Teammates Find a Fabulous Way to Honor Fiala

Randy York’s N-Sider

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A small, private service for Adrian Fiala was held Friday, April 17, at Lincoln's Cathedral of the Risen Christ. A former Nebraska Blackshirt linebacker and Academic All-America catcher on the Husker baseball team, Fiala died Monday following an eight-year battle with incurable lung disease. The Lincoln lawyer, businessman and radio/TV host was 67. According to a spokesman for Lincoln’s Roper & Sons Funeral Home, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nebraska Champions Club on Thursday, April 23. Fiala is survived by his wife, Fran, his brother, Doug, and sister-in-law Judy Fiala, sister-in-law Marylss Giles, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Former Husker teammates Jeff Kinney and Dave Morock visited Fiala at Lincoln’s Tabitha Hospice facility Sunday and Monday before his death and told The N-Sider that they will continue “to do everything possible” to help make the 15th annual TeamMates Mentors’ Golf Tournament an annual success in Gothenburg, Neb., this summer. Fiala was the one who launched the event at Wild Horse Golf Club to raise funds for the TeamMates Mentoring Program, co-founded by Tom and Nancy Osborne.

Adrian Fiala Had a Passion for Everything He Took On

“I have an occupation, but Adrian had a passion, and his passion was obvious in whatever he did, whether it was playing football or baseball, announcing on radio or TV or reaching out to help someone,” Kinney said. Neither Husker teammate knew Fiala was in grave condition, even though Kinney had talked to his friend last week on the telephone. “We discussed the tournament and the need to get organized again,” said Kinney, who lives in Denver. “I just happened to be in Lincoln over the weekend because a granddaughter, who lives in Kansas City, wanted to visit the campus. She’s interested in going to school at Nebraska.”

Kinney said this particular trip to Lincoln was “providential” because he ended up seeing Fiala. “After I visited Adrian, I called Dave and told him to get to Lincoln as soon as possible,” Kinney said. “He cleared his calendar and saw Adrian before he died.” After a short discussion, Morock reached out to former teammates and announced that the best way they can honor Fiala was to keep the golf tournament going that benefits Teammates, and host it in memory of Adrian and in honor of serving kids who desperately need mentors.

Teammate Morrison: Fiala Tougher than Coleman, Alvarez

Adrian and wife Fran do not have children of their own. However, they have countless friends, neighbors, former teammates and Big Red fans who became part of their extended family. The news of Fiala’s death Monday had a heavy impact on Husker Nation. Denny Morrison, who describes himself as fledgling tight end in the fall camp of 1966, said Tuesday that Fiala called him several months ago, trying to pick his brain about Nebraska’s 1964 freshman class. “I hadn’t really talked to Adrian in decades because living in New Jersey doesn’t does not provide many opportunities for that. It was great to catch up with Adrian." Fiala is pictured above right with Jim Rose (left) and College Football Hall of Fame NU tackle Forrest Behm near the Rose Bowl.

Morrison said he often had to block Nebraska’s strong-side linebacker in practice. “I had to block Trey Coleman, who was a senior, Barry Alvarez, who was a junior, and Adrian Fiala, the sophomore ‘kid’ from Omaha Bishop Ryan,” Morrison recalled. “Sorry, Trey and Barry, but Adrian was the toughest and most physical guy I ever had to block. He was tenacious. I had to deal with him and Barry for two straight years. I hated scrimmages. Barry knew he was starting, so he didn’t have to be a star against his teammates. Adrian wanted Barry’s job and showed up with attitude for every play. He was a gifted athlete.”

The opportunity to relive and revive memories from more than 50 years ago “was a gift for me from Adrian when he called me out of the blue,” Morrison said. “Rest in Peace. I am so proud to have known Adrian, and I want to help the golf tournament in his memory.”

July 18 Golf Tournament Will Honor Fiala Now and in the Future

Teammates wasted no time creating unified awareness of Fiala’s death. “We sent former Huskers a note today reminding them to circle July 18th on their calendars this summer,” said Morock, a starting monster back on the 1969 Nebraska team. Fiala was “an obvious part of that 1969 senior leadership when I was a sophomore,” Kinney said. “That ’69 team really helped Nebraska turn things around (going from back-to-back 6-4 seasons in 1967 and 1968 to 9-2 in 1969). Adrian wasn’t a loud, boastful guy, but he was there every day, did his job and looked for his chance and his opportunity to become a major contributor.”

Nebraska’s 1969 co-Big Eight championship team took a stairway to excellence. It changed the paradigm of two straight Husker seasons without a bowl game. “We finished up that year really, really strong,” Kinney said. “We played Georgia in the Sun Bowl (a 45-6 Nebraska win). I remember (Georgia Coach) Vince Dooley saying that was a game that ‘neither one of us should have been in’. The ‘69 team just kept getting better and better and better, and what held us all together were guys like Adrian, Jim McFarland, Bob Liggett, Mike Wynn…the list goes on…because of those seniors, all of a sudden, our whole chemistry just clicked.”

A young ‘69 team that started 2-2 with close losses at USC and at Missouri won its last seven games, and a historic footnote is worth mentioning. In 1969, Tom Osborne, was a first-time offensive coordinator under Bob Devaney. He decided to install the I-formation with Jeff Kinney as the sophomore starter, who earned the Big Eight Conference Sophomore of the Year Award.

Fiala: 1969 Team Set the Table for Back-to-Back National Titles

I still remember Fiala telling me on a flight to San Diego how the 1969 Nebraska team he played on literally set the table for back-to-back national championships in 1970 and 1971. The Huskers, after all, crushed Oklahoma, 44-14, in Norman in 1969 – a key indicator that put the Huskers on the national title trajectory.

