By ANDREW HANSON
UNK Athletics
KEARNEY – New West Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery has extended its partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as part of a new five-year agreement valued at more than million in financial support and service to Loper student-athletes.
“We are very excited to continue our long-time partnerships,” said Dr. Heber Crockett of New West.
The deal, which runs from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020, provides increased support to Loper Athletics through a sponsorship agreement and funds given to the University of Nebraska Foundation, which will help fund student-athlete scholarships, support facility enhancements and assist with positions in the department.
“We are so thankful to the entire staff at New West, especially Dr. Daniel Slawski. He initiated this partnership and we have tremendous gratitude to him for being such a great supporter of Loper Athletics,” UNK Director of Athletics Paul Plinske said.
Slawski, founder and longtime president of New West, was the 2015 recipient of the Cope Cornerstone of Excellence for his contributions to UNK and the Kearney community. Slawski is retiring at the end of the year, and Dr. Nolan May is replacing him as UNK’s team physician.
“We are honored that Dr. Crockett and the New West staff have agreed to continue on this path with us,” Plinske added. “Their support will help us continue to serve our student-athletes at a high level, but also stay the course in our progression with scholarship and facility growth.”
New West, whose physicians serve as team doctors for UNK Athletics, has worked with Loper student-athletes and staff for more than 20 years. They meet weekly with Bill Murphy, assistant athletic director for sports medicine, to evaluate student-athlete injuries and assist with recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
“We have a longstanding partnership with UNK and Loper Athletics, and we’re excited to expand and extend that relationship,” said New West surgeon and President Jim Mahalek. “UNK is dedicated to us, and we are committed to UNK. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement that continues to get stronger.
“We’re excited about the direction of Loper Athletics and proud to be part of all the positive things happening at UNK.”
New West employs seven board-certified orthopaedic surgeons, and one certified Sports Medicine physician. They include: Crockett, David Huebner, Bernard Keown, Mahalek, Nicholas Mansuetta, May, Slawski and Ian Weber.
“Our student-athletes, coaches and staff could not be more proud of our relationship with New West Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery,” said Plinske. “This partnership is founded on a genuine respect for one another and a strong commitment to support and care for our student-athletes. Together we are impacting lives and making a difference on the campus of UNK.”
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Media Contact: Todd Gottula, Director of Communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
Source: Paul Plinske, UNK Director of Athletics, 308.865.8332, plinskep@unk.edu
