Walk-On and Standout Inspire Inner Circle Members

This week Inner Circle members gathered for their final meeting of the academic year to hear from two football letterwinners with similar, yet different roads to success. Abdul Muhammad, Teen Director at the Boys & Girls Club, was a standout wingback from Compton, Calif. in the '90s, helping Nebraska win a national championship. Curt Tomasevicz, electrical and computer engineering professor at UNL, was a walk-on linebacker from Shelby, Neb. who was a member of the scout team during the early 2000s, helping the United States win its first gold bobsled medal since 1948 during the 2010 winter Olympics.

Both letterwinners provided great advice regarding ways in which student-athletes can maximize their final days at UNL, whether graduating this May or even next year.

"Make sure you connect with folks in the field you want to go into," said Muhammad. "UNL alums will open the doors you need if you make sure to build the right kind of connections and have the right people in your corner."

Tomasevicz added the importance of utilizing all of the resources that Nebraska Athletics provides its student-athletes: "Surround yourself with the right people and take advantage of the opportunities you've been given."

With a number of Inner Circle members preparing for team or individual national championships in the coming weeks, both letterwinners offered advice in preparing for those competitions based upon their experiences in competing and winning at the highest level.

"Attention to detail is key," said Tomasevicz. "Every detail is important no matter how small. Visualize everything, including the smell and the noise of the arena, so you'll know exactly what to expect."

"Always be prepared to compete and compete hard," said Muhammad. "Make your teammates work hard and push each other to the brink."

Both letterwinners were appreciative of the opportunity to come back and interact with current student-athlete emerging leaders and shared similar messages as they reflected on the diverse student-athlete population, ranging from small towns and rural communities to the inner city and large metropolitan areas.