Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Nebraska Cornhuskers - History |
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Cornhusker Nickname
The nickname "Cornhuskers" was first applied to Nebraska athletic teams
at the turn of the century by sports writer Charles "Cy" Sherman of the
Nebraska State Journal. Before adopting Sherman's suggestion, Nebraska
sports teams were called "The Bugeaters," "Tree Planters," "Nebraskans,"
"Rattlesnake Boys," "Antelopes" and "Old Gold Knights." Of course, today
it is commonly shortened as "Huskers." Go Big Red!
A cheer. A greeting. A statement of pride for students, alumni and
Nebraskans alike. These three words reveal the spirit of Husker
athletics.
Backed by music and a video introduction produced by Husker Vision, the
Husker football team is welcomed onto the field with a deafening roar
from the fans. The tunnel walk has been ranked among the top traditions
in college football. Click here to view the tunnel walk video.
Otherwise known as The Pride of All Nebraska, the Cornhusker Marching
Band is consistently ranked among the country's best and won the
prestigious Sudler Trophy for best college band in 1996.
Hail to the team
Nebraska's Blackshirt tradition quickly evolved from a modest beginning.
No one seems to know exactly when the concept was formed. But its roots
can be traced to George Kelly, the defensive line coach for Bob
Devaney's teams from 1962 to 1968. Kelly was the first to assign black
pullovers to the top defensive unit during practice. The pullovers were
distributed by trainer Paul Schneider. The week before the opening game
of the season, Nebraska's first-team defensive players are given black
practice jerseys. If two players are listed on the depth chart as
sharing the number one position, each is given one of the black mesh
jerseys. Second-team defenders wear yellow practice jerseys. The
practice jerseys are left in the players' lockers. Opening a locker and
finding a black jersey is an emotional experience for most Cornhuskers,
and particularly those from Nebraska.
Issued to the winner of the Missouri-Nebraska football game ...
Originated in 1927. Laid aside in World War II years, and later
resurrected in 1947 ... Bell was originally stolen from a church in
Seward, Neb., by two Nebraska fraternities (Phi Delta Theta and Delta
Tau Delta) who shared the same house ... When each fraternity moved to
separate living quarters, they battled for possession of the bell each
year in a specified contest athletic or academic ... When in 1927,
Missouri proposed a suitable trophy be established for the Nebraska-MU
football rivalry, the bell was suggested and adopted - engraved on one
side with an "N" and on the other with an "M" ... At Nebraska, the bell
is cared for by the the Innocents Society of Nebraska, while the
Missouri caretaker is QEBH Society.
In over a century of athletics at Nebraska, only 22 players (15 men, 7
women) have had the honor of having their jersey retired. A look at some
of Nebraska's finest: |
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Nebraska, you'll experience the Big Red school spirit - no
matter what sporting event you attend. 