Athlete, scholar, author, community activist, entrepreneur and Jewel’s dad… anyway you read it Johnny Rodgers is far more than just football.
As a player with the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, Johnny Rodgers served as a punt return specialist, pass receiver and running back. Rodgers broke virtually every offensive team record during his tenure. He was twice named to the College Football All American Team, won the Walter Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy in 1972 for most outstanding player in college football.
Honors recognize Johnny’s athletic ability, but he is also proud of degrees in broadcast journalism and advertising from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 2005 he was named the University of Nebraska’s Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2006 Johnny authored his first book; “An Era of Greatness: Coach Bob Devaney’s Final Four Seasons in University of Nebraska Football (1969-1972),” a “must read” for all “Husker” fans. Johnny’s second book titled; “10 Minutes Of Insanity” is a story of Johnny’s first 25 years and an inspiration for all.
Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Coach William Reed moved to Omaha, Nebraska in the early 1970’s and coincidentally became the head football coach of Monroe Junior High
School to begin his successful coaching career. During that four year period at MJH, his team lost just one football game. In 1976 he moved over to Benson High
School. In his first year there he was selected “Teacher of the Year.”
In 1979 Coach Reed became the head football and track coach at Omaha Central High School, bringing those programs into state and national prominence, and winning the Nebraska State Class A Football Championship in 1984. In 1993 Coach Reed wrote seven books on teaching kids the game of golf. This guided him to create Omaha’s first Youth Golf Academy, where he taught over 5,000 kids over a ten year period.
He has most recently written and published a book, The Four Sides which chronicles his life at Omaha Central High School from 1979-1991. Coach Reed has been recognized for being the first black head football coach, in the history of the state of Nebraska, at a predominantly white high school.
He is currently one of the co-founders and a board member of the prestigious Jet Award honoring the top NCAA outstanding college football kick and punt returner.
President, CEO of Performance Solutions Worldwide, Denny and Johnny Rodgers formed a business partnership starting in 1996 that has become more than just business. They have become very close personal friends as well. Together, they have created various marketing, promotional and strategic partnership programs, that have spanned across 14 countries.
In 2011, when Johnny said; “It’s time to start a program to honor the top kick off and punt return specialists in all of college football each year,” Denny knew he wanted to be involved, but didn’t understand at that time the full scope of the opportunity. Now, in the 10th year of this incredible program, The Jet Award has honored some of the greatest college football players in history. As shown on this website.
“I am deeply honored and also inspired at what we have accomplished together in such a short period of time. Not only have we honored some of the greatest players, but we have also helped hundreds of people get scholarships to Metropolitan Community College. We are all looking into the future with excitement .” – Denny Drake
Mike’l Severe worked for nearly 20 years as a TV sports and news reporter, from New Orleans to Albuquerque to Omaha.
Patrick Alston is a consultant with Burlington Capital Corporation and he is employed as a Senior Fellow for the National Defense University’s Keystone program. Alston is a native of Columbus, Georgia. He is a graduate of Columbus High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army…
Vince Leisey, CEO and Inspirational Speaker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, leads an organization that is on the cutting edge of a shifting real estate industry. He encourages a culture that attracts all generations and has pioneered a “mega office” that people want to spend time in…
Ruth McCully is an Account and Marketing Executive at NRG Media. Ruth has over 30 years of experience working in the broadcast media industry at NRG Media, Waitt Radio, Journal Broadcast Group, and Cox Communications. Ruth prides herself on building strategic partnerships with clients in developing successful….
Zachariah has been a prominent figure in Omaha County circles and a strong advocate for Omaha Central. After graduating from Penn’s Wharton School of Business he retired to Omaha and in 1969 joined the firm now called Frankel Zachariah. He served as managing partner for 25 years and…
Managing Partner of TruAdvantage Healthcare, a full-service healthcare and benefits broker located in Omaha, Nebraska. Wagner has been in marketing and sales with Summit Media Omaha, Cox Communications, Omaha World Herald, St Louis Post Dispatch and The Tacoma (WA) News Tribune…
Ms. Flynn started her career in Chicago, Illinois at American Honda Motor Company after graduating from the University of Iowa. Ms. Flynn spent 24 years at Honda holding several positions in Sales, Marketing and Business Development in several markets across the nation. During that time, Ms. Flynn served on the…
Rick Grubaugh began his career in education teaching and coaching at Madison and Genoa High Schools before becoming Athletic Director at Columbus Scotus. Grubaugh coached State Championships in football…
Coca-Cola Executive for over 30 years that led a brand-new Route-to-Market for The Coca-Cola Company’s Minute Maid Juice Team that would allow the distribution of our perishable products to all Small Store/Drug/Value outlets Nationally…
Rob Trebilcock is the Senior manager, Public affairs for Cox communications. In his current role he takes pride in partnering with local organizations to help them fulfill their mission while at the same time aligning Cox’s external strategy with their nonprofit partners…
Introduction:
At the Jet Award Foundation, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals in our community. Through our scholarship program, we aim to provide opportunities for low-income students to pursue trade programs at Metropolitan Community College. By equipping them with the necessary skills and education, we are helping them secure high-paying jobs and break the cycle of generational poverty.
The Challenge:
In Omaha, it is estimated that some 57,642 out of 476,512 people live in poverty. This represents a significant portion of our community that lacks access to quality education and opportunities for upward mobility. We believe that education is the key to transforming lives and creating a brighter future for those who need it the most.
Our Solution:
Since 2018, The Jet Award Foundation has supported around 250 students through the Johnny Rodgers Career and Technical scholarship program. So far nearly 100 of those students have successfully earned degrees and certifications in various fields, including information technology, nursing, criminal justice, and business management. We are proud to have contributed to their achievements and witnessed their growth as they
pursue fulfilling careers. Currently more than 140 students are in the JR Scholarship
program at MCC.
The Impact:
Our scholarship recipients are not just statistics; they are individuals with unique stories and aspirations. The average age of a student receiving our scholarship is 30.6 years old, highlighting the opportunity we provide for individuals seeking a second chance at education. Moreover, 60% of our students are female, empowering women to excel in traditionally male-dominated industries. Additionally, 45% of our students are people of color, promoting inclusivity and diversity within the workforce.
Call to Action:
We invite you to join us in our mission to end generational poverty and empower deserving individuals in our community. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of these students, giving them the chance to pursue their dreams and create a better future for themselves and their families.
Together, we can break the cycle of poverty, empower individuals, and build a stronger,more prosperous community. Join The Jet Award Foundation today and be a catalyst for change. Contact us at Thejetawardfoundation@gmail.com to learn more about how you can get involved.
Remember, every student we empower today becomes a success story of tomorrow.
Thank you for your support!
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