johnnyredshoes

Well looks like we will lose this one. Down by 8 with 20 seconds left. No way we should have lost this one. Bad bad loss.

This is great! What super nice folks. I found this story about it, it has some interesting quotes from the Myers.

The largest single gift to the University of Nebraska Athletic Department was received on Wednesday from Charles and Romona Myers. Athletic Director Steve Pederson accepted their $5 million gift toward the Memorial Stadium Expansion Project at a Dec. 8 press conference at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Myers were also honored for their gift with a private dinner attended by Husker student-athlete representatives and also during the Nebraska - Minnesota Men's Basketball game Wednesday evening.

 

A native of Davenport Iowa, Charles founded Superior Industries, Inc., in 1964, a company that designed and built refrigerated structures and facilities. In addition, Charles owned and operated Freezer Services, a cold-storage warehouse company with 11 facilities in 10 states. In 1998, when Charles sold Superior Industries, Inc., and Freezer Services, the consolidated company sales hit the $800 million mark while combined employees numbered 5,000. In 1983, Superior Industries, Inc. was listed as one of the top 100 fastest growing companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine.

 

Married for 52 years, Charles and Romona reside in Omaha and Scottsdale, Ariz. Together they have three children, 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. The Myers family has a history of philanthropic endeavors, having gifted $7 million for the library at the University of Dubuque (Iowa), where Charles has an Honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree. Romona is an honorary alumnus of the University of Dubuque and has a Learning Center named in her honor. The Myers have also committed $8 million to the University of Dubuque for the construction of a Teaching and Administrative Center, which is scheduled for completion in July of 2006.

 

Charles and Romona support numerous charitable organizations, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Nebraska, Inc., Child Saving Institute, Christian Family Care Agency, Nebraska Special Olympics, American Lung Association "Camp Super Kids," and Quality Living. In 2003, Charles successfully received from his granddaughter, a liver transplant.

 

A longtime season football ticket holder and Directors Club member, Charles and Romona have been attending Husker football games for more than 30 years, and Charles was honored by the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1993 with the presentation of its Clarence E. Swanson Memorial Award.

 

"Romona and I have always felt fortunate to have received, but we have always felt that it is much more important to give back," Charles said. "Our gift represents many years of great memories from watching Nebraska's football team. We hope this gift helps continue the great tradition of Nebraska football, while helping to create more memories for Nebraska fans."

 

Athletic Director Steve Pederson said the athletic department appreciates the Myers' generous gift and in their honor, will name the performance level (first floor) of the new Osborne Athletic Complex, The Charles and Romona Myers Performance Center for Student-Athletes. The performance level features the main areas where Husker student-athletes of all sports will focus to achieve their championship goals.

 

The Myers Performance Center will include the strength complex, the athletic medicine facilities and the football team locker room.

 

"The same way that the Hewit Center has helped our student-athletes achieve legendary success in their academic goals, the Myers Performance Center will provide our student-athletes the opportunity to achieve their goals in their respective sports," Pederson said. "I believe that for years to come, our student-athletes will view the Myers Center as the place where championships are earned."

 

The Memorial Stadium Expansion Project includes an indoor field house and Championship Wing, that will feature a full-length football field (to be completed in the fall of 2005); the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex, that will house The Myers Performance Center for Student-Athletes (to be completed in the fall of 2006) and the North Stadium expansion, which will raise the stadium's capacity to 80,000 (to be completed in the fall of 2006).

 

The Athletic Department continues to accept gifts toward the building project. To date, the project has received more than $20 million in private gifts toward the $50 million project.

 

For complete transcripts of today's press conference, or to listen to it on replay, please visit Huskers.com.

 

Q & A with the Myers

 

On the amount of the gift and why the athletic department

 

(Charles Myers) "We think it’s ok to receive, but also you ought to give something back. To us, that’s really what we are doing here. The numbers just happen to be something that fit and what they are doing here as far as the facility."

