to the development and enrichment of youth. There are many examples of what our true mission as an organization is, some of which are documented on this page of the website.
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Cheerleading camp a success
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106 girls participated in the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. 1st annual cheerleading camp
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The first annual Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. cheerleading camp was held yesterday at Benson High School. Hats off to cheerleading coordinator Marla and the rest of the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. cheerleaders for putting together a very successful camp!!! There were 106 girls who attended the one-day camp, most of whom are members of the Great Plains of Omaha Girl Scout organization. The girls were instructed on the basic concepts of cheerleading, and were exposed to dance and cheer routines. Additionally, each of the girls received a free camp t-shirt, a certifcate of achievement, and a free lunch.
On September 18th, each of the girls that attended the camp will perform routines during and at halftime of the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. game against the Northwest Iowa Bruisers, which is a charity fundraiser for the Great Plains Girl Scouts of Omaha. Tickets for this game will be available by August 6th, at the Girl Scout offices.
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Smith and Davison contribute to war effort
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The Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. will be without the services of two of its major contributors to the B.E.A.R.S. "hit-squad" defense of previous seasons. Shawn Smith and Kraa Davison are both serving in the United States Military's efforts in Iraq and Qatar respectively.
Shawn and Kraa will be missed tremendously this season not only for their contributions on the field but also because of their outstanding character. We pray that these young men will be safe and will return home soon.
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Players assist tornado victims
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Once again, players from the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. proved what type of community citizens they are by volunteering their time, sweat, and money to assist the victims of the tornado that devastated the town of Hallam, Nebraska.
Jack Conley, Bryan Williams, Immanuel Odongkara, and Kenny Browder took time out of their busy schedules on Friday, May 28th, and traveled the 90 miles from Omaha to cook burgers and hotdogs for the victims of the tornado as they attempted to clean-up and salvage whatever they could from their homes. These players were moved tremendously by the expressions of gratitude from the citizens of Hallam for their willingness to help them in their time of need. Each of the players came back with their own favorite stories of the tornado victim's spirit and hope in the face of such complete and total devastation.
Hats off to these players for their attempt to bring a ray of sunlight into the lives of people that none of these players had met before this day. These players saw a human need and decided to respond to it--for this, these players have our recognition as heroes of the month.
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Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. players, coaches, and staff pose with campers at conclusion of clinic.
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Congratulations are in order for the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. player's association for conducting a youth football clinic this past weekend. It was the first-ever Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. youth clinic and it was an overwhelming success. Approximately 65 youth registered and participated in this event. All campers received position specific drill instruction from the players and coaches of the B.E.A.R.S. in the first half of the camp. After feasting on a very enjoyable lunch, the campers were divided up into flag-football teams and competed the rest of the afternoon. At the closing ceremonies of the camp, each camper received a t-shirt, a certificate of participation, and a free ticket to one of the 7 Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. home games.
This was certainly not an easy feat to pull off, but the players, coaches, staff, and campers all had such an enjoyable time that plans are already in the works to host an even bigger camp next season. Watch out for the next Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. player's association production.
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B.E.A.R.S. come through for Special Olympics
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The B.E.A.R.S. and Special Olympic athletes |
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Lamont Parmer signes autographs for athletes |
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OMAHA -- Although the 1st attempt at a partnership charity football game with the Special Olympics Nebraska did not go as well as hoped, the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. players were a hit with the Special Olympic athletes at their State Games opening and closing ceremonies. The bonding that occurred between the B.E.A.R.S. and the Special Olympic athletes is priceless and hopefully will continue for years to come.
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Brian Williams enjoying himself with an athlete |
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B.E.A.R.S. ASSIST AT UNO FOOTBALL CAMP
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Chris Bober, Martay Jenkins, Adam Wright |
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OMAHA -- Former UNO and current NFL players, Chris Bober and Adam Wright of the New York Giants, and Martay Jenkins of the Arizona Cardinals sponsored a free football camp at UNO's Caniglia field this past weekend. These young men should be applauded for their committment to serve youth in our community.
Even though the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. football team had to play a game the same evening, the players were there to provide assistance as camp instructors for the deserving young men that participated in the camp. Although the news stations that covered the event failed to mention on their newscasts that night that the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. were very key volunteers in this event, word is getting around that anything that benefits young people involves the Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. Great job guys!!!
