H U S K E R D A N
2009 HUSKER DAN "DANNO"
AWARDS
Okay, it's time
to announce the winners of the Third Annual Husker Dan
"Danno" awards. Each year we try to recognize some of the best in the
world of Nebraska football. This year's selection was made by the
entire Husker Dan staff who are underpaid, under appreciated, overworked, and
mostly over sixty.
Our first award is one that is given each year to
the person or entity that has had the greatest positive impact on the state of
Nebraska and the Husker football program. The past two winners have been
Tom Osborne (2007) and The American Veterans and Troopers (2008).
THE 2009 CORNHUSKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
NDAMUKONG SUH
Lincoln, NE
As with the first two winners, this year's
recipient was an easy one to select. Tom Osborne won it in '07 because he
almost single-handily saved the Husker football program from the brink of
disaster.
And last year, we honored the brave men and women
in our military who for many years have had the awesome responsibility of
protecting and defending our country. Due to their
sacrifices, we are able to enjoy, among other
blessings, such things as Nebraska football.
And this year's selection, Ndamukong Suh,
represents all that is good about the Nebraska football program.
Suh became the most decorated defensive player in
Nebraska football history. You have to go back to the days of Rich Glover
to find a Husker defensive lineman who comes close to having the impact
on a game that Ndamukong Suh had last year. At 6'3" and 300
pounds, he became the leader of a Husker defense that led the nation in scoring
defense. Opposing offenses always had to know where #93 was. Often,
he was almost a one man wrecking crew in his pursuit of opposing
quarterbacks. Suh, a native of Portland, Oregon considered
transferring after Bill Callahan and most of his staff were fired at the end of
the Suh's sophomore season in 2007.
But thanks to the efforts of Husker head football
coach, Bo Pelini, Suh was persuaded to stay put. Suh also decided not
to enter last year's NFL draft so that he could complete his senior year at
Nebraska.
And what a great thing it was for Suh and for
every Husker football fan that he stayed! For most of the
2009 season, Suh was the poster child for the Nebraska football
program.
By staying at Nebraska, Suh was able to cap off
his senior year at Nebraska by being named the AP National Player of
the Year and a First Team All American. He also won the Lombardi Award,
Chuck Bednarek Award, the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award and finished
fourth in the Heisman voting. Largely
because of Ndamukong Suh, the Nebraska football program returned to national
prominence.
Suh is projected to be an early draft choice in
this year's NFL draft. In fact, he has a good chance of becoming
Nebraska's first top NFL pick since Irving Fryar in the 1984.
It may be many years before Husker fans see a
player the likes of Ndamukong Suh. All of Husker Pride Worldwide
wishes you all the best!
THE 2009 BETTY WALKER AWARD
David Fiala
Lincoln, NE
This award is given each year in the spirit of
Betty Walker who was a rabid Husker football fan and a big supporter of our men
and women in the military. It was Betty who was the first one to step
up to donate to Husker Dan's Army. She continued to contribute
to HDA even while she was losing her battle
with cancer. Sadly, her long struggle ended in January of
2008. She was the first recipient of the award that now bears her
name.
This year's winner is David Fiala, who is a former
Husker fullback who lettered in '92 and '93. David is the owner of
FuturesOne, a commodities brokerage firm in Lincoln, Nebraska http://www.futuresone.com/ . For the
past several years, David has made it possible for 100s of military veterans,
troopers and their families to enjoy a "Husker Fans' Salute To The
Troops" weekend in Lincoln at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. Our
third annual "Salute" event is scheduled for the weekend of September 18th and
19th. (See www.huskersalute.org,)
David has been a loyal Husker football fan for many
years and we are extremely grateful for all he has done to honor the brave
men and women in the armed forces who have served this great country
of ours. We can think of no one more deserving of this award than
David Fiala.
THE 2009 BEST RADIO COLORMAN
AWARD
Adrian Fiala
Lincoln, NE
This year's winner, Adrian Fiala, has
been associated with Husker football for over 40 years, dating back to the days
when he was a linebacker ('67-'69) for Nebraska under legendary coach, Bob
Devaney. In addition to his football talent, Adrian was also good
enough in baseball to be drafted out of high school by the Baltimore
Orioles. He opted instead, to take a football scholarship to the
University of Nebraska. Adrian has also practiced law and is a
very successful business man in Lincoln, Nebraska.
As most Husker fans
know, Adrian has done color commentary for Husker football and
baseball games for many years. He also has teams with Kevin
Kugler each summer as the color guy on Westwood One's College
World Series broadcasts.
It was therefore stunning when Husker
fans learned recently that Adrian was informed by Dave Witty with
the Husker Sports Network that he (Adrian) would not be coming back as
part of this fall's Husker football broadcast team. And with that
announcement, his 15 year broadcasting career with the University of
Nebraska apparently has ended. What makes Adrian's dismissal
so hard to comphrehend, is that he has always been the consummate
professional. He does his homework; he is dedicated and has been a long
time goodwill ambassador for the University of Nebraska.
But thankfully, Husker fans will still be able to
see Adrian along with co-host Kevin Kugler this fall on
NET's "Big Red Wrap Up" aired weekly during the football season.
All Husker fans congratulate Adrian for his
outstanding Husker broadcasting career and wish him all the best in the
future.
