I can understand how some people want to try and forget about the past as in not live in the past and move on with what is NU football now. I really don't agree with us treating former players badly if that is indeed what is going on. We should always welcome our past football players back with open arms and treat them as family because they are part of Husker Nation. I know that some people constantly want us to go back to what was NU football and that just isn't going to happen unfortunately.
i don't expect to live in the past, but i do expect the current coaches and adminstration to embrace the tradtions and solidify the contributitions of past players/coaches that helped start and make the tradition/program the huge success as it is now known. this is just an extention of successful recruiting, you show that you care and retain the favoritism of the past alumni and players, as they are the mouth-piece and promoters of continued successful recruiting, period. to ignore them, exclude them and not make them feel really welcome, is to negate their future influence and support of the program.
example, ever watch a USC or Ohio State game and see the former greats on the sidelines? you think that doesn't have a huge effect on future recruiting? this is another example of a huge asset, possibly being squandered by a guy who is used to getting players through the draft or free agency at the pro level. on the college level all you have is your school's reputation and history of success. when you have a great tradition like ours, you should be smart enough to take advantage of it constantly and showcase the past greats as well as recruiting the next ones. being "exclusive" does nothing for your program. i think Ped especially needs to re think the way he "projects" our program as we seldom see any of our past big names on the sidelines or promoting the school. i just don't see this changing and i am saddened by the perception that is being projected by the current administration.