Former Nebraska Linebacker Blake Lawrence won the Huskers' highest honor for life skills Monday at the NU Athletic Department's Annual HERO Leadership Breakfast in Lincoln. A crowd of nearly 200 saluted Lawrence, who was presented the Gerard Life Skills Award of Excellence
A two-year letterman who did not redshirt, Lawrence played one of his best games in Nebraska's Gator Bowl win over Clemson, but took the advice of his doctors and ended his football career after repeated concussions.
"What's special about Blake is how he has channeled his football passion into the community," said Keith Zimmer, Nebraska's Associate Athletic Director for Life Skills. "He is still making an impact – an impact that is probably equal to football, if not more important."
Lawrence completed his bachelor's degree last December in just 2 ½ years. He had a 3.9 Grade Point Average in Marketing and was recently accepted into Nebraska's M.B.A. program.
"He didn't turn 21 until a few weeks ago, and he's already talking about getting his PhD by the time he's 26," said Megan Wheatley, who has served the past year with Lawrence as co-presidents of Nebraska's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee – the Athletic Department's highest leadership group.
Lawrence admitted Monday that it was difficult for him to give up football. "When I came here, I had big goals," he said. "I just got hit in the head too many times. I did get to represent the University of Nebraska as an athlete, and I will continue to represent the University as a business person."
His leadership role and his intense involvement in community outreach activities have allowed Lawrence to keep his identity, connect with people and create tremendous value for the Athletic Department, even though football is no longer a part of his everyday life.
About as Well-Rounded as You Can Get
"I admire Blake. I'm happy for him," Zimmer said. "This honor just proves that there's more to life than sports, and the impact he's making is far more reaching. They got the right guy today when they decided to honor Blake Lawrence. When you look at his resume, he's about as well-rounded as you can get."
Zimmer believes Lawrence is a prime example of why it's important to pursue academics with the same passion as athletics. "He didn't make football his only option for success," Zimmer said. "When his sport was taken away from him, he doubled up his efforts and will now get two degrees for the price of none."
Lawrence's athletic scholarship is paying for his bachelor's and master's degrees. "Throw three internships in there – two from Lincoln and one with a website company in New York – plus his leadership roles, and there isn't anybody who can match what he's done," Zimmer said.
"What a head start to a bright future," Zimmer added. "Not only can Blake and his family be proud of this honor, but all of Nebraska can take great pride in this accomplishment. Blake exemplifies everything we're trying to develop and promote here."
Nebraska Linebacker Coach Mike Ekeler could not agree more. "If you had a son, and he came out like Blake Lawrence, you would be dancing," Ekeler said Monday while recruiting on the West Coast. "I mean, he's a great person, a great teammate and a great competitor. Just everything about him is right."
Lawrence's attitude never changed. "You wouldn't have known the difference on the practice field whether he was starting or not," Ekeler said. "He was all about team. He would help the guys in front of him and behind him. What a neat person and special guy. He's going to rule the world. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he became the president of a major corporation. Then again, he might own his own company. Whatever he decides to do, he will do something amazing."
Wheatley is a three-time Big 12 Conference champion – twice in the heptathlon and once in the pentathlon. She's also an NCAA All-American and a two-time Husker track and field captain, but count her as a multi-event athlete who marvels at Lawrence's ability to multi-task anything.
Wheatley: Lawrence the Ultimate Student-Athlete
"He's the ultimate student-athlete," Wheatley said. "He has everything, and he always has a smile on his face. You can tell how confident and how comfortable he is and how much he gives and expects nothing in return. He's just a great guy, and Nebraska is lucky to have someone like him leading others."
Ivan Gerard, who presented the Life Skills Award of Excellence to Lawrence, read a John Wooden quote enscribed on the award: "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
Gerard thought the quote fit Lawrence perfectly.
It also reflects the attitudes of all of Monday's honorees, including 30 HERO Award recipients and nine student-athletes who were recognized for their participation in the Husker Connect program as mentors in the Lincoln Public Schools.
HERO Award recipients, listed alphabetically, are:
Christopher Aumueller, tennis; Bjorn Barrefors, track and field; Nikki Bober, basketball; Epley Bullock, track and field; Kaitlyn Burke, basketball; Jordan Burroughs, wrestling; Abby Buxton, tennis; Boomer Collins, baseball; Christine Costello, rifle; Jared Crick, football; Cody Green, football; Ashley Guile, softball; Michael Hays, football; Alex Henery, football; Adrion Hernandez, men's gymnastics; Blaine Hoppenrath, women's swimming and diving; Mariah Hutchinson, swimming and diving; D.J. Jones, football; Karyn Lacour, track and field; Brittany Lanier, soccer; Ben Nelson, basketball; Nate Polacek, track and field; Jordan Reinertson, men's golf; Carolyn Schorgl, golf; Bryce Somer, cross country; Kylie Stone, gymnastics; Danielle van der Meer, bowling; Megan Wheatley, track and field; Katie White, cross country; and Jessica Yanz, volleyball.
Husker Connect honorees and students they mentor:
Shay Powell, women's soccer (Auvanique Allen, Rousseau Elementary); Alex Henery, football (Jack Smeal, Cavett Elementary); D.J. Jones, football, and Jessica Mills, soccer (Wyatt Gifford, Zeman Elementary); Kyler Reed, football ( Eric Dissmeyer, Campbell Elementary); Marcus Mendoza, football (Mohammad Lantos, Campbell Elementary); Cody Green and Curenski Gilleylen, football (Isaiah Taylor, Arnold Elementary); Jessica Periago, basketball (Mason Heiden, Arnold Elementary); Ashley Guile, softball (Alexis Moyer, Morley Elementary); and Anthony Blue, football and his connect (Syree Mills, Holmes Elementary).
Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne was the featured speaker. He talked about the servant leadership that enabled Nebraska student-athletes to complete at least 100 individual outreach projects that resulted in 40,000 hours of community service for countless people over the past year.
Osborne described the importance of role models, the necessity of vision and why servant leadership is based on values, not public opinion. "Leadership is someone who listens empathetically," he said, pointing out that people "look at what you say, what you do and what you stand for."
Widow Thanks Helu, Henery for Showing They Cared
The breakfast concluded with an emotional account about HERO winners Helu and Henery and their visit to a Lincoln Hospice facility the day before the 2009 season-opener.
Susan Brooks described what that visit meant to her late husband.
Choking back tears as she finished her short speech, Brooks told 29 of the 30 HERO recipients (Nikki Bober was in Indiana for a job interview) that she enjoys it most when Helu and Henery don't wear their helmets on the sideline. That way, her season ticket-holding family can recognize them.
Brooks said she's learned there is so much more to Nebraska football players than a helmet that hides a face and a jersey that only has a number on it. Such anonymity overshadows the warm expressions she remembers from caring players who reached out and touched her family during a difficult time.
"Don't ever underestimate the power you have to make someone feel special," she said
After she sat down next to her daughter and grandson, Helu stood up to give Brooks a hug. Then Henery walked from the back of the room to the front to give her another hug.
Henery is one of the best kickers, if not the best kicker in the country, and Helu is one of the best running backs who could become the best with a little luck and a healthy body.
Monday, none of that mattered to Susan Brooks.
The white helmets with the red Ns were off, and that was a welcome sight for a widow who remembers how touched her husband was just to know how much Helu and Henery cared.
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