THE 2009 BEST MUSICAL GROUP AWARD
Joyce Durand and the Sidetrack
Band
Omaha, NE
For a very long time, the Sidetrack Band has been a
must see for Husker fans, especially those making their first pilgrimage to
the Mecca of college football in Lincoln. Before (and sometimes
after) each Husker home football game, people line up for blocks for a
chance to see Joyce and The Sidetrack Band perform at the Sidetrack bar in
beautiful downtown Lincoln. The trademark of this band is the funny and
often ribald lyrics they use for their songs.
Grab the kiddos, this ain't a band that's likely
to be seen on "Sesame Street" or "Elmo" any time soon.But for grown-ups who like to
consume copious amounts of adult beverages and love to have a great time,
the Sidetrack Band is what the doctor ordered.
2009 BEST SPORTS SHOW AWARD IN A TV FORMAT
"Big Red Wrap
Up"
This program is televised on NET each week
during the Husker football season. As noted above, Kevin Kugler and Adrian
Fiala are the show's co-hosts. This is the program's third consecutive
Danno award. Keep up the great work!
2009 BEST SPORTS SHOW AWARD IN A RADIO FORMAT
"Unsportsmanlike Conduct" (1620 The
Zone)
Kevin Kugler and Mike'l
Severe
It's no wonder that this radio show continues to
climb in the ratings each year. Co-hosts Kevin Kugler and Mike'l
Severe have found the right mixture of jock-talk, sports interviews
and humor that keep thousands of Husker football fans tuning
in each day. This is "UC's" third consecutive award.
2009 BEST JOCKUMENTARY FILM
"The Blind
Side"
Starring Sandra Bullock, Kathy Bates and Quinton
Aaron.
This movie is based on the true story of
Michael Ohre, who as a teenager, was losing his battle to survive
in a hostile environment filled with gangs and drugs. It looked
as if he was destined to spend the rest of his life there
until Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock, threw him a
lifeline.
While the movie is about football, it's more about
the game of life. It's a film about faith, family, tradition,
honesty, integrity and character. Despite a few cuss
words, "Blind Side" is a movie that the entire family can
enjoy. For her performance in this movie, Sandra Bullock won an
Academy Award for Best Actress.
2009 BEST PATRIOTIC MOVIE
"Taking
Chance"
HBO movie starring Kevin Bacon
This film is an emotional account
of Marine Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon)
who volunteeres to escort the body of Marine Pfc. Chance Phelps
from Dover, Delaware to a small town in Wyoming for burial.
(Pfc. Phelps was killed in action in Iraq.) The
movie is based on a true story. Don't miss this one. I repeat, do
NOT miss this film.
2009 HUSKER SPIRIT AWARDS
The Husker Elvises (http://huskerelvis.net/)
The three Brew brothers who grew up in Alliance,
Nebraska have entertained thousands of Husker fans at Husker home and away
football games for many years. The Brews (minus brother Steve who
recently passed away) wear period Elvis costumes and wigs. They
charm Husker fans by performing classic Elvis Presley tunes sung
with lyrics about Husker football. T.H.E. are great goodwill ambassadors
for Husker football and the state of Nebraska.
Larry The Cable
Guy
Comedian
Lincoln, NE
"Git 'R Done" is what Larry The Cable Guy (Dan
Whitney) has been doing for years. Whitney, from Pawnee City, Nebraska is
the hottest comedian in the business. He draws large, enthusiastic crowds
and commands top dollar for his performances. But as famous as Dan
has become, he has not abandoned his Nebraska roots or his old fashioned
values. He is also a huge supporter of our military and, or
course, Husker football.
Dean Jacobs
Photojournalist
Fremont, NE
One of the best things about writing this
column is getting to meet the great people in and around the world of Husker
football. Dean Jacobs http://www.travel4life.org/ and I
got to know each other this past year because of his work as a sports
photographer for the Fremont Tribune. His pictures of the Husker
football team in action are exceptional.
Dean is also a published author ("Wonderous
Journey"), an educator and a very gifted speaker. He has filmed 45 countries. Perhaps his most
noteworthy assignment was the seven months he spent in Rawanda, South Africa photographing and writing about the
Gorillas Of The Mist as part of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.
We salute Dean Jacobs, a very talented
photojournalist and a great Nebraskan.
The Red Zone
Steve and Sherry Clark
Omaha, NE
The Red Zone (http://www.nebraskaredzone.com/) is
a Husker sports apparel store with locations at Oakview Mall and the Westroads
Mall in Omaha. For the past several years, Red Zopne owner, Steve Clark
and his mother, Sherry have coordinated the shipping and handling of the Husker
Care Packages we send to troopers who are deployed in the Middle
East. To register for Husker Dan's Army, go to Husker[email protected]. The Husker Care Packages are filled with Husker goodies such
as hats, caps, T-shirts, Husker media guides, coins and flags. We
thank Steve and Sherry for their help.
Capt. Jonathan Harvey
Ft. Bragg, NC
Without Jonathan Harvey, our annual "Husker
Fans' Salute To The Troops" event would not have been possible. Jonathan,
who grew up in Nebraska City, has devoted countless hours of his
time to ensure the success of our annual "Salute" celebrations.
Jonathan also just returned from Haiti where he spent long hours helping
the citizens of that country recover from the devastating effects
of the earthquake that left most of that country in
ruins. We salute you, Jonathan!
Send your comments to [email protected]. For past Husker Dan columns, click here.