Bay Area Husker ENews 3-8-07

Hey Bay Area Husker Fans!

We had a great Founders Day event last month! Jamie Williams was a huge hit with the more than 50 Bay Area Huskers in attendance. He provided wonderful insight into not only his college/pro football career and the movie industry, but he gave us a real touchstone discussion about being a role model, his quest for more education (he's a PhD for those that didn't know) and why being FROM Nebraska (and Iowa) was so important to him and other Husker players in their day-to-day lives.

Although there is a lot of info below about the various athletic teams competing right now...especially a number of women's athletic programs, its important to note that the University's Athletic Department lost a true champion yesterday with the passing of Dr. Barbara Hibner (see article below). Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

The Mission Chamber Orchestra is holding their last concert of the season on April 28th, and our own Emily Ray (wife of Mike Ray, Chapter Historian) is the conductor for this wonderful orchestra. See the info below for more details and how to purchase tickets.

And for those that haven't seen it, there is a little Husker Humor at the end of the email courtesy of a dear Dear Abby column about Weddings in Football country...should bring a smile to your face.

And don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday since they started Daylight Savings Time three weeks early this year.

Go Big Red (White and Blue),
Carl

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NEBRASKA ATHLETIC TRAILBLAZER - DR. BARBARA HIBNER PASSES AWAY...

Dr. Hibner was honored in 2000 with the NU Athletic Department’s first Trailblazer Award, which will be renamed in her honor.
Dr. Barbara Hibner

Lincoln, Neb.

Sept. 26, 1941 - March 7, 2007

A true champion for women’s athletics, the University of Nebraska Athletic Department lost a loyal friend and trailblazer today. Dr. Barbara Hibner, 65, passed away this morning in her home after fighting a valiant battle with cancer.

Born on Sept. 26, 1941, in Gettysburg, Pa., Dr. Barbara A. Hibner has been a Nebraskan for nearly three decades.

Before her retirement, Hibner had been a valuable member of the Husker Athletic Department for 28 years, leading the way for thousands of young women as they boldly and proudly succeeded as varsity student-athletes.

University of Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson said, “Today, I have lost a dear friend. When she arrived in 1978, few could have imagined the impact she would have on Nebraska athletics. She gave Nebraska her talents and her heart. We will always be indebted.”

Dr. Hibner hired many of Nebraska’s women’s coaches, including Rhonda Revelle as head softball coach in 1993. Revelle said of her mentor and friend, “There is absolutely no beginning or end to the love, admiration and respect that I have for Barbara. ‘Dr. H’ has been my role model, my compass, my mentor and most of all...my friend. She has been my greatest supporter, enthusiastic teacher, wisest counsel, and loyal confidant.

“She gave me and Nebraska Women’s Athletics every piece of knowledge and every ounce of energy she had. Most of all, Dr. Hibner has taught us all to lead by word and by example. She will be greatly missed, but her presence will forever be evident in each of our women’s athletic programs here at Nebraska.”

Dr. Hibner came to Nebraska after serving as a successful teacher, coach and athletic administrator at both the high school and collegiate levels. She began her Husker career as Nebraska’s Assistant Women’s Athletic Director from 1978 to 1985. She served as the Women’s Athletic Director from 1985 to 1994 and finished her career as associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator from 1994 to her retirement in December of 2005.

Hibner was responsible for NCAA compliance for the entire athletic program, and also coordinated and directed special events, including conference and women’s NCAA in women’s basketball, gymnastics, softball, volleyball, soccer, swimming and diving and tennis. Most recently, she served as the tournament director for the first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Volleyball Tournament at the NU Coliseum and the 2005 NCAA Softball Regional at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln. She proudly worked behind the scenes as Nebraska women’s teams won nine national championships.

A graduate of Gettysburg High School, Dr. Hibner’s start as an administrator coincided with the official start of the Title IX Educational Amendment of 1972. After graduating from Penn State University in 1964, Hibner taught high school in Pennsylvania and New York, coaching basketball, tennis and softball. After earning her master’s from State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland, she moved to SUNY Binghamton to assume coaching, teaching and administrative tasks. She earned her Ph.D. from Texas Women’s University and assumed the duties of women’s athletic director, professor of physical education and coach at Simpson College in Iowa.

In support of women’s athletics, Hibner saw the Nebraska Athletic department grow from 10 women’s varsity sports in 1978 to the current 13 sports, which leads the Big 12 Conference, providing Nebraska women 117 scholarship opportunities.

A tireless supporter of sports for all ages, Hibner established events in Lincoln for women’s gymnastics, women’s basketball and volleyball. Hibner was responsible for the partnership between the women’s athletic department and DARE in 1989 that encouraged student-athlete involvement in community service projects. She received the lifetime achievement award from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office in May of 2004.

