Nebraska-- Still a National Brand

[davecisar]

While Nebraska's star has faded a bit these last 15 years- Nebraska football is still a National Brand- especially in certain age groups. Lots of people here dont think the brand still has any cache, but is does. Interesting stories of how some of these guys became loyal NU fans.

Glen Oxbridge- Jupiter, FL age 50 Glen played HS football in Cali and his team was red and white and copied the Tom Osborne playbook to the nth degree. They embraced NU football in the 80s. Glen played at SJSU but was an NU fan all the way. Met him in Jupiter- helping their team in install camp 10 years ago. Now he and his family come every year to an NU game. His son is up here this weekend to get set up to attend NU in the fall.

Laurie Smith- Chilliwack, Canada age 48- Laurie is from Saskatchewan- a blue collar farming area. He is a huge BC Lions fan but liked college ball and was looking for a College team to root for. He found NU kind of "fit" his personality and where he was from. Met him at clinic in Seattle- did install camp in Chilli for him- then he brought both his teams here to play- did tour of facilities with their whole team. Now they have an entire group of friends that have Nebraska football watch parties and wear their gear etc.

Unknown guy- Paris, France- probably 60 Im with my youngest daughter in Paris about 6 blocks from the Eiffel Tower- stopped at souvenir shop. Had done clinic in Paris the day before, had my NU hat on. A Turkish looking guy working there asked me if I was from Nebraska- Said yes, Asked me if I followed NU football- said yes etc. This guy knew EVERYTHING you could imagine about NU football- I kind of scoffed at him- then he went on to talk to me about Johnny Rodgers and Rich Glover, Tommie Frazier etc. This guy knew his stuff inside and out. Turns out he had emigrated to Germany, became friends with some Nebraska guys who were in the army, then moved to Florida and became an NU fan= before moving to France.

Jerry Campbell- Clovis CA- 65 Coached HS ball in Texas. Loved the option, studied Osborne and then became a huge fan of him and NU as he found more about them and met them. Moved to Cali- still an option guy all the way and big NU fan.

Joe Cianflone- 62 Lake Mary, FL- This is an odd one. Bo Pelini comes to Joes school to recruit one of their kids that was a heavy lean to another school. Bo is in their office and asks the staff- hey straight up- do we have any chance with player X? They tell him no. Instead of leaving Bo says, fine- no problem, now lets talk some football, what is giving you guys problems? They take the next hour plus going over defensive xs and os on the white board. They respected- liked him for this and from that point forward Joe was an NU and Bo fan- go figure. They went to the coaching clinic Bo put on for HS coaches at the Bowl game in Florida. Bo probably didnt want to have to talk to the kid anyways LOL.

So lots and lots of people still know and like Nebraska football- it is still a national brand. They become fans for a variety of different reasons- but because of the old physical dominating play- not anything lately. Not a lot of younger people-- when talking NU football with younger people- the only thing they talk about is the sellout streak- hopefully that will change.

 

[husker2612]

While Nebraska's star has faded a bit these last 15 years- Nebraska football is still a National Brand- especially in certain age groups. Lots of people here dont think the brand still has any cache, but is does. Interesting stories of how some of these guys became loyal NU fans.

Glen Oxbridge- Jupiter, FL age 50 Glen played HS football in Cali and his team was red and white and copied the Tom Osborne playbook to the nth degree. They embraced NU football in the 80s. Glen played at SJSU but was an NU fan all the way. Met him in Jupiter- helping their team in install camp 10 years ago. Now he and his family come every year to an NU game. His son is up here this weekend to get set up to attend NU in the fall.

Laurie Smith- Chilliwack, Canada age 48- Laurie is from Saskatchewan- a blue collar farming area. He is a huge BC Lions fan but liked college ball and was looking for a College team to root for. He found NU kind of "fit" his personality and where he was from. Met him at clinic in Seattle- did install camp in Chilli for him- then he brought both his teams here to play- did tour of facilities with their whole team. Now they have an entire group of friends that have Nebraska football watch parties and wear their gear etc.

Unknown guy- Paris, France- probably 60 Im with my youngest daughter in Paris about 6 blocks from the Eiffel Tower- stopped at souvenir shop. Had done clinic in Paris the day before, had my NU hat on. A Turkish looking guy working there asked me if I was from Nebraska- Said yes, Asked me if I followed NU football- said yes etc. This guy knew EVERYTHING you could imagine about NU football- I kind of scoffed at him- then he went on to talk to me about Johnny Rodgers and Rich Glover, Tommie Frazier etc. This guy knew his stuff inside and out. Turns out he had emigrated to Germany, became friends with some Nebraska guys who were in the army, then moved to Florida and became an NU fan= before moving to France.

Jerry Campbell- Clovis CA- 65 Coached HS ball in Texas. Loved the option, studied Osborne and then became a huge fan of him and NU as he found more about them and met them. Moved to Cali- still an option guy all the way and big NU fan.

