The inaugural Team Jack Foundation Gala presented by Dorothy Lynch will start at 6 p.m. March 8 at The Cornhusker hotel in Lincoln, hosted by Emmy Award-winning ESPN reporter Shelley Smith.  Honorary co-chairs are Husker Coach Bo Pelini and his wife, Mary Pat, along with seven-year-old Jack Hoffman, who was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer in spring 2011. The foundation was founded by the family of Jack, who is best known for his friendship with former Husker Rex Burkhead and his 69-yard ESPY-winning touchdown run in the 2013 Nebraska spring game. Its primary focus is to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research.  Burkhead, who plays for the Cincinnati Bengals, will be joined at the gala by an all-star lineup. Dinner and a program are set for 7 p.m., followed by silent and live auctions that will include items ranging from a Rose Bowl trip (sponsored by the Rose Bowl) to a rare electric Husker guitar autographed by all three Nebraska Heisman winners.

As of January 2014, the Team Jack movement had raised and committed more than $1 million for research and is working directly with world-renowned researchers to develop relevant and effective research initiatives.  For more information about the Team Jack Foundation Gala, please go to TeamJackFoundation.org or call 855-RUN-JACK.