Conhuskers Question (Omaha, York, Auburn: transplants, high schools, colleges)

[mattpoulsen]

I think the point people are making is that there are "no other sports teams"...not so much that there isn't anything else to do. Most every other state has multiple college teams and/or professional teams, which significantly split the sports fan's attention.

[awoods2]

Originally Posted by ehenningsen

I love the Huskers, and grew up loving the Huskers..

But this state is definetely not just grass, gravel, corn and Memorial Stadium on a Ranch...

There are many things to do, especially in Omaha and Lincoln that do not involve the Huskers, LOL

No offense to anyone, but if people actually believe that there is nothing to do here than watch football, then maybe they need to get checked out for obsessive-compulsive behavior

Very true. When I lived in Lincoln we use to go shopping or go to the movies during Husker games. Just had to make sure you were at home or somewhere you wanted to stay at when the game got over.
Adam

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

I think the point people are making is that there are "no other sports teams"...not so much that there isn't anything else to do. Most every other state has multiple college teams and/or professional teams, which significantly split the sports fan's attention.

Thanks for mentioning the professional teams. My extended family in Nebraska doesn't seem to understand that some of us are professional football fans and aren't as wrapped up in college football as they are. The year DH and I got married the Steelers won the Super Bowl and they were raszzing me about how Nebraska beat Penn State at a family gathering. I didn't go there (nor did DH go to U of Neb.). In fact, I went to what was at the time Penn State's major in-state rival, the University of Pittsburgh. I really didn't care. I didn't get it. They didn't get it.

[Earniefan]

Pittnurse - what they didn't get was a native to a state not caring about their states team, no matter where they went to college. Nebraskans are loyal to the Cornhuskers no matter where they went to school, even if they went out of state, and yes simply because they live in Nebraska. We're proud of our team, we're proud of our coach(usually), and we're proud of the kids that play even if they aren't from Nebraska originally.

[mattpoulsen]

But Pittnurse's point is that Nebraska is unique. For example, look at Florida or Texas. There are tons of colleges in both states. Who is someone supposed to root for? You don't get the same statehood loyalty in most states. You root for the school you attended or maybe the school that is closest to you geographically. Texas is a good example too. College loyalties are split throughout the state, but one thing most can agree on in Texas is the Dallas Cowboys. To most people their pro teams are like our Huskers. Nebraska is very unique in this sense and I think many Nebraskans really don't understand just how unique they are. I can't think of one major college program which dominates the state like NU does. Anyone have a suggestion?

[Katiana]

Thanks for understanding, Matt. I tried to give you a rep, but the system says I have to spread some more around.

Yes, when your hometown team wins the Super Bowl, you are not as likely to care about a game between two college teams, neither one of which you attended. Now when Pitt played Nebraska, my DD had a gymnastics meet and we took a TV to the meet!

I tried to think of some other states like Nebraska, and I can't. The others either have pro teams as well (Indiana, Missouri, etc) or several good college teams (Iowa, Kansas). Anyone else?

[mattpoulsen]

Yeah, I can't think of one. There are a lot of states with two, like Iowa/Iowa State, OU/OSU, and Kansas/KSU. Heck, even Indiana has Notre Dame and Purdue to contend with...besides the Colts.

The only other state that I can even think of with a Division 1 college team in a situation similar to Nebraska is Wyoming, and they are hardly a major college program.

Ahh wait...I think just thought of one. How about West Virginia?

[Katiana]

Well, yes. They are now Pitt's (almost) in-state rivals. Hey, we beat them this year, much to everyone's surprise.

[Earniefan]

you are not as likely to care about a game between two college teams, neither one of which you attended.

You are missing my point. Attending the college has nothing to do with it. Arrgghh... it's a Nebraska thing, I'm just going to stop trying to explain, you'll never get it.

[Earniefan]

Nebraska is very unique in this sense and I think many Nebraskans really don't understand just how unique they are.

I beg to differ, we know exactly how unique we are. We don't understand what's wrong with these other people that don't feel this way about their local college teams. It's what makes the latest scenario of the football team losing their heart so hard for us to understand. How do you push the heart out of something like this, when you have so many people surrounding you with their hearts beating in unison just for you. Thank goodness Osborne is back to get the heart of the Cornhuskers beating again. This Pittnurse is what I was trying to explain to you, we feel so much for our team that we can't understand when someone doesn't feel this way about their team.