If you want to see Dr. Tom Osborne together with Warren Buffet, then save the night before the Texas Tech vs. Nebraska game for an evening TeamMates Tailgate!


It begins on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in LaVista. Tom and Nancy Osborne will host Warren Buffet for his wit and wisdom. On top of that, you get to see and hear country music star, Vince Gill!


Tom and Nancy Osborne founded the TeamMates Mentoring Program in 1991 in an effort to provide support and encouragement to school aged youth. The goal of the program is to see youth graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. To reach this goal, youth meet one hour per week with a caring adult who serves as a mentor. Mentors are volunteers from the community who have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the life of a young person. Mentors give youth a sense of hope, purpose and vision.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program currently provides a mentor for over 3,000 youth across Nebraska and Iowa. The goal of TeamMates is to serve 10,000 youth and be nationally recognized as the leading school-based mentoring program by 2015.


www.teammates.org

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(Photo of Tom Osborne and John Cook courtesy of Dan Flanagan)

He'd already won two national championships and coached some of the best players in the world, but Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook might have enjoyed his 2008 team the most.

Those Cornhuskers defied every odd - including losing four All-Americans to graduation and two middle blockers last season to injuries - to reach their stated goal of the Final Four in Omaha, where it gave undefeated and unblemished Penn State a great test, producing what some considered the best volleyball match in history.

The secret to this NU team?

"They understood that the greatest gift is the gift of giving," Cook said. "Because they gave, they made a great team."

Cook was the keynote speaker this year's TeamMates Appreciation Luncheon, part of the program's Mentoring for Meaningful Results Leadership Conference.

New and current mentors from the Omaha area gathered Wednesday at the Tip Top Convention Center for a day-long seminar on a variety of topics built around the luncheon, which TeamMates founder and current NU athletic director Tom Osborne emceed. January is National Mentoring Month.

NU's team was entering "a rebuilding year by any measure," Osborne said, but Cook and the Huskers never waved from their original goal, creating a map that they continually worked on in practice to signify how far they had come.

Cook said he knew the team was special because it had won NU's LifeSkills award two years in a row, which recognizes a sport at Nebraska for its development and work in the community.

They also forged a bond similar to that of the TeamMates mentors and mentees, in which they all quickly learned how to believe in each other. Cook, who joked he was a "mentor to about 22 people" by referring to his squad and coaching staff, said one of last things for any young person to develop is trust one another.

Mentors face similar challenges in a modern society, he said, in getting a mentee to understand they have a future and dreams to pursue.

"There's a whole lot of doubt in this world," Cook said. "A whole lot of negativity. Kids don't trust a lot...but when there's a lot of love there's no fear."

TeamMates mentee Alex Perrault, a senior at Bellevue East High School echoed those comments. Perrault said he had been shy and unsure of himself when he entered the program. Now, as a senior, he intends to pursue a degree in elementary education and often gives TeamMates testimonials

"It really inspired me to achieve good grades," Alex said.

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January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.


Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.


The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.


Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.


Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.


The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.


Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.


Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.


The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.


Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.


Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.


The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.


Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.


The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.


Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.


The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.


Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.

The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.

Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.

The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.

Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post

January is National Mentoring Month, and General Colin Powell leads the national charge in recruiting mentors throughout the country. The theme this year is “Expand your Universe. Mentor a Child,” and his campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their potential.

As a highlight of National Mentoring Month, Thank Your Mentor Day will be celebrated on January 22. Thank Your Mentor Day promotes "Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor": 1) contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation; 2) pass on what you received by becoming a mentor to a young person in your community; 3) make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program; and, 4) write a tribute to your mentor for posting on www.WhoMentoredYou.org.

The TeamMates Mentoring Program has set a goal to recruit over 500 new mentors throughout the month of January. There will be an appreciation luncheon for mentors scheduled for January 28th at the TipTop Ballroom in downtown Omaha.

Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be speaking about mentoring. Anyone interested in advancing the cause of mentoring is welcome. Seats can be reserved by contacting Gayle Norris at gnorris@teammates.org or by calling 1-877-531-TEAM.

The mission of the TeamMates Mentoring Program is to positively impact the world by inspiring youth to reach their full potential. Volunteers give one hour per week to mentor. To join the team and be a mentor go to www.teammates.org or call 1-877-531-TEAM.

Suzanne Hince
Executive Director, TeamMates Mentoring Program
Tel. 402-323-6255
E-mail: shince@teammates.org

Permanent Link to this Blog Post