August 8th will be a big day for this Husker fan. Not simply because it is the day we (hopefully) get a verbal commitment from Cameron Brown but for a more personal reason as well. On that day the ashes of my father, and avid Husker fan, will be spread at a place special to him. To head off speculation, no it is not Memorial Stadium or anywhere near UNL campus. In this eulogy to a Husker fan I want to share with you a few tidbits of why he is representative of the awesomeness of Husker fandom, so bear with me.
My father graduated from Omaha North on a Friday night and was on a train bound for basic training in the Army Air Corps Saturday morning (remember that the Air Force as we know it was created after WWII). He and my mother had season tickets for many years. Throughout the 70’s and early 80’s they would have their RV at the ready and drive down to Lincoln Friday night to the spot reserved for them at a RV park in Lincoln. Before the game they would meet friends at Lebsacks (sp?) for roast beef sandwiches and beer. They were such game regulars they were known as the Onion People as they brought sliced red onions to put on the roast beef. After the games they would host friends at their RV for post-game parties. The parties were such an attraction that often many others staying at the RV park would come join in. For a few years the son of a friend played in the Nebraska pep band and the some of the band would come to the park to add an extra rousing touch to the post-game celebration playing Husker fight songs. My parents continued to keep their season tickets for a number of years after selling their Omaha home and embarking on a nomadic life in their RV, coming back each fall for the season. Throughout this time they always traveling to a minimum of one away game. To highlight their Husker dedication I’d like to relive a story from a trip to Columbia for a Missouri game. In those early to mid-70’s one dressed up to go to a football game. My mother wore high heels (can you imagine hiking to seats high in the North Stadium in heels?) and my father sported a stylish bright red fedora. Walking to their car after the game a Missouri student ran up from behind, snatched my father’s hat, and took off. He picked the wrong guy. My father, then 50-ish, ran after the student who ducked around a building and out of sight of my mother who feared the worst. Dad ran down the flagging student and tackled him. Just at this moment my mother turned the corner both high heels in her hands ready to defend my father. Faced with that Husker firepower, the Missouri student meekly returned the hat and was allowed to hightail it away from the scene of his ignominy. That, my friends, is but one example of why Husker fans are great.
A couple of seasons ago I was able to treat my dad to tickets to a Husker home game (thanks planored). We made the 8 hour drive to Lincoln and had a great weekend to see the game, eat Runzas, and make the obligatory stop at the original Misty’s. I will miss my Husker watching buddy, my father. Thank you for reading. Next time you open a cold one toast the memory of Husker fans everywhere taking in the game from their seats at the highest level.
My father graduated from Omaha North on a Friday night and was on a train bound for basic training in the Army Air Corps Saturday morning (remember that the Air Force as we know it was created after WWII). He and my mother had season tickets for many years. Throughout the 70’s and early 80’s they would have their RV at the ready and drive down to Lincoln Friday night to the spot reserved for them at a RV park in Lincoln. Before the game they would meet friends at Lebsacks (sp?) for roast beef sandwiches and beer. They were such game regulars they were known as the Onion People as they brought sliced red onions to put on the roast beef. After the games they would host friends at their RV for post-game parties. The parties were such an attraction that often many others staying at the RV park would come join in. For a few years the son of a friend played in the Nebraska pep band and the some of the band would come to the park to add an extra rousing touch to the post-game celebration playing Husker fight songs. My parents continued to keep their season tickets for a number of years after selling their Omaha home and embarking on a nomadic life in their RV, coming back each fall for the season. Throughout this time they always traveling to a minimum of one away game. To highlight their Husker dedication I’d like to relive a story from a trip to Columbia for a Missouri game. In those early to mid-70’s one dressed up to go to a football game. My mother wore high heels (can you imagine hiking to seats high in the North Stadium in heels?) and my father sported a stylish bright red fedora. Walking to their car after the game a Missouri student ran up from behind, snatched my father’s hat, and took off. He picked the wrong guy. My father, then 50-ish, ran after the student who ducked around a building and out of sight of my mother who feared the worst. Dad ran down the flagging student and tackled him. Just at this moment my mother turned the corner both high heels in her hands ready to defend my father. Faced with that Husker firepower, the Missouri student meekly returned the hat and was allowed to hightail it away from the scene of his ignominy. That, my friends, is but one example of why Husker fans are great.
A couple of seasons ago I was able to treat my dad to tickets to a Husker home game (thanks planored). We made the 8 hour drive to Lincoln and had a great weekend to see the game, eat Runzas, and make the obligatory stop at the original Misty’s. I will miss my Husker watching buddy, my father. Thank you for reading. Next time you open a cold one toast the memory of Husker fans everywhere taking in the game from their seats at the highest level.
