A Small World Nebrasketball Encounter At The Las Vegas Airport

[hhcdave]

Boy oh boy do I have an interesting story to share with my fellow Nebraska basketball diehards - especially ones that follow recruiting and have done so for several years.

This morning, I left the worlds largest sportsbook at the Westgate Las Vegas and was Uber'ing it back to the Las Vegas airport for my return trip to KC after 4 days in Vegas.

As we drove by the Thomas & Mack Center, I commented to my girlfriend, "Hey, UNLV played there last night against Boise State." I knew that because I had money on UNLV -3 (and they won by 4 in OT).

 

As we drove, for some odd reason, I thought to myself, "I bet Boise State flies commercial and we see them at the airport since its 9 AM and they'll want to get back for classes."

 

I kid you not, we walk into the Southwest terminal and right there in front of us - like LITERALLY in front of us - is the entire Boise State basketball team.

 

If that was the end of this story, it would be cool enough on its own. But it gets WAY more random and small world from this point forward.

 

Two TALL Boise State players are walking in front of my girlfriend and I as we board the escalator to go through security toward Gate B. On the backpack of the player in front of me I see the name, a name I haven't heard in 5 years, and it all flashes back to me.

DAVID WACKER

 

WAIT, I thought... How do I know that name?

Then I remember reading about him on this very website and how Nebraska hosted him on a recruiting visit before he chose to attend Boise State. I had literally forgotten he played there until that moment.

 

I had to say something, so I say "Hey David". He looks back unexpectedly (because why the hell is this random mid 30's guy talking to him). I say "Didn't you almost go to Nebraska?"

 

He lights up and says "Yes!! I had a great visit there."

 

And then we end up standing in line together for 5 minutes as we head through security. I asked him many nonstop questions and he asked me a couple. Here were interesting things I found out.

 

1. He LOVED his visit to Nebraska. Commented how cool the football game was and that everyone was so nice. Said the fans were diehards and awesome to him.

 

2. Craig Smith was the reason he almost committed to Nebraska. He noted "It's a good thing I didn't choose there because he left after like what would have been one year for me." He noted how he's now at Utah State and how cool it was playing against him this year. He said Craig was AWESOME.

 

3. His parents were really excited about the Nebraska offer and kind of steered him that way.

 

4. He said he ultimately chose Boise State because he wanted to win a conference championship and that he knew that would be very difficult in the Big 10. He then said, "But don't get me wrong, Nebraska can still get in the tournament every year. That's the great thing about the Big 10. But I really wanted to go to a school where I had a chance to win the conference championship." Found that an interesting mindset.

 

He asked me a few questions about Coach Miles, the current state of the program and seemed surprise by the demise. He asked what I thought the issues were and I told him. He didn't say much but listened intently.

 

He was shocked when I told him Nebraska is the only Power 5 school to never win a tournament game. He said he had no clue.

 

He was an EXTREMELY nice kid and a lot of fun to talk with. I am cheering Boise State on from here on forward as he finishes off his last few college games.

 

I thought I would share this to A. Show how small world it was that I would end up randomly seeing him without even thinking about him all these years later. B. Show you an example of what at least one recruit looks for and thought of his visit. C. Tell you that he has a very positive opinion of Nebraska and enjoyed his visit.

 

Anyone remember him?

 

Hope you found this interesting to read.

 

Dave

 

 

[B-town hoopsfan]

Thanks for sharing. Great insite 

[hskr4life]

Remember the name.  Not much about the player.

[hhcmatt]

I didn't recall him at all.

Here is the recruiting thread

 

FWIW he was basically a role player for Boise St

[jimmykc]

I love these kinds of stories. It seems to me the older one gets the more synchronicity seems to pop up in one's life. And your memory must be better than mine, Dave. I didn't recall Mr. Wacker, which is sort of surprising given the unique quality of his last name. I'm betting he felt flattered to still be remembered in Nebraska.

[HB]

32 minutes ago, jimmykc said:

I love these kinds of stories. It seems to me the older one gets the more synchronicity seems to pop up in one's life. And your memory must be better than mine, Dave. I didn't recall Mr. Wacker, which is sort of surprising given the unique quality of his last name. I'm betting he felt flattered to still be remembered in Nebraska.

 

"Synchronicity"?     Dammit, Jimmy, there goes my self-esteem for the day already.

[Number6]

Speaking of Las Vegas, I hear Timmy Boy is a name they're floating around to replace the UNLV coach after his inevitable firing.

[Noah121]

39 minutes ago, HB said:

 

"Synchronicity"?     Dammit, Jimmy, there goes my self-esteem for the day already.

Is it a humiliating kick in the crotch after a meeting with your so called superior?

[jimmykc]

Perhaps HB never realized Jung is a long-time lurker here. After all anyone following NU basketball must be a dreamer.

[AuroranHusker]

Good deal. I remember the David Wacker name. Interesting mindset of this dude. I think I like his parents' mindset better, though. GBR!

 

 

[hskr4life]

14 minutes ago, AuroranHusker said:

Good deal. I remember the David Wacker name. Interesting mindset of this dude. I think I like his parents' mindset better, though. GBR!

 

 

 

You do have to give kudos to the kid for going in the direction that he wanted to go.  Parents can be a challenging thing and if they were truly pushing him hard to go here, it's nice to see that he chose his own path.

[AuroranHusker]

13 minutes ago, hskr4life said:

 

You do have to give kudos to the kid for going in the direction that he wanted to go.  Parents can be a challenging thing and if they were truly pushing him hard to go here, it's nice to see that he chose his own path.

 

Yeah, he can do whatever. I still like Nebraska better than Boise St. But, of course, I'm biased by my RED !!

 

 

[Dead Dog Alley]

10 hours ago, Noah121 said:

Is it a humiliating kick in the crotch after a meeting with your so called superior?

Many miles away
Something crawls to the surface
Of a dark Scottish loch

Who becomes the Nebraska head basketball coach

And wins an NCAA tournament game