Football Inspires Devout Fans in Other Husker Sports

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Huskers Hiring 150+ Football Event Staff Workers

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

This is the second in a series on Nebraska expanding its football event staff.

Fourteen years ago, Helen and Jerry Zimmer moved to Lincoln to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law and grandkids. Both were new to the Capital City, and both had a passion for Nebraska sports, so they joined the Husker Football Event Staff, thinking it could become a great way to meet people.

The Zimmers were right. “Over the years, many of the people we work with have become close friends of ours,” Helen said.

Ten years ago, Judy and Roy Bartels made the same decision to apply for football event staff positions that include ticket takers, ushers, parking and security. Judy decided to go for it because “I wanted to do something with my husband,” she said. “He likes Nebraska sports, and I thought working for the athletic department would enable him to see sporting events up close.”

The Bartels’ instincts were right, too. “We’ve become fans of sports we previously knew little about,” Judy said. “It was a great decision, giving both of us an opportunity to get out of the house and do something positive, and we even get paid for it!”

The Zimmers and the Bartels have no regrets about becoming part of a loyal Nebraska Athletics staff that strives to improve every aspect of the overall fan experience. Both couples enjoy providing customer service and embrace taking fan-related treatment to an unprecedented level.

First Blog Resulted in Nearly 70 Individuals Applying for Event Staff Positions

Husker fans interested in following the Zimmers and the Bartels should read this blog that resulted in nearly 70 individuals applying recently for event staff positions.

The kicker in Nebraska’s pursuit of new part-time employees is simply this – every job is important. “No matter what position we’re assigned at any event, we make sure fans have the best experience possible,” Jerry Zimmer said. “That’s our No. 1 priority.”

Helen Zimmer agrees. “When young children come to an event for the first time, we certainly want them to have a wonderful and positive time that will be one of the most memorable moments of their lives,” she said.

The same principle applies to elderly and special needs fans. “You take a little extra time to answer a question that might seem simple to us, but also might make the difference in their event that day,” Helen said. “That’s our goal no matter who the fan is.”

Jerry Zimmer sees customer service as a reflection of integrity. “When a fan asks a question and we don’t know the answer, we know someone on our team will be able to find that answer,” he said. “In this business, teamwork is very important.”

Roy Bartels’ Favorite Interactions are Nebraska Nice Experiences with Visitors

Roy Bartels points out that Nebraska fans aren’t the only ones the event staff serves. “My favorite times are interactions with out-of-state fans,” he said. “I like visiting with them about our university, our state and our reputation for respecting all visiting teams who come here.

“Given the time, I like to share information with the fans that make their visit to Nebraska special,” Roy said. “I like to see fans leave with a good impression of Nebraska. We are, after all, Nebraska Nice! and it’s an appropriate slogan for our state. It’s the adjective I hear most often from those who visit Nebraska.”

Even though both veteran couples work and enjoy serving a variety of Husker sports, both have developed exceptional interest in two sports they grew into – women’s gymnastics for the Bartels and softball for the Zimmers.

“Gymnastics fascinates me the most,” Judy Bartels said. “I get to see the events up close, I also see the emotions of the gymnasts when they do well and not so well.”

Through the years, Judy has taken tickets, welcomed fans, wished them well when they leave, been an usher and a “flasher" who holds up scores for each individual event.

Baseball Was Bartels’ Immediate Attraction; Helped Both See Sold-Out Games

Judy has guarded doors and hallways. She’s sold tickets, worked the pass gate and gives tours of Memorial Stadium and the Bob Devaney Sports Center. When fans take tours, she thinks it’s fun to promote football and all the great accomplishments in other sports.

Baseball was the Bartels’ immediate attraction to work events. “We started when the baseball team was very successful and going to the College World Series,” Roy said. “I wanted to be part of the fan excitement, but it was almost impossible to get tickets. Every game was a sellout, so we decided working the games was a way to get involved and be part of a great run in baseball.”

Like his wife, Roy has grown to love women’s gymnastics. “My favorite job is assisting the judge where the athlete performs right in front of us,” he said. “It’s a close-up view and one you seldom get in other sports. I never fail to be impressed with the tremendous athletic talent and the drive that pushes these young women.”

The Zimmers also show loyalty and passion for every sport they support. They see all positions as equally important and believe strongly in working together as a team.

In the process, Helen and Jerry have become devout softball fans. “Softball has a very close-knit fan base,” he said. “They really get into the game and that helps the team.”

 Zimmers Became So Attached to Softball, They Followed Huskers on the Road

“We’ve grown very fond of softball,” Helen said. “We’ve even taken booster trips to away games. We enjoy following them.”

Roy Bartels isn’t the only event worker who embraces every aspect of Nebraska’s baseball program. Wife Judy says Husker baseball fans intrigue her the most.

“They’re there in both cold and hot weather,” she said. “They come from long distances to see games, and they bring all kinds of weather gear so that they can stay and support the team. There are so many games in the season, and they return many days in a row regardless of what the weather is.” 

Judy met a fan who recently had shoulder surgery but still came to watch Nebraska play in cold weather. “He had one jacket on backwards and another jacket on forwards, plus a blanket, hat and everything else,” she said. “He sat bundled up through the cold and the wind and watched the entire game. He isn’t the parent of a player. He’s just a fan who comes to most games, and we try to do everything we can to make him feel at home.”

If you’re a Husker fan and can identify with the Zimmers and the Bartels and would like to join Nebraska’s event staff, hit the red “Apply Here” button on the graphic immediately below.

Editor's Note: Those interested in applying for Nebraska football event staff positions canlearn more here about ticket takers, ushers, parking and security positions.

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