Fiala knew his time was ending but chose to die privately. “Adrian kept telling us this would probably be his last year organizing the tournament because of his health,” Kinney said. “We thought he’d still be there. In his absence, we want to make this a memorial for Adrian. We want everyone to start planning now to show our respect and our appreciation for Adrian, who started the tournament to benefit Teammates.

“It was something he loved to do. He was so proud to contribute to a cause that meant so much to him,” Kinney said. “TeamMates is a statewide organization, and we want every part of the state involved. It was an easy decision for us to honor Adrian and keep this tournament going at the same time. It’s something that’s been near and dear to Adrian’s heart for 15 years, and hopefully, that will continue now and well into the future.”

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Adrian’s and my life intersected during the 1969 football season. It was his senior season and my sophomore year. Where most upper classmen would view the new guy as a threat to their position, Adrian was way ahead of the curve. Given the talent the ‘69 team had, he wanted the best effort and best result we could produce. He encouraged me during some tense, competitive times. Adrian was always even-tempered and polite. He had a great capacity for understanding not only the game of football but the game of life. With his relaxed delivery and older-brother compassion, Adrian could make you feel like you were the most important one in the room. Yet, when you find out what he'd done as a baseball and football player in high-school and then as a Husker, he was the one that should have been the subject of discussion. Adrian just never drew attention to himself. I was blessed to be his teammate for one year and enjoyed a lifetime of friendship thereafter. Adrian, we love you. Forever rest in peace my friend. Bill Kosch, Lincoln, Nebraska

When I was in law practice in Lincoln, Adrian was in his final year of law school at UNL, and worked as a law clerk for our firm. He was such a bright and pleasant person.  What I think I will remember most about him was when he was doing color-work for the NU football games. In a game against Oklahoma – in which NU had scored 70+ points, Adrian remarked that it hurt him to see Oklahoma get beaten so badly; that he had too much respect for the Oklahoma program to get enjoyment from that kind of a beating.  That is real class!  (It is also an example I have used to explain to people why NU and OU were never “rivals.”  It was always an important game, but rivalries are usually bound up in hatred (e.g., Ohio State/Michigan, Texas/Oklahoma, USC/Notre Dame).  I have heard both OU and NU players talk of this; that they had too much respect for one another ever to let it become stained by hate.)  Adrian expressed this sentiment exactly. Butler Shaffer, Burbank, California

Great article on Adrian. Thank you for helping with awareness ofthe golf tournament. The last text I got from Adrian stated that this summerwill be the 15th year of the tournament, and he wanted it to be the best one ever. Jeff (Kinney) and I promise that it will be. Dave Morock, Parkville, Missouri

It truly was a shock to hear of Adrian's passing.  He was a dear friend for many years.  I talked to him last week and knew that things weren't going well but I had no idea. Adrian was a big supporter of mine.  I am very fortunate that my whole family got to meet Adrian at my induction into the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame and the Nebraska High School Athletic Hall of Fame.  For years, we frequently talked on the phone about the Huskers, sports, baseball and life.  He was always so courteous and friendly. Adrian, you left us too soon.  Thank you for all that you did and accomplished.  You will be missed, my friend...Go Big Red! Gary Neibauer, Aurora, Colorado

Nice article on Adrian. Jim Carstens, Huntley, Illinois

As the tight end who followed Denny Morrison, I wanted to confirm his views concerning Adrian Fiala's strength, toughness, and work ethic.  I remember the fall camp of my junior year in 1968 when Coach Osborne sent our tight end group over to Coach Melton to do a blocking drill with the linebackers.  We tight ends and the linebackers took turns with a simple drive blocking drill.  Adrian was the first linebacker to line up over me.  Coach Melton would give the snap count to the tight ends and then line us up against his linebackers.  He would yell "Set…Hut."  It did not take the linebackers long to figure out that the snap count was almost always on one Hut.  When I tried to block Adrian the first time, it was like hitting a brick wall.  At most, I could label it as a stand-off since Adrian did not knock me backwards.  After blocking a couple other smaller linebackers more successfully, I saw that it was my turn to match up against Adrian again.  So I asked Coach Melton if we could go on "Set."  He said "Okay," so I hurried to the line of scrimmage and quickly got into my three point stance.  Adrian was just starting to get into his linebacker stance when Coach Melton yelled "Set."  I was able to block Adrian before he was ready and actually drove him backward a step or so.  The other tight ends hollered and yelled since Adrian had been hammering on each of us during the drill.  Finally, through a bit of subterfuge I was able to take him off the ball a short distance.  I did, however, make sure that was my last time blocking Adrian in that drill.  The next time or two I had to block a linebacker, I made sure it was some other tight end (not me) who lined up against him. Adrian and I roomed together before games during our junior year.  In more recent years, I was interviewed on his radio show and visited with him on occasional meetings about Nebraska football.  He sure knew all the players and coaches, and could make astute observations about the offensive and defensive performances.  He seemed to always be positive about the football program even when we lost.  As a baseball pitcher back in North Platte, I wish that I had a catcher like Adrian.  He was a guy who not only was a great player, but also a great on-the-field type of coach as well.  He made all of his teammates, including me, better football players. We will all miss him. Jim McFarland, Lincoln, Nebraska

(Editor’s note: Jim McFarland was an All-Big Eight Conference tight end who played four years with the St. Louis Cardinals and one year with the Miami Dolphins).