Doak Ostergard enters his fifth year as outreach director for the Nebraska Athletic Department in 2012-13. Ostergard returned to the administrative staff after previously spending 18 years as an athletic trainer for the Huskers.

Ostergard is the athletic department's primary contact with the N Club. He helps coordinate communication and maintain relationships with former letterwinners from all Nebraska varsity sports.

In addition, he directs special operational efforts for a wide variety of projects that help the athletic department increase efficiencies and reduce costs.

From 1998 to 2007, Ostergard served as NU's head football trainer and associate head athletic trainer. He became a full-time athletic trainer at Nebraska in 1990.

In his years as an athletic trainer, Ostergard's responsibilities included year-round preventive care, as well as immediate care for injured athletes at practices and games. He also helped develop techniques that are commonly used in the reconditioning of injured athletes.

Ostergard has been granted patents for two medical devices, an ankle rehabilitator and a shoulder harness. In addition, he played a key role in the design and development of a neck roll commonly used by football players nationally.

A native of Gothenburg, Neb., Ostergard received his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska in 1984, and went on to earn his master's degree from NU in 1989. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a member of the National Strength Coaches Association.