“Dr. H,” as she is fondly termed by many student-athletes and peers, would say she never “worked” a day in her life, and never wanted credit for paving the way for women in athletics. Yet, she received numerous honors.

Hibner was selected to receive the Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award from the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2003. She was chosen as the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators District VII Administrator of the Year in 1997.

The National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women named Hibner the 1998-99 Region III Administrator of the Year. Hibner, who received the YWCA Tribute to Women award in 1994, was honored in 2000 with the Nebraska Athletic Department’s first Trailblazer Award, an honor that will be renamed in her honor this spring upon its sixth presentation.

Leaving behind a legacy well documented in print as well, Hibner supervised the annual publication of the student-athlete handbook and was the senior editor of the letterwinners directory, “107 Years of Letterwinners at Nebraska,” in 1997. She also published the first staff policy and procedures manual for the women’s athletic department, and was the driving force in the creation of Nebraska’s mascot, “Lil’ Red,” in 1994.

Extremely active in the community, Big Eight and Big 12 Conference as well as on NCAA Committees, Hibner was an active member of the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification and served a five-year term as a peer reviewer. She also completed service as chairwoman of the Big 12 Conference Board of Senior Woman Administrators in September of 1999, and was a member of the Big 12’s Administrative and Television Committees.

She was a member of the National Association for Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators. Hibner previously was a member of the National Association of Athletic Marketing and Development and the National Association of Athletics Compliance Coordinators.

Dr. Hibner was also a member of the American Association of University Women, and the softball, women’s basketball and volleyball coaches associations, and was a member of the NCAA Women’s Committee on Committees from 1989 to 1991. She was chairperson of the NCAA Division I Midwest Softball Advisory Committee and a member of the NCAA Division I Softball Committee from 1999 to 2003 and served as director of the Women’s College World Series in 1991.

A true friend of nature, in her rare moments away from athletics, Dr. Hibner loved spending time fishing, gardening, and being with family and friends.

Hibner served on the Board of Directors of the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union for six years, and was a past president of the University of Nebraska Association for Administrative Development.

Barbara is survived by her mother, Welma N. Wagaman (Hanover, Pa), her father, Murry E. Hibner (Oceanside, Calif.), and her seven brothers and sisters: Gary D. Hibner (Roseville, Mich.), Nancy J. Hill (Des Moines, Iowa), Richard W. Wagaman, Jr. (Bartlett, Tenn.), Susan L. Baublitz (Abbottstown, Pa.), Peggy D. Beard (Hanover, Pa.), Lynda K. Racer (Hanover, Pa.), and Robin Barton (York, Pa.). She is preceded in death by her brother Bobby E. Wagaman, who greeted Barbara in Heaven. Barbara also has nine nephews, nine nieces, 16 great nephews and 15 great nieces.

The funeral and burial will be Monday, March 12 in McSherrystown, Pa. A Celebration of Life will be held on the University of Nebraska campus the following week. Details of both will be announced as soon as available.

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UNIVERSITY CLOSED BY WINTER STORM...

Lincoln - The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (was) closed Thursday, March 1, because of a winter storm in the area, University officials announced. All classes and non-athletic events (were) canceled and all offices and clinics (were) closed as well.

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DORN, HUSKERS STOP STETSON...

DJ Belfonte scored twice in NU's win over Stetson
Deland, Fla. -- Johnny Dorn allowed two runs over eight-plus innings, while Andrew Brown’s two-run single sparked a five-run, fifth-inning outburst, as No. 17 Nebraska posted a 6-2 victory over Stetson Monday afternoon.

Dorn, who moved into fourth place on NU’s career wins chart with his 24th career win, scattered five hits over eight frames to improve to 2-1 on the season. The junior right-hander struck out four and took a shutout into the eighth in a 110-pitch effort.

"I was really, really pleased with the performance of Johnny Dorn," Anderson said. "Our team needed Johnny to pitch well, and this team needed a win after yesterday. He was a spark for us and he was just outstanding on the mound. To see (Steve) Edlefsen come in and pitch well gave us two outstanding pitching performances today."

The Huskers, who improved to 6-4 on the season, were held to five hits, but took advantage of their opportunities, getting four of the hits in the fifth, including a two-run single by Brown and an RBI single by Jake Opitz, while Craig Corriston’s ninth-inning RBI single gave NU a five-run cushion.

"I liked what our offense showed," Anderson said. "The numbers didn’t show it, but we hit the ball well and Brown and Corriston had some big hits for us allowed us to do things."

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HUSKERS FALL TWICE IN FLORIDA...

