Nebraska Athletics Event Management & Operations

The Nebraska Event Management and Operations Staff is responsible for providing the Ultimate Fan Experience for the greatest fans in the world. The Ultimate Fan Experience is attained through diligent security, enforcement of procedure, courteous fan interactions, an inviting manner, and a positive attitude.

Our dedicated staff assist with the planning and executing of Nebraska athletic events. We are looking for folks that want to provide remarkable experiences for our guests, while being a part of exciting sporting and entertainment events.

Nebraska staff standards are represented in the 5 Pillars of Professionalism. Following these guidelines will lead Nebraska in to providing the Ultimate Fan Experience.

Pilars of Professionalism
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About Us

The Event Management and Operations Staff at Nebraska is known across the country as being one of the industry leaders in providing the best possible fan experience. Nebraska is one of a select few schools who still staffs all of their athletic events internally. Most of the athletic departments around the country hire a vendor to generate the desired number of staff and train them accordingly. Here at Nebraska, we are the ones in contact with the staff on a daily basis and provide all of the training with a unique touch. We pride ourselves in having a personal relationship with our employees and treating them as part of the Nebraska family.

- When greeting fans, we use the W.E.T. acronym:
"Welcome to Nebraska. Enjoy the Game. Thanks for Coming.”

- Ultimate Fan Experience
The “Ultimate Fan Experience” will be different for each and every fan.  This experience begins and ends with the Event Staff. You are the first line of communication with the fans.  Your interaction with any patron may be the deciding factor in whether he/she has a positive experience.  Treat fans as though they are guests in your own home, but treat them as guests that must follow University event policies and procedures.  We want all fans to have a great experience, while abiding by all policies.

- See Something. Say Something.
As an Event Staff member, you are our eyes and ears around the facility. If you see something that needs to be reported to a higher authority, contact your supervisor, Event Manager, or police.”

- Employee First, Fan Second
Your first and most important responsibility is to the fans and providing them the best experience possible.  Your focus should be directed towards giving this service to the fans and not focusing on the event that is happening.  Always be cognizant that you are on the job and not being paid to be a fan.” 

If you would like to know more about what a Husker game day looks like from an event management perspective, please check out the following link. It gives a great description for what our duties are surrounding a football game and highlights the event staff and their vital role in our success.

An Inside Look at a Game Day at Nebraska

We are happy to answer any questions that you might have about the event staff in general or about the hiring process. Please contact us at either (402)-472-9999 or at eventstaff@huskers.com

Prospective Event Management & Operations Staff

  • Scan patron tickets in/out of the stadium
  • Verify fan tickets and credentials for authenticity, using criteria valid for your assigned area
  • Provide general security checks and maintain order in your general area
  • Assist in guiding patrons to proper exits and/or provide other information in case of emergency
  • Assist patrons in finding seats, settle seating disputes, and assist with other customer concerns
  • Direct patrons to restrooms, concession stands, ATM’s, and other stadium amenities
  • Examine tickets and credentials for authenticity, using criteria valid for your assigned area
  • Assist in guiding patrons to proper exits and/or provide other information in case of emergency
  • Verify parking permits for correct date, time, and parking lot
  • Ensure fans are parking in their assigned stall
  • Ensure drive lanes, emergency entrances, and exits are not blocked by fans
  • Ability to answer general fan questions and provide fans with knowledge of stadium policies
  • Assist in guiding vehicles to proper exits and/or provide other information in case of emergency
  • 5 out of 7 home Husker football games + the Spring Game
  • Non-football sport availability is based on performance evaluation, years of service, and need for staff
  • Parking staff will have access to work a wider range of sports upon hiring.  There is a much greater need for parking staff at all of our sports.  Those wanting more hours should consider working as part of our parking operation.
  • Regular Staff - $12.50/hour
  • Parking Staff - $12.75/hour

All interested individuals will need to fill out the Event Staff Information Sheet. This sheet can be filled out at any time and can be found on this webpage in multiple locations by clicking “Apply Here.”  

After submitting the information sheet, all of your info will be stored until it is time to set up an interview. The hiring window for Event Staff typically starts in early June and runs through early August. It is during this time that we will contact you and set up an interview. Anyone applying after the hiring window will be contacted the following year to join the Event Staff.

In-person interviews will take place during the summer at Memorial Stadium. More details and directions surrounding the interview will be given to you when contacted to set up a designated time.

We are happy to answer any questions that you might have about the event staff in general or about the hiring process. Please contact us at either (402)-472-9999 or at eventstaff@huskers.com

Current Event Management & Operations Staff

https://ess.abimm.com/ABIMM_ASP/Request.aspx 

https://firefly.nebraska.edu/irj/portal/ 

https://huskers.com/event-staff-handbook

Meet the Team

Matt Davidson

Matt Davidson – Associate AD for Event Management & Operations

Matt has been with the Nebraska Event Management and Operations office since 2009, where he started as the Director of Events.  In July of 2019, Matt was promoted to his current position as Associate AD for Event Management and Operations. Matt is responsible for the supervision of all aspects of athletic events hosted at the University of Nebraska and works closely with outside agencies to ensure the safety and security of all people in attendance. Matt and his wife Terra have three children who keep them busy with sports practices, recitals, and weekend camping trips.

Tim

Tim Henrichs – Director of Event Management

Tim joined Nebraska Athletics full-time staff in May 2014 as an Event Management Specialist. In 2016, he got promoted to Assistant Director of Athletic Events and in 2022 he was named Director of Event Management.  Tim is the game administrator for women’s soccer, wrestling, and baseball.  He is also the Athletics’ Branch Director on football game day. Tim and his wife Lonna have one son, Hunter, who keeps their lives interesting at all times.   

Derek Bond

Derek Bond – Director of Championships & Security Operations

Derek is the longest tenured employee within the Nebraska Event Management office.  He started as an undergraduate student worker in the Fall of 2006 and has been with the department ever since.  Previously an Assistant Director of Athletic Events, Derek now serves as the Director of Championships and Security Operations and is the game administrator for volleyball and women’s basketball.  Derek also oversees 11 full-time Guest Relations employees.  In his free time, Derek enjoys watching every sport imaginable and playing video games. 

Payton Buckmaster

Payton Buckmaster – Assistant Director of Event Management

Payton joined the department in July 2017 as an intern and was promoted to full-time status in June of 2019.  In his current position as Assistant Director of Event Management, Payton is the game administrator for track & field, men’s & women’s tennis, and swimming & diving.  On football game days, Payton is the Visiting Team Liaison where he coordinates all of their logistics.  Some of Payton’s hobbies include golfing, fishing, and playing card games with friends.

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Cassie Oliver – Event Operations Manager

Cassie Oliver joined the Nebraska Athletic Department as an events intern in May of 2018 then transitioned into her role as an event operations specialist in August of 2022. Oliver was elevated to event operations manager in October of 2023. Oliver oversees game operations and event management of men's and women's gymnastics, wrestling and softball. She also assists with volleyball and football, as well as NSAA state competitions. 

Pilars of Professionalism