Our respects to Dean Sukup

[Blackshirt]

Ex-Husker kicker Sukup dies

BY LORI GRIFFIN / Lincoln Journal Star

Dean Sukup loved golf and he loved Nebraska football.

 

He was like an encyclopedia when it came to the Huskers and he aided in changes that created one of the best driving ranges in the United States.

 

Sukup, a former Nebraska All-Big Eight Conference place-kicker, died Wednesday from what is thought to have been the flu, according to his sister Kathy Lyons.

 

Sukup, of Los Angeles, had been battling back from a heart attack and stroke he suffered three years ago.

 

"He had been sick for three years and we thought he was recovering, but this last illness was so quick," Lyons said.

 

"He was fine on Saturday when we were watching the Nebraska-Iowa State game and was treated Tuesday for what appeared to be the flu and he died Wednesday."

 

Sukup competed at NU from 1975-79. He earned first-team All-Big Eight kicking honors as well as Academic All-Big Eight honors.

 

Sukup loved to talk about the Huskers and followed the team long after his career ended.

 

Sukup attended this year's game against Pittsburgh and was to have attended Saturday night's Oklahoma game in Norman, Okla.

 

"The games that weren't on television, he would listen to on the computer," Lyons said.

 

"I had to be sure his Husker shirt was washed by Saturday."

 

Sukup graduated from NU with a business degree in 1979 and attended law school, earning his degree in 1982.

 

He practiced law in Nebraska before moving to Phoenix to become a golf professional at the Scottsdale Country Club.

 

Sukup then moved to Los Angeles, where he was a golf pro at Glendora Country Club.

 

For the past seven years, he was the manager at The Range at Citrus College in Azusa, Calif.

 

According to longtime friend Terry Moeller, the changes Sukup made in the driving range made it one of the best in the San Gabriel Valley.

 

"Dean modified the driving range and gave it some general improvements, like target greens, read turf and artificial turf," Moeller said. "The general public was real receptive of his ideas and it has provided a strong economic base."

 

Sukup led the Huskers in scoring his senior season. He connected on 38 of 42 extra-point attempts and was 12-of-16 in field goals. He finished with 74 points on the season.

 

"Dean was a great person and easy to get along with," former Husker punter Scott Gemar said. "He never got mad and was pretty laid back. He always stayed positive and was a great addition to the team."

 

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cozad.

 

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