Eichorst Praises Volleyball, Football Finishes

Shawn Eichorst: January Radio Segment 1

Boyd Epley: January Radio Segment 2

Mark Manning: January Radio Segment 3

TJ Dudley, Eric Montoya: Radio Segment 4

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Wednesday night’s first 2016 Husker Athletics Radio Show kicked off with kudos from Nebraska Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst, who praised December’s 2015 finishes in volleyball and football. “Winning sure does do a lot for the soul, doesn’t it?” Eichorst told studio host Greg Sharpe.

The December finishes in both signature sports were magical, uplifting and a lot of fun, Eichorst said while recognizing great players, incredible staff and an amazing fan base. Eichorst also thought it was fitting that Nebraska’s fourth national volleyball championship culminated on the biggest stage in the history of college volleyball.

“Beating Texas was pretty special in Omaha,” Eichorst said, describing the experience as “a great shot in the arm for college volleyball, for college athletics in general, for Omaha, for Lincoln and for the state of Nebraska.”

“I’ve been to a lot of events but that one was as good as any I’ve ever seen,” Eichorst said. “I’ve been to the College World Series. I’ve been to national championship games. That one had everything we want. It had energy and great play and defined a group of young ladies who played their best match of the year in the national championship.

“When those lights are bright and in front of the largest crowd in history of college volleyball, and you execute to such perfection, it really makes that whole situation special,” Eichorst said.

Husker Football Experienced Positive Attitude, Environment in California

Eichorst also saluted Nebraska’s football team for upsetting UCLA in Santa Clara’s Foster Farms Bowl. “They had an incredibly positive attitude and environment” in California, Eichorst said. “There was coaching, there was teaching and there was learning.”

Acknowledging Nebraska’s 11 straight weeks during the season without a bye, Eichorst pointed out how the Huskers “were in every single game we played this past year,” he said. “I was happy to see us finish the season with three wins in our last four games. We saw a lot of really exciting things in that UCLA game and a lot of special performances.

“When you win a bowl game against a really good opponent, it gives you a lot of momentum into the off-season in conditioning and recruiting,” Eichorst said. “We haven’t had a conference championship since 1999 and we’re in hot pursuit of it.  We’re doing everything we possibly can to put our kids into position to get that done.”

Nebraska Football Coach Mike Riley “knows the things we need to get better, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams,” Eichorst said, adding that minimizing penalties and turnovers are critical in winning championships.

“Take a look at Alabama and Clemson coming up on Monday,” Eichorst said. “Look how they’ve gotten where they are and the things they do to get there. Those are things we need to do, and I think we’re close to getting those things back.”

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