 

On why the University of Nebraska

 

(Charles Myers) "There’s a lot of reasons for that. One of those reasons for that or two are behind me over here (gesturing to Harvey Perlman and Steve Pederson). The other reason is that we have lived here since 1958. We came from Davenport, Iowa. The old story, we got to the Missouri river, ran out of fuel, didn’t have any money so we figured we might as well stay."

 

"For about thirty years or so, we have been involved in football, mostly on the sidelines watching it, but belong to the director’s club and a few other things. So, we felt that with this new facility, it’s something that we are excited about. We are excited for the University. We are excited for the state and we feel that it’s a real necessity to bring together all of these different functions and activities together instead of the way it is today, split up."

 

On seeing this donation as a confidence booster for the athletic department

 

"I absolutely believe that. Ramona and I had the privilege of having dinner with a group of students here tonight. It’s just amazing to me. They care. They want to grow and need tools to grow with and part of the tools (are) facilities."

 

On the lackluster season for the football team impairing the fund raising.

 

"Oh, it probably does, but at least from my perspective, there’s roughly eighty thousand people that come to these games. I don’t care if we win, lose or draw or whether they are angry or not angry, they are still here."

 

"That makes us do some of the things we are doing for the University as well. That probably bothers a little bit, but I think we will get over that hurdle."

 

On the donation possibly prompting others to donate substantial sums.

 

"We certainly hope so. That’s certainly part of our goal."

 

To Ramona on her interest in the program

 

"I love the color."

 

On what they feel is special about how athletics are conducted at the University of Nebraska that would make them want to continue their support.

 

(Carl Myers) "That’s kind of hard for me to answer. In my mind I go back several years and think of the first time in the Devaney-era came here and toured the athletic department. I was amazed at all the equipment and the people that were using that equipment. I guess I really don’t know how to answer that properly."

 

On feeling that it’s a combination of the enthusiasm for athletics and the balance with academics

 

"I think it probably does. I think absolutely that when you think of the word, athletics, that covers quite a spectrum. I just know this than in our homes, we have a couple of them that have fitness centers in the home and I know how well I feel every day that I exercise when I am done."

 

"I feel it makes my mind sharper. I guess if I was a student, I think it would help me in my classroom, so I think so."

 

On the amount of five million dollars

 

"These fellows standing behind me, they came up with some numbers which I know what those numbers are for. That’s to give you an idea of ‘we hope we get that much, but if we don’t, we’ll still be happy with what we get."

 

"I took an in-between, well Ramona and I did, number and say it’s a pretty healthy number. If that doesn’t help get this kicked off and get people to come back and help us fund this project, I don’t know what would."

 

"That’s probably the correct way."

 

On thoughts of this being the largest single donation in N.U. Athletic dept. history

 

"Truthfully, we never gave that a thought. I don’t even think we were aware of that at the time we made the contribution. In fact, I know we weren’t."

 

On the amount and for that amount, did he have any plays for Bill Callahan

 

"I think I better leave Bill Callahan alone. In fact I haven’t met him yet. I look forward to that. It’s not his fault, it’s mine that I couldn’t attend a meeting or dinner that they had."

 

"I think I better leave that alone and let him speak for himself. My personal feelings are that he is going to do a great job and is doing a great job. Let him grow a little bit."

 

On having his name in the complex along with Tom Osborne’s and him knowing Osborne

 

"I know him very well. I really hadn’t discussed it, hadn’t thought about it."

 

To Steve Pederson on what kind of jump start he thinks this does for the project and a possible timeframe

 

"We’re excited because obviously when you get a gift of this magnitude, I think it escalates everything. What I appreciate so much is that Charley and Ramona did not choose to do this when we were coming off winning national championships. They chose to do this at a time where it was very necessary to move our program forward."

 

"It’s kind of interesting when I hear questions about the season. In all the discussions we had, Charley never talked about the season or how we were doing. He just talked about how he could support what was going on here."

 

"So, we will forever be grateful for that, because this is not a time a lot of people choose to jump in and help, but it’s the time that is the most necessary. So, what they are doing here I hope will create the kind of great Nebraska enthusiasm we need to keep carrying us forward and be able to let us achieve all the things we want to achieve."