Jake Opitz homered twice and drove in seven runs in two games on Sunday.
Deland, Fla. – Jake Opitz homered twice and drove in seven runs on the day, but the Huskers dropped a pair of games at the Stetson Invitational Sunday afternoon. The Huskers, who dipped to 5-4 on the season, saw an 8-0 lead evaporate in a 12-8 loss to Iowa before dropping a 16-6 setback to Notre Dame in the nightcap.

Head Coach Mike Anderson didn’t mince words in describing the Huskers’ performances on Sunday.

"Not many things went right for us today," Anderson said. "I was very surprised by our lack of competitiveness. That is something that has not been a trait of our teams, and we did not have it today. We allowed Iowa to scratch and claw back and we weren’t competitive against Notre Dame. There is no excuse for that, and we need to be accountable for the way we played."

Not only did the Huskers lose a pair of games, but also lost starting center fielder Bryce Nimmo to an injury in first inning of the nightcap. Nimmo collided with right fielder DJ Belfonte on Brett Lilley’s triple to right center and was motionless for several minutes as both teams’ medical staffs tried to assist the Husker outfielder. Nimmo was taken to a local hospital and was later released after being diagnosed with a concussion and a shoulder injury.

"Bryce will be out for a little while," Anderson said. "There was a collision, but we weren’t sure if the collision that caused the injury was with JD or after he hit the ground."

Nimmo’s injury was a harbinger of a long afternoon for the Huskers in the nightcap, as Notre Dame put five runs on the board in the frame and chased starter Drew Bowman. Base hits by A.J. Pollock, Ross Brezovsky and Matt Weglarz made it a 3-0 game before a passed ball and sacrifice fly gave Notre Dame a 5-0 cushion.

"We let the momentum of one game go into the next one," Anderson said.

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OPITZ NAMED BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK...

Dallas -- University of Nebraska second baseman Jake Opitz was named Big 12 Player of the Week Monday for his performance at the Rice Invitational over the weekend. It is the first weekly honor for Opitz, a junior from Littleton, Colo.

Opitz hit .600 (6-for-10) with five runs scored, one RBI and a pair of doubles in helping the Huskers to a 2-1 week, highlighted by a win over nationally-ranked Florida Atlantic. Optiz, who also drew three weeks, finished the weekend with a .692 on-base percentage. Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, he went 3-for-4, scored three times and went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks against sixth-ranked Rice on Saturday.

Opitz and the Huskers stayed seventh in the Collegiate Baseball poll and jumped from 19th to 18th in the Baseball America poll released Monday. The Huskers return to action on Friday when they travel to Deland, Fla., for the Stetson Invitational, where they will face Iowa, Notre Dame and the host Hatters.

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HUSKERS CLIP OWLS, 8-7...

Houston – Ryan Wehrle went 2-for-4 and drove in three runs, while four relievers combined on three innings of shutout relief, helping the seventh-ranked Nebraska baseball team to an 8-7 victory over No. 27 Florida Atlantic Sunday afternoon at the Rice Invitational.

Wehrle belted his second homer of the year to highlight NU’s 13-hit outburst, while Andrew Brown and Andy Gerch enjoyed three-hit days for NU, which improved to 5-2 on the season and closed the tournament with a 2-1 record.

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OMAHA TO HOST 2007 AVCA VOLLEYBALL SHOWCASE...

College volleyball’s premier preseason event comes to Omaha for the second time, as the AVCA announced that Qwest Center Omaha will host the 2007 AVCA Showcase. The event features defending national champion Nebraska, along with national semifinalist UCLA and NCAA qualifiers Tennessee and Utah.

The Showcase first-round matches will be UCLA versus Utah, followed by Nebraska versus Tennessee on Friday, August 24. The consolation and championship matches will be played the following night, August 25. Times for matches on both dates will be announced at a later date.

“The AVCA Showcase is the premier event in the United States for college volleyball outside of the NCAA Championships, and we have proven that there is no place like Nebraska to play major events,” said Nebraska head coach John Cook. “The community embraces the sport of volleyball, and the players and fans of all four teams in the AVCA Showcase will get to experience a first-class event with huge crowds and a Final Four-type atmosphere.”

The Huskers are making their sixth AVCA Showcase appearance and have won the event in 2001 and 2005. Nebraska, which finished 33-1 in 2006, returns five starters, including AVCA National Player of the Year Sarah Pavan and All-Americans Rachel Holloway, Jordan Larson and Tracy Stalls along with 2005 AVCA National Player of the Year Christina Houghtelling, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

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A FRESH START ON FASHION A SUCCESS...(probably a little too fru-fru for most Husker fans!)...

