wmsam04

If this is old news I appologize, but I would be interested in hearing what the long time Husker fans remember about this. Lynn Henning a sports writer with the Detroit News published a book called "Spartan Season's"chronicaling the political turmoil in the Michigan State Spartans football program from the George Perles era of the 80's until a couple of years ago. It was a pretty interesting read for me having grown up as a Spartan fan, and living through all of the coaching changes, and turmoil that defined Michigan State football during that time. One of the most interesting things written about (and I heard nothing about it at the time all of this was to have occured) were the frequent attempts by Michigan State's former President M. Peter McPhereson to lure Tom Osborne to East Lansing. In 1994 before Michigan State had hired Nick Saban and Osborne was under some pressure with a bowl losing streak that was making the fans here anxious he apparently came close to taking the Michigan State job before talking it over with his assistants and declining. Then he was offered it again in 1999 when Saban left for LSU and gave it some consideration before his doctor strongly advised against it. He was even offered the AD job in 2001 according to Henning. Is this something that people were aware of at the time? Do you think that he came close at all to leaving (as the author suggested)? Or was he being offered a job every season like any top coach? I would be interested to read your thoughts on this. The books website: http://www.spartanseasons.com/seasons2.html

Your avatar and username make me assume you must be new here. In Memorial Stadium, you stand your butt up from the coin toss until both teams are off the field after the game. Someone is behind me who wants me to sit down? I ignore them, and if they really get on my nerves, I tell them to shut up. Getting into a Nebraska football game is hard to do and if I'm lucky enough to scrounge a ticket, I'm going to have the best time I can and support my team as best I can when I'm there. Fair enough I will wear some comfortable shoes and be ready to stand the entire time. I will probably be so jacked just to be in the building I won't be able to sit anyway. One of the reasons I read this site is because I'm almost giddy over being able to come to a game at one of college footballs great venues, so standing up during the game won't be an issue for me. I just hope you folks are kind to visiting fans who aren't wearing red and don't know all the protocol. I have always felt bad standing at games. I'm 6'4" and don't have an issue seeing over many people, but I imagine when I am in front of someone especially if its a kid or older person then I am ruining the game for them. Since I don't sit in a particularly raucous section normally I just stay in my seat as much as I can as a courtesy to others.

Standing on the seats allows a clear isle in which to pass back and forth from the bathroom and concession stands without disturbing anyone. I see no problem with it. My rule for standing up is that I am not going to be the first man up. If you are so overstimulated that you can't watch a big play without leaping out of your seat then you need to find a way to calm yourself. Stand when the person in front of you stands, and sit when they sit. At least that way you have an excuse when you hear down in front. Also don't be that guy who turns around and waves his arms at the crowd imploring them to make some noise. If you are in the crowd, then you should make the noise, its not your responsibility to ask for it. Players can waive their arms all they want however.

The WMU spring game drew a reported 1,200 people and that must have been counting players, as actuall fans in the stands were more like 500. The Michigan State Spring game I went to last week had aprox. 24,000 in attendance. College Football is just off the sports radar in most places. Spring attendance above the mid 20's takes an exceptionaly motivated fan base. I think Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, etc... are close to the norm. You guys are just above and beyond to show up in that volume in a year where you aren't expected to contend for a title.

1) How long have you been a member of Husker Nation? I can't honestly say that I am, but I have admirered your program since I began watching college football. 2) What/who led you to The Nation? A love of the great traditions of College Football and whoever put WMU on the 08 Schedule. 3) Where are you from originally? Detroit, MI 4) Where do you live now? Saline, MI (just outside of Ann Arbor) 5) Favorite Husker memory? I enjoyed the beating they put on Tennessee in the Orange Bowl to secure a share of the 97 National Championship. I was watching the game with my friends who all happened to be Michigan fans and were very upset about having to share a championship (though I am convinced they would have been killed head to head against Nebraska) 6) Worst Husker memory? Watching them beat my then favorite team Michigan State 55-10 in Spartan Stadium to begin the 1995 season and the Nick Saban era. 7) Number of home games attended? My first visit to Lincoln and Memorial Stadium will be this August 30th when WMU opens up their season and Nebraska (re)begins the Bo Pelini era. Can’t wait. 8) Number of away games attended? Just that 1 in EL in 95. Although it was a home game for me. 9) Favorite Husker memorabilia/apparel? I guess my program from the 95 game. That is still the only national champion I have seen in the 112 D1 college football games I’ve attended. 10) Favorite place to watch a Husker game? I can’t wait to check out your stadium, and the game day atmosphere. From everything I hear it is going to be the experience of a lifetime for a college football fan. 11) Favorite all time player? Tie. Dominic Raiola- The only draft pick Matt Millen ever got right and Corey Schlesinger who embodies the fullback position. 13) Stevie Pederson or Billy Byrne? Couldn’t say 14) Lil Red or Herbie Husker? Herbie 15) Favorite Husker play? The kick catch against Missouri, largely because it kept the team I hated most from an outright national championship 16) Favorite game-day beverage? Double Grey Goose and Tonic 17) How did you find HuskerBoard? I was looking to get a feel for what we are up against 8/30/08, and maybe endear myself enough over the summer for a tailgate invite.

Ah yes NCAA 09. That is the one place where I can be sure that my Broncos will start out the season 1-0. I look at the dog days of the offseason as a 4 stage gauntlet to get through. Stage 1 is the lull between January 1/ BCS Championship and National Signing day. That can be gotten through by the NFL, recruiting news, and some college basketball Stage 2 runs from signing day until Spring Practice starts. There you have the NCAA tournament, and the start of the baseball season to try and distract yourself with. Stage 3 goes from the end of spring practice until the annual magazines come out in May or June. This is when it really starts to hit hard. The NBA and NHL playoffs can help if you have a team in it. The NFL draft is fun for a weekend too. Stage 4 from mid June to the opening kickoff is the hardest to deal with. News trickles out, and even the open of fall practice doesn't help when you are still a month away. The NFL pre season only does more to rouse the football appetite. The only salvation is NCAA 09 in July, message boards, getting your season tickets in the mail and knowing that we get closer day by day. I guess if you are lucky enough to have a team in the college world series that might help as well. I can't speak to that from personal experience though so I leave it to you.