 

"We have high goals and great dreams here and these kinds of gifts help make that possible."

 

To Pederson on his patience with the process of the program improving and fans’ patience possibly running out

 

"To me, I am sure there are people who’s patience has run out. I feel bad about that and I feel sorry for them. But, it’s like anything else. If you want something to be great, that doesn’t happen overnight."

 

"We tell our athletes all the time that it’s the investment you make away from the game itself that makes the real difference. We like to say and this facility will be the place where it happens, that champions are made when no one is watching. It’s kind of like the golfer who goes out and decides he wants to golf, but he never practice leading up to that and wonders why he has a lousy round."

 

"You have to do all the things that it takes to put yourself in a position to be great and win championships. That starts every day, every minute, we have a plan here. Part of that plan was to get the facilities done. Some places would have chosen to wait and do these facilities once they had a large percentage of the money raised."

 

"But, we needed to get going on this. I am so appreciative of Chancellor Perlman and the board of regents for allowing us to move forward, because what that would have done is delay the process of moving our program back to where we want to get."

 

"We could have spent two years raising money, two more years building that and now you are four or five recruiting classes from where you need to be. We are rolling right now in recruiting. We are rolling right now in recruiting, because coach Callahan and his staff can say ‘look what’s going up. Let’s walk down to the north end and see what’s happening’."

 

"And, it will get better as we build it. It will get better when you can walk into it and it will get better when it’s finished. So, thank heavens for people that have jumped behind this thing get headed into the right direction so we can use this and capitalize on this."

 

"Everybody we are competing against is going fast. They are going fast. They are going direct, they are going right at it and we’ve got to to."

 

"Nebraska has always been the leader in these areas. We were the first one with a great big fabulous strength complex. We were the first ones with big screens in our stadium. We were the first ones to build a training table and a academic study area."

 

"We can’t become the first ones to watch the world go by. We’ve got to stay out in front of this and we’ve got to keep going. We are doing that and fortunately we have a lot of great people that are helping us do that and that makes us all the difference in the world."

 

To Carl and Ramona on this donation being a statement of support for the program

 

"I am also involved in the University of Debuque in Debuque, Iowa. Ramona and I built them a library and put a second story on the library. When we made that commitment, I had two visitors come to Scottsdale (Arizona) to see me, the new president and the old president."

 

"They said ‘we are in financial trouble. We can’t rightfully take this money from you’. At that point, it was three and a half or four million and with the addition, it was seven or eight. ‘We are ninety days from bankruptcy.’ I didn’t say I was smart. Maybe (it’s a ) gut thing or things you do from your gut perhaps. I said I want you to say the course, get back to Dubuque and get this library built, because I walk through this campus and saw the broken sidewalks and the buildings that needed a face-lift inside and outside. I am going to steal this from a movie made in Iowa ‘if you build it, they will come’ and by-golly they have."

 

"Now, that University is overloaded and now they are building another building which is somewhere between eight and eleven million."

 

"So, what I am trying to say is when things are on the bottom, it’s time to stand up. When our team isn’t doing well, that’s not the time to give them hell, that’s the time to stand up and support them. So, that’s what we decided to do here. We think that’s the time."

http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB...00&ATCLID=90278

Yes NU fans can be impatient, after all we are human. But I truly believe the majority ARE the greatest fans ever. Name one other place youve watched a college football game where you received the same treatment you will routinely witness our fans offering visitors every Saturday. Ive been to Ames and was treated like trash. Columbia is full of absolute hooligan rednecks. Austin is out of control. Boulder yeh youve heard teh rock in the snowballs stories, and Ive witnessed them first hand. Manhattan...? what a joke for a big 12 city. on and on. The class of CF fans are in Lincoln, regardless of a few explitives here and there, bottom line.

Heard the same comments, but what they forgot to mention was that the majority of the team was not lost, it was only a few primaddonnas that were whining like little 5 yrs olds because CAllahan didnt baby them like they had been used to. How ironic is that.

