Husker Nation Celebration to Draw More Than 800 Former Husker Football Lettermen

Lincoln -- Plans for the largest football player reunion in Husker history are finalized, and athletic director Steve Pederson said Thursday he is expecting more than 800 former lettermen, including more than a dozen former coaches, to attend this weekend.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

"Response to our invitation has been tremendous," Pederson said.  "The atmosphere on game day when the former players march down <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Memorial Stadium Drive and enter the stadium will be electric.  I strongly encourage fans to be in their seats early."

 

In addition to former Husker players from every era dating back to the 1930s, the following coaches and friends of the program will also attend Friday's private get-together and Saturday's functions.  Mike Devaney, son of Bob Devaney (head coach, 1962-72; national champions in 1970 and 1971), Bill Glassford (head coach, 1949-55), Charlie McBride (assistant, 1977-99), John Melton (assistant, 1962-88), Ed Nyden (assistant, 1955), Tom Osborne (assistant, 1964-72, head coach, 1973-97; 1994, 1995, 1997 national champions), LeRoy Pearce (assistant, 1958-61), William Pfeiff (assistant, 1939, 1942), Jack Pierce (assistant, 1979-91), Warren Powers (assistant, 1969-76), Jim Ross (assistant, 1962-76), Milt Tenopir (assistant, 1974-2002), Bill Thornton (assistant, 1970-71), Bob Thornton (assistant, 1981-85) and Dan Young (assistant, 1983-2002).

 

41 All-Americans Return to Lincoln for Festivities

Included in the group of more than 800 former lettermen, are 41 of Nebraska's 89 first-team All-Americans, including:  LaVerne Allers, (1964-66); George Andrews (1976-78); Joe Armstrong (1966-68); Walter Barnes (1963-65); Rik Bonness (1973-75); Dave Butterfield (1974-76);  Bret Clark (1982-84); 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch (1998-2001); Tom Davis (1975-77); 1995 Heisman Trophy runner-up and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner Tommie Frazier (1992-95); Mike Fultz (1974-76); Doug Glaser (1987-89); Aaron Graham (1992-95); Harry Grimminger (1982-84); Travis Hill (1989-92); 1971 Outland Trophy winner Larry Jacobson (1969-71); Tony Jeter (1963-65); Jeff Kinney (1969-71); Bob Martin (1973-75); John McCormick (1985-87); Junior Miller (1977-79); Jerry Murtaugh (1968-70); Derrie Nelson (1978-80); Bob Newton (1969-70); Danny Noonan (1984-86); 2000 Rimington Award winner Dominic Raiola (1988-2000); two-time Outland Trophy winner and 1982 Lombardi Award winner Dave Rimington (1979-82); 1972 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers (1970-72); 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier (1981-83); Randy Schleusener (1978-80); 1992 Outland Trophy winner Will Shields (1989-92); Neil Smith (1985-87); Brenden Stai (1991-94); 1997 Outland Trophy winner Aaron Taylor (1994-97); Steve Taylor (1985-88); Broderick Thomas (1985-88); Mark Traynowicz (1982-84); Larry Wachholtz (1964-66); Kenny Walker (1989-90); and Freeman White II (1963-65).  The current Husker football staff, who will only be available for some of the festivities, adds one more All-American to the list in linebackers coach Jimmy Williams (1979-81).  Among the 41 returning All-Americans, nearly half (20) are coming back to their college home from out of state.  In fact, three will come from California, three from Texas, and Dominic Raiola is coming via Detroit, where he plays for the Lions, but calls Hawaii home.  Nine of the living 14 retired jersey honorees will be in town for the festivities.

 

38 Academic All-Americans Return--10 as Doctors

Nebraska leads the nation in first-team football Verizon Academic All-America certificates with 59 (47 players, 12 double winners).  This weekend, 38 of the 47 players will return to Lincoln, including 10 who have earned their doctorate degrees in the medical field.  The returning academic All-Americans include: Frosty Anderson (1971-73); George Andrews (1976-78); Mark Blazek (1986-88); Rik Bonness (1973-75); Dr. Pat Clare (1960-61); Terry Connealy (1991-94); David Edeal (1988-90); Pat Engelbert (1989-91); Dr. Don Fricke (1958-60); Aaron Graham (1992-95); Ted Harvey (1975-77); Dr. Tom Heiser (1974-75); Rod Horn (1977-79); Larry Jacobson (1969-71); Tony Jeter (1963-65); Chad Kelsay (1995-98); Jeff Kinney (1969-71); Dale Klein (1984-86); John Kroeker (1986-88); Ric Lindquist (1979-81); Joel Makovicka (1995-98); Marvin Mueller (1965-67); Dr. Jim Osberg (1965-66); Dr. Jim Pillen (1976-78); Dave Rimington (1979-82); Kelly Saalfeld (1977-79); Dr. Randy Schleusener (1978-80); Dr. Matt Shaw (1992-94); Dr. Scott Strasburger (1982-84), Rob Stuckey (1982-84); Randy Theiss (1980-82); Mark Traynowicz (1982-84); Dr. Pat Tyrance (1988-90); Jim Wanek (1988-90); Tom Welter (1985-86); Tracey Wistrom (1998-2001); and 1994 Vincent DePaul Draddy Award winner Dr. Rob Zatechka (1991-94).  Current assistant coach Jeff Jamrog (1985-87), a first-team academic All-American in 1987, will partake in some of the festivities as his schedule allows. 

 

Five Players from the 1930s Return

The more than 1,400 lettermen invited included players and staff from as far back as the 1930s and this weekend every class will be represented through eight decades beginning with 1934.  There are five lettermen from the 1930s in attendance, including: George Knight (1938-40); Ron Douglas (1934-36); William Pfeiff (1937); Ed Schwartzkopf (1939-46) and Edgar Sears (1934).

 

Tradition Evident as Players Represent 41 Bowl Teams

Those players and coaches in attendance represent five national championship teams (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995 and 1997), 26 conference championship teams and all 41 bowl teams, including the 1941 Rose Bowl team.

 

Several father-son combinations and numberous other family relationships will be represented.  Bill Kosch (national championships in 1970 and 1971) and his son, Jesse Kosch (member of three national championship teams, 1994, 1995, 1997) have the distinction of earning five title rings between father and son.  Joe and Chad Blahak have four national championships in the family; while Jerry List (deceased) and his son Gregg also have four.  Ralph Damkroger's sons, Maury and Steve, followed him to Nebraska, as did Larry Frost's son, Scott, the late Ben Gregory's son, Morgan, and Joe Blahak's son, Chad.  The Fischer brothers, Clete, Ken, Rex and Pat, all were Cornhusker lettermen. 

Nebraska has 12 players on the 2003 roster who have followed in their brothers' footsteps to play football in Lincoln and four second-generation Huskers.  Two will start on Saturday, as their fathers did three decades ago.  Tony Davis starred at running back for Tom Osborne's first teams and on Saturday, Josh, will earn his first career start at I-back.  Linebacker Barrett Ruud will start at middle linebacker, and his brother Bo is a true freshman, following their father Tom (1972-74), uncle John (1978-79) and great-grandfather, Clarence Swanson, a Cornhusker letterman from 1918 to 1921.  Quarterback Brett Lindstrom's father, Dan, played in 1978-80 and fullback Andy Wingender is a nephew of Bill Wingender, who was a fullback in 1950.

40 States Represented
While all but one player on the 1941 Rose Bowl travel roster was from the state of Nebraska, 40 states (all except Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vermont) are represented among the returnees at the Husker Nation Celebration, including two who have come from Canada (Terris Chorney, Calgary, Alberta and Larry Tomlinson, Chateauguay, Quebec).  Current team members and twins Josh and Daniel Bullocks represent Tennessee, as they hail from Chattanooga.

Husker Nation Celebration Festivities Available on Satellite
The entire pregame ceremony will be available via satellite to Husker Nation fans and media outlets across the country from 1:30 - 2:35 p.m.  The ceremony can also be seen on HuskersNside, the premium website on Huskers.com.  Satellite coordinates for the pregame ceremony are Telstar 6@93W; Transponder: 01, C Band; Downlink Frequency: 3720 MHz Vertical polarity.

 

In addition, the Husker Nation Pavilion (open three hours prior to game on Ed Weir Track) and Herbie Husker will make their debuts this Saturday.  Herbie will enter the field from the Northeast corner at approximately 2:20 p.m. (just before the tunnel walk) and will be unveiled at the center of field.