Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska Cornhuskers
Logo
University	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Conference	Big 12
Division	Division I
Athletic director	Steve Pederson
Location	Lincoln, Nebraska
Varsity teams	21
Football stadium	Memorial Stadium, Lincoln
Arena	Bob Devaney Sports Center
Mascot	Herbie Husker; Lil' Red
Nickname	Huskers
Colors	Scarlet and Cream
Website	www.huskers.com

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 21 varsity teams in 14 sports:

Men's sports Baseball Basketball Cross country Football Golf Gymnastics Tennis Track and field Wrestling

Women's sports Basketball Bowling Cross country Golf Gymnastics Rifle Soccer Softball Swimming and diving Tennis Track and field Volleyball

Early nicknames for the university's athletic teams included the "Hawkeyes" (which is now associated with the University of Iowa), the "Old Gold Knights", the "Bugeaters" and the "Mankilling Mastodons"; the usage of "Cornhuskers" in favor of all others occurred around 1900.[1]

The Cornhuskers have two official mascots, Herbie Husker and Lil' Red.

Athletic facilities

City Campus

• Memorial Stadium, football
• Cook Pavillion, indoor football practice facility
• Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex, strength training, conditioning, athletic health and athletic administration
• Nebraska Coliseum, volleyball, formerly basketball
• Bob Devaney Sports Center, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, indoor track and field, and swimming and diving teams
• Ed Weir Track Stadium, outdoor track and field
• Nebraska Soccer Field, soccer
• Nebraska Rifle Range, rifle team (lower level of the Military and Naval Sciences Building)

Haymarket Park (adjacent to the west side of City Campus, but technically not a part of the UNL campus)

• Hawks Field, baseball
• Bowlin Stadium, softball

East Campus

• East Campus Bowling Lanes, bowling

Off-Campus

• Firethorn Golf Course, golf
• Pioneers Park, cross country
• Woods Tennis Center/NU Varsity Courts, women's tennis
• Nebraska Tennis Center, men's tennis

Varsity sports

Football

Main article: Nebraska Cornhuskers football

The Husker football team began competitive play in 1890 and has claimed 46 conference championships and part or all of five national championships: 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, and 1997. The latter three marking one of only two times that a team has won three NCAA Division I-A national football championships in four seasons. The other was rival Oklahoma in 1953, 1955 and 1956.Over the past 25 years, the Huskers' three Division I national championships are the second most of any Division I university, behind only the University of Miami, which has won five.

The coach who brought about the most wins in Cornhusker history is Tom Osborne, who led the team for 25 seasons, from 1973 to 1997; his final record at Nebraska was 255 wins, 49 losses and 3 ties. During his tenure, the team won three national titles, including one in his final season. Osborne was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Nebraska's 3rd congressional district in 2000.

Nebraska's home games always open with the Tunnel Walk, which signifies the entry of the team onto the field. When the Cornhuskers play at home in Memorial Stadium, the stadium holds more people than Bellevue (the third-largest city in Nebraska). They currently hold the NCAA record for the most consecutive sold out home games; the sellout streak dates back to November 3, 1962.

The current Husker coach is Bill Callahan; the previous three coaches were Frank Solich, Tom Osborne, and Bob Devaney. Callahan represents a break from tradition in many ways. First, Callahan is the first head coach in recent history not to be hand-picked by his predecessor. Second, Bill Callahan has implemented the West Coast Offense at Nebraska. The Huskers had previously been known for the tough running game; specifically, running the option with a strong backfield (under Solich, such an attack became increasingly quarterback-oriented), while their new style relies heavily on a balance between the run and the pass.

Nebraska became one of only 4 teams in division 1-A football to reach 800 lifetime wins on October 14, 2006 with a 21-3 victory over Kansas State. Other teams with 800 wins are Texas, Notre Dame, and Michigan.