Joe Cianflone- 62 Lake Mary, FL- This is an odd one. Bo Pelini comes to Joes school to recruit one of their kids that was a heavy lean to another school. Bo is in their office and asks the staff- hey straight up- do we have any chance with player X? They tell him no. Instead of leaving Bo says, fine- no problem, now lets talk some football, what is giving you guys problems? They take the next hour plus going over defensive xs and os on the white board. They respected- liked him for this and from that point forward Joe was an NU and Bo fan- go figure. They went to the coaching clinic Bo put on for HS coaches at the Bowl game in Florida. Bo probably didnt want to have to talk to the kid anyways LOL.

So lots and lots of people still know and like Nebraska football- it is still a national brand. They become fans for a variety of different reasons- but because of the old physical dominating play- not anything lately. Not a lot of younger people-- when talking NU football with younger people- the only thing they talk about is the sellout streak- hopefully that will change.

Not sure if you can say "still a national brand"and use examples of 50 and 60 year olds. These people probably started following Neb when they were still good and a valid national brand. I would bet you would find very few under 30 year old, not from nebraska that have a passion for the Huskers.
Traveling outside of Nebraska, and the midwest area, you will find almost no Nebraska memorabilia, clothes, hats, ect in stores. You will find plenty of the top brands, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio St, Florida, Florida St, Michigan ect
Even notice when watching ncaa related commercials. You will never see Nebraska in them it is always the teams mentioned above. Granted I don't know if you could walk into a store in New York and buy a Nebraska hat back in the good days. So I could be way off in my observations.
Just my opinion but I don't think we are national brand anymore. Yes we of course will have random fans throughout the country but I think so does every single ncaa team out there.
All it takes to get back there is a few good seasons and hopefully competing for a NC

 

[CatColumbia]

I remember back in the 90's and early 00's the Nebraska brand meant power and winning. I think now people view the brand as "a football state that used to be at the top". I think with Frost at the helm, he is going to bring back the power and the winning will follow.

 

[davecisar]

Not sure if you can say "still a national brand"and use examples of 50 and 60 year olds. These people probably started following Neb when they were still good and a valid national brand. I would bet you would find very few under 30 year old, not from nebraska that have a passion for the Huskers.
Traveling outside of Nebraska, and the midwest area, you will find almost no Nebraska memorabilia, clothes, hats, ect in stores. You will find plenty of the top brands, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio St, Florida, Florida St, Michigan ect
Even notice when watching ncaa related commercials. You will never see Nebraska in them it is always the teams mentioned above. Granted I don't know if you could walk into a store in New York and buy a Nebraska hat back in the good days. So I could be way off in my observations.
Just my opinion but I don't think we are national brand anymore. Yes we of course will have random fans throughout the country but I think so does every single ncaa team out there.
All it takes to get back there is a few good seasons and hopefully competing for a NC

That's why I said:
" Not a lot of younger people"
"Nebraska football is still a National Brand- especially in certain age groups. "

And yes back in the 80s and 90s you would find NU hats in the sports Hat stores in NYC, Cali, TX etc

I talk to a lot of football people - all across the country
The older ones all know Nebraska football- the younger ones- you are 100% right- not so much- if at all

 

[davecisar]

Here's another;

WT Gilbert- College Station, TX 58 WT is a college football expert- loves the game- played at SFASU in Texas.

Guys knows EVERYTHING about NU football- Devaney era- can quote chapter and verse Devaneys comment about being good enough to warrant an investigation. Rodgers, Scoring explosion, Dave Rimington, Frazier, Frost etc
This guys remembers the obscure guys not everyone knows about- Jay Sims, Tough Tony Davis etc

Why he became an NU fan? He is black and he loved that NU recruited black players early on, when teams in his area were not. He liked Bod Devaneys charm- whit and Osborne's approach to the game. He was a RB and he loved the physical play of NU. He was a weight lifter- he loved NUs devotion to lifting. Yes- they are all older guys- that is for sure.

 

[anon_umk0ifu6vj6zi]

Here's another;

WT Gilbert- College Station, TX 58 WT is a college football expert- loves the game- played at SFASU in Texas.

Guys knows EVERYTHING about NU football- Devaney era- can quote chapter and verse Devaneys comment about being good enough to warrant an investigation. Rodgers, Scoring explosion, Dave Rimington, Frazier, Frost etc
This guys remembers the obscure guys not everyone knows about- Jay Sims, Tough Tony Davis etc

Why he became an NU fan? He is black and he loved that NU recruited black players early on, when teams in his area were not. He liked Bod Devaneys charm- whit and Osborne's approach to the game. He was a RB and he loved the physical play of NU. He was a weight lifter- he loved NUs devotion to lifting. Yes- they are all older guys- that is for sure.

But.... did he lift as much as you do?

