[Husker] Pelini Article

[Steve Gomez]

Lincoln's devouring of walk-ons in the past showed how high-quality,
starry-eyed HS seniors would overlook higher probability of playing at DII
schools.  All for a chance to play with the "N" on their helmets.  A dream.

According to TO, "The walk-ons epitomized hard work...the attitude rubbed
off on scholarship players from out of state."

With the decline of the program in Callahan years, one might look at other
in-state schools and the reciprocal rise in the rankings... such as Chadron
(5th) & UNO (7th) last year.

In Lincoln, spirited practices and more repetitions surely have a positive
effect on the team's overall readiness.

I'll conclude, along with Jon, that in Nebraska the walk-on program is an
advantage.  It doesn't matter whether I think it is an advantage no more
than it matters that anyone else is not convinced that it is essential to
the success of the program.

Looking forward to another season where drive, determination and traditional
foundations come back to the forefront.  These are the building blocks of
success.

Go Big Red!

Cheers,
Steve Gomez
Loves Park, IL

(deep behind enemy lines in Big TelEveN country)


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Beach
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2008 10:30 AM
To: husker at tssi.com
Subject: Re: [Husker] Pelini Article

jon johnston wrote:
>
>
> Nebraska doesn't produce the number of athletes we need to be 
> successful. A good walk-on program can help, and after studying it for 
> a while, i've concluded that Osborne is right - we need a successful 
> walk-on program to be good. When you're us, you have to find an 
> advantage, and the walk-on program is it.
>
>

      I am sure we can beat around this bush all day and never really 
come to a conclusion.  The fact the state of Nebraska doesn't produce 
the number of athletes needed is why recruiting is crucial.  I guess I 
honestly don't know for sure but do schools like USC, Ohio State, and 
LSU, just to pick three, have walk on programs?  I understand they are 
in more populous areas but if you operate without a walk on program it 
doesn't matter where you are located because then you are only dealing 
with scholarship players.  NU can have as many scholarship players as 
anyone else and they don't have to come from within the state.  I am not 
against the walk on program.  I think it is nice and makes an attachment 
to the people of Nebraska.  Also there are those times a player will 
emerge that no one ever thought about and contribute.  I am just not 
convinced it is crucial to the success of the program.


Bob Beach