Volleyball

Nebraska playing Texas in 2004

Nebraska is home to one of the nation's top volleyball programs. The Nebraska women's volleyball team has won three national titles, in 1995, 2000, and 2006. In 1995 the Cornhuskers capped off a 32-1 season by defeating the Texas Longhorns 3 games to 1 in the national championship game. The second national championship came in 2000, when the Huskers completed a 34-0 season by beating the Wisconsin Badgers for the championship 3 games to 2. The Huskers won their third national championship in 2006 with at 33-1 record by beating the Stanford Cardinal in 4 sets.

Nebraska volleyball is a popular spectator sport in the state. In 2005, an NCAA volleyball-record 13,252 tickets were presold for the NCAA regionals. The vast majority of these sales are attributed to Nebraska volleyball fans, as the games was played at Qwest Center Omaha. On December 16, 2006, this record was broken when Nebraska played Stanford in the National Championship game with 17,209 in attendance.

The team plays their home matches in the Nebraska Coliseum. During the 2004 season, the Huskers averaged a home attendance of 4,336. Nebraska has an all-time record of 419-30 in the Coliseum.

Baseball

Nebraska baseball has seen a resurgence in recent years. After many years of being a perennial doormat, the 2000 Huskers became the first team in school history to advance to the Super Regionals in the NCAA tournament. In 2001 and 2002, the Huskers made their first and second appearances in the College World Series. Much of the success of these teams and the teams that have followed is due to the efforts of Dave Van Horn, who compiled a record of 214-92 while leading Huskers from 1998-2002. After the 2002 season, Van Horn left to accept a position at his alma mater, Arkansas; assistant coach Mike Anderson became head coach. In 2005, the Huskers had their most successful season ever, going 57-15 and advancing to the College World Series for the third time in five years.

In 2006, Nebraska sprinted into the top 5 nationally, and was looking poised to make it back to Omaha for the College World Series. However, Nebraska ran into a huge late season slump. Despite this, they managed to host a regional, only to go two and out and bow out early.

In 2002, the Huskers moved into the friendly confines of Hawks Field at Haymarket Park, widely considered one of the best collegiate baseball facilities in the country. Since this move, the Huskers have seen their attendance break numerous records. In the 2005 Super Regional against Miami, an overflow crowd of 8,711 watched as Nebraska clinched their third trip to the College World Series.

Men's basketball

Main article: Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball

While the University of Nebraska has experienced varying amounts of success for their intercollegiate athletic programs, men's basketball has been an exception. Nebraska has a distinction of one of the few major conference programs never to win a single game in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, in the over 90 years of varsity competition at the University, the first trip to the NCAA Tournament for Nebraska did not come until 1986. Much of the team's success came under the tenure of Danny Nee, head coach from 1987 to 2000. Nee is the team's all-time winningest head coach with a record of 254-190. Nee led the Cornhuskers to five of their six NCAA Tournament appearances, six bids to the National Invitation Tournament, including the 1996 NIT Championship.

The current head coach is Doc Sadler. Barry Collier, who led Nebraska from 2000 to August 2006, left to become athletic director at Butler University. He previously had been Butler's head coach from 1989 to 2000.

National championships

Football

• 1970 (11-0-1, No. 1 AP)
• 1971 (13-0 No. 1 AP/UPI)
• 1994 (13-0 No. 1 AP/Coaches (CNN/USA Today)
• 1995 (12-0 No. 1 AP/Coaches (CNN/USA Today)
• 1997 (13-0 No. 1 Coaches (ESPN/USA Today)

Women's Volleyball

• 1995 (32-1)
• 2000 (34-0)
• 2006 (33-1)

Men's Gymnastics

• 1979
• 1980
• 1981
• 1982
• 1983
• 1988
• 1990
• 1994

Women's Bowling

• 1999 (IBC)
• 2001 (IBC)
• 2004 (NCAA)
• 2005 (NCAA)

Women's Track and Field

• 1982 (AIAW)
• 1983 (NCAA)
• 1984 (NCAA)

Academic All-Americans

The Nebraska Cornhuskers lead the nation in the number of academic All-Americans. Nebraska also leads the nation in Academic All-Americans in football. At the end of fall 2006 sports season, there were a total of 235 academic All-Americans in all sports, all teams.

