Football Practice Fields Named in Honor of Ed and Joyanne Gass

The Nebraska Athletic Department announced Thursday that the grass practice fields, regularly used by the Nebraska football team, will be named the Ed and Joyanne Gass Practice Facility, subject to the approval of the Board of Regents.

     The two full-sized practice fields are located north of Memorial Stadium and Ed Weir Stadium. The fields sit between the Hawks Championship Center and the Cook Pavilion and provide Nebraska with one of the nation’s best football practice facilities, including the ability to simultaneously use four practice fields.

     The Gass family made a generous gift to the University of Nebraska Athletic Department on May 9 but has asked that the amount remain undisclosed.

     Ed Gass was a native of Columbus.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska and was a die-hard Husker fan.

     As season ticket holders for more than 30 years, Ed and Joyanne rarely missed a game, home or away. On Oct. 27, 2000, Ed and Joyanne were en route to Norman, Okla., to watch their No. 1 rated Huskers take on Oklahoma, when Ed suffered a heart attack.  Ed died later that evening.

     “Ed was a hard worker and felt it was important to live a modest life-style and give back to those things you believe in and have a passion for,” Joyanne said. “His passion was Husker sports and in particular Nebraska football. In fact, Nebraska was ranked No. 1 at the time of his death, which is exactly what Ed would have wanted.  Ed believed in giving student-athletes what they need to achieve at the highest level.  This gift allows us to fulfill Ed's passion and to give back to something that was so dear to him.”

     Nebraska Associate Athletic Director for Development Paul Meyers said the gift is the latest indication of the Gass family’s longtime support of Nebraska athletics.

     “This gift is another indication of the great fans we have in the state of Nebraska,” Meyers said. “Ed was one of our finest and most loyal supporters for a number of years and Joyanne continues to be a great friend of our program.

     “One of the phrases Steve Pederson has used with this project is ?Champions are made when no one is watching’, and Joyanne shared with me that Ed really believed in that philosophy. The naming of this practice facility is a very fitting tribute to the Gass family.”