Heisman Trophy winners Eric Crouch and Johnny Rodgers joined Head Coach Bill Callahan as models at the Fresh Start fashion show.

Despite the wintry weather, Coach Callahan Charities and Fresh Start provided a peek into spring’s newest styles with the first annual Coach Callahan Charities: A Fresh Start on Fashion spring fashion show. More than 300 people attended the event, which was held Friday evening at the Rococo Theater (134 No. 13th) in downtown Lincoln.

The evening began at 6 p.m. with a social hour and silent auction, in which several unique and exclusive items and packages were up for bid. Favorites included a “USC Game-day Husker Experience Ticket Package,” which gave the winning bidders the opportunity to attend the Sept. 15, 2007 football game and be on the field during the Tunnel Walk; autographed items from Nebraska’s three Heisman Trophy winners and current Chicago White Sox outfielder Darin Erstad, among other items. A raffle was also held for two fantastic prizes. The grand prize was a “Journey Necklace” of eight Lazare Diamonds, totaling one carat, donated by Wright’s Jewelers, while the second-place prize was a package featuring two tickets to the Oct. 20, 2007 Nebraska vs. Texas A&M football game with pregame sideline passes.

Two of the three Nebraska Heisman winners – Johnny Rodgers (1972) and Eric Crouch (2001) – were on hand for autographs and pictures with attendees. The photos were available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going toward Fresh Start.

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RUDOLF NAMED HUSKER ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH...

Nebraska added Joe Rudolph to its coaching staff on Tuesday. Rudolph will coach Nebraska's tight ends.

Nebraska Head Coach Bill Callahan announced on Tuesday that Joe Rudolph has been hired to fill the open assistant position on the Husker offensive staff. Callahan has also announced that third-year assistant coach Ted Gilmore will take over the role of recruiting coordinator for the Nebraska staff.

Rudolph will coach the Nebraska tight ends and joins the Huskers after spending the past three seasons at Ohio State. In 2006, Rudolph was a member of the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning staff, where he developed position-specific training for OSU’s tight ends, offensive linemen and fullbacks. Prior to spending this past season as part of the Buckeyes’ strength and conditioning unit, Rudolph spent two seasons on Coach Jim Tressel’s staff as a graduate assistant with the Buckeye offense.

The Buckeyes had great success while Rudolph was part of the program. In 2006, Ohio State compiled a perfect 12-0 regular season before losing to Florida in the BCS National Championship Game. While serving as a graduate assistant, Rudolph helped guide the Buckeyes to a trip to the Alamo Bowl in 2004. He also assisted with the Ohio State offense in 2005, as the Buckeyes finished ranked fourth nationally with a 10-2 record, including a victory over Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

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TEXANS AGREE TO TERMS WITH AHMAN GREEN...

The Houston Texans agreed to terms with free agent running back Ahman Green on Sunday.

The 30-year-old former Green Bay Packer will likely become the starter for a team that struggled at the position last season after Domanick Williams; formerly Davis; missed the year with knee problems.

For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:

http://journalstar.com/articles/2007/03/05/sports/
doc45ec5a3751ca3780306146.txt

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HUSKER NFL HOPEFULS WORK OUT FOR SCOUTS...

Defensive end Adam Carriker performs position drills during Wednesday's Pro Day at the Hawks Center.

More than a dozen former Husker football players showcased their physical ability and football skills for NFL scouts on Wednesday afternoon at Nebraska's Pro Day at the Hawks Championship Center.

The event attracted more than 30 NFL scouts and team representatives to Lincoln. Eleven members of Nebraska's 2006 Big 12 North Championship team worked out for the scouts.

Among the players performing for the scouts were the five Huskers who participated in the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month--defensive ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore, linebacker Stewart Bradley, quarterback Zac Taylor and running back Brandon Jackson.

In addition, six other members of last year's Husker team got their first opportunity to impress NFL scouts including defensive linemen Ola Dagunduro and Barry Cryer, tight end Matt Herian, fullback Dane Todd, safety Andrew Shanle and long snapper Lane Kelly. Former Huskers Josh Sewell and Donald DeFrand also worked out at the event.

The players were tested in the 40-yard dash, shuttle run, vertical jump and bench press, while several of the players participated in position-specific drills. The National Football League will holds its draft on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29.

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NU SOFTBALL WRAPS UP TOURNAMENT PLAY THIS WEEKEND...

Sophomore Darcy Rutherford ranks second on the team with a .370 average.
After traveling to Hawaii, Georgia and Nevada, the Nebraska softball team will stay closer to home this weekend, finishing the road portion of its season-opening five-tournament schedule by heading south to Wichita, Kan., for the Shocker Invitational.

