Sadler Reaches Out to Students

Lincoln ? Nebraska head basketball coach Doc Sadler and members of the Husker basketball team are venturing onto campus this week in an effort to promote Red Zone student ticket sales for the 2006-07 basketball season.

 

Sadler is emphasizing the importance of having student support at the DevaneyCenter, while also encouraging the students to enjoy the college experience at the University of Nebraska. 

 

“I think it’s more than just selling tickets,” Sadler said on Monday. “(Going to Nebraska basketball games are) just something that kids ought to enjoy. It’s something that everyone can join in and be apart of. Some students really don’t understand and appreciate all the college experiences they have until later down the road, and if we can make them aware of something they can be apart of, then that’s great.”

 

Sadler and senior point guard Charles Richardson received positive feedback and applause at each house they spoke at. That was one of six groups of players and coaches that broke up to speak at Greek houses on the city and East campuses on Monday. Collection boxes and ticket forms were left at each location and will be picked up in two weeks.

 

“I want to make the DevaneyCenter something special and something kids can look back on 10 years from now and see that the basketball games were some of the most enjoyable times of their college life," Sadler added. "If I can help create that type of atmosphere, then that’s what I want to do.”

 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Richardson, sophomore guard Jamel White, junior center Aleks Maric, freshman Ryan Anderson and members of the Nebraska marketing staff were at the Harper/Schram/Smith Dining Hall where students could fill out forms to sign up for season tickets on site.

 

“This probably gets a lot of kids that didn’t think about it much before now to see that it’s a really good deal,” said Shane Blomendahl, a freshman from Hooper, Neb., who signed up for season tickets on Tuesday. “I think we’re putting a lot of effort into the program. It's pretty exciting."

 

Red Zone studnet tickets are just $30 for 17 home games (less than $2 per game) and include a T-shirt.

 

Fans and students will have their first opportunity to see Sadler and the Husker basketball team in action this Friday when they host “Big Red Tipoff,” the first official practice of the new season. Events begin at 4 p.m. with “Select Your Seat” for fans looking to purchase new season tickets and the team will be introduced at 6:30 p.m. before its three-hour practice.

 

“I think it’s very important to give the fans an opportunity to come out and enjoy Friday evening, and to see what they’re going to be seeing for the next few years,” Sadler said. “Basketball is not new to the University of Nebraska, but the style that we’re going to play is going to be different.”