The puck will drop soon on a partnership between the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and the University of Nebraska at Omaha hockey team, giving employees the opportunity to view great hockey while contributing to a new cancer research fund.
The Mavericks have designated Liz’s Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer, as the official charity of UNO’s Keystone Group Maverick Stampede Hockey tournament on Oct. 10 and 11. Employees at UNMC and at The Nebraska Medical Center may purchase tickets through the Eppley Cancer Center. Of the $12 ticket price, $4 of the tickets purchased through the Foundation will go toward Liz’s Legacy.
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Partners strive for excellence
“Being named as the beneficiary of the Maverick Stampede is very exciting,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Eppley Cancer Center. “The excellence that the hockey program has displayed parallels, to a degree, the excellent reputation that we continue to grow as one of the country’s finest cancer research and treatment institutions.”
Dr. Cowan said he looks forward to a strong, long-term relationship with the hockey program. UNO hockey head coach Mike Kemp agreed.
“It is a tremendous thrill for our organization to align itself with such a prestigious organization as the Eppley Cancer Center,” Kemp said. “We believe that this partnership will lead to greater interaction in the months and years to come.”
Liz’s Legacy
Liz’s Legacy was established in August in honor of Liz Karnes, an Omaha community leader who died earlier this year from cancer. UNMC physicians treated Karnes during her 12-year battle with the disease. She, along with her husband David, have been long-standing supporters of UNMC, as well as UNO’s athletic and academic programs.
Tom Thompson, director of development for the Eppley Cancer Center, said, “I’d love to see us try to fill the arena with people from the Medical Center. Coach Kemp and his staff want to make this an important and dynamic relationship for both parties. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity to share the story of Liz’s Legacy with all of those in attendance at the Stampede and at UNO hockey games throughout the entire season.”
Kemp said that the Maverick Stampede will be intriguing for several reasons.
Exceptional hockey
The quality of hockey will be exceptional, Kemp said. In all, the Stampede’s participating universities have won 12 national championships. On Friday, Oct. 10, two-time defending national champion Minnesota will face Maine at 5 p.m. in a rematch of the 2002 NCAA National Championship game, won 4-3 by Minnesota. UNO will take on Wisconsin in the nightcap, with the face-off scheduled for around 8 p.m. The losers of the games will face off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, before the winners will compete for the Stampede title at 8 p.m.
“This Stampede will feature the finest quality of hockey in the nation this year, outside of the Frozen Four,” Kemp added. “I would expect the quality of play – as well as the intensity – to be at levels that haven’t been exceeded previously in Omaha.”
Helping fill the arena
In addition to the hockey quality, Kemp said, the Stampede will give fans an early-season experience at the Mavs’ new home arena, Qwest Center Omaha. Since the program’s inception, each UNO game has been a sell-out at the 8,314-seat Civic Auditorium. Kemp said his players are excited about playing in front of even bigger crowds.
“With the capacity at over 14,000 people, the new arena could become an even bigger home-ice advantage for us,” Kemp said. “With the Med Center’s help, it will be a great atmosphere.”
Stampede’s official charity
Being designated as the official charity of the Stampede involves several aspects. At the team banquet on Thursday night, eight childhood cancer patients from The Nebraska Medical Center will meet the participating players and dine with the teams, as part of the tournament’s “Fan for Life” program. Eight more pediatric oncology patients will be involved in intermission contests during the Stampede.
In addition, several business sponsorships are available for the Stampede. While these sponsorships entitle the business to game tickets, parking privileges, recognition in game programs and other perks, the motivation has been to help support Liz’s Legacy.
“This partnership is something that will be a win-win for the Eppley Cancer Center and UNO hockey,” Dr. Cowan said. “We look forward to a great weekend of hockey and continued relations with Maverick hockey.”