Have you ever wondered what a typical Nebraska Football game day at Memorial Stadium is like? Well you’re in luck. I’ve been to my fair share of Husker games in my lifetime. It's very unfortunate if you have never been to a Husker game. But don’t you worry. I’ll give you the low-down on Husker-ism and Husker Game Day terms that you need to know. Let me walk you through “A Typical Game Day.” I usually like to get to the games about 3 hours before kickoff. That’s when Husker Nation Pavilion opens. Next I like to watch the Unity Walk. After the Unity Walk, I usually walk around the Husker Nation Pavilion, walk around the campus, and wait for the gates to open. Don’t forget to grab a Red Balloon. Finally when the gates open, usually 2 hours before kickoff, thousands of fans, such as myself rush to their seats. Once you’re in your seat, and other fans fill up Memorial Stadium, congrats, you are now apart of The Sea of Red. The team is usually warming up and such. 20 minutes before kickoff, the Cornhusker Marching Band performs a few songs. They march and make some pretty neat things, such as spelling out HUSKERS, and the Husker “N”. The Nebraska Cheerleaders cheer & the Scarlet Dance Team performs in the southeast & the northwest corners known as the student sections usually. The Husker’s side is on the East Stadium. The opposing team nestles on the West Stadium. The opposing team’s fans are usually located in the southwest corner of the stadium. Roughly 7 minutes before kickoff, the teams exit, the band, cheer & dance members form a winding path for the Huskers. About 5 minutes before kickoff, The Husker tradition The Tunnel Walk begins. After that’s all said and done, it’s finally time for kickoff. When Nebraska gets their first points, let your Red Balloon go. After Nebraska scores its first points, and the red balloons are let go, the band strikes up “There’s No Place Like Nebraska.” The band holds a note before and during and extra point after a touchdown. After the kick is made, Husker Nation fans sway their arms and hands back and forth. This makes a cool effect throughout the stadium. The tempo picks back up, and everyone claps along to the song. During the game “The Wave” gets started throughout Memorial Stadium. Be on the lookout for Der Wiener Schlinger. When halftime rolls around you better go hit up the concession stands. Try a “Husker Dog” made by Fairbury. The “tommy boy” hotdog was made for Husker Nation. Or maybe you’re a Runza person. Runzas originated from Nebraska. They also have Valentino’s pizza & serve Pepsi products. Make sure to get a souvenir cup. Lastly, it is a must to stop by the Dairy Store operated by UNL students. Their waffle cones are amazing. Then it’s time to go back to The Sea of Red for the second half. It’s always a great game day experience when the Huskers get that W. Husker Nation always applauds the opposing team. It’s a sign of respect. However, when the Huskers lose, the Husker Faithful is always supportive. Either way, after the game both teams and coaches come together and have a Team Prayer. I usually stick around and see what goes on after the games. Husker fans just go crazy and it’s always so much fun. If you ever get the chance to go to a Husker game, GO! I love my Husker Football more than anything. (Mostly all from my personal experience, with a few helpful hints from; Rittenberg) Confused? Let me clear up these Husker-ism & Game Day terms. Husker Nation Pavilion Located at the Ed Weir Track & Soccer Complex. Fun and games, Autograph sessions, & interacting with other Husker fans. This opens 3 hours before kickoff. It’s a must see event. Unity Walk When the Husker team arrives 2 and half hours before kickoff. Husker fans make a tunnel for the players and coaches to walk through. This walkway stretches from when the team and coaches get off the bus to the Husker Football Locker Room located in Osborne Athletic Complex. Red Balloon After the first touchdown is made or the first field goal is kicked by Nebraska, you let your red balloon go. Thousands of red balloons make their way up to the sky. It’s a neat sight. The Sea of Red The majority of Husker fans are dressed up in Husker red. Hence the name Sea of Red. Der Wiener Schlinger I looked up the definition on Urban Dictionary: An over-the-shoulder device used by an oversized man that shoots Fairbury hotdogs to distracted Husker fans at Nebraska sporting events. Husker Nation A nickname for all Husker fans. We all come together on game-day as one nation. Husker Faithful Another nickname for Husker fans. The loyal and faithful Husker fans. Team Prayer Both teams come together after the game, and join in a team prayer which is lead by Running Backs Coach Ron Brown. Tips for a Husker Game Day:
