'I love doing this kind of stuff': Held, UNK staff prepare for Loper Backers Banquet

First-year UNK football head coach Ryan Held and his staff are preparing for their biggest public event yet.

April 19, 2023Updated: April 19, 2023
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

FULL INTERVIEW ON THE DOUG & DADDY SHOW ON ESPN TRI-CITIES

KEARNEY, Neb. — First-year UNK football head coach Ryan Held and his staff are preparing for their biggest public event yet.

The Loper Football Backers dinner and scholarship fundraiser is Thursday night at the Younes Conference Center North. The banquet started in 2010 and has raised nearly $2.2 million for scholarships and program needs since then.

Held says he’s drawing on his previous experiences as a head coach at Division ll, NAIA and junior college schools when helping manage the event.

“I love doing this kind of stuff. You want to be a part of it, you want to be in the front lines doing everything you can to help along with your staff, obviously our players and everybody involved," Held said on the Doug & Daddy Show on ESPN Tri-Cities. "Those things I embrace, I enjoy and I look forward to continually doing those types of opportunities for us.”

UNK officials say they expect a record crowd of more than 700 to attend. In addition to dinner, there will be live and silent auction items and comments from coaches and players.

The Lopers will hit the field for the Spring Game on Saturday.

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