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Starting Lineup

LINCOLN

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Starting Lineup

Riders line up before the start at the Nebraska AMA state Championship on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Maddie Washburn Photo

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CO N T E N TS UNLim ited Sp orts M A G A Z I N E - I S S U E 0 2

36 50 COVID GOLF: A day on the green with UNL alumnus, Blake Schroeder

64 HOCKEY HOTBED: Tri-City Storm brings spotlight to Kearney, Nebraska

A rider competes on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 at the Nebraska AMA State

ROUNDING THE BASES: How college baseball around the country has changed since COVID

41 NASCAR & DIVERSITY How Michael Jordan’s new team could help diversify the sport

76 SPORT CLUB PRACTICE: The pandemic’s impact on UNL sport clubs

81 PART 2: Q&A Sgt. Tony Espejo and Robert Amdor

Championship In Lincoln, Nebraska. Peyton Stoike Photo

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A NASCAR FAN’S FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH MOTOCROSS By Jake Bartecki

While motocross and NASCAR may look world’s different, they are not that far apart in terms of fans, excitement and overall race day experience. My instincts of being a NASCAR guy kicked in October 10 at the 2020 AMA State Championship in Lincoln. For anyone who doesn’t know, it’s basically the Super Bowl, World Series or Stanley Cup Final for Nebraska dirt bikers. I was actively thinking how this event at the Lincoln Sports Foundation MX track was similar to attending a NASCAR or stock car race, and how it was completely different. My professor, Jenn Sheppard, an avid dirt biker, highly recommended attending and covering the event, and I know nothing about motocross, but I love auto racing no matter what form -- and that includes dirt bikes. At the event, I admit I felt out of place surrounded by hundreds of people with a religious-like passion for a sport I had never watched or knew anything about. The main similarities are that race fans, drivers and teams are passionate about what they do across the board, and many procedures are the same. The final laps in a race are exciting, no matter the event.

Maddie Washburn Photo

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However, I noticed some differences, too, such as the amