Ommert Relishes Chance to Make a Difference

By Jennifer Denison
Lincoln -- Senior Ryan Ommert has definitely made the most of his four years in college as a part of the Cornhusker football team.

Ommert, a graduate of Cambridge High School in Cambridge, Neb., redshirted his freshman year in 1999 on a team that finished with a 12-1 record, putting them at third in the nation. He made his first appearance on the field against Rice in 2001 and since then made appearances in games against McNeese State and Kansas in 2002.

Though the demanding schedule of being involved in Husker athletics keeps him busy, Ommert also stays active off the field. He has been named to the Brook Berringer Citizenship Team for three years by volunteering his time speaking at schools, visiting children's hospitals, reading to kids at schools and libraries and even clowning around with them at carnivals. Ommert believes that the opportunity to volunteer is one of the most rewarding experiences he has had since he became a part of the team.

"For someone who hasn't had a lot of playing time, the friendships I've made and the opportunity to volunteer have made all the time I've put in worth it," Ommert said. "Those are the two biggest things that are going to stick out in my mind forever."

While juggling football practice and volunteer commitments with American Education Week, the Husker E-mail Literacy Program, the UNL Shadowing program and Team Spirit hospital visitations, Ommert has done well in the classroom. He has been on the Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was on the Big 12 Commissioner's Fall Academic Honor roll in 2000.

"The hardest part of playing football ? or the biggest change for me ? was time management," Ommert said. "You go from high school where you practice after school for an hour and a half to two hours a day, and then you come here and you've got morning practices, afternoon, sometimes weekends ? and on top of that you have to find time to study."

Even though it's a difficult schedule, Ommert believes that the hard work is all worthwhile because he is living a dream he has had since he was little.

"Any little kid that likes sports and sees their parents watching Husker football every weekend in the fall growing up wants to play," Ommert said. "I think it's every little kid's dream to wear the ?N' some day."

Ommert has played in three games so far during his career at NU and says every game day is an exciting experience. He is looking forward to all of Nebraska's home games and, of course, another bowl game this year.

As he is getting ready for graduation in May with a degree in business administration, Ommert remembers some of the best moments he has had in Husker Football.

"That first game was really exciting," Ommert said. "Even in that first year, I'd had a couple of injuries and was beginning to wonder if all the rehab I'd gone through was worth it, but when I step on the field and the band is playing and the crowd is cheering, that kind of atmosphere makes it all worth it. It's unbelievable."