H U S K E R D A N
HUSKER DAN
FINALLY GETS AROUND TO ANSWERING SOME OF HIS EMAIL:
LOVE FROM THE LOONS
Dear Husker
Dan:
My little sister
Lena, said to me the other day, she said, "You know something, we really
should write Husker Dan and say 'Thanks a bunch'
for the column that he does for Huskerpedia." So then I said, "You're
darn tootin'!" So anyways, here goes! Keep up the good work,
okie-dokie? Me and my sisters all got degrees from Nebraska in
animal husbandry. (Little did we know that we'd end up with husbands
that are animals, but that's another story-ha-ha-ha!) Although we live
in a state with 10,000 lakes, they always leave out the part about
this is also the land of 10 billion mosquitoes that are about the size of
caribou. Anyways, thanks a bunch! Keep up the good work!
And, aww geez, GO
HUSKERS!!!
The Ginster
Sisters
Ima, Lena and
Rubba
Big Trout Lake,
Minnesota
Dear
Sisters:
You betchya! Have
you ever seen the movie "Fargo"? Just curious. Anyway, thanks
for the nice words of encouragement. You made my day! Keep
reading Huskerpedia.com!
HD
BONUS ONUS
Dear Husker
Dan:
What do you make
of this crap about the coaches getting big, fat raises after such
a el-stinko year like last year? This comes right when Steve
Pederson lays off 22 people. What's more incredible is that coaches
like Craig Bohl, Nelson Barnes and George Darlington who aren't even
with the team anymore, still get bonuses. I don't get
it. It's a joke! So what's your take?
Heywood
Banxbehopinn
Broken Axle,
OK
Dear
Heywood:
I agree that the timing
of the news about the bonuses was not good. As far as paying bonuses
to the football coaches after last year's 7-7 season, a contract is a
contract. Coaches are paid for a variety of reasons, not just on the
won-loss record. Also, even though a coach may no longer be with the
program, his contract may provide for bonuses based on the last season in
which he did coach.
As far as the layoffs
go, Steve Pederson is essentially the CEO of a $50 million
corporation. If he's convinced he can effectively run his company
with fewer people, he has an obligation to do so. Thanks for
writing.
SOONER OR LATER
Dear Husker
Dan:
Hey, I have a
question for you. Who was the running back that played for the Sooners
back in the early 80's and kinda faded and then went on to play in the
USFL? He was a heck of a player. Big and
fast!
Adair
Yewtue
Beansprout,
Oregon
Adair:
Hey, even though this
isn't a column about Sooner football, I will try to answer your question. I
think the player you might be thinking of is Marcus DuPree.
He was big and fast, but didn't last. (Hey,that
rhymes!)
HD
SONG SUNG LOW
Husker
Dan:
I really didn't
like you attacking Marques Simmons and Garth Glissman with your stupid
songs. You get laughs at their expense. These are just kids that
are trying their best. I'll bet you never even put on a jockstrap,
right? You should be ashamed of yourself. It just goes to prove
that any idiot that puts "Husker" in front of his name thinks he can be a
writer. Your not that good. Don't quit your day job.
That's all I got to say.
Robb
Banks
Schicklegruber,
Ohio
Dear
Robb:
Robb: Don't
worry, I won't be quitting my day job any time soon! I created
this column six years ago because I have a passion for the Big Red and
I really love writing.
I have several criteria
for writing. What I compose must be (to
me):
1. Amusing or
entertaining
2. Creative
3. Interesting
4.
Moving
5.
Funny
If what I've written
meets any one of those criteria, I will offer it for publication.
The bottom line is, I have to like the piece or I won't release
it.
As far as the songs to
Marques and Garth go, I think both pieces meet the first two
requirements. The summer months (May-July)are a tough time to
write about Husker football. Spring ball was over and the
team hadn't started fall camp, so what was a guy to write
about?
In my Marques piece,
"The Flintstones" theme was a difficult format with which to work. The
meter and rhythm of the original song made it a challenge. So at least
cut me some slack for degree of difficulty!
As far as my getting
laughs at someone else's expense, you really need to re-read those
songs. There is no disrespect made or intended to either of those
players. I have nothing but admiration for any kid who comes to
Nebraska, puts on a chin strap and plays his guts out for the Huskers.
By the way,
since the Huskerpeida web site and the Husker Dan column didn't cost
you anything, think of the bargain you're getting!!
Thanks for writing and GO
HUSKERS!!!
HD
DUKES JUKES TO DUKE
Husker
Dan:
Man, what do you
make of this Curt Dukes thing? I mean, first he shows up a
semester early and everybody thinks he's the second coming of Scott Frost
already, then he ups and leaves the program. I don't get it.
Crime-anetly, is there something going on in Lincoln that
we don't know about? What's your take on this,
anyways?
