Recipients of the Nebraska Chapter, National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and Recognition Awards were last week by Chapter President, Irv Veitzer.
    The Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award this year will go to Dan and Cara Whitney.
    Induction and award ceremonies will be held Friday evening, September 21, 2012 at the Nebraska West Stadium Club, Level 3, inside Memorial Stadium (6:00 p.m.).  On-field pre-game recognition will be extended to all honorees at the Nebraska-Idaho State game on Saturday, September, 22nd.
    Dan (Larry the Cable Guy) and Cara Whitney have been named the winners of the Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award given by the Nebraska Chapter of the Football Hall of Fame.
    Dan Whitney, a Pawnee City native, is a multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy nominee, Billboard award winner and one of the top comedians in the country.  He has his own line of merchandise and continues to sell out theatres and arenas across the United States.  Larry has created The Git-R-Done Foundation, which was named after Larry’s signature catchphrase, and has donated more than $7 million to various charities.
    A former radio personality, Cara is the driving force behind the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. When their son, Wyatt, was born with hip dysplasia, Cara recognized the need for more information.  The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) grew out of Cara’s desire to help others avoid the problems she and her husband faced. Cara and her husband, Dan, are the major benefactors for this program through the Git-R-Done Foundation.  In 2010, the Git-R-Done Foundation donated $5 million to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for further development of the IHDI.  The Hospital opened a new wing called the "Wyatt Whitney Wing" of the hospital. The construction was completed in May 2012. The Git-R-Done Foundation has also made local donations of $1.2 million to The Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln and $1 million to the Nebraska Child Advocacy Center.  The Git-R-Done Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created by Dan and his wife, Cara, as a focal point for the family’s philanthropy in 2009. The foundation’s mission is to provide assistance to charitable organizations that have experienced hardships beyond their control, with an emphasis on children and veterans. 
   The Whitneys also donated money to buy new theatrical equipment for the local high school in Dan's hometown of Pawnee City, NE.
   Inaugurated by the Nebraska chapter in 1972, the Clarence E. Swanson Meritorious Service Award honors a person "for outstanding contributions to the University of Nebraska and the Husker Athletic Department through personal service, personal support of athletic department programs and dedication to the Husker football program and intercollegiate athletics."
   Dan and Cara, who reside in Nebraska with their two children, son Wyatt and daughter Reagan, are avid Husker fans of all sports and particularly football.  His signature camouflage hat has the Nebraska "N" emblazoned on it as he proudly promotes the Huskers nationally and internationally.  Dan and Cara rarely miss a Husker football game and generously donated to build and equip the Nebraska Football Recruiting Lounge.  They also made a significant contribution to the Championship Drive in 2006 to help build the Osborne Athletic Complex and the North Stadium addition.  They also support other Husker sports programs, including the Nebraska baseball and basketball programs.