Here's a thought; Bush for another 4 years, but his laws will live on...

Oh the thought of this is enough to make me live in a cave. I keep seeing these polls around that say Americans are quite afraid of a terrorist attack if anyone else would have been elected other than Bush. Yet the people who were most affected by Terrorism, New York, New Jersey, Conn. R.I., Washington DC all voted for Kerry. Hhhhmmmmmmmmm.

 

I'm not a big fan of Kerry at all, but anything is better than Bush. Holy Christ the more I think about it, the more I fear for my grandchildren's future. They will have to deal with all of these mistakes, blunders, decisions made by this current administration. Remember all empires and world powers fall sometime. Especially when they get greedy, and this my friends, is greed. In the History books, it is written when and where the great empires have fallen. I beleive when our grandchildrens children read the books, the date of the U.S. downfall will land on 9/11. Bush had a chance to unify and choked. All the Bible thumpin' himpies came out of the wood work. Blamed all of these events on the fact that "...we are losing God. We have kicked him out of our schools, our public parks, and society in general." And that's fine with me, but when our commander-in-cheifs decision making is based off a 2,000 year old book, were in trouble. Way back in the early 1900's, William McKinely based his decision to attack and kill over 200,000 Filippinos because God came and spoke to him one night and said "we must take the Island" and people find this ridiculous, why can't we see what this Texas bumkin' is trying to do?? I fear America has made a very damaging mistake.

Very good points, Im on your side Eric. The thought of our future on this same track of decimating everything in our way, that doesnt conform to someone's subjective "morals" scares me deeply.

Very good points guys. I ditto most all of it.

Glad to see at least the people around here have some intelligence. Keep it up.

People are placing Green in front of Horne 1) b/c of his namesake. and 2) b/c yes Horne has been battle tested and he didnt exactly produce like people expected. He has the tools, now just needs to put them all together and take it to tha HOUZ!!

Far as I know just the OC spot. Am I wrong?

These actions were representative of a person that has absolutely 0 self control, and resembles a flat out baffoon. This is an embarassment to NU and a slap in the face to all the new coaches that have been working so hard to get acquainted and things stabilized. We needed our players to act their age and show some maturity more now than ever before, and they have failed in the past few weeks. Its clear Richie has learned nothing from his stay in the ward like Pile said, and he clearly needs harsher repercussions. Reminds me of that Hawaiian kid from a few yrs ago that was a roid rage looking for a place to happen. Great talent but zero compunction. Get a clue guys.

Good point Pile that makes sense.

Not worried about this at all. In fact I like it. I think GR is washed up. If anything he shouldve replaced MBrown.

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/

Actually just to update the rumor about Raymond Williams. He did NOT make the trip to Lincoln. Nor will Vernon Smith. We actually told them not to bother, since they are so far from qualifying academically. We are nearing our limit on visits, 56, and dont want to waste some on kids that probably wont materialize. Oh well, its nice to be able to be picky again for a change

Did you guys hear about his weigh-in last weekend? Remember how when you were in highschool they jacked your vitals way up as to intimidate the other team. Well apparently California is no different. Davis came in at 6-foot-2 1/2 and 158 pounds. Not exactly the 6-4 185 that it said on the label. Im a bit concerned about 158. That is JV weight. I know he'll put on about 15-20 pds of muscle, but if he is this light now, that means he probably has a problem with keeping weight on, so I dont see him getting much higher than 180. It wouldnt be so bad if he didnt run a 4.9. Man I hope this kid has a quick and accurate release.

I like Brandon Jackson very much. Here is a good article about him from a local paper in Mississippi:

Horn Lake tailback heading to Nebraska

By Jason Smith

Contact

January 27, 2004

Recently hired Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan and assistant coach John Blake already have their first disagreement.

It's over Horn Lake running back Brandon Jackson, who committed to Nebraska over Memphis and Mississippi State during an official visit to Lincoln last weekend.

