Norvell, Cook and Davison Headline Husker Nation Tour in McCook, North Platte, Ogallala and Kearney on June 25

Lincoln ? The Husker Nation Tour is coming to your hometown on Friday, June 25. Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson, Coach Bill Callahan and the Husker assistant football coaches, athletic department representatives and select Husker players will all take part in the 26-stop tour. Five groups will visit with fans, boosters and media in a one-day goodwill tour with each group visiting at least four Nebraska cities during the day.

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Jay Norvell will be the featured football speaker on the tour that will visit McCook (7:30-9 a.m.), North Platte (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.), Ogallala (12:30-2 p.m. MT) and Kearney (6-8 p.m.).

Norvell was the final assistant named to the Husker coaching staff when he was hired as offensive coordinator on Feb. 13. He joined the Big Red after serving the previous two seasons as tight ends coach for the Oakland Raiders under Coach Callahan. Norvell helped the Raiders lead the National Football League in total offense in 2002, including a league-best 279.7 passing yards per game. From 1998 to 2001, Norvell was the wide receivers coach for the Indianapolis Colts, where he tutored All-Pro wideout Marvin Harrison. Norvell established himself as one of the top young coaches in the country as an assistant at Iowa State (1995 to 1997; Asst. Head Coach/QBs) and Wisconsin (1989 to 1994; wide receivers).

John Cook will join Norvell on the tour stops in central Nebraska. Cook, who is entering his fifth year as volleyball coach at Nebraska, has won one national title and holds an outstanding 124-9 record with the Huskers. Cook, who owns one of the best career winning percentages (.777; 285-82 overall) among active coaches in the country, will bring the Huskers to North Platte for a matchup against in-state rival Creighton on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 3 p.m.

Introducing Norvell and Cook will be the newest member of the Pinnacle Sports Network team, Matt Davison. A four-year letterwinner from 1997 to 2000 on the gridiron, Davison was the color analyst for the Husker men’s basketball broadcasts in 2003-04.

Norvell, Cook, Davison and select players (to be announced one week prior to the Tour) make their first stop of the day in McCook from 7:30 to 9 a.m. The event will be held in conjunction with a free breakfast at the Coppermill Restaurant (North Hwy 83 & Coppermill St.). Assistant A.D. for Development Paul Meyers will be the athletic administrator traveling with the group while Kevin Ord (308-345-2296) is the local contact for more information.

The group will make its second stop of the morning in North Platte from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The North Platte Tour Stop will be held at the First National Bank (201 North Dewey) parking lot, where fans can listen to the coaches during a lunchtime tailgate party that includes free food and prizes. Mike Swanton (308-532-1000) and Peggy Oltmans (308-535-3363) are the local committee contacts.

The Husker Nation Tour then rolls into Ogallala for a Big Red tailgate party from 12:30-2 p.m. (MT) at the West Winds Golf Course (359 Road East 85). The committee contact is Clark Anderson (308-284-2360).

The final stop of the day for the group will be in Kearney, where fans can hear the coaches speak at a free tailgate party at the Tri-City Arena (609 Platte Road). The event will be sponsored by the Platte Valley State Bank and Trust Company. Vicki Harper (308-234-2424) and Wayne Garrelts (308-234-3705) are the local committee contacts for the tour stop in Kearney.

The Tour includes 26 cities across the state. To obtain tickets or more information on the event in your area, please call the chairperson at the number listed above. For weather-related updates and additional tour information on all stops of the 2004 Husker Nation Tour, visit Huskers.com.