PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

RE: Coach Steve Smith Funding Request

Dear Friends and Husker teammates,

 Happy New Month! Happy March!

I hope you are all well.

I am sending this letter to reach out to you on behalf of Coach Steve Smith as fellow athletes who know him and were coached by him at the University of Nebraska in the mid-90's to the early 2000's.

I have been in contact with Coach Smith often through the years and more frequently in recent times. He has been very unwell, and his health is declining. He has been diagnosed with several chronic medical conditions and currently takes over 15 medications a day including 5 insulin shots each day, as well as a sensor implant in his pulmonary artery. After much prying I found out these medications and treatments cost him in excess of $20K last year. He does have a Medicare insurance plan, but it does not cover everything.

Healthcare can be more costly out of pocket depending on needs. There is a cap on the coverage until the out-of-pocket expense is reached. Coach Smith had been substitute teaching in the past but over the last year he has been unable to work due to his medical condition.

As many of you know Coach Smith is a very prideful man and even more so his wife (Tanya) so much of this detail I had to pry out of him, but it has been obvious to me that he is not well. I know that he and Tanya would most likely not approve of this, but I feel the need to help. Coach Smith has never been a charity case and has only ever tried to help others throughout his career. I have been a recipient of his help as I'm sure many of you have been too. Regardless he has contributed significantly to the athletic success of many of us and has always been passionate about his coaching and the athletes that he has coached. Over the last month Coach Smith has been involved in assisting in the college recruiting process for our son so he is still very passionate about sports and he is still making a huge difference.

I wanted to collaborate with as many of you as possible to see if we could organize some donations to present to Smith with a love offering to help with some of his medical expenses. I understand that we are all trying to live in this world with the many challenges and rising costs on everything. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, I do not want anyone to feel obligated but if you are willing and would like to contribute any amount, no amount is too small it is greatly appreciated. Prayers are the largest contribution that we can all offer but some intervention is always a bonus.

My ambition is that we have a goal of $5000 and any amount over this will be a blessing which will greatly assist Coach Smith. I would like to collect donations over the next 30 days and end funding by March 30. I will update you all on our final amount raised.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, generosity, and contributions. I love you all and wish the very best for you and your families.

Yours in Sport,

LaTisha Croom-Staten