N Club Fall Social Leaves Letterwinners in Awe

On Thursday, Sept. 10th, more than 75 Nebraska letterwinners and guests enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at Hibner Stadium, Barbara Hibner Field and the Sid and Hazel Dillon Tennis Center.

Throughout the evening, guests networked with other letterwinners and athletic department administration and heard from a number of speakers, including Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst, Women’s Head Soccer Coach John Walker, Women’s Head Tennis Coach Scott Jacobson and Men’s Head Tennis Coach Kerry McDermott. Speakers expressed their appreciation to those involved in making this $22 million facility a reality and the immediate impact it’s had on recruiting, ticketing and the overall fan and student-athlete experience.

Speakers and attendees also noted the importance of naming facilities after the late Dr. Barb Hibner, an instrumental Nebraska athletics administrator and Title IX trailblazer.

“Barb would be in awe of the facility . . . a lot of what she advocated for came to fruition,” said Jami Hagedorn, women’s basketball letterwinner (1995 – 1998). “Because of Barb, women were able to come to college and have the same opportunities young men did in athletics.”

After the program, student-athletes led tours of the state-of-the-art facilities, including full access to the press box, athletic medicine area and locker rooms.

“The facilities are absolutely amazing,” said Ann Bartek, women’s tennis letterwinner (1980 – 1983). “The athletes are fortunate to have these facilities; we are all fortune – alumni athletes, current athletes and all athletes to come.”

While attendees were amazed by the facilities, they enjoyed being able to interact with athletes and learn about their experiences.

“It’s important [for my daughters] to interact with and see powerful female role models who aren’t their mom,” said Travis Antholz, football letterwinner (1996). “It’s the reason I bring my family to Nebraska athletic events.”

As with each event, guests received memorable parting gifts, including soccer and tennis stress balls and a special wristband representing the essence of the N Club and the student-athlete experience: “Once a Husker, Always a Husker.”