Lottie
Dahh
East Jesus,
Texas
Dear :
Lottie
You've asked a great
question. Curt Dukes bled Husker Red. He left high school a
semester early so he could get the benefit of an extra spring practice in
Lincoln. He appeared to have all the requisites to succeed at
Nebraska-attitude, skill, determination and intelligence. All he
needed was experience. So what did he do with all that
potential? He transferred to that football "powerhouse," Duke
University!!!
Why would he leave
Nebraska for Duke, a perennial top ten power in basketball, but a
90 lb weakling in football? It's like Bobby Hurley leaving
Duke to play basketball for Danny Nee. (Yes, I remember Bill
Jackman!)
The answers may lie in
one or more of the following.
1.) He was
homesick.
2.) He wanted to
be with his girlfriend who is enrolled at Duke. (Probably a significant
factor)
3.) He wanted to
go to a better academic school. (?)
4.) He didn't get
a fair shake at Nebraska. (?)
5.) He was
frustrated with injuries. (Good point)
6.) He became
discouraged and frustrated that he couldn't beat Jammal Lord (one of
the weaker quarterbacks in the conference) for the starting job, or
Mike Stuntz for the backup job. (?)
7.) He thought
incoming freshman, Joe Dailey, would be Lord's backup this year and
successor in '04. (?)
8.) He didn't
believe he could compete at the Big 12 level of
play.
The bottom
line is, his decision to transfer is probably best for Curt Dukes, Nebraska
and Duke University. As to what led him to change his mind, take your
pick. Hopefully, Curt
Dukes will be happier wearing Blue Devil Blue. There is more to life
than just college football, you know. (I can't believe I just said
that!)
HD
MORE 100 REASONS
Dan, Dan,
Dan:
I know you're a
busy guy and excited about the upcoming season, but I said I got my NICKNAME
from a friend who called me "Biff" Jones, after the coach. I did not
say I AM Major Lawrence McCeney "Biff" Jones. I mean, the guy died in
1976 at the age of 84.
Steve "Biff"
Jones
Georgians for
Nebraska
Go Big
Red!
Steve, Steve,
Steve:
I'm sorry for the
mix-up!!!! I really must blame my copy editor...Yeah, yeah. It's
all his fault!!!! I must have been burning the midnight oil
when I compiled the response list. Thanks for bringing the
error to my attention.
HD
Husker
Dan:
In your "100
Reasons" list, you listed a photographer named Michael Forsberg and you said
he was "Nebraska's own". Where can I see his works? Does he have
a web page? Let me know. Thanks.
Sue
Pranos
Tunawunda,
Florida

Dear Sue: Thanks
for your letter. Michael used to work for Nebraskaland Magazine, but
now is a free lance photographer. Many of his works still appear in
Nebraskaland, including a featured article in this month's issue.
Michael also has a gallery in the Haymarket in Lincoln. You can
visit his web page at http://www.michaelforsberg.com. Above is one of my
favorite Forsberg photographs. Thanks for
writing.
HD
CROUCH OUCH
Dear Husker
Dan:
I hate to write
this letter, but I feel I just have to. It's about Eric Crouch.
He's getting bashed for leaving the Green Bay Packers, the second NFL
team he's quit in less than a year. I know Eric's not a quitter,
but I'll admit I gotta wonder, why would he turn down a possible career in
the NFL? He could have stayed on and maybe gotten a chance down the
road. What say you?
Betty
Kant
Frozen Faucet,
North Dakota
Dear
Betty:
You've probably read
what everyone else has read. I don't think we need to put any
more into it than what already has been
said.
You are
correct, Eric is no quitter. He played with so many injuries and so
much pain during his years at Nebraska, no one should ever question his guts
or determination. Eric's choices were to remain with the
Packers' "taxi squad" where he wouldn't get any playing time at
quarterback (he would not make very much money in that role); or
he could play in the NFL Europe (he would have to
uproot his family at an time in which his daughter would just be starting
school). Eric didn't want to leave his family. (Eric's own
painful experience as a young boy may have influenced his
decision.)
Many of us tend to live
vicariously through our favorite Husker players. We don't like it when
"one of our own" doesn't live up to our expectations. And Nebraska
fans are frustrated that the Huskers haven't produced a starting NFL
quarterback in about 30 years (Vince Farragamo). And there's the
"Heisman Jinx."
We just KNEW Eric would
be an exception. He would be different. He would succeed in the
NFL. No problem. Well, our dreams aren't Eric's. He has to
make decisions that are the best for him and his family. He owns
up to no one else. No one.
Rest assured, Husker
fans, we may all be seeing a lot more of Eric on the football field.
Only this time he'll be carrying a microphone, not a football. Stay
tuned!
You can e-mail
Husker Dan at