Jun 16, 2021

Cornhusker Athletics ready to welcome back fans

Posted Jun 16, 2021 7:00 PM
L-R: Mattie Fowler, Husker Athletic Fund;  Armon Gates, Mens Basketball Assistant Coach;  Mark Manning, Head Wrestling Coach;  Bill Moos, Nebraska Athletic Director
L-R: Mattie Fowler, Husker Athletic Fund;  Armon Gates, Mens Basketball Assistant Coach;  Mark Manning, Head Wrestling Coach;  Bill Moos, Nebraska Athletic Director

By: Mike Glesinger

Welcome back Cornhusker Fans! It feels good to say that and looking forward to seeing  100% capacity at Nebraska venues this sports season!  

The Big Red Blitz 2021, made a stop in Alliance, Wednesday morning to talk about and promote the University of Nebraska and it's athletic programs. Cornhusker Men's basketball Assistant Coach Armon Gates, Head Wrestling Coach Mark Manning and Athletic Director Bill Moos were all on hand,  along with Mattie Fowler of the Husker Athletic Fund and former Softball player who served as the emcee.  First National Bank-Omaha hosted the event at Newberry's. 

Mattie Fowler introduced the special guests and began the morning giving a rundown of the success of all Nebraska Athletic teams this year, despite the challenges of Covid-19. 

Armon Gates is beginning his 4th season as an assistant mens basketball coach under former coach Tim Miles and now under Fred Hoiberg.  Coach Gates talked about coming to Nebraska from Northwestern and how he always felt that Pinnacle Bank Arena was one of the top places to play not only in the Big 10 Conference but in the country, giving Nebraska a huge home court advantage.   He talked about how he decided to come to Nebraska because of the culture and support that was in place to give athletes the best shot at being successful and how Nebraska has put together a top 15 recruiting class, which he says will blend in with the returning players to give the Huskers the best continuity, they have had in recent years.  

Wrestling Coach Mark Manning has had one of the most successful careers as a Cornhusker coach.  He has produced 61 All Americans, along with numerous Conference, NCAA and Olympic Champions in his 21 seasons.  Even with Covid restrictions in place, the Huskers went 8-1 in duals and finished 3rd in the Big 10 this year.  Manning said his philosophy has always been..."recruit and develop" and the goal is to catch up and surpass, conference leaders Iowa and Penn State...and Nebraska is getting closer each season.  Husker wrestling is also welcoming an excellent class of recruits along with good numbers coming back and Manning says he will continue to recruit within Nebraska.

Athletic Director Bill Moos is beginning his 4th year heading up Nebraska Athletic's.  2020 has been a challenging and at times maddening year.  Moos said the athletic offices resembled a ghost town at times and some very difficult decisions had to be made.  Moos said that how Nebraska navigated this crisis would define us.  The Athletic Department was looking at a potential  $100 million dollar loss of revenue.  The difficult decision was made to eliminate 17 full time positions and furlough 51 others and put in a 10% salary reduction accross the board.   When football was cancelled that meant an even larger loss.   Moos said Nebraska had a football schedule in place, for a young team  to be successful last season. Then decisions were made to cancel football.   Moos said he probably removed himself from Big 10 Commissioner Kevin Warren's Christmas card list, when he fought to play a football season, after The Big 10 voted not to play.   Moos said he told the Commisioner..."Nebraska needs Football...and Football needs Nebraska!"   Moos said Nebraska and Ohio State were the only teams that argued to play.  The Conference then voted to play a Big 10 only schedule with no fans and no tailgating,  while other  conferences played their entire season.   Dispite a non-favorable schedule,  no fans and limited conference support,   The Huskers played through and finished strong.  Moos said.." I am proud of what we did."

Moos also praised the Nebraska Baseball team on their recent Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Head Coach Will Bolt was Conference coach of the year, Spencer Schwellenbach, Player of the Year and Max Anderson, Freshman of the Year. The Huskers were hindered a bit with a conference only schedule and a difficult draw in regional play, but took top rated Arkansas down to a final, winner take all game before their season ended.  Moos said he hopes the Big 10 will make baseball a higher priority in the future and is looking to upgrade the baseball practice facilities. 

Moos said he is also excited about the new Athletic complex that is being built just outside Memorial Stadium, that will be state of the art,  for not only football, but all athletic programs. 

Several questions came up regarding Nebraska and the Big 10. Moos responded..."We are in the Big 10, we need to compete in the Big 10 and be in position to win in the Big 10.  He said, "I have hired eleven coaches since I have been here...all big time,   and we have everything in place to be successful in this conference and on a national level.  Moos said, we are looking forward to welcoming our fans back and also, the Cornhusker Marching Band,  Cheerleaders and the entire student body to all of our venues.  "We are ready to take care of business!"

Nebraska Cornhuskers Huskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers Huskers