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"Coach Blake was saying that I run like Emmitt Smith and that my takeoff was like LaDainian Tomlinson," Jackson said Monday. "But Coach Callahan was saying that I reminded him of Clinton Portis."

Either way, the Huskers apparently have their man.

Grixby press conference video

"He's the complete package. That's the best way to describe him," Horn Lake football coach Larry Gann said.

"He can go inside, and he's got the speed (4.43 in the 40-yard dash) to go outside. He's got good hands, and with everybody doing this situational-package personnel stuff now, you wouldn't have to take him out if you needed to throw the ball."

Jackson (6-0, 200 pounds), rated the No. 17 running back prospect in the nation by Rivals.com, rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns for Horn Lake last season on his way to being named first-team all-state and Co-Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Year by MHSAA Region 1-5A coaches.

He has yet to qualify academically, though Gann said he expects him to do so. If he does, Jackson could challenge for playing time immediately.

"Coach Callahan was telling me that I could play or start my freshman year," Jackson said.

Jackson, who was being recruited heavily by Blake at Mississippi State before Blake left for Nebraska earlier this month, said he almost made up his mind on the plane's descent into Lincoln.

"When I was on the plane, we were flying over the stadium and it was huge. And when we got off the plane, that's all you could see was the stadium with that big 'N'. Aw man, it was beautiful.

"It feels great to be with one of the top teams in the nation."

* Dixon decides: Germantown standout running back/defensive back Carlos Dixon has committed to Middle Tennessee State.

The 6-0, 195-pound Dixon was the key offensive ingredient in Germantown's run to the Class 5A state title last season, rushing for 1,344 yards and 22 touchdowns.

"I plan on majoring in mechanical engineering in college and they've got a great program," Dixon said. "If professional football or something like that doesn't work out, then I'll have an education I can rely on."

Dixon, a first-team all-state selection at defensive back by the Associated Press, said MTSU recruited him to play either running back or defensive back.

- Jason Smith: 529-5804

Good news people. Word is that ALL of this weekends visitors have mentioned that they will commit to the Big Red!

Mike Huff, 6-5, 300-pound offensive guard from Ralston, Nebraska

likes Callahan and coach Wagner a lot. Murtha was also impressed, but is going home to think about it. Huff will keep in touch with him this week to find out more.

Terrence Nunn, 6-0, 185-pound WR from Houston is struggling with his decision. Coach Call visited him last week at his home.

Mrs Nunn said that Coach Callahan was 'impressive and very prepared'.

Terrence’s head coach also met Cally and was also very impressed. 'Callahan really sold the program and said some really encouraging things to Terrence, things that would make any kid want to go to school up there.' His mother said.

Apparently Coach Call is supposed to call Terrence's father later today to discuss some things. The Wisconsin coaches will also be callling and/or visiting again later this week.

His Mom also said 'there are a few things my husband wanted to make sure of too, and the decision will be made in the next few days.'

Ty Steinkuhler, 6-3, 245-pound defensive end from Lincoln Southwest commited and visited last fall, and was even more impressd this time. He said 'Its a different atmosphere, but even better than before'.

He also said he "loves" Coach Blake, and that 'he is just awesome' And that Coach Callahan is an "amazing guy.”

Folks all signs indicate that these coaches are the real deal. We are very fortunate that things have shaped up the way they have recently. Now we just need to close the deal, and start the tough transformation to the WCO!! Very very good weekend though. Good work coaches!

JRS

We have to take a chance on a kid like this. I actually like this move. As someone said we arent in a position to steal any top WCO qbs from top passing schools, so we may have to strike out a time or two but those will be the growing pains that we just have to accept. I think its good that we have a true Cali passing QB to hang our hat on with recruits. This shows people were serious.

Last I heard DT McD was still grieving from his losses and hadnt visited anyone lately. Had a tryout with the Braves last wk and he was clocked at 96 MPH!! wow. what a acquisition this would be for the NU program, baseball included!!

