THE MISSION

Our mission is to remind people that meaning is found in shared sacrifice. That’s why we believe in the power of challenge. Challenge is the starting line for everything worth doing in life. Challenge is what pushes us, stretches us, strengthens us, and unites us.

Guiding our efforts are our core beliefs and standards:

  • All-in. Challenge is a daily mindset. 
  • Honesty. Trust requires the truth.
  • Courage. Fear is a vector.
  • Relationships. Respect reciprocates. 
  • Service. Give yourself to impactful actions.

THE VISION

  • To inspire others to use challenge as their ultimate teacher.
  • To create a movement that reminds people that meaning is found in shared sacrifice.
  • To become an example of the transformational power of embracing challenge.
We refuse to let veterans lose their sense of purpose.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

  • We all need a challenge to face; in challenge we find our life purpose.
  • The challenge of military service provided Veterans with the key components necessary to live a fulfilled life.
  • When they return home, they are still looking for a challenge.
  • When Veterans become one with purpose and challenge – it defines them.
  • Being Challenged, Serving others, belonging to a Community.

HOW WE AIM TO SEE THIS THROUGH

To fund our mission, help bring awareness to veterans and honor their service, we have created an annual military-style obstacle course race called The Big Red Challenge.

The race is a symbol for challenge. We challenge people to run, serve, and step outside their comfort zones in every aspect of life. Challenge requires service. Being a part of something bigger than ourselves gives life purpose. Challenge and service build the strongest communities. We all need a team to be a part of.

Veterans and active duty can register for a discounted price and veteran organizations are able to host a booth at our expo for a discount as well (limited space available). The race creates the funds necessary to make our dream a reality.

Ultimately, we hope our event creates a day to celebrate and honor those who protect us at home and abroad.

A portion of the net proceeds from BRC 2022 will go towards local veteran organizations and scholarships.

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Through the Big Red Challenge, veterans can receive our “Memorial Scholarship.” Recipients of the scholarship become a part of the Big Red Challenge team to grow and further the mission. The scholarship is designed to give a veteran a challenge, serve others, and make meaningful connections that build our local community. Follow the link to learn more about this opportunity when it becomes available.

Donate

“Hi everyone, my name is Uriah Mata and I currently attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where I major in music education with an emphasis on tenor trombone! I am involved in multiple music ensembles and organizations including, a brass quintet, trombone choir, the National Guard Enlisted Association, UNL’s Student Veterans of America Chapter, and the American Federation of Musicians, to name a few. I have been in the Nebraska Army National Guard since 2017 serving as the principal tenor trombonist for the 43rd Army Band as well as assisting with the Honor Guard. The Big Red Challenge has and continues to give me many opportunities to find the balance among all things in life, learn new things, become more efficient, and learn and share the cause of helping veterans transition back to civilian life. Learning how to help run a non-profit organization, reaching out to the community about this cause, and learning about the veterans’ unique and shared experiences are a few of the things I enjoy the most. I’m looking forward to the many new things I will learn, the failures I will have, the improvements I will have from those failures, and working with the BRC team. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen as an intern for this selfless organization and I hope that you will help us support veterans in their transition back to civilian life.”

“Hello! I am Tara Maulsby and I am an intern at the Big Red Challenge! I recently graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree of science and education human sciences. While I was there, I served in multiple student run clubs including the student veteran organization where I held the fundraising and social chair position. I have been serving in the navy reserves for 4 years now as a Gunner’s Mate 2nd class. Being a part of the service as well as receiving an education at UNL, gave me the opportunity to intern for the BRC. This job for me has given me opportunities to expand my horizons not only within the military community but also to help me understand and spread the word about those transitioning to civilian life. Getting to know the veteran community and learning about their experience always amazes me. This internship has also given me the chance to exercise and grow my leadership skills, communication, and passion to help veterans. This organization gives back to the veteran community and I am grateful for this opportunity! By supporting Big Red Challenge you will ensure there is a fellowship available for a student veteran like myself in the future, to grow their learning horizons just like I have!”

  • 909 runners from ages 5 to 72 (233 of them veterans) coming together to challenge themselves, making connections, and celebrating and honoring our veterans.
  • 12 local veteran organizations gain exposure and make connections.
  • 2 names of fallen service members featured on our dog tag finisher medals.
  • 14 story boards remembering the fallen.
  • $2,000 Fellowship awarded through the Military & Veteran Success Center at UNL.
  • $600 donated to Operation Enduring Warrior.
  • $460 raised for Operation Enduring Warrior during the pushup contest.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Big Red Challenge 2019!

  • Big Red Challenge 2018 had 1,050 runners with 404 of them being Veterans or Active Duty.
  • 242 Registration fees paid for Veterans and Active Duty to run free.
  • $1,600 given back to the Marine Corps League – Cornhusker Detachment.
  • 11 Veteran groups set up shop at our expo free of charge.
  • 6 names of fallen service members featured on our dog tag finisher medals.
  • 12 fallen service members’s stories displayed at the expo.
  • $850 raised during Operation Enduring Warrior’s push up contest.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Big Red Challenge 2018!

  • Big Red Challenge 2017 had over 1,100 runners with 500 of them being Veterans or Active Duty.
  • 500 Registration fees paid for Veterans and Active Duty to run free.
  • $1,000 given back to the Marine Corps League – Cornhusker Detachment.
  • 8 Veteran groups set up shop at our expo free of charge.
  • 6 names of fallen service members featured on our dog tag finisher medals.
  • 6 fallen service members’s stories displayed at the expo.
  • $1,500 raised during Operation Enduring Warrior’s push up contest.

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Big Red Challenge 2017!

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Want to get involved but not interested in running? We need 200+ volunteers to make the race day a success! Whether it is packing swag bags, manning packet pick-up, guiding runners along the course or other clandestine activities, we need your help! Thanks for helping us honor our veterans and service members!

Link to volunteer: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-sign-up-big-red-challenge-registration-288291576867

If you have any questions, want to get on the volunteer list, or have a large group that would like to get involved, please email volunteer@bigredchallenge.com with the subject line BRC 2022 Volunteer.

LEARN ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS

We invite creative ideas for sponsorship that build brand awareness, bring visibility in the community and cultivate relationships for your company. You get to choose the type of impact your company would like to make through the various opportunities provided at the Big Red Challenge Event!

*Note: Veteran Organizations can host a booth space for free! Email jana1@bigredchallenge.com if your group is interested! Limited Space Available.

If you are interesting in learning more or becoming a sponsor, please email Beth Schimmel at bschimmel@bigredchallenge.com or sponsor@bigredchallenge.com with the subject line BRC 2022 Sponsor.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Legislative Bill 740

Big Red Challenge teamed up with Senator Colby Coash to help get in-state tuition for all veterans and their family members from anywhere in the nation at any Nebraska state university or public college. The bill was introduced on January 9, 2014 and passed by the Legislature and signed into law on March 28, 2014. We are just one step closer to making Nebraska the most veteran friendly place in America. Click here to read about LB740.