Have you ever wondered who is behind the play by plays? Who's booming voice towers over Husker Nation? Who is the "Voice of Nebraska Football at Memorial Stadium"? Let me introduce you the man behind the mic. From age 13 and on Patrick said "it's safe to say my dream was to be the "Voice of the Huskers. I always had thought how cool it would be someday to be that booming voice." After growing up, working for his dad at a car dealership, getting married, becoming a father of two, losing his father in 2001, Patrick didn't think his dream job would ever come. "I had pretty much written off that job," he said. That's when fate stepped in. The job became available in 2003, and Combs had won it after auditioning, which also included announcing for the Spring Game that year. Till this day he says, "I'm still like a little kid in a candy store. I love it." Many know him as the man behind he voice, he said, "that's OK. I'm just thrilled to be there. I'm humbled every day I walk into the stadium and to be part of such a storied program. There's pressure to do a good job and I try very hard to do a good job. I do not want to let the fans down." When he's in the booth Combs imagines his dad, who got him started announcing, hearing him in the stands. "I know he would be so proud his son is the Voice of the Huskers." Big Ten fans, it's time to study up. I asked the Nebraska faithful for help in outlining their favorite game-day traditions, and they responded in droves. Many thanks to all in Husker Country for sending in their selections. Here are the Nebraska traditions I came up with last week:
Let's add to the list. Here are some of your submissions: Jon from Omaha: The tradition that will raise the most eyebrows in the Big10 is what happens after the conclusion of every game in Memorial stadium. Win or lose, Nebraska fans stand and applaud the visiting team as they leave the field. Former coaches Bobby Bowden and Barry Switzer have said they've never experienced anything like that before in college football. Sky from Norfolk, Neb.: Hey Adam, don't forget Der Weinerschlinger. Yes, that's right, we have a gun that shoots hot dogs into the stands, its my dream one day to catch one.Another aspect of the Tunnel Walk that is sometimes forgotten is to actually be down in the tunnel as its happening. Its a pretty cool experience to see the players and Bo walking confidently down the tunnel, sometimes high-fiving fans and stuff. Dan from Omaha: To add to Nebraska traditions: 1) clapping for the visiting team after the game; 2) singing hail varsity before the game; 3) visiting the Heisman room and trophy room before the game; 4) eating Runzas (a czech concoction); 5) Barry's bar; 6) Husker pavilion kids zone before the game. Tyler from Lincoln, Neb.: You can't forget about Misty's. It's a restaurant in town where the UNL pep band goes the night before home games. The band shows up and walks through the crowded place playing the fight song while literally everyone in the house goes nuts. The place is packed from 4 PM until it closes on Friday nights with home and opposing fans alike. It's crazy how it's been just as much of a tradition for visiting Big 12 fans to meet up there as it has for Husker fans. This is a tradition B1G TEN fans need to know about and carry on. But make sure to get there early and you can't go wrong with the prime rib. Alan from Lindsborg, Kan.: The Tunnel Walk & Husker Power chant are definitely two awesome tradition in the Sea of Red. However, with the passing of my mom recently, releasing the red balloons is now my favorite game-day tradition.My son, who is now 3, releases helium-filled balloons for Grandma in Heaven. The two of them watched many Nebraska games together. Last fall, my son saw the balloons being released for the first time after she had passed, and he started shouting, "The balloons are going to Grandma." That Husker football tradition has an entirely new meaning to me than it did before. Kyle from Saginaw, Texas: Adam,Glad to finally be a part of the B1G TEN!My favorite traditions are:- The Horse Shoe. Players jump up and touch this as they exit the locker room. It was found in the field when they first built the stadium. It was seen as a sign that luck would always be on the Husker's side.- The "POUND THE ROCK" located right out of the exit to the locker room. Reminds the players to always play hard and fight for every each out there on the field.- The Gate Guardians. Started recently, but they are Members of Nebraska's National Guard and they stand guard at the gate where the Huskers enter the field. Caleb from Lincoln, Neb.: I have heard some opposing fans poke fun at this tradition, but for some reason it has always been my favorite....the swaying of our arms and hands during the fight song after a score. The band holds a note before and during an extra point and they started playing the "There is no place like Nebraska" in a slower tempo after the kick and the fans sways their arms and hands back and forth and in makes a really cool effect around the stadium. Then the tempo picks back up and everyone claps along. Max from Omaha, Neb.: Adam- (in response to Nebraska traditions...) I've been to nearly every home game for the past 4 years, and the tunnel walk and the husker power chant are two that immediately come to mind. Good job with those. Some you missed: The Sea Of Red, the Sellout Streak and Husker Fans in general. The Sea of Red is an incredible tradition that goes unplanned. You'll see more red in one gameday in Lincoln than you'll see the rest of the year. We've sold out every single home game since 1962! And finally, husker nation has been called not only the best fans in the big XII, but the best fans in college football for years. Gamedays in Lincoln for us huskers isn't about competiton, but about loving the sport of college football and having a good time while cheering for our boys. When you come to lincoln, it is our goal to make sure you have a great time. Warning to opposing fans: when you come to our territory, you will be offered beer, hot dogs, and "good luck on the game today" multiple times. Thanks again for the responses! |