Joining the 10-7 Huskers in the Sunflower State will be Minnesota, Western Illinois and host Wichita State. NU will face the Golden Gophers and Westerwinds twice on Friday and Saturday, before playing a lone game against the Shockers on Sunday.

This weekend will also mark NU’s first radio games of the season. In a late addition made possible by the Husker Sports Network, all five games are scheduled to air, free of charge, on Huskers.com. In the unlikely event that Nebraska baseball and both basketball teams play in the same time window as a softball game, the softball game would not air.

After finishing a third straight tournament at one game above .500, Nebraska is looking for more this weekend. In each of the past two tournaments, a single day has spoiled the weekend, as the Huskers dropped both games on the first day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic and lost a pair of Saturday contests last weekend at the UNLV Invitational.

To finish with a better record this weekend, the Huskers will have to improve at beating a team for a second time. Nebraska has already played four teams twice, posting a 4-4 record in those games. NU was swept in two games at Hawaii and defeated then-No. 18 Auburn twice, but against Portland State and DePaul, the Huskers were winners in the first meeting before being shut out in losses the second time the teams met.

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FOUR-RUN EIGHTH LIFTS NU PAST NO. 18 CAL...

Senior Ashley DeBuhr improved to 3-1 against ranked opponents this season with the victory over No. 18 Cal.

Las Vegas, Nev. – Senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr continued her mastery of ranked teams and the Husker offense erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth as the 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team upset No. 18 Cal, 5-1, on Sunday in the final game of the UNLV Invitational.

With the win, Nebraska finished the tournament with a 3-2 record after recording two victories on Sunday. The Huskers (10-7) are now 4-1 this season against ranked teams, with two of the victories and the lone loss all coming in extra innings.

DeBuhr (5-3) earned the victory, her third win against a ranked opponent this season. The Beatrice, Neb., native did not allow an earned run while striking out 12 in a complete-game, three-hit performance. DeBuhr became more dominant as the game progressed as she allowed just one hit after the second inning.

In four complete games against ranked foes this year DeBuhr is 3-1 with a 0.45 ERA. She has not allowed an earned run through the first seven innings in each of those starts. Overall, DeBuhr has surrendered only two earned runs in 31.1 innings versus top-25 opponents while allowing only 12 hits and posting 38 strikeouts.

HUSKERS DEFEAT HORNETS, 2-1...

Las Vegas, Nev. – The 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team rebounded from a pair of tough losses on Saturday to post a 2-1 victory over Delaware State in the first of two games Sunday at the UNLV Invitational.

Despite being outhit, 7-4, Nebraska evened its record at 2-2 at the tournament while improving to 9-7 overall. The Huskers were helped by their patience at the plate and speed on the basepaths, as NU drew a season-high five walks and added five stolen bases, one shy of its season high.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill (3-4) picked up her second victory of the season, tossing 4.2 innings of shutout relief. Hill allowed just three hits while striking out three. Freshman right-hander Alex Hupp made her third career start and surrendered one run on four hits in 2.1 innings.

FRESNO STATE RALLIES PAST NEBRASKA...

Las Vegas - The 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, only to see Fresno State rally for three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 3-2 victory over the Huskers on Saturday at the UNLV Invitational.

Nebraska (8-7) lost for the fourth time this season when leading after three innings of play. In 2006, Nebraska lost only four times all season when taking a lead into the middle innings. Senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr (4-3) took the loss, allowing three runs on 10 hits in five innings of work.

Fresno State improved to 11-6 with the victory. Robin Mackin, a star pitcher for Team Canada which is coached by NU associate head coach Lori Sippel, earned the victory allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in a complete-game effort.

NU'S WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT FOUR...

Las Vegas, Nev. – In a game where offense was at a premium, DePaul was the more opportunistic team as the Blue Demons avenged an early-season loss to Nebraska by defeating the 23rd-ranked Huskers, 2-0, Saturday at the UNLV Invitational.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill (2-4) was the hard-luck loser for Nebraska (8-6). Tossing her second complete game in as many days, Hill allowed only two runs (one earned) on four hits, while working around a pair of Husker errors. She also added nine strikeouts, but walked four.

Becca Heteniak improved to 3-2 on the season by tossing her first career shutout. DePaul picked up its fifth straight victory with the win and improved to 11-5 on the season.

Although neither team had many scoring chances - there were only seven combined hits - DePaul parlayed its four hits into two runs, while Nebraska was shut out for the second time this season. The Huskers had their chances as they got their leadoff runner aboard in five of the seven innings and had at least one baserunner in six frames. NU left seven runners on base but was only able to advance one runner past second base.

HUSKERS EARN 4TH STRAIGHT VICTORY...

