Texas A&M University and The University of Nebraska named the 2024 Operation Hat Trick Excellence in Service award co-winners

HAMPTON, NH, and INDIANAPOLIS, IN, May 8, 2024 - Operation Hat Trick (OHT), an innovative non-profit supporting the recovery of wounded service members and veterans, has recognized Texas A&M University and the University of Nebraska’s outstanding efforts in aiding the recovery of wounded U.S. combat service members and veterans by naming the Universities the co-winners of its 2024 Excellence in Service Award. In recognition of their impact, OHT will make a donation to Brazos Valley Cares and Wounded Warriors Family Support, respectively, on each University’s behalf. Operation Hat Trick Founder and President Dot Sheehan presented the Excellence in Service Awards at the Collegiate Licensing Company Licensing Seminar in Indianapolis on May 8.

This year OHT has donated $205,000 to organizations on behalf of the finalists and winners, bringing the overall total in the last 6 years to $850,000.

Texas A&M and Nebraska were two of ten finalists that included The University of Alabama, The University of Arizona, Clemson University, George Mason University, Michigan State University, Utah State University, Virginia Tech, and Western Michigan University. The finalists were chosen based on their efforts to fully integrate OHT on and off their campuses through a presence in their bookstores and other retail outlets; promoting veterans’ causes through their social media properties and advertising campaigns; and generating additional revenue that will be used to support the recovery of wounded service members and veterans.

“I’m proud of what Texas A&M and Nebraska have done to support Operation Hat Trick and wounded service members and veterans and are now recovering from invisible and visible injuries,” said Dot Sheehan, Founder and CEO of Operation Hat Trick. “Over the past year, the Universities have shown not only a commitment to support OHT, but also a commitment to support their local community, which is so critical. We at OHT are honored and proud to partner with them both and all of our finalists.”

A portion of each sale of OHT branded merchandise is donated to select organizations that support the recovery of wounded service members and veterans. Through the sale of branded merchandise, Operation Hat Trick has helped 85+ organizations that provide direct support to veterans in need. They include the Travis Mills Foundation, Semper Fi Fund, nine Warriors Ice Hockey Programs, Canine Companions, CreatiVets and the Overwatch Project.


About Operation Hat Trick

Founded by Dot Sheehan in 2007, Operation Hat Trick (OHT) generates awareness, support and funding for the recovery of America’s wounded service members and veterans. The 501c3 has been recognized by GuideStar six years in-a-row as a Platinum seal of transparency organization for its responsible stewardship. (https://learn.guidestar.org/platinum).

Dedicated to Nate Hardy and Mike Koch, two Navy SEALs who were killed in Iraq in 2008 and are buried side by side at Arlington National Cemetery, OHT never forgets their sacrifice.

Operation Hat Trick’s innovative operational business model is clearly differentiated from other veteran-focused nonprofits. OHT pioneered the first national philanthropic, co-branded, cause marketing retail apparel licensing program in America. Instead of relying on donations, OHT raises money by selling distinctive headwear and apparel, receiving a royalty from every product purchase. More than 500 American universities and colleges proudly display their logos with OHT’s on co-branded merchandise. Many businesses, NHL, NBA and MiLB teams are also active supporters.

Operation Hat Trick products are available via leading online retailers such as Fanatics, Colosseum and Amazon as well as national retailers including Cracker Barrel, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Kohl’s, Lids, Scheels and more.

Support and learn more about Operation Hat Trick by visiting operationhattrick.org.


About Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University opened in 1876 as the state's first public institution of higher learning. Today, we are a research-intensive main university dedicated to sending leaders out into the world prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow. Learn more about our university, including our goals, mission, values, locations, leadership and history.


About Brazos Valley Cares

Brazos Valley Cares serves those who have served our nation. Veterans dedicate themselves to our nation, and BVC stands ready to serve Brazos Valley veterans. They invest in them and make the Brazos Valley a wonderful place to be a veteran.


About The University of Nebraska

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln was chartered as a land-grant university on February 15, 1869, to create opportunity for the state of Nebraska. A proud member of the Big Ten Conference, the Big Ten Academic Alliance, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Nebraska is classified within the Carnegie “R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity” category. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.


About Wounded Warriors Family Support W

ounded Warriors Family Support is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization established for the purpose of supporting combat-wounded veterans and their families.