Jordy Tshimanga a Big Hit and a True Husker Hero

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A 6-foot-11 freshman center from Montreal Quebec was the biggest hit at Sunday night’s Husker Heroes event, which drew 1,200 Big Red fans, including 500 children and adults with special needs.

Somehow, and in a unique way,Jordy Tshimanga may have been the most popular attraction in the seven-year history of the event. A big man who wears big glasses and a big smile greeted everyone with the same friendly passion.

When I asked Nebraska Life Skills coordinators which Husker was making the biggest impact, they all pointed to Jordy. It was a unanimous choice for a 275-pound man who exudes enthusiasm and makes everyone around him feel comfortable.

With the Nebraska pep band playing Hail Varsity and young kids in awe of Jordy’s size, he took a few minutes of a breather to size up his own experience. “Those of us who were here tonight know that this Heroes event goes both ways,” Jordy said. “They look up to us as their heroes, but we look up to them as real heroes. When you see how they motivate themselves, you can’t help but motivate yourself.”

Jeniffer Meints, who works with the Autism Center of Nebraska, was impressed. "Jordy's interaction with the kids was amazing," she said. "When the kids would shoot a basket, he cheered like they'd just won the game. The kids were so excited, and it came so naturally for him. I've never seen another person connect with kids at the level he did. He truly has a gift. He should be commended for his actions, and we will definitely be cheering hard for the Huskers."

Jordy: Caring About Others Also Part of the Student-Athlete Experience

“I’ve never been to an event like this before, so I see it as a one-of-a-kind experience,” Jordy said. “I don’t know whether there’s a bunch of other schools out there doing what we’re doing on a Sunday night, but I think this shows character.

“Going to college should be more than athletics and academics,” Jordy said. “Caring about other people is important, and it makes me feel good to start the week. When you see people who are happy, you’re happy, too. We shared a lot of energy tonight in this stadium, and it was just unbelievable.”

After watching the Huskers win two football games in front of sellout crowds, Jordy was equally moved to see empty seats and Tom Osborne Field getting full use with families from Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, North Platte, Norfolk and smaller communities.

“It was surprising and a gift for everyone who was here,” Jordy said. “I came to Lincoln to play basketball and get an education, and tonight was part of my education. It’s about life and I want to share mine with the people I meet because I enjoy every minute of it.”

A psychology major, Jordy analyzes most of his experiences. “This was a great event. It really was,” he said. “We played basketball and soccer with a bunch of kids with disabilities. To me, they all seem like normal kids, and we had a great time together.”

Jordy was amazed, but not surprised. “When I made my visit here, I could feel the energy between the student-athletes and the fans around them,” he said. “This is a special place, and that’s why I came here.”

Softball Infielder Taylor Otte Spent More Than an Hour With a New Friend

Tshimanga may have been the most popular student-athlete at Husker Heroes Night, but few, if any, could match Nebraska softball infielder Taylor Otte for the most one-on-one time with a special needs friend. Ask Cathryne Pennock who had the most energy inside the stadium, and she will tell you Otte wins in a landslide for befriending her son.

Elijah Pennock (pictured above with Otte) is a four-year-old with spinal bifida and hydrocephalis. He was in Otte's arms or on her lap for more than an hour, non-stop. "It's a really nice thing to celebrate your child's struggles," Pennock said. "Elijah's been rolling around all night and having a great time. I don't know where she (Otte) gets the energy, but she has a lot of it."

A Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All Big Ten honoree, Otte is majoring in Child, Youth & Family Studies. The Wahoo, Neb., native and Tom Osborne Citizenship Team member never lost her enthusiasm in making Elijah's night a memorable one. "This is my third Husker Heroes Night," she said. "I was more hesitant my freshman year. Now, I go all out."

Otte credits Rhonda Revelle, her head coach, for promoting a giving spirit. "She gives us a lot of pep talks and reminds us all the time about how much it means when you can connect with people from the whole state," Otte said. "A lot of fans came here expecting an interactive experience, and it means just as much to us as it does the kids. I grew up in Nebraska and idolized Husker athletes, so I wanted to give the most I had in me."

Elijah might have set the Memorial Stadium record for body rolls, and let the record show that every one he experienced, Otte experienced, too. "He took the breath right out of me," she said. "I feel like I just got done with a full practice, and that's saying something."

 

Redshirt Freshman Wide Receiver Spielman Has a Sister with Special Needs

The week prior to Nebraska's season-opening football game, JD Spielman, afreshman wide receiver from Eden Prairie, Minn., learned that he will redshirt this season. "Even though you're not on the field, you still recognize your role for the team," said Spielman, the adopted son of Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman and his wife, Michele.

"It really warms my heart to be inside the stadium and interact with people with special needs," Spielman said. "I have a sister who's a freshman in high school, and she has special needs (Cerebral Palsy). I love kids coming out here and throwing footballs around on the same field they watch us play. They're in awe because they see us as idols and we're in awe because we get to do something like this with them. I wish more schools would do things like Nebraska does. I know one thing. These kids inspire us as much as we inspire them."

Congratulations, Nebraska Life Skills Team, on Community Partner Award 

Nebraska Athletics' nationally prominent Life Skills Team received a major award Tuesday from the Madonna Chairman's Goal Awards at Lincoln's Cornhusker Hotel Luncheon. Nebraska Senior Associate Athletic Director Keith Zimmer (above left) accepted the Community Partner Award. The Life Skills Team also was represented (from left next to Zimmer) byAmanda Holzwarth, Kayla Conrad, Stacey Burling, Jordan Wilson, Ashley Stone and Lawrence Chatters.

The Community Partner Award recognizes significant involvement by a community group or organization for its contributions to Madonna's core values and patient independence.

For many years, Husker players, coaches and administrators have been regular visitors to patients recovering at Madonna. Entire Husker teams have adopted patients both during and after their stay, and have often invited patients on campus to give them behind-the-scenes access that regular Husker fans only dream of experiencing.

"We value our longstanding partnership with Madonna," Zimmer said. "Our partnership has been mutually beneficial, teaching our student-athletes incredible life perspective while providing hope and encouragment to very determined patients."

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