Yes this next yr is bigger than we think for our program. Many think it doesnt matter so much if we stumble, but I think many of the recruits that are giving us a look just based on Callahans name will be watching close next yr to see if he is the real deal or if the Raiders uphevial was warranted. Right now its just a honeymoom period with Coach Call. It will actaully be tougher to recruit next yr b/c he has to prove himself this next season, which will be challenging.

That interesting I didnt know Bo was gone regardless. I thought he at least wanted the head coach job? Maybe you meant he was gone if he didnt get the HC job. Anyway I agree Bo wouldve been gone after he got a head offer from somewhere else. He'll do the same to OU too which is why Im surprised Stoops took the chance. But what does he have to lose, he still has Venerables who is fully capable.

I dont have a problem with Coach Gill looking out for himself. You have to realize that maybe this came up since he made those statements. Plus he is only following the lead of his boss to say one thing and mean the other Monkey see monkey do!! (no these are not racist comments you are racist for even thinking it.. but then that would make me... and thats not possible... whatever, man racism is worthless!) What I meant was, no one has exactly been faithful to Turner so why would he not look out for his best interests? How many times did it take for you to get burned by a girl before you were the one burning the next girl so she didnt get you first? hmm.... do whatcha gotta do Turner. I hope you stay but good luck anyway and you would be hugely missed!

Not sure about the others but Lydon Murtha is big time. This kid is a 4 star moose at 6-8 315, running a 4.9 40!! R U kidding?! This would be a HUGE land. He's #4 at his position and had previously committed to Minnesota, but word is Cally is working his magic Go get em coach!

Hutchinson (MN)

Offensive tackle

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 315 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.9 seconds

Bench max: 350 pounds

Squat max: 590 pounds

Vertical leap: 28 inches

Yes, and dont forget about Coach Wagner (Oline), from California.

I love our coverage of the recruiting trails!!

And did anyone remember Tim Dougherty, an old friend of Coach Cal's, who was rumored as an Offensive coach? If Norvell doesnt materialize which it appears he wont, TD might be next in line.

http://www.goedwardsville.com/site/news.cf...id=473647&rfi=6

Well it looks like Blackshirt at least had Carolina right. Which is pretty impressive. Good job! Redcountry weighed in a little late with the correct picks, so I cant give him much credit for that.

Now who will win the big game? I think it will be a great matchup. I have to say the Pats. They are just sizzling hot and have been there before so know how to handle the circus that comes with the big game.

jrs

Good idea guys. Thank you Jammal Lord, you will not be forgotten. I truly appreciate everything you DID do for the program, which far overshadowed the stuff you didnt do, no matter what people say.

I voted, and we are kicking some butt in that thing!!! Keep it up Husker Nation!!

GBR!

JRS

Didnt see a discussion about TC. I dont know if everyone realizes how big a hire this was. Do you realize this guy has roots in Texas a mile deep?!! He knows TX like the back of his hand, has many many connections down there, which will give us an upper hand in the TX recruiting race that is so critical to competing in the Big 12.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg...38&u_sid=976247

I'll tell you who probably wont commit: Brian Toal. Visited Tennessee last weekend and loved it. Says BC and Tenn are tops on his list.

Joe Manning also is most likely out. He's now considering staying in-state at FSU.

From the prospects list from the top of this site http://www.huskerbay.com/new/04_prospects.htm

I'd say Grixby (Coach Call visited Central last wk and impressed Grix) and possibly Calvin Darity(Tally), who has recently had phone talks with Coach Cally and Wagner and said he was reassured. The other kid from Tally who we still have a strong shot at is Rodney Gallon. He said we're tied with 4 other schools on his short list. (Tennessee, Auburn, Florida State, and Miami)

Anyone know of some others?

JRS

Well this isnt exactly a "recruit", but there is a rumor floating around that we may have caught the interest of a UCLA QB that is considering transferring to Nebraska. Im not endorsing this, just spreading the cheer!!

Needless to say this would be a huge draw. Hopefully open the floodgates for West Coast style talent also.

Matt Moore Bio: http://uclabruins.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl...ore_matt00.html