Las Vegas, Nev. – A delayed arrival of more than 14 hours and a delayed start of more than one hour did nothing to slow the 23rd-ranked Nebraska softball team, as the Huskers opened the UNLV Invitational with a 5-2 victory over Southern Utah late Friday night.

Nebraska’s fourth straight win was the capper to a whirlwind 36 hours for the Huskers, who had a Thursday flight out of Omaha canceled, then bused to Kansas City for a 6:30 flight Friday morning and arrived in Las Vegas at 7:45 a.m. before having to wait until a 9:22 p.m. first pitch.

Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill improved to 2-3 on the season with her second win in as many games. Hill allowed only three balls to leave the infield while tossing a complete-game two-hitter. She allowed just one earned run and struck out 12, but also surrendered six walks.

With the win, Nebraska improved to 8-5 on the season, while Southern Utah fell to 8-9. Bobbi Jo Merrill (1-1) took the loss for the Thunderbirds, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3.0 innings of work.

PORTER'S BLAST POWERS HUSKERS PAST BULLDOGS...

Columbus, Ga. – Sophomore right-hander Molly Hill picked up her first win of the season and senior Devin Porter hit her first home run of the year to lift the 21st-ranked Nebraska softball team to the bronze bracket championship with a 2-1 victory over No. 18 Georgia in the final game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

Hill (1-3) had her best outing of the year, tossing a complete-game three-hitter and not allowing an earned run. She also added six strikeouts and was able to work around four walks, including three leadoff walks.

Hill’s work in the circle set the stage for Porter, who launched a towering solo home run to left field with one out in the seventh inning to power the Huskers to their third victory over a top-25 opponent this season.

NU LOSES HEARTBREAKER TO NO. 20 FLORIDA STATE...

Columbus, Ga. – After stranding 17 runners through a scoreless first eight innings, the 21st-ranked Nebraska softball team finally converted a run in the top of the ninth, only to see No. 20 Florida State rally with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the inning to claim a 2-1 victory.

On the game, Nebraska stranded a season-high 18 runners, while the Seminoles left just three on base. NU left the bases loaded four times and stranded two runners in two other innings. The Huskers pounded out 11 hits to just four from Florida State, but in the end it was FSU’s two final hits that made the difference.

Despite squandering numerous scoring opportunities, Nebraska was able to get to extra frames thanks to the work of senior right-hander Ashley DeBuhr in the circle. DeBuhr took a two-hit shutout into the ninth inning before surrendering the two home runs.

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HUSKER GYMNASTS HUNT FOR DUAL WIN OVER GOPHERS THIS WEEKEND...


Junior Stephen Tétrault and the Huskers welcome Minnesota to the Devaney Center this Sunday.

The No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team remains in Lincoln this weekend, as it hosts eighth-ranked Minnesota at 2 p.m. this Sunday, March 11 at the Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers will be joined by the eighth-ranked Nebraska women, which play host to No. 13 Iowa State in a double dual. Sunday marks fans’ final chance to the see the Nebraska men and women in a double dual this year. Fans unable to attend can watch live stats for both the NU men and women by going to Huskers.com.

The Huskers are 0-2 at home this season and will be hunting for their first dual win against the Gophers on Sunday. NU’s highest team marks of the year have both come at home, and the Huskers are on pace to better those scores once more against Minnesota. Sunday’s dual against the Gophers is one of two final chances for Nebraska to improve its national qualifying score, which can include as many as two home totals.

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HUSKERS SNAG SEASON-HIGH IN LOSS TO STANFORD...

Lincoln – Despite battling an injury-plagued lineup, the No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team notched a season-high team score of 206.30 in its loss to No. 5 Stanford (216.85) Sunday afternoon at the Devaney Center.

A string of injuries to the Husker freshman class over the last two weeks left Nebraska able to put a full six-man lineup on just four events. Despite the setbacks, Nebraska still managed its team best performance behind high scores on the pommel horse (35.35), vault (34.95) and parallel bars (35.40).

“We had a skeleton crew out there this afternoon, and the team was still able to pull together and overcome those obstacles,” head coach Francis Allen said. “If we get some of those injured athletes back, we’re going to be an impressive young team toward the end of the season.”

Much of NU’s success is owned to a trio of Nebraska natives, senior Jason Wassung, junior Stephen Tétrault and sophomore T.J. Schmidt, who have continually spearheaded the Husker efforts in 2007. Wassung claimed the runner-up spot in the all-around with a season-high score of 52.80, followed by Tétrault in third (51.20). Schmidt captured Nebraska’s lone event title of the afternoon with his a score of 9.25 on the parallel bars, his fourth title of the season.

