Tyler Kai

Background

About Tyler Kai

Tyler Kai was promoted to Deputy AD for Revenue Generation in July of 2024. Kai has oversight of departmental revenue generation units including fundraising and ticket sales, service and operations. Additionally, Kai serves as the primary liaison to 1890 Nebraska and led the charge to an expanded partnership between 1890 and Husker Athletics that promoted Nebraska student-athletes NIL opportunities. During fiscal year 2025, Nebraska Athletics announced a record year in fundraising and ticket revenue under Kai’s leadership. In the spring of 2025, Kai reorganized Husker Athletic Fund and introduced the newly formed revenue analytics and ticket sales units charged with unlocking and generating revenue potential for Nebraska Athletics. Kai joined Nebraska Athletics in August of 2021 as the Associate AD of Leadership Gifts & Capital Projects for the Huskers Athletic Fund. Kai led the overall major gift program for capital projects and endowments, secures major gift commitments from Huskers supporters, manages the Huskers Athletic Fund major gift officers to reach targeted goals to complete specific goals and projects. In the Spring of 2023, Kai directed enhancements to the Nebraska Leadership Society including a rebranding, the introduction of new recognition levels, and enhanced member benefits to better serve the generous supporters of Nebraska Athletics. Kai came to Nebraska from Tulane, where he served as the Associate AD for Development. He oversaw the Green Wave Club and Ticket Office, while creating the departmental fundraising and revenue generation strategy and setting annual goals. He also led the department’s fundraising effort by securing significant gift commitments for department priorities, including the Slatten Family Strength Center and Don & Lora Peters Academic Center renovations. Kai joined Tulane in March of 2017 to lead the day-to-day operations of the athletics annual fund including donor relations, stewardship and fundraising initiatives. The Green Wave Club’s membership and donations grew to record highs, under Kai’s leadership. In 2019, Kai led a comprehensive effort to refine Tulane’s priority seating model. Prior to Tulane, Kai served as the Assistant Director of Campaigns for the University of Tennessee. During his term, the Tennessee Fund reached record years in annual giving, sold out of season tickets at Neyland Stadium and surpassed a three-year campaign goal of $147.5 million. Tyler earned a bachelor's in event management from Iowa State University and a master's in higher education from Kansas State University.