Meet Linus Hagedorn, the Vice President of Development at the Nebraska Sports Council (nebraskasportscouncil.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – The Nebraska Sports Council is a non-profit organization that puts on really cool events with a mission of providing quality competition for amateur athletes of all ages and abilities and promoting healthy and active lifestyle choices. We started with the Cornhusker State Games, but now we host 10 different events throughout the year including the Omaha and Lincoln Corporate Games; Pumpkin Run; and DiamondFest and NetFest.

How did you get started in the business? – I started as a volunteer in 1994 for the state-wide Cornhusker State Games Torch Run and fell in love with the mission. Once the passion for the organization took hold, I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else. I hung around until they finally hired me.

Tell us a little about your family. – My wife, Jami, is a former D1 basketball student-athlete and works for the UNL Athletic Department in the Business Office. We have three kids, Sidda, Jasper and Vayda and have spent a lot of time in gyms and on fields over the years. We still do and would not have it any other way.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I like to golf and watch baseball. I’m a hack at best on the course, but enjoy the social and outdoor aspects of it. I’m a Husker baseball fan, but extremely grateful Omaha hosts the B1G Baseball Tournament and College World Series.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – As a 19-year-old, I worked for Union Pacific Railroad in my hometown of North Platte. I was a switchman/brakeman and put trains together and would take them to their next destination.

Who inspires you? – My coworkers. Between our President, Dave Mlnarik, Vice President of Operations, Scott Ash and myself, we have over 100 years of combined time at the Nebraska Sports Council. Their passion for our organization and what they have done to instill that passion in our Director of Operations, Ashley Kramer, and the next generation of our staff is awesome. We all learned from our predecessor, Tom Ash, and we will do our best to make sure the NSC is around forever.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “God has granted me yet another glowing day of life. I shall live it to the fullest. I will scorch the earth and all its inhabitants with a firestorm of positive energy and goodwill.” – Uncle Ted

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – I think my walk-up song would be “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – Major League Baseball Executive

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Nebraska Sports Council (see all of the above)

What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? – Sgt Peffer’s, the OG on Saddle Creek.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – For more information on all our events, go to: NebraskaSportsCouncil.com. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to get involved at: Linus@NebraskaSportsCouncil.com