Steve Gebeke ’94 was the kind of person you don’t forget. Sarcastic and funny, he had a sharp mind, a generous spirit, and a deep loyalty to the people and places he loved. 

Though he made Las Vegas, Nevada, his home, his love for the Bison never changed. When a fellow alum asked him to take over the local NDSU football watch party, now known as Herd Huddles, he didn’t hesitate. 

What started as a favor became a passion project. On game days, he made sure the TVs were synced, the wires were run, and the space was ready — not because anyone asked him to, but because it mattered to him that the Herd could come together to cheer, connect, and feel like they belonged. Making it all work required more than enthusiasm — it took time, effort, and money. He gave all three without fanfare. 

In June 2024, Steve lost his battle with cancer. As part of his legacy, he chose to invest in the Herd Huddles program, believing that if funding were available to help offset setup costs, it would encourage more gatherings in more places. He saw value in every gathering — bringing Bison fans together for game days and shared community — and believed that the more Herd Huddles, the better. 

This feature, and the Las Vegas Herd Huddle Social it celebrates, is a tribute to Steve’s spirit: show up, bring people in, and never underestimate the community-building power of a Bison football game. 

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Q&A with Cathy ’83 and Louie ’80 Hendrickx 

How did you get involved with the Las Vegas Herd Huddle?

We moved to Las Vegas in 1985 after graduating from NDSU, and while there were occasional watch parties over the years, we started going more regularly around 2010. When Steve Gebeke ’94 became the host around 2016, we began helping him set up and take down the streaming equipment, and in 2019, when that venue closed, we assisted in searching for a new spot. By chance, we learned the staff had moved up the street to a bar called PT’s Gold, and they were happy to host and continue to today.

What inspired you to step in as hosts?

We’ve always enjoyed watching Bison football with other fans, and when we found out that Steve was unable to continue hosting, we wanted to make sure the tradition continued. With PT’s Gold just down the block from our house, it felt like a natural fit to take over. Steve’s siblings, Mike and Stacie, graciously gave us all his streaming equipment, so we were able to hit the ground running instead of starting from scratch.

Can you describe what goes into planning and hosting one of these events?

A couple of days before the game, we send a text to our local group and post a notification on the #1 NDSU Bison Fans Facebook page. We also are in touch with PT’s Gold to confirm the day and time and ensure they’re ready for us. 

On game day, we arrive at PT’s about 45 minutes before kickoff to set up the TVs for streaming. We greet attendees and are intentional about checking in with every table throughout the game. We’re lucky to have several locals who help welcome and mingle with new attendees and even run the event when we’re out of town. 

What is the atmosphere and the sense of community like at the Herd Huddle? 

The energy is high — everyone is eager to watch the game. There is a core group of locals who have been attending for years, plus snowbirds who join us mid-season. If we are out of town, we know the event is in good hands. We may be the hosts, but without our core group of locals, the event wouldn’t be the same. 

We make good use of the swag the NDSU Foundation sends and love interacting with alumni from all parts of the country who are visiting Las Vegas. We even welcome fans from rival teams — it makes the game more exciting. We often end up with an impromptu cheerleading group and have converted quite a few people into Bison fans over the years. It’s fun to watch them experience our school spirit firsthand. 

What would you say to someone who has never attended but is thinking about coming for the first time — and to someone interested in hosting their own Herd Huddle? 

Just come! We’re a friendly group, and PT’s is currently the only official Herd Huddle site in southern Nevada — and probably in the state. The most difficult part about hosting is finding a venue, but once that is set and you find your core group of people, everything falls into place.