Pilger Relief Tops Husker Outreach in 2014

Video: Hey, Brother

Video: If You're Out There

Photo Album: Outreach in 2014

Randy York’s N-Sider

With a comprehensive Life Skills program that’s consistently recognized as a collegiate model for Nebraska's current, former and future student-athletes, it isn’t easy to rank the Top 10 ways the Huskers reach out and help others in a single year. One notable exception was 2014, which unveiled a new launch pad that, in essence, transformed Nebraska’s commitment to community into a year-round effort whenever necessary.

50 Motivated Student-Athletes Created Opportunity to Help

Heading a program designed to acclimate student-athletes into their respective University of Nebraska experience while helping each develop as a total person, Keith Zimmer, Nebraska’s longtime Life Skills leader, witnessed a watershed moment. It happened so fast that no one viewed the enthusiastic flash as a milestone in Nebraska’s relentless cultural pursuit to serve others. Looking back to the June 16, 2014, tornado in Pilger, Neb., a self-motivated group of 50 Nebraska student-athletes became certifiable catalysts who changed the very nature of the hearts of Huskers embracing volunteerism as a way of life. Those 50 Huskers, including 20 football players and 15 wrestlers, asked Nebraska Life Skills coordinators Stacey Burling and Jordan Wilson if they could organize a 105-mile bus trip to Pilger on the same day that Zimmer would be on a Union Pacific train helping Nebraska coaches and staff thank Big Red fans across the state in an old-fashioned whistle-stop tour with stops in Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney and North Platte.  

300 Projects = 6,000 Hours to Serve 25,000 People

The answer to the enthusiastic student-athlete volunteers (including softball's Mattie Fowler above) was a resounding yes. After clearing compliance hurdles to organize, the group made a profound difference in Pilger, proving once again that there is no place like Nebraska when it comes to reaching out and helping others. Husker student-athletes blazing this new trail ended up finding American flags in the Pilger Courthouse rubble caused by a devastating tornado that flattened the entire town. Nebraska Athletics now averages more than 300 individual student-athlete outreach projects annually. They total nearly 6,000 voluntary hours that have an impact on an estimated 25,000 individuals who live in Nebraska communities. With Pilger rated at the top of Nebraska’s 2014 voluntary efforts, the N-Sider has put together a Top 10 that reflects the character, the will and the desire inherent in student-athletes recruited by Husker coaches on an annual basis.

Here are my Top 10 selections for 2014: 

(Click each of the 10 red links below for Life Skills-related stories).

No. 1: Finding Flags an Iconic Moment for Huskers

Finding a flag in the aftermath of a tornado “brought us together in a way we never could have imagined,” Nebraska I-back Graham Nabity said in describing the experience. “Discovering that flag was quite the moment. It filled me and all the others with a sudden rush of hope and energy.” The flag became a symbol to 50 Huskers who saw twin tornades destroy half of Pilger's houses. Volunteering "reminded all of us not to take things for granted and to be grateful for our friends and families that very well could have been swept away in that same tornado," Nabity told me. "We will forever take the images with us as we carry onward in this game of life." 

No. 2: Husker Heroes Put the Spotlight on the Kids

C.J. Zimmerer (football), Sunny Russell (rifle), Amanda Burau (bowling), and Caleb Kolb (wrestling), pictured above from left, were named Nebraska’s 2014 Heart and Soul Award winners, Nebraska Life Skills’ highest individual honor. The real heroes, however, are the kids they serve and inspire.

No. 3: Zimmerer Helped Elevate Maxwell Awards

At the 77th annual Maxwell Football Awards in Atlantic City last  March, former Nebraska fullback C.J. Zimmerer accepted the Uplifting Athletes 2014 Rare Disease Champion Award.

No. 4: Swimming and Diving Life Skills Champions

For the third consecutive year, the Nebraska swimming and diving team, led by head coach Pablo Morales and diving coach Natasha Chikina, was awarded the Life Skills Award of Excellence.

No. 5: Passion Drives Wrestling to Life Skills Award

For a second straight year, the Nebraska wrestling team won the men's Life Skills Award of Excellence. Mark Manning praised his team for its drive and passion to reach out in the community.

No. 6: Learning Sportsmanship's Enduring Essence

Husker student-athletes and coaches inspired 2,000 Nebraska middle-school students to learn the value and essence of sportsmanship. The Sportsmanship Pep Rally at the Bob Devaney Sports Center is a collaboration with the Nebraska State High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.

No. 7: Huskers Write Their Own Definition of Hero 

In simple terms, Nebraska Athletics describes a hero as anyone who volunteers precious time to help someone else. More than 600 gifted Husker student-athletes care about the community and share with their hearts and souls whenever possible. Last fall, the fifth annual Husker Heroes event drew more than 300 special needs individuals from across the state and 900 other guests.

No. 8: There Is No 'Nebraskan' Like Givens Price

Husker offensive lineman/volunteer Givens Price reflects Nebraska's commitment to reach out and touch others. He even took the time to thank Nebraska Athletics for creating a culture to serve.

No. 9: 2013-2014 Tom Osborne Citizenship Team 

A pivotal moment in 2014 was the announcement of the inaugural Tom Osborne Citizenship Team, an honor that will motivate Cornhusker student-athletes now and well into the future.

No. 10: 2014 Brook Berringer Citizenship Team

Nebraska continues to honor the late Brook Berringer, an inspiring quarterback who represents half of the Tom Osborne North Stadium statue that points student-athletes in the right direction.

Life Skills Team Plans Its Work and Works Its Plan

We end this 2014 salute to Nebraska Life Skills in the only way that seems appropriate, introducing to the public the team that works very hard to connect Husker student-athletes with those who need and appreciate the opportunity to inspire and be inspired by new friends and acquaintences. At Nebraska, Life Skills is much more than a giant initiative to reach out and serve others. It's a way of life for (from left) associate athletic director Keith Zimmer and coordinators Jordan Wilson, Kayla Conrad, and Stacey Burling. All four are dedicated to improving the total-person development of every Nebraska student-athlete. Happy New Year!

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