“Jason, Stephen and T.J. had proven time and again that we can rely on them to perform,” Allen said. “It’s nice to have that kind of leadership on such a young team. They continue to get better every meet, and I look for them to keep going on that path over the next few weeks.”


NEBRASKA OPENS THREE-MEET HOMESTAND AGAINST STANFORD...

The No. 10 Nebraska men’s gymnastics team returns to Lincoln this weekend for the first meet of a three-week homestand beginning with No. 5 Stanford on Sunday, March 4 at 2 p.m. The Huskers will be joined by the seventh-ranked Nebraska women, which play host to No. 5 Utah in the second of three double duals this season. Fans can watch live stats for both the NU men and women by going to Huskers.com.

The Huskers are 0-1 at home this season after falling to Oklahoma, 205.95-213.30, on Feb. 2. Despite the loss, NU’s score was its highest of the 2007 season, and the Huskers will be looking to improve on that mark this weekend.

This is the second run-in between NU and the Cardinal this season, as Nebraska traveled to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Open on Jan. 27. That meet ended in a 202.90-209.95 Cardinal win, improving Stanford’s undefeated streak against the Huskers to 5-0.

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WASSUNG NAMED MPSF CO-GYMNAST OF THE WEEK...

Senior Jason Wassung earned his first MPSF Gymnast of the Week title on Feb. 27.
Lincoln – Senior Jason Wassung was named this week’s co-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Gymnast of the Week on Tuesday, sharing the title with Oklahoma’s Jonathan Horton.

Wassung’s award comes following an outstanding meet at Iowa on Feb. 24 that saw him capture the fourth all-around title of his career with a season-high score of 52.50. He also won the high bar (8.50), and finished third on the floor exercise (9.00), pommel horse (8.55) and still rings (9.20). Wassung’s scores on the pommel horse and rings were both season highs.

Five meets into the season, Wassung has finished either first or second in the all-around each time, including earning a pair of all-around titles. Nebraska’s only fourth-year competitor, Wassung has also set career-high marks on the parallel bars (9.40) and high bar (9.20), and owns an event title on each apparatus.

This is Wassung’s first gymnast of the week honor of the season and the third of his career after the Lincoln native earned a pair of awards during his sophomore season in 2005. This is also the second MPSF Gymnast of the Week selection for the Huskers in 2007, as sophomore T.J. Schmidt earned the award on Jan. 23.

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HUSKERS EDGED BY HAWKEYES IN IOWA...

Iowa City, Iowa – The ninth-ranked Nebraska gymnastics team dropped a nail biter to the Iowa Hawkeyes, 205.05-204.20, on Saturday in Iowa City. This is the second dual between the two programs that has been decided by less than a point, as Iowa topped Nebraska, 209.60-209.45, last season.

Despite the loss, Nebraska earned four individual event titles, including a pair from sophomore T.J. Schmidt on the pommel horse (8.85) and parallel bars (8.95). Schmidt shared his parallel bars crown with junior Stephen Tétrault (8.95), while freshman Tony Maras added Nebraska’s third title with a 9.45 on the still rings. Maras’ score is the highest on any event for Nebraska in 2007.

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NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND...

* Hagel Will Announce Political Plans Monday

Thank goodness. The speculation about his influence on the 2008
presidential race will take on a new dimension - one way or another. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/08/45f042ee8f689

* Two Men Murdered In Grand Island - A Third Is Sought By Police

Bad business. The third guy is accused of stealing a car. The cops would appreciate your help. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/08/45f04fab45b6f

* Medders Leads Iowa State Past NU Women, 79-76 In OT

A heck of a player from ISU contributed much to the undoing of the Huskers in the Big 12 tournament. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/08/45f02142b3453

* Huskers Defeat Oklahoma State - Look To Big 12 Tournament This Week

Good on the Husker men.
http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/06/45ed77c32e0f1

* Creighton Defeats SIU, Wins MVC Title, Heads For NCAA Tourney

Go Jays! This piece will link you to a lot of stories from writers outside Nebraska. Interesting to know what they have to say - and they say good things. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/05/45ec595825097

* City Council Will Vote On Override Of Concealed-Carry

A mayor vetoes a concealed-carry ordinance. A city council will decide whether to enact it over the mayor's objections. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/
ART/2007/03/05/45ec5cc4c2504

* Milliken Urges Lawmakers To Recommend NU Budget Increase

What's good for NU is said to be good for all of Nebraska. http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/
2007/03/07/45ef20366cc15

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MISSION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS "CLASSICAL SPLENDOR" WITH PIANIST JON NAKAMATSU...

