What brings 'em "N"?

[Eric the Red]

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What Brings 'em "N"?

Sunday, Feb 8th 2004

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California has the good weather, Florida’s got the beaches, Northeast has the big cities, Colorado has the Rockies...and escort services, Texas has high schools like football factories and Nebraska has … uh … well …Nebraska has…you know…uhhh…don’t know do ya. What draws recruits? Let’s take a look at this, shall we? I think I may have an idea. Try this for starters.

 

You know when someone looks at a million dollar painting and says this is magnificent, yet others view it and it reminds them of a bucket of piss and sh#t? Some people view the Green Monster in Fenway as a historical monument and others view it as nothing more than a waste of colored dye.

 

It’ a very fascinating thing to ponder, but then you have to remember you’re dealing with 17 and 18 year old kids. Recruits can be fickle. After all they are human. Comments made by recruits can be as varied as the Nebraska weather.

So what is it that draws potential athletes to Nebraska?

 

One recruit said, "When I was on the plane, we were flying over the stadium and it was huge.” There, you see it’s the stadium. Right? No wait there’s more. “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.” Ahh, the letter “N.” This one’s seen Sesame Street.

 

Where else, except Nebraska, does the letter “N”, bring about such an awe inspiring gasp? Could it be the red in the “N?” Everyone wants a “red” corvette. But then again, red is also the color of police car lights in front of Richie Incognito’s house. Can’t be that. Can it?

 

In an article, “What seemed to catch (the players’) eyes were the NFL championship rings that both Callahan and Blake had on. The recruit said ‘The big NFL championship rings they were wearing really got my attention.’”

 

Ah, maybe it’s the bling in the ring. Possible, but everyone has bling these days.

 

A third explains, “They (Nebraska) have great academics.” Yeah right, what 18-year old is going to pick books over bikini girls year round on South Beach, next.

 

A recruit from the island of Ineverleavemyhouse said, “I just couldn’t get over the whole city of Lincoln, the atmosphere … It was too much to turn down."

 

Lincoln, Nebraska??? Is that what he said? The town with two seasons, one so-called skyscraper, no professional teams and zero pizzeria’s to pick up a pie or slice.

 

Finally, “… when the name Nebraska came up, it really made him light up."

 

What made him light up? What could it be?

 

Nebraska must have something unique, something different, something artsy……. It must be the, yes I believe it is - aesthetic beauty???? Yes, aesthetic beauty.

 

Some people look at the glass half full, others half empty. Some people appreciate the fact there isn’t the roar of planes in the sky every 10 minutes buzzing the tops of houses. Others will and can learn to find the culture and life in any town, any size once they peel through the layers a bit. These are the kind of men Nebraska recruits. And these are usually the men who are hard working, blue collar type individuals who you want on your team anyway. One’s that don’t care for the pampering.

 

Nebraska’s recruiting class is full of them. Callahan did what he could, in the time he had. I don’t grade his class based on him having three weeks though. I do it as if it were regular time. Because like these recruits and Nebraska football, I expect the best. I will rate it around a “C.” I don’t rate a class based on effort, but what they signed, therefore, I won’t even go near an “A.” Maybe one playmaker, no standouts. USC is an “A.” And I won’t go near an “F” either because like that million dollar painting, that would be a bucket of piss and sh#t. And, of course, that has no aesthetic beauty.

[Redout]

I think its a combo between coaching and tradition, but more so on the tradition. Many of the players have commented on they like Callahan, but it always comes back to all the trophies or all the victories, especially down in Florida that the kids remember.

 

Amusing, funny and intellegent article. It's a good read.

[RedCountry]

If i had to just pick one it would be facilities. But of course I'll say its a combo of all of them. even the night before club! I remember most recruits after their visits say "wow they sure have impressive facilities" and "man.. so thats how they get so big!". I think they view this as their ticket to the bigs.

Good stuff tho Eric. enjoyed it thanx for your opinion.

rc

[HuskerBob]

yeh good effort eric. intresting read. enjoy your prsepctive.

i voted for tradition as the biggest reason bc it cant be denied. most schools have facilities to match ours now days and like eric said it aint the scenery.

[Heinie44]

Cool stuff. I think its got to be tradition. Everything came change, but History can't. You can put as mmuch money as possible into something, but you have got to win.

 

44

[Eric the Red]

By the way I looked up more recruits and there answers and even this year for some reason they are saying the same things. We have new coaches, facilities and all, but they still mention tradition and class something Kansas St. has none of.

[RedCountry]

You betcha. No matter how good Kstate gets we will always be 30 years ahead of them!!

 

By the way after seeing this article I was reminded of your weekly rants Eric, are we gonna get some more anytime soon or what?!!! Bring em on I enjoy reading them.

[c-husker]

Eric,

 

As a person who has been with you personally to Lazzari's on more than one occasion, I am offended at the assertion that Lincoln has no pizzerias. I would also like to throw in The Isle's on Havlock (Leaning Tower) as quality pizza, and if you are in Omaha, Big Fred's (120th & Pacific) is pretty damn good.

 

Plus, the M & N Sandwich shop has to be a factor, and to hell with you if you say any different. Norm and his power chow at the shop more than make up for a distinct lack of atmosphere (sorry, Norm). Also, the gyro wars between Ali Baba's and George's make for some great late night dining.

 

But for real, it's the tradition that brings 'em, and the atmosphere that grows on 'em and keeps them here.

 

Go Big Red.

C-Husker (restauranteur)

[Eric the Red]

Isle's sucks, I'd rather talk to a K St fan

[kramer]

Great article. I went with atmoshere. Lincoln is a pure college town and the people of the state only care about one thing: FOOTBALL

[bigredtoad]

2 words. HOOCHIE MAMMAS!!!

[StuckinChicago]

No offense, I love Lincoln, but they have the worst pizza of all time for any city that I have been in.

[natedoggy9]

I think its a combo of tradition, coaching, and the college atmosphere.

 

Great and funny article eric!!!!

[Eric the Red]

No offense, I love Lincoln, but they have the worst pizza of all time for any city that I have been in.

SiC we all ready been through that.

[Huskerfan66]

Every recruit is going to be interested in something different. I thought the most common thing that recruits would go for are the facilities. Tradition and atmosphere can be dependent on the recruit, but I think every recruit wants to work out and play in the best of the best.