Top ten programs for academic All-Americans 2006
1	Nebraska	235
2	Notre Dame	178
3	MIT	129
4	Penn State	126
5	Augustana	114
6	Bucknell	112
7	Stanford	103
8	Illinois Wesleyan	102
9	UCLA	99
10	Emory	97

Baseball

• Aaron Marsden (2003)
• Adrian Fiala (1970)
• Brandon Buckman (2006)
• Daniel Bruce (2005)
• Erik Mumm (1999)
• Gene Stohs (1970, 1972)
• Jeff Leise (2001, 2002, 2003)
• John Cole (2001)
• Matt Schuldt (1998)
• Shane Komine (2002)
• Steve Achelpohl (1972)
• Steve Oakley (1980)
• Todd Oakes (1983)

F/W At-Large

• Bree Dority O'Callaghan (2001)
• Jon Hahn (2001)
• Rachel Spiry (2001)

Football

• Aaron Graham (1994, 1995)
• Brian Schuster (1995)
• Brian Shaw (1998, 1999)
• Chad Kelsay (1997, 1998)
• Chad Sievers (2004)
• Dale Klein (1986)
• Dane Todd (2005, 2006)
• David Edeal (1990)
• David Rimington (1981, 1982)
• Dennis Claridge (1963)
• Frosty Anderson (1973)
• George Andrews (1978)
• Gerry Gdowski (1989)
• Grant Wistrom (1996, 1997)
• Jacob Young (1988)
• Jake Young (1989)
• James Huge (1962)
• James Pillen (1978)
• Jeff Finn (1980)
• Jeff Kinney (1971)
• Jeffrey Jamrog (1987)
• Jim Wanek (1990)
• Joel Makovicka (1997, 1998)
• John Kroeker (1988)
• John Nelson (1988)
• Jon Hesse (1996)
• Jon Zatechka (1997)
• Judd Davies (2003)
• Kellen Huston (2004)
• Kelly Saalfeld (1979)
• Ken Mehlin (1993)
• Kurt Mann (2005)
• Kyle Vanden Bosch (1999, 2000)
• Larry Jacobson (1971)
• Mark Blazek (1987, 1988)
• Mark Traynowicz (1984)
• Marv Mueller (1966)
• Matt Shaw (1994)
• Micah Heibel (1987)
• Mike Brown (1999)
• Mike Stigge (1991, 1992)
• Pat Engelbert (1990, 1991)
• Pat Ricketts (2003)
• Pat Tyrance (1989, 1990)
• Randy Reeves (1969)
• Randy Schleusener (1979, 1980)
• Randy Theiss (1981)
• Rick Lindquist (1981)
• Rik Bonness (1975)
• Rob Stuckey (1983, 1984)
• Robert Zatechka (1992, 1993, 1994)
• Rod Horn (1979)
• Scott Frost (1997)
• Scott Strasburger (1983, 1984)
• Steve Ott (1995)
• Steve Volin (1995)
• Ted Harvey (1976, 1977)
• Terry Connealy (1993, 1994)
• Thomas Welter (1986)
• Tom Heiser (1975)
• Tracey Wistrom (2001)
• Trev Alberts (1993)
• Vince Ferragamo (1976)
• William Lafleur (1998)

Men's At-Large

• Alex Lamme (1996, 1997)
• Brady Bonsall (1995, 1996)
• James Blackledge (1988)
• James Koziol (1999)
• Jason Christie (1996)
• Justin Switzer (1993, 1994)
• Mark Warburton (1990)
• Marshall Nelson (2000)
• Michael Windisch (2000)
• Patrick Kirksey (1990)
• Rick Kieffer (1995)
• Ryan Tobin (1996. 1998)
• Steve Jung (1989)
• Sumner Darling (1992, 1993, 1994)
• Ted Harris (1997)
• Thomas Schlesinger (1986, 1988)
• Matt Murray (2004, 2005)
• Ryan Sneed (2003)

Men's Basketball

• Beau Reid (1989, 1991)
• John Matzke (1984)

Men's Track/Cross Country

• Aaron Plas (2006)
• Dana Carne (2004)
• Danny Hill (2004)
• Kyle Wyatt (2002)
• Nate Probasco (2006)

