Ogallala Husker Nation Tour

Ogallala, Neb. - The 2005 Husker Nation Tour moved to Ogallala on Thursday afternoon after a morning stop in Alliance. More than 260 fans in Ogallala turned out in solid fashion at the Ogallala High School Football Field.

The tour stop in Ogallala began with a Hot Dog Tailgate Party at 12:30 p.m. Mountain time, with hot dogs, pop, beans and chips served for the early arrivals.  After lunch, the fans in attendance received first-hand instruction from Husker coaches, who treated the fans to three 18-minute sessions.  The NU coaches walked the participants through specific aspects of Nebraska's on-field and on-court coaching techniques after the event officially began at 2 p.m. Mountain time.

Nebraska offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Norvell treated Husker fans to a dose of the West Coast Offense, while cornerbacks coach Phil Elmassian tutored the Husker Nation Tour participants on defense.

Nebraska volleyball head coach John Cook changed the pace for the fans in his coaching station by showcasing some of his lessons to the fans.

Coach Norvell said the atmosphere at the Husker Nation Tour stop in Ogallala was a great way to end the day.

"The Ogallala stop was a great way to wrap up a great day," Norvell said. "We had a good old fashioned ball game and got the ball up in the air. Last year, Ogallala was one of the stops that had the most kids and this year there were even more. Coach Elmassian and I really had a ball."

Associate Athletic Director for Development Paul Meyers was on hand to emcee the event, while Associate Athletic Director for Corporate Marketing Paul Miles and Assistant Athletic Director for Development Diane Mendenhall also represented the athletic department on the tour.

Four lucky fans attending the Ogallala tour stop, Bob Anderson, Marge Blaase, Kevin Wait and Ron Kent, each won two tickets to Nebraska's season-opening football game with the Maine Black Bears on Saturday, Sept. 3, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Clark Anderson, who was the local organizer of the Husker Nation Tour in Ogallala, said it was a memorable day for all the Husker fans in Ogallala.

"Ogallala really appreciates being involved in the Husker Nation tour," Anderson said. "Ogallala natives are extremely supportive of all Nebraska sports and will continue that. We are proud to be a part of the Husker Nation, and are very thankful for the coaches coming out to western Nebraska."

The Nebraska Athletic Department thanks Graig Kinzie of the Keith County News in Ogallala for providing his photos of the Husker Nation Tour to Huskers.com.