In our part of the world, Husker football is a great unifier. On game day, the stadium becomes the third largest city in Nebraska, and for the most part we are all there with the same purpose, drawn together by this phenomena known as Division 1 College Football. People gather from all over the city, county, state, region and nation to become unified as fans. Lots of red clothing, lots of red balloons, lots of red tradition, lots of beef and corn foods, and sharing the same desire (and expectation) that their football team will show above average talent, skill, determination and strength! The Huskers are expected to conquer all! The stadium and surrounding parking lots, parking garages, otherwise usually empty lots, and restaurants are filled with fans who share this tradition and expectation. For more than four decades, on every home game Saturday, the stadium has been a sell out! This is the only NCAA record the Huskers currently hold, and oh my word we are clinging to it like grim death!
Let’s look at the bigger picture and talk about what it is really all about...
Well, we gather together for a ritual, a ceremony, a tradition, an experience..... football is just the name sake of all that goes into this great sharing of time, space, activity, and history. Never is a game just about that day, or that game, or even this season (thank God, or we would be really depressed today). It is all about family, friends, decades, memories, new memories, traditions, community, and just plain fun and fellowship! The number of games I have been in the parking lot and stadium is much smaller than the number of games I have been elsewhere, but Husker joy is also my joy.
I remember in 1975 my first time in Memorial Stadium for game day. I remember as a student from 1975-1979 getting to have a student ticket to each game! I remember the 200th sell out and procuring tickets for the Federal Duck Stamp Artists who came to Lincoln to enrich a fundraiser for Morrill Hall. It was a glorious vistory over Colorado! I remember being in the stadium for the 300th sell out. I will always remember the greatest come back in Husker history - Ohio State’s 2011 welcome to Memorial Stadium just last month. Each time we are there it is a joy, one I will always treasure and I will look forward to the next time.
Hundreds of thousands of Husker faithful probably share many of these same memories, have their own, and look forward as I do. But still what’s it really all about?
It may just be college football, but from my perspective as monumental as college football has become; it is even far more than that. In that stadium, together we were reminded and given the opportunity to pay respect to the greater truths. As a nation we share a rich history of great commitment and sacrifice for our freedoms and opportunities. Where else could you convene with eighty-five thousand two hundred other individuals and be a part of acknowledging our rich history and truths of sacrifice for our lives as we know them to be? Nebraska Athletics as directed by Tom Osborne, orchestrates not only the sporting event but as I evaluate they also orchestrate the greater reminders and opportunities. A great deal of care is given to accepting the greater responsibilities of serving as stewards over the time and investment of attention made by the eighty-five thousand two hundred people who have gathered together.
Yes, November 5, 2011 in Memorial Stadium was more than just a football game. It included a ceremony, tribute and observance of our Veterans and their gifts to us of freedom and American living. Each home game gives the eighty-five thousand two hundred people more than just fun, food, football and sporting traditions (not that I diminish the value of any of those); Memorial Stadium and Nebraska Athletics give us a greater opportunity and reminder of who we are and what is important in the bigger picture.
Last week, Red Cross volunteers were on hand to take up the “offering” and gather funds to benefit their volunteering and serving around our nation. Passing the hat in Memorial Stadium historically raises more than $85,000. Nebraska Athletics provides this opportunity.
We do gather for more than just a game. And we do recognize it as a solemn opportunity and responsibility beyond just the game of college football.
The commercials were ended and Nebraska Athletic director Tom Osborne appologized for the over sight and reminded the faithful that all political positions and controversies were not be be made a part of the Husker football experience. "We have certain principles regarding advertising in the stadium such as no alcohol, tobacco or gambling advertisements. We also avoid ads of a political nature," he said. "Over the last two or three months, the pipeline issue has been increasingly politicized. Our athletic events are intended to entertain and unify our fan base by providing an experience that is not divisive."
The sanctity of Memorial Stadium is in good hands with Coach Osborne, Congressman Osborne and Athletic Director Osborne. And maybe there in lies the answer to the questions of what it is all about. It is not just football, it is not just the University of Nebraska, it is the bigger picture. Just as Dr. Osborne has revealed in his own life’s pattern. It is an opportunity to be bigger, better, more and timeless. It is about our very core and values. It is to be revered and protected; it is to be savored and documented. It is for today and tomorrow; remembering the yesterdays. It is the bigger picture within each of our hearts and minds.
To our veterans and current service men and women - thank you.
To the volunteers that respond to tragedy, need and suffering - thank you.
And to the protection of our bigger opportunities, responsibilities and greatness - thank you!
Go Big Red! Thanks Dr. Tom.
P.S. The young men of Nebraska Wesleyan University’s Zeta Psi Fraternity are committed to “No Shave November”, as evidenced by Cooper’s whiskers here in this photo. They are raising awareness and funds for cancer research. I challenge you to support them or emulate them. No, not to avoid shaving, but to take November’s opportunity of time and find a way to contribute to or support a great need and cause!
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