Four of my favorite Husker memories with my father:
1. 1996 - I was maybe 10 or so and we were in Lincoln visiting. My father and I had been at the Nebraska bookstore picking up some swag from the the 94/95 back2back championship when he took me over to walk around the outside of the stadium. Somehow we ended up inside and down on the field walking around. Suddenly the team emerges from the tunnel to go across the to a practice field I assume. I was in awe! Out comes the legendary Tom Osborne. Not skipping a beat my father hands me a pen and tells me to ask him to sign my stuff. Would you believe he stopped, signed every bit of it, had a few words and never asked why/how we were on his field.
2. Nov 8, 1997 - We got some student tickets (Mizzou student section but full on sea of red ). The famous kick in the end zone. Dad told me to rush the field with everyone and that we would meet in the end zone afterward. Will never forget that joy with my father!
3. 2015 - My first child and my dads first Grandchild is born. One day, shortly after his birth, a mysterious package arrives from the UNL Athletic Department. Inside is a hand written/signed note from Tom Osborne with some words of encouragement and advice on sportsmanship and teamwork for my son when he gets older. It seems my father had reached out somehow and spoken with him about how proud he was to be having a grandchild and how much he admired the leadership and character Coach Osborne lived each day.
4. Oct 22, 2016 - My fathers dream of taking his first born grandson to his fist Husker game became a reality. The Huskers beat Purdue 27-14 this day and many good memories were made including my son being terrified of Lil Red for some reason… lol!
Lots of good times… GBR