?Hometown Husker? Beranek More Than Willing To Do Whatever it Takes to Win

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"Drake Beranek is the ultimate team player. He brings consistency and energy to every practice and every game and is always doing his best to help his team get better. There are not a lot of guys like Drake around anymore. He's helped everyone put the team in front of their individual success, and he's a big part of this team's chemistry." - Nebraska Head Basketball Coach Doc Sadler

Hard-worker ... selfless leader ... role model ... walk-on ... scholarship winner ... chemistry builder ... team player ... coach's dream ... and, a little drum roll please, for the latest labels that describe 6-4 Nebraska senior guard Drake Beranek ...rush chairman and ticket salesman.

Rush chairman?

Ticket salesman?

Hey, we're not talking Bluto playing rush chairman as he greets Kent Dorfman at the door of the Delta house in the movie "Animal House".

We're talking basketball's oldest newcomer in the Big 12 Conference, along with Husker teammate and good friend Brandon Ubel,visiting Nebraska fraternities and sororities with a sales pitch and a promise - buy Red Zone tickets to the Huskers' last six regular-season games in the history of the Big 12 and get a free T-shirt and one of the best seats in the house Bob Devaney built.

Beranek's and Ubel's efforts assisted Nebraska's Marketing Department, which sold 270 six-game student tickets last week.

If canvassing Greek Row doesn't thrill you, you would have been impressed watching Beranek and Ubel play a combined 42 minutes of clamp-down defense in the Huskers' 57-48 win over No. 13 Texas A&M.

Makes you wonder how many of those new student ticket buyers stormed the court last Saturday and would like to do it again Saturday afternoon when Nebraska hosts second-ranked Kansas in the Huskers' first basketball sellout in three seasons.

Here's the best part of an already great deal. Since the KU game is officially a sellout, and 200 of the 500 standing-room-only tickets already have been sold, the only other fans who can buy tickets to this game are the students. They can use the same deal, and get the same free t-shirt, for the Huskers' final five regular-season games.

Ravenna Pride Swells for Hometown Husker

In receiving his Hometown Huskerhonor, Beranek showed why Ravenna, Nebraska, is an important spot on a Big 12 map that includes players from Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and other major cities across the country.

There were, after all, 252 Ravenna natives, perched near the top of the southeast corner of the Bob Devaney Center, cheering both the pre-game video, and a moving Hometown Husker halftime celebration video that showcased why Beranek considers Ravenna (pop: 1,341) his hometown hideaway.

Ravenna gave Beranek all the encouragement and tools he needed to pursue his Division I dream in Lincoln after spending three highly successful Division II years at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Watch the video and listen to his parents, Paul and Brenda Beranek, describe their son. Listen to Drake explain why Ravenna is a great place to grow up and an even greater place to be from. Parents, family, coaches, teammates, teachers and friends waste no time getting straight to the heart of this whole Hometown Husker concept.

Let's recap Beranek's impact on last Saturday's game. First, speaking at 10 frat and sorority houses must have been a lot of fun and secondly, watching all those Ravenna natives stand up and cheer had to warm a certain family's collective hearts, especially if they could have heard how Kent Pavelka and Matt Davidson raved about Beranek's defense in a post-game tribute to a defensive masterpiece.

We didn't even mention that last Wednesday night - after spending two straight nights helping Nebraska's Development Office reach out to donors on the telephone - Beranek joined teammates and served hot chocolate for two hours to students visiting the campus Welcome Center.

Anyone who's watched Beranek this season knows this: He's a Hometown Husker who is more than willing to do whatever it takes to win, and if that includes being rush chairman or ticket salesman, so be it.

Just Trying to Max the College Experience

Beranek just shrugs about taking time out of his busy schedule to promote student ticket sales.

"It was no big deal," he said. "I just think part of the college experience is to enjoy all the extra-curricular activities you can. Brandon and I decided to reach out to the Greek community because we know what kind of impact they can have on campus. They're very active and engaged. We had a sales pitch, and we just wanted to encourage them to give Nebraska basketball a try. If they don't like it, don't come back. But at least give it a chance."

In the process, Beranek, who has never belonged to a fraternity, gained some respect for the Greek life. "It was crazy to see how it all works in the Greek houses," he said. "They were great, and by the time we met them and got out of there, they sold us as much as we sold them. It was really a neat experience. They're a very enthusiastic group, and they like to get out and enjoy that college experience."

Beranek and Ubel told Greeks and non-Greeks that supporting basketball is not unlike supporting football.

"Students can have the same effect for us that they have for football," Beranek said. "They help pump energy and life into the program. They can be the difference between us having a decent year or a great year. We're in that stretch where every game we play is a conference game, and we would love for the student body to connect to our program in the same way we want to connect to them. They can elevate the atmosphere and have a great impact on how we play."

Being the only Nebraska native who gets significant playing time on the team, Beranek feels the connection to the crowd. "It's a special feeling having that tie and that common bond," he said. "It's kind of neat that fans can relate to me, and I always try to give them something to cheer about. I'm the same way at a football game. Whenever Nebraska kids do something special, I'm going crazy as a fan myself."

