Gov. Pillen appoints former Nebraska football player to Board of Regents

Appointee will serve until Jan. 7, 2027
Makovicka will serve on the Board through Jan. 7, 2027. The seat will be up for election this year.
Published: Feb. 3, 2026 at 2:34 PM CST

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Governor Jim Pillen has appointed a former Nebraska football player to the Nebraska Board of Regents.

In a release sent Tuesday, Pillen announced that he appointed Joel Makovicka to fill the vacancy left by Elizabeth O’Connor’s resignation.

Makovicka will serve on the Board through Jan. 7, 2027. The seat will be up for election this year.

“I appreciate Joel’s willingness to step into this role, and I have great confidence that he will serve the Board well, and with the best interests of the University in mind,” said Gov. Pillen.

Makovicka played on three national championship-winning teams in his time as a fullback for the Cornhuskers. His older brother, Jeff, also played for the Huskers. Joel also played for the Arizona Cardinals from 1999-2002.

Nebraska's Joel Makovicka  (45) runs for a touchdown as Baylor defender Matt Anderson looks on...
Nebraska's Joel Makovicka (45) runs for a touchdown as Baylor defender Matt Anderson looks on during the first quarter in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 11, 1997. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(ERIC GAY | Associated Press)

Following his football career, Makovicka serves as president of his own practice, Makovicka Physical Therapy, as he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Creighton University.