 

[husker2612]

That's why I said:
" Not a lot of younger people"
"Nebraska football is still a National Brand- especially in certain age groups. "

And yes back in the 80s and 90s you would find NU hats in the sports Hat stores in NYC, Cali, TX etc

I talk to a lot of football people - all across the country
The older ones all know Nebraska football- the younger ones- you are 100% right- not so much- if at all

Ok, I misunderstood the point you were making. I wonder where these younger people view Nebraska. Do they think of us in the same group as lower level schools, Oregon St, Kansas, Colorado, ect.

 

[davecisar]

Ok, I misunderstood the point you were making. I wonder where these younger people view Nebraska. Do they think of us in the same group as lower level schools, Oregon St, Kansas, Colorado, ect.

No worries- It depends on the audience
The young coaches I work with- who know football- really appreciate and are amazed at the fan support NU gets and they know a LITTLE bit about the history

They look at NU as a fallen Blue Blood- with little hope of being great again. They view NU as slow, unathletic and a fraud- thanks to all the recent failings on the big stage. Nationwide- the BIG 10 while on the rise- people still arent sold on the conference past Ohio State and maybe Penn State. Wisconsin and MSU dont get the respect they deserve- nor does the conference as a whole IMO.

We arent yet at Oregon State or KU levels- remember NU won 9/10 games for 7 years straight before the Riley disaster- we are second tier- once you get past the top 25 programs- because of our fan support, facilities, commitment to football, history and potential. KU and OSU are bottom 1/4 tier.

My point was people become NU fans for a very wide variety of different reasons- and NU still has a good following nationwide. But the audience is old and some understandably are losing interest.

 

[husker2612]

They look at NU as a fallen Blue Blood- with little hope of being great again. They view NU as slow, unathletic and a fraud- thanks to all the recent failings on the big stage. Nationwide- the BIG 10 while on the rise- people still arent sold on the conference past Ohio State and maybe Penn State. Wisconsin and MSU dont get the respect they deserve- nor does the conference as a whole IMO

For whatever reason many have always viewed the BIG10 as, the fallen Blue Bloods, old, outdated, slow, fat, and a lower level than conferences like the ACC and SEC. Maybe they are correct to a certain extent. Hell, I remember thinking the same thing when Nebraska was talking about joining it 10 years ago. Why would we want to join an slow outdated conference.
I have no idea how to go about it, but I think on a National level the BIG10 needs a face lift. Maybe it is something as simple as updating the uniforms like many of the other "cool kids" do. Many in the BIG10 have stuck with tradition when it comes to uniforms. Maybe that gives us that old outdated perception.
I agree outside of Ohio St and Michigan nobody in the BIG10 is respected. Even those 2 schools I think are looked at, at a slightly lower level than the Alabama and Georgias of the world

 

[davecisar]

For whatever reason many have always viewed the BIG10 as, the fallen Blue Bloods, old, outdated, slow, fat, and a lower level than conferences like the ACC and SEC. Maybe they are correct to a certain extent. Hell, I remember thinking the same thing when Nebraska was talking about joining it 10 years ago. Why would we want to join an slow outdated conference.
I have no idea how to go about it, but I think on a National level the BIG10 needs a face lift. Maybe it is something as simple as updating the uniforms like many of the other "cool kids" do. Many in the BIG10 have stuck with tradition when it comes to uniforms. Maybe that gives us that old outdated perception.
I agree outside of Ohio St and Michigan nobody in the BIG10 is respected. Even those 2 schools I think are looked at, at a slightly lower level than the Alabama and Georgias of the world

I will also add
In some areas of the Country- they dont give a darn about College Football
For them it's 100% about the NFL= they think of College Football like an unpaid corrupt minor league and pay little to no attention to it
Places like- Denver, Parts of California, LA area, Bay Area, Illinois, Nevada, most of the Northeast etc

 

[bshirt73]

No worries- It depends on the audience
The young coaches I work with- who know football- really appreciate and are amazed at the fan support NU gets and they know a LITTLE bit about the history

They look at NU as a fallen Blue Blood- with little hope of being great again. They view NU as slow, unathletic and a fraud- thanks to all the recent failings on the big stage. Nationwide- the BIG 10 while on the rise- people still arent sold on the conference past Ohio State and maybe Penn State. Wisconsin and MSU dont get the respect they deserve- nor does the conference as a whole IMO.

We arent yet at Oregon State or KU levels- remember NU won 9/10 games for 7 years straight before the Riley disaster- we are second tier- once you get past the top 25 programs- because of our fan support, facilities, commitment to football, history and potential. KU and OSU are bottom 1/4 tier.

My point was people become NU fans for a very wide variety of different reasons- and NU still has a good following nationwide. But the audience is old and some understandably are losing interest.

Well, after seven years of Clownahan & the Beaver.....you can't really blame them.

 

[SC_'sker]

Well, after seven years of Clownahan & the Beaver.....you can't really blame them.

What? No mention of the other guy? You know, the one who dissed the entire fanbase, threatened fans, turned players against the fanbase, and made NU look like ass on multiple occasions?

Them butthurt bolievers never quit!