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Coleman shouts encouragement to participants |
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Duncan and Kidd enjoy a laugh with the kids |
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Rod Jones giving instructions |
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Ron "Bear" Jones doing his thing |
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Jake Steffes drilling a camper |
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Kenton Duncan giving instructions |
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Left to right: Anthony "Rock" Lee, George Schaefer (school volunteer), Bryan Williams, Abdul Muhammad, Justin Moon & son, Mathew Kidd, Shawn Smith, Kenny Browder, Jerry Davis, Anthony Burries, Edgar Mace, Coach Carter. Top: Lenier Slaughter Ladder: Kenton Duncan
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Assemble New Playground Equipment at Belvedere Elementary
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OMAHA -- The Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. community service projects continue to make a difference, with the latest project benefiting the children of Belvedere Elementary School in Omaha. On Tuesday, May 28th, the B.E.A.R.S. players and coaches donated their sweat and muscle for an all day project in assembling playground equipment at the school. Hats off to all of the B.E.A.R.S. participating in this event!! Once again, our impact on the children of this community and others is being felt!!
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Lee, Duncan, & Williams prepare the surface. |
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Smith and Duncan drilling post holes. |
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Pausing for the cause. |
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Duncan & Slaughter put finishing touches on. |
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B.E.A.R.S. Making Huge Difference in Fremont
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B.E.A.R.S. Alumnus Ahman Green Addresses Students |
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Mike Carter & Ahman greet Philip Svitak's Aunts |
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Fremont High Students & B.E.A.R.S. Players |
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Fremont High Students & B.E.A.R.S. Players |
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B.E.A.R.S. Players Making a Difference in Iowa
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Winners with Rodney Jones and Kevin Grayson |
These students correctly answered questions regarding the life of Sgt. Philip Svitak. For their correct answers, they were awarded autographed game programs and Joe Montana videotapes.
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On Thursday April 18th, 13 Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. players and coaches made the trek to Oakland, Iowa, to visit with approximately 300 school children from the Riverside Elementary School.
The players talked to the children about the importance of education, and reading in particular. After those presentations, the players read memorials written in the honor of Sgt. Philip Svitak, a native of Fremont, Nebraska, who lost his life in the war in Afghanistan. The students were told how Philip led his life and what types of values and principles he stood for. Students who correctly answered the questions about Sgt. Svitak were rewarded with autographed game programs from the players and Joe Montana videotapes.
Many thanks to Cliff White, Joe Shafer, Rodney Jones, Mike Parks, Mike Broussard, Kevin Grayson, Mike Bonner, Anthony Burries, Cesare Moore, Sean Smith, Monty Cannon, Abdul Shabazz, Kenny Browder, and Don Martin. Keep on making a difference!!!
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Kenny Browder addressing students |
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Rodney Jones addressing students |
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B.E.A.R.S. ANNOUNCE BENEFIT GAME
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Betty Svitak is ence at Fremont High School. The conference was broadcast over radio station KHUB 1340 AM/KFMT Gold 105.5 FM in Fremont, and was conducted by News Director, Nicole Porupskey.
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B.E.A.R.S. Players Making a Difference 2/28/02
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On Thursday, February 28th, the last day of Black History Month, Nebraska B.E.A.R.S. players visited two Omaha Public Schools, Skinner Magnet Center and Fontenelle Elementary. The players served two purposes on these visits. They read to approximately 500 students at the schools, and chose to read material relevant for Black History month.
The players chose to read "The Jackie Robinson Story" to the children and got an overwhelming response. Many of the children in the audience were astounded to hear of some of the problems that Jackie had to deal with as he became the first African-American to play baseball in the Major Leagues. At the end of the session, students answering questions correctly about the material that was read were rewarded with North Omaha B.E.A.R.S. youth program T-Shirts.
The students were also made aware of the fact that Omaha's own Marlin Briscoe became the first starting black quarterback in the NFL when he broke in with the Denver Broncos.
Overall the visits were a tremendous success, with the players signing autographs until their hands cramped from pain. Many teachers and administrators at the schools requested that we continue to come back as much as we can. That truly says it all!!
Two thumbs up for Shawn Smith, Floyd Webb, Jake Steffes, Anthony Burries, and Kevin Grayson. Good job fellas---Who said that we cannot make a difference?!!
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