Soccer

• Meghan Anderson (2002)
• Shannon Tanaka (2002)

Softball

• Ann Halsne (1991, 1992)
• Denice Feldhaus (1984)
• Denise (Day) Eckert (1984, 1985)
• Denise McMillan (1992, 1993, 1994)
• Jamie Fuente (2001)
• Janelle Frese (1989)
• Jenny Smith (1998)
• Jill Rishel (1990)
• Karla Knicely (1996)
• Kim Ogee (2002)
• KoKo Tacha (2006)
• Lizzy Aumua (2006)
• Lori Richins (1985, 1986, 1987)
• Lori Sippel (1988)
• Margie Ogrodowicz (1987, 1988)
• Ruth Chatwin (1987)
• Shelby Mertins (1984)

Volleyball

• Allison Weston (1994, 1995)
• Amber Holmquist (2003)
• Anna Schrad (2003)
• Becki Bolli (1990)
• Carla Baker (1989)
• Christina Houghtelling (2005)
• Christy Johnson (1995)
• Greichaly Cepero (2001)
• Janet Kruse (1989, 1990, 1991)
• Karen Dahlgren (1985, 1986)
• Kathi DeBoer (1987)
• Laura Pilakowski (2000, 2002, 2003)
• Lisa Reitsma (1996)
• Lori Endicott (1988)
• Megan Korver (1998)
• Nancy Meendering (1999)
• Nancy Metcalf (2001)
• Sarah Pavan (2005, 2006)
• Virginia Stahr (1987, 1988, 1989)

Women's At Large

• Cassandra Morelock (2000)
• Courtney Jensen (2000)
• Heidi Stark (1996)
• Jane Clemons (1990)
• Janet Blomstedt (1997)
• Jen French (2003)
• Jennifer French (2002)
• Jill Myatt (1997)
• Joy Taylor (1995, 1996)
• Kathy Travis Miiller (1996)
• Kim Dehaan (1996)
• Libby Landgraf (2004)
• Lynne Frey (1990)
• Mary Ocel (1988)
• Nicola Martial (1996)
• Nicole Ali (1985, 1986)
• Nicole Duval (1993, 1994, 1995)
• Rachel Collins (1992)
• Rachel Spiry (2002)
• Richelle Simpson (2005)
• Stella Klassen (2000)

Women's Basketball

• Cathy Owen (1984)
• Karen Jennings (1991, 1992, 1993)
• Kelli Benson (1984)
• Stella Klassen (2000)
• Stephanie Bolli (1986, 1988)
• Terri Parriott (1985)

Women's Track/Cross Country

• Ann Gaffigan (2004)
• Ashley Selig (2006)
• Cheryl Harmon (2003)
• Jenna Lucas (2002)
• Jenny Green (2006)
• Kate Livesey (2002)
• Tia DeSoto (2004)

Fans

In addition to excellence both on and off the field, The Nebraska Cornhuskers are also known for having proclaimed their fans "The greatest fans in college football [2]." Above the main entrance to Memorial Stadium is the inscription "Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football[3]." The fans are commonly referred to as Cornheads or The Big Red Faithful. In 2001 President George W. Bush observed "I can't go without saying how impressed I am by the Nebraska fan base. Whether it be for women's volleyball or football, there's nothing like the Big Red.[4]"

Football fans are known as The Sea of Red due to the overwhelming amount of red they wear. They have sold out every home game since November 3, 1962[5]. This large crowd not only cheers for their team, but will also applaud the visiting team as they leave the field at the end of the game[6]. Nebraska fans are also known for following their team on the road, such as in 2002 when 60,000 fans traveled to Pasadena to watch the Huskers play the Miami Hurricanes in the Rose Bowl[7] and in 2000 when Cornheads took over Notre Dame Stadium[8].

Club sports

• Nebraska Crew (NUCrew)
• Nebraska Lacrosse

Trivia

• The local coucil of the Boy Scouts of America is the Cornhusker Council, which presides over southeastern Nebraska, where Lincoln is located.

External links

• University of Nebraska–Lincoln Athletic Department
• Husker Century - NET Television