San Jose, California — The Mission Chamber Orchestra (conducted by our own Emily Ray) brings its adventurous 2006/2007 season to an end with a tribute to the classics. One of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, Jon Nakamatsu, a California native, joins MCO to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 1. The evening will also include Mozart's eloquent Symphony no. 38, and an overture by the young Spanish contemporary of Beethoven, Juan Arriaga.

Concert Details


Event: The Mission Chamber Orchestra: Classical Splendor

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2007

Time: 8:00pm

Pre-concert lecture begins at 7:15
There will be a 15-minute question and answer session immediately following concert

Location: Le Petit Trianon, 72 N. 5th Street, San Jose

Conductor: Emily Ray

Soloist: Jon Nakamatsu, pianist

Parking: Free. Suggest parking in lot near corner of N. 5th and St. John.



Program:

· Beethoven Piano Concerto #1 with Jon Nakamatsu, pianist

· Arriaga Overture to Los Esclavos Felices with artwork from Monta Vista High School art students

· Mozart Symphony no 38, K.504 in D major, "Prague"



Tickets:
Advanced ticket purchases available online: http://missionchamber.org/cat_season.php

Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.



Tickets purchased at the door*: $32 general, $25 seniors & students, $5 children under 12

*subject to availability



MCO Phone: 408-236-3350
Website: www.missionchamber.org



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HUSKER HUMOR...

DEAR ABBY COLUMN ABOUT NEBRASKA FOOTBALL AND WEDDINGS...(thanks to many of you who sent me copies of this article, and to Roman for sending me the electronic version)

Dear Abby More Dear Abby

In Wedding vs. Football, Guess Which Wins Toss?

CORNHUSKER FANS HAVE THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT ON GAME DAY

DEAR ABBY: When I first read the letter from "Wounded Bride" (Jan. 6), whose father left immediately after her wedding ceremony to watch a football game on television, I thought, "What an insensitive, inconsiderate boor!" However, when I saw the signature, "Wounded Bride in Nebraska," I laughed.

I was born and raised in Nebraska. The percentage of the population in Nebraska who are not obsessed with football is definitely in the minority. It has reached the point where weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversaries -- even women's C-sections -- are planned around the Cornhuskers' schedule.

This may seem ridiculous and juvenile, but it's the reality if you choose to live in Nebraska.

What her father did was wrong, yet he probably was never taught anything different. I'd cut the guy some slack. -- REFORMED CORNHUSKER FAN, NOW IN MASSACHUSETTS

DEAR REFORMED: I told "Wounded Bride" (in essence) that her father might have been trying to send her a message about his feelings about her marriage, but she should try to forgive him and concentrate on building a successful life with her spouse. Of course, when I penned my answer, I had no idea how pervasive football fanaticism has become. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: Although I feel her pain, I had to chuckle. We just moved back to Colorado from Nebraska, and believe me when I say that "Husker" is the state religion.

Some close friends recently planned the marriage of their son around the Cornhuskers' football schedule, and another friend was late to his own wedding because he was watching "the game."

"Wounded Bride's" father is just a typical Husker fan. -- BRENDA IN AURORA, COLO.

DEAR ABBY: It was the bride's own fault for scheduling her wedding during a game-day Saturday. Having grown up in Nebraska, I can tell you there are Catholic priests and Protestant ministers who refuse to perform weddings on game day. Repairmen refuse to come until the game is over. My wife is a nurse, and when she worked in the hospitals there, she knew of doctors who put off patients until the game was over. Nothing in Nebraska is more important -- at least in their minds. It's actually one of the reasons we moved away. -- FORMER NEBRASKAN IN TEXAS

DEAR ABBY: My in-laws' anniversary was in the fall, and we had to plan their 60th on a weekend other than game day or many guests would not have come. Heck, my father-in-law might not have come! They played the Nebraska fight song at his funeral, and everyone cried. -- HUSKER FAN, ROCKLIN, CALIF.

DEAR READERS: In fairness, it isn't just Nebraska football fans. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: The only day we could have our wedding was the day of the Pitt-Penn State game -- a big deal here in western Pennsylvania. At our reception, those guests who weren't in the bar glued to the TV had headphones plugged into their ears, either cheering or groaning at inappropriate times. -- MARTHA IN CHICORA, PA.

DEAR ABBY: Brides-to-be in Oklahoma who schedule their weddings on an Oklahoma University Sooner game-day Saturday can expect low attendance. It may not be right, but it's true. -- SOONER FAN IN OKLAHOMA CITY

DEAR ABBY: In Texas, we schedule funerals so as not to interfere with our college football games. That bride knew her father's habits. She should have had the wedding on a different date. -- ANOTHER FATHER'S OPINION

DEAR ABBY: "Wounded Bride" should take comfort in the fact that what goes around comes around. Nebraska lost! -- AUBURN WAR EAGLE

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