Herbie Makes Great Strides in Conditioning

Lincoln - While Husker athletes have been through the rigors of summer conditioning, Herbie Husker has been on a regimen of his own as he prepares for the Aug. 30 season opener with Oklahoma State.

The Husker strength and conditioning staff said that Herbie has been in his own version of two-a-days the past six weeks, working out with the volleyball team in the morning in the West Stadium Strength Complex, while running with members of the football team in the evening.

Longtime publicist Don "Fox" Bryant, who was instrumental in creating the original Herbie Husker back in the mid-1970s, has seen the 30-year old mascot undergo a dramatic transformation since Athletic Director Steve Pederson put Herbie on a strict workout program on Feb. 11. The workout program was created to have the mascot more effectively entertain Husker fans at events.

"I?m impressed with the work he has done to get in shape," Bryant said. "Over the years, Herbie had gotten portly, but in the last few months, he has gotten more serious in building a strong, trimmer look. He now reflects the strength and power that Husker football players have been known for."

The Husker mascot will continue to work out the rest of the month so he can make his debut against Oklahoma State in the season opener. Media are welcome to use the attached photos or the enclosed HuskerVision videotape in any and all news reports.