Maybe that's why Beranek and Ubel are good friends. "We tried to recruit students to buy tickets because we feed off their energy and noise," Ubel said. "They're always the ones that help the rest of the crowd get into the game. If I wasn't playing, I'd be one of those guys screaming and yelling and trying to distract the other team. Drake would definitely be that kind of guy, too."

With five regular-season games remaining in Lincoln, the countdown is ringing loud in one senior's ears. "I understand there aren't many opportunities left," Beranek said. "I just want to relish every opportunity I can get, and how much better would it be to have the Devaney Center packed with students? They're the ones who create the atmosphere. You know the old saying, 'There's strength in numbers'? We just want more to show up and give us more strength ... the more, the merrier."

New Student Ticketholders Like What They See

For the record, Nebraska's newest student ticketholders like what they see. Here are a half dozen who have shared their thoughts with us:

Cale Harrington, sophomore, majoring in Ag Education, Loup City, Neb.: "Kansas is the biggest game because they're the pinnacle of college basketball. You have to beat the best to be the best! I bought my tickets to try to make the Devaney Center a little more hostile for all of these NCAA Tournament-type teams that are coming in. I mean, if you can come back from 20 down and beat a team like USC, you have something. I love Lance Jeter. He's a baller with NBA potential. Dunks and defense make basketball exciting. I think we can win an NCAA Tournament game this season because this team's got swag. They believe they can play with anybody, and that's what it takes."

Lynn Rich, freshman, Chemistry, Wichita, Kan.: "This is one of the best buys I've ever had because my money is well spent on these tickets. You get a lot for the money, plus a free T-shirt. I consider Kansas the most important game because I live in Kansas and a lot of my friends go to KU. There's a big rivalry between the two schools, and I'd like to see that play out on Saturday. This is Nebraska's last year in the Big 12, and I would love to see us make the NCAA Tournament. We have a decent team, and there may be a chance. It could happen and would be a nice ending to the Big 12."

Alex Vasey, sophomore, Music Education, Grand Island, Neb.: "The Kansas game definitely means the most. We always seem to keep up with them, but they always manage to win it in the end. I'd love to watch a big upset Saturday. It's the last time we play them at home. We gotta win it. If we can win half of our conference games, we'll be a seasoned team by the end of the year. I mean, look at our schedule and how many teams have a top 25 next to them. We have what it takes to compete and get that first-ever NCAA win this year. Lance Jeter is my favorite player because he brings a fire and a passion to the game that's always fun to watch."

Tanner Letcher, freshman, Engineering, Hay Springs, Nebraska: "The student ticket deal is a great buy because you can't beat six games with five teams that have been ranked most of the season and the other projected to get in the NCAA Tournament. The KU game means the most because Kansas is arguably one of the best basketball schools in the nation and always a big win if you can beat the Jayhawks. My favorite player is Toney McCray. I like the way he handles himself. He can score inside or hit the three. We need him down the stretch."

Maria Luedtke, freshman, Accounting, Lincoln, Neb.: "A&M was good. But every game the rest of the season means something to me - Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas, Kansas State and Missouri. It's our last time playing in the Big 12 together. For students, it's like $3 a game. Otherwise, it would be $10."

Angela Tejada, sophomore, Psychology, Fort Worth, Texas: "I've only been to one game, but we won it, and it was so exciting. I would woo loudly and often. I like Jorge Brian Diaz. He's a good player. The game that means the most to me is Kansas State because they were supposed to have such a good team. For a student, getting to see all these games is a cheap and fun way to spend an evening."

Respond to Randy

Voices from Husker Nation

Thank you for writing this piece and including the video. Those of us who live outside the state don't have the opportunity to come to the Devaney to experience the excitement that this team is generating this year. Clearly, Drake Beranek is a very special young man whose talents are, in part, responsible for the success of this team. I have often heard people complain that there are NOT enough players from Nebraska who make the basketball team. Perhaps Drake Beranek and his desire to play for NEBRASKA as part of a TEAM will serve as an example for others across the state. I have often heard Doc Sadler speak about the enormous challenges in recruiting any young man to play basketball. In the current climate where players seem to be centered on being the "star" of the team with the goal of heading off to the NBA after a year or two,  Drake Beranek  demonstrates the ultimate in a college basketball player - hard work, team player, loyalty, student-athlete. These are Nebraska values, and Drake Beranek demonstrates them every time he steps on the court. Rosalie Suggs, Noblesville, Indiana

 

Saw the pre-game video at the Sports Center last Saturday, but missed the halftime feature on Drake Beranek for a restroom trip that would have waited if I'd known it was coming. Thanks for including both videos with your column on a very deserving young man who took a big risk coming here and made it work. Drake's strong work ethic and unselfish attitude remind me of so many great football walk-ons we've grown to respect over the years. I give Doc (Sadler) credit for realizing how important that walk-on spirit is in a state like ours. I can only imagine what Saturday will be like if we beat KU. It's good we're spending money on the Devaney Center because if we beat the Jayhawks, we might need a new roof. John Stevens, Lincoln, Nebraska