Former NFL standout Jay Novacek will host the 2004 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska on Saturday, June 5, at the Upper 84 Ranch near Brady, Neb., about 20 miles east of North Platte. Country music artist Ty England will perform.
Novacek, a former Pro Bowl tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, was a five-time Pro-Bowler who won three Super Bowl rings with Dallas between 1990 and 1995. He and his wife, Leanne, will host the event along with Jay’s parents J.P. and June Novacek.
England started his solo career in 1995, but he may be best known as Garth Brooks’ touring guitarist. Since going solo, England’s song list has included “Should’ve Asked Her Faster,” “Smoke in Her Eyes,” “Two Ways To Fall,” and “Highways and Dance Halls.”
Additional event activities include an art show, a live auction, cowboy poetry and horse shows. The local band Chance also will play at the dance following the evening concert. Staff members from the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, along with the help of nurses from The Nebraska Medical Center and the UNMC College of Nursing, also will provide free screenings for prostate and skin cancer.
The Cattlemen’s Ball is the premier fundraising event for cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha. Events over the last six years have brought in more than $750,000 in donations to cancer research in Nebraska. The committee is hoping to raise $250,000 with this year’s event, said Gerald Brown, chairman of the 2004 Cattlemen’s Ball.
The Cattlemen’s Ball is held each year to showcase rural Nebraska, promote beef in a healthy diet and to raise money for health care research. The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center in Omaha is the primary recipient of this fund raising effort with 90 percent of the proceeds going toward cancer research programs at Eppley. The remaining 10 percent of the funds raised stay in the local area and are used for health care activities.
Invitations are not sent, as the event is open to the public. At the 2004 Cattlemen’s Ball, Top Hand ticket holders ($60) may attend Saturday afternoon and evening activities beginning at 1 p.m. Trailboss ticket holders ($250) receive a champagne reception, commemorative gift, Trailboss brunch and preferred seating for the evening dinner and concert. Tickets are limited. For tickets, call 1-877-661-1143.