[Husker] Ostergard

[Mark Landin]

On 2/26/07, Scott R Lawson <SLawson at uamail.albany.edu> wrote:
> Sure the AD and coach Callahan seem to take a very business-like approach to what they do, but like it or not this is the way things are done now a days in collegiate athletics. People on this list need to let go of the past, and that can be very difficult, especially after folks like Devaney and Osborne set the bar so high in Lincoln.

Let go of the past? I already have. What I'm having a hard time
letting go of is the present: letting go of the ideals that I
associated with the program. Nebraska  football appeared to be run in
the past based on what is right, not what is allowed or the norm.
There are many things which are legal, and perhaps commonplace, which
are not "right".

One principle of "right" is treating others, especially subordinates
over whom you have authority, with dignity and respect. Summary
firings without explanation fail this test. I lament that our program,
one of which I have been extremely proud, is not continuing this idea
of doing right, and instead appearing to do instead what is expedient
or convenient.

I don't want it to be done like everybody else does it ... I want it
to be done better! If not, then what really differentiates NU from
anyone else? Team colors? Is it all about budgets and W's, or is there
something more?

Most fans identify with their teams, and the identity I want to
associate with NU is a program that does what's right, what's ethical,
what's decent, even if it hurts a little bit. (Because, frankly, it's
no credit to anyone to do the easy thing!)

I've stuck up for BC in the past: I don't think he was slashing his
throat; his hillbilly comment was directed at a particular few; I also
think SP was right to change coaches, but executed it about as poorly
as could be done! (That wasn't done "right" either!)

How can we expect our athletes to grow into upstanding men and women
if that behavior isn't modelled for them in the athletic program
itself?

If asking for the officers of the University to act in a forthright,
ethical, and transparent manner is a thing of the past, then the
future be damned. It holds no hope of enjoyment for me!