This Day is for You!

[hal9000]

Perhaps it would be more prudent to wait to see what happens before posting this.  After all, Fred Hoiberg’s current record at Nebraska is 0-0.  But frankly, I don’t think it’s necessary, and I don’t want to wait 5 years.   I’d like to honor all of the long-suffering Nebraska basketball fans, and in particular the “old timers,” by stating that this day is for you.

 

That’s right, you loyal, glutton for punishment fans, whose team last experienced the joy of winning their conference by having to share it with not one, but two other teams (Kansas and Kansas State) in 1950, under the Big 7 Conference (sixty-nine years ago, if you’re counting).  You fans who have the bragging rights to claim your team’s last outright conference win as being in 1915 in the MVIAA.  I tell you, we were quite the power house there for the first half of the 1910’s under Jumbo Stiehm.  Yes, you patient, devoted, not quite right in the head Nebrasketball die-hards, who have endured decades of futility, sprinkled with a whopping 7 NCAA Tournament appearances in 80 years….and going 0-7, being the only power conference team in America yet to win a tournament game.  This day is for YOU! 

 

My dive into Nebrasketball fandom began in college at UNL with the 1990-91 team.  Prior to that I never really paid much attention, I’m sad to admit.  I was more into the NBA, and of course Husker football.  That all changed with that incredible Danny Nee team.  I was hooked, and from that point on I’ve lived and died with the team year after excruciating year, and yet always with a love for the team that represented my state, warts and all. 

 

But there are those fans, many of whom are on this board, who have endured far more, and for much longer than myself.  We are all unified by our love for this team, no matter what your age may be, but I must express, for all the joys and happiness I’ve felt this day, a special happy feeling in my heart for the fans who have memories rooting for Nebraska basketball going back to the Cipriano days, and perhaps even before that.  Today, I imagine you leaning back in your chair, kicking your feet up and grinning ear to ear.  You have to feel it, as I do, that OUR time is near. 

 

I invite everyone, but especially you long timers if you choose, to chime in on what this day means to you.  This day is for you, long suffering Nebrasketball fan. 

Edited April 3, 2019 by hal9000

[AuroranHusker]

What's an old-timer, as I often feel like one. Anyway, today was one of the greatest moments to experience as a Husker Hoops fan... or a Husker fan, in general, in the 21st century. It's been since 1946 that Nebraska basketball hired a coach who had previously been at a major Div. 1 program (it was Indiana, in that case). Think about that.... that is 63 years. So, one could say that today's announcement was sixty-three years in the making. I love Nebrasketball. I love all things Fred Hoiberg. Today, what a great day to be a Nebrasketball fanatic. Go Big FRed! GBR !!!

 

 

Edited April 3, 2019 by AuroranHusker

[Handy Johnson]

Age is just number, but I graduated from the U in ‘91 and always considered that season a gift from the Basketball Gods after sitting courtside the previous 5 years. Andre Smith was my idol as a kid since I played some Center at Class B Superior at 6’1”. So many names and memories, Jay Randolph on the Big 8 broadcasts, Cipriano, Stan Cloudy with that Red/White & Blue NIT ball... I’m ready like the rest of us to see what this next chapter brings, GBR!

[Mr. Red]

I don't have near as many years as some of you, but I still can't believe this is happening.  Waiting for someone to pinch me

[bkamler]

Been a loyal Husker basketball, football and baseball fan since 1958 when I was 8 years old.

 

However basketball has been the most challenging allegiance due to the chronic failure to thrive. 

 

Went to University of Denver 1968 as a D1 baseball player after declining a UNL offer, which in those days was full tuition, etc.

 

I remember me and my fellow Nebraska buddies driving into eastern Colorado from Denver in 1972 through 1975 in order to get the KFAB signal to listen to the NU game while drinking a few beers. 

 

I remember the Cipriano and Iba and Collier and Sadler years. I was at the NU upset of #1 Michigan when we had Fred Hare as our offensive star.

 

i remember so many things but I am simply THRILLED that Fred Hoiberg is our coach. I told my boys that st age 69 I had come to the realization that I may not see a NCAA tournament victory before I die. Now I’m betting I will see that win!

 

My wife and I are season ticket holders and we can’t wait for next season.

[Norm Peterson]

 Auroran asked what’s an old timer. I’d like to think that an old timer is anyone who was watching Nebraska basketball during the days of Cipriano or before. But I’m afraid the definition is probably more expansive than that and would include anyone who remembers watching games before Doc Sadler. 

[jimmykc]

You rang? Thanks for the day, even though I grew up as more of a K-State fan, only switching to KU when I matriculated there. However, when we moved to Lincoln in 1975 we got season tickets and attended most every game at Devaney until the Pinnacle made it too expensive and inconvenient. Many happy memories of taking my sons and grandsons to games beginning with Moe's era. Was this the best day yet? We'll see how it goes but Fred H. is a good start. Will I feel unfulfilled, sports-wise, if I do not see NU finally have NCAA tourney success? No, because being a fan is about more than getting "W"s. Any unfulfilled perception dissipated following the 2004 Red Sox season. However, I look forward to the Hoiberg era with great anticipation.

Edited April 4, 2019 by jimmykc

[49r]

20 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

 Auroran asked what’s an old timer. I’d like to think that an old timer is anyone who was watching Nebraska basketball during the days of Cipriano or before. But I’m afraid the definition is probably more expansive than that and would include anyone who remembers watching games before Doc Sadler. 

 

If you look at other Husker message boards, it would seem that an "old timer" would include anyone that paid attention to the hoops program prior to a couple of weeks ago...

 

...and you wouldn't find very many of those.

[hhcmatt]

If you remember games at the Coliseum, you're an old timer 

[Norm Peterson]

1 minute ago, hhcmatt said:

If you remember games at the Coliseum, you're an old timer 

 

I remember watching Jerry Fort trying to find a lost contact on the floor at the Coliseum.  I qualify.

[Nighthawk]

Our family didn't start going to games until 1976 when the Bob opened up. Been going ever since. 

[jimmykc]

Anyone who saw the Fairbury Giant perform should qualify as well.

[PimpMario]

I've had season tickets since 2000.   I never got to experience any success from the 90s out earlier.  

 

Hoiberg's press conference ranks right up there as best days as a die-hard Nebrasketball fan.

 

Edit: my dad had tickets off and on before I went with the game.  But again at least he's see a competent team before.

Edited April 4, 2019 by PimpMario

[hhcmatt]

39 minutes ago, Norm Peterson said:

I remember watching Jerry Fort trying to find a lost contact on the floor at the Coliseum.  I qualify.

 

Next time we go out for coffee, we're using your senior discount 

 

[Silverbacked1]

Mom took me to first game when I was 4 in 1965.

 

Have been to at least one game a year since.. Only missed 3 games in a 17 year span.

 

Remember LeRoy Chaulk.

[hal9000]

1 hour ago, jimmykc said:

You rang? Thanks for the day, even though I grew up as more of aa K-State fan, only switching to KU when I matriculated there. However, when we moved to Lincoln in 1975 we got season tickets and attended most every game at Devaney until the Pinnacle made it too expensive and inconvenient. Many happy memories of taking my sons and grandsons to games beginning with Moe's era. Was this the best day yet? We'll see how it goes but Fred H. is a good start. Will I feel unfulfilled, sports-wise, if I do not see NU finally have NCAA tourney success? No, because being a fan is about more than getting "W"s. Any unfulfilled perception dissipated following the 2004 Red Sox season. However, I look forward to the Hoiberg era with great anticipation.

Agreed.  There is a natural tendency to measure the success of an entire 30 game season by how a team does in an single elimination tournament at the end of the year.  I admit I can get caught up in that too. 

[The Polish Rifle]

Dad took me to me to my 1st game when I was 9. I remember. Cary Cochran raining 3s. I also remember growing up kids asking me who my favorite college basketball team “Duke, NC, Creighton” - I’d say screw all them , I’m all Nebraska Basketball.

 

Im not an old timer but Nebraska has been not great 99% of my life so I consider that suffering.

[HuskerFever]

1 hour ago, Norm Peterson said:

I remember watching Jerry Fort trying to find a lost contact on the floor at the Coliseum.  I qualify.

 

Legend has it that he's still there looking for it.

[jayschool]

@jimmykc Patek = Inspired Choice.

[hhcmatt]

16 minutes ago, jayschool said:

@jimmykc Patek = Inspired Choice.

 

+1 for the intentional/unintentional usage of a Fred in your gif 

[AuroranHusker]

2 hours ago, Norm Peterson said:

 Auroran asked what’s an old timer. I’d like to think that an old timer is anyone who was watching Nebraska basketball during the days of Cipriano or before. But I’m afraid the definition is probably more expansive than that and would include anyone who remembers watching games before Doc Sadler. 

 

Cip era does seem reasonable. It was an honest inquiry, I didn't know where the cut-off was. A lot of long-suffering NU basketball fans, that's my point.

[jayschool]

17 minutes ago, hhcmatt said:

 

+1 for the intentional/unintentional usage of a Fred in your gif 

Armisen's my homey.

[Mr. Red]

2 minutes ago, jayschool said:

Armisen's my homey.

I love his Documentary Now! show

[Ron Mexico]

Started going to games in 1990 when I was a freshman and my fraternity brothers talked me into buying season tickets (I think the where $25). Prior to that, since I grew up in San Antonio I was primarily an NBA fan and of course a Husker football fan. I enjoyed the atmosphere and comrade of us loyal student ticket holders. What a time to be a hoops fan.

[Cazzie22]

I am 67.  My favorite team of all is the Grant Simmons, Stuart Lantz, Tom Barack, Nate Branch, Willie Campbell Huskers that we’re runnerup to JoJo White and KU.  That team, under today’s tournament of 68 teams, would have won a NCAA game.  

 

With Hoiberg’s hire, I am cautiously optimistic.   If it can be done in Lubbock, Texas and Auburn, Alabama then why not in Lincoln?