Weber Receives 2016 George Sullivan Scholarship

Making Milt Proud: Epic Drive Leads Huskers to Win

Anatomy of The Longest Drive and an Unlikely Hero

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George Sullivan spent most of his life serving Nebraska student-athletes. He was the player advocate to Husker coaches and a pioneer in athletic training and physical therapy.

Prior to NU’s 31-16 comeback win over Illinois, “Sully” proudly presented the 2016 George Finley Sullivan Scholarship to Chris Weber, a junior linebacker from Elkhorn, Neb. Fully endowed by the Touchdown Club and former student-athletes and supporters in George's honor, Weber accepted the award with his parents, Tom and Cindy, his brother Michael and sister Lauren.

“Chris is deserving,” said Sullivan, with wife Jeannie and family members. “He's a Nebraska native and dedicated walk-on. He works hard and does everything right.” An orthodontist, Tom Weber described the scholarship as “validation of hard work, which is kind of the American Way. When you put the extra effort and work into what you’re doing, you get recognized.”

His mom agrees. “Whatever Chris sets his mind to do, he gives it 110 percent,” Cindy said. “Determination defines him. He decides what he wants, then works very hard to get there. He feels very blessed to receive the Sullivan Scholarship.”

Older brother Michael, Chris' roommate for two years, is following in the footsteps of his dad at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. “It’s humbling to see my brother’s work ethic,” Michael said. “There’s not a person who can work harder than he does. He’s all about balancing school with football. It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.”

Michael said Chris gets a “to go” dinner immediately after practice and heads straight to Nebraska’s sixth-floor study hall. “He studies until 10 o’clock, then comes to our townhouse to sleep before getting up at 4 or 5 a.m. every day to study more. He studies very hard for every test he takes. He deserves an academic scholarship.”

Huskers Celebrate Big Ten Conference Titles in Memorial Stadium's Limelight

Nebraska Athletics celebrated the Husker men's 2016 Big Ten Conference indoor and outdoor track and field championships in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium Saturday. Even though Gary Pepin is in his 37th season coaching Nebraska's men's and women's track and field programs, he prefers exclusive recognition for student-athletes who won the titles.

"Coach Pepin and his staff think it's all about us, but we see them and work with them every day," said Nick Percy, who won the 2016 NCAA outdoor discus title last June as a sophomore. The Ventnor, England, native described Saturday's public address announcement as uplifting.

"It's hard to explain the experience of 90,000 fans recognizing you and your teammates," Percy said. "It's fun and nice to come out here and celebrate with so many Husker Nation fans. It's more motivation for you to go out there and see if we can get another sweep."

Heisman winners Johnny Rodgers, Mike Rozier and Eric Crouch 'Come Home'

Nebraska's three Heisman Trophy winners – Johnny Rodgers (1972), Mike Rozier (1983) and Eric Crouch (2001) – felt the vibes of homecoming Saturday morning. They signed autographs, answered questions from Big Ten commentators and received their customary roar when they were introduced to Memorial Stadium's 351st consecutive sellout crowd.

"It's always great to see Husker fans because everybody's always excited," Rodgers said. "People were out early in the morning. I couldn't believe it. The kids come with their parents and their grandparents and it's a real family affair. I think it just gets better and better every year."

Whenever Rozier returns to Lincoln, "it feels like home," he said. "You can always count on fan support, whether you're in Japan, Hawaii or Lincoln. Nebraska fans are the best fans in the world. I always feel like I'm coming back to see family, and it gets better and better every year."

Spirit is a big part of Nebraska's gameday atmosphere. "We love the fans, we love the program and we love the emotional feeling when we come back," Crouch said. "It's amazing how much our fans support you so many years after we quit playing.

"I really appreciate Coach Riley's ability to connect staff with players," Crouch said. "Coach Riley reminds me of Coach Osborne because of his demeanor and his knowledge of the game. It's a been awhile since we've been successful, and I certainly hope Mike Riley's the guy to do it."

Presenting a check, from left, are: Glen Sutton-Moss, Nancy Sutton-Moss, Rob Long, Kayla Conrad, Ann Ringlein, Ray Ringlein.

Nebraska Uplifting Athletes Raise $36,500 for Pediatric Brain Cancer Reseach

Talk about an uplifting moment for Nebraska football's chapter of Uplifting Athletes. While the Huskers were off the field and in the lockerroom before winning their fifth straight game, a former All-America punter from Syracuse University was accepting a $36,500 Nebraska chapter check to help pediatric brain cancer research.

Rob Long (the tall guy pictured in the middle above) is the new Director of Strategic Development for Uplifting Athletes nationally. Nearly six years ago, Long became a rare disease patient after being diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. He learned the diagnosis during his senior season at Syracuse.

Long's battle with a rare disease inspired his Syracuse teammates to start an Uplifting Athletes Chapter, and he continues to use his platform as a rare disease patient to raise awareness and funds in his spare time. “As a rare disease survivor, I now have the opportunity to help others as so many have helped me," said Long, who oversees a nationwide network of 25 college football student-athlete-led chapters.

Sam Foltz Left Nebraska with an Important Legacy – Supporting Pediatric Brain Cancer

Seeing Memorial Stadium's big screens showcase the check presentation was an emotional moment for me because it honored an entire Husker football team that reached out to run with and support nearly 800 runners who participated in the charity event.

At Saturday's game, pediatric brain cancer patients were recognized in a live second-quarter shot on the big screens. Game officials also kicked off every Big Ten Conference football game Saturday with special Sam Foltz and Mike Sadler commemorative coin tosses.

I couldn't resist going into the archives to show Foltz, who ran in the road race that resulted in a generous donation. Foltz (No. 27) was just weeks away from kicking off what many believed would become an All-America season for a gifted punter. I used the same photo in a summer blog because the kid running next to Foltz just realized who was next to him.

It's a priceless photo and a perfect reminder that Sam Foltz is still a very prominent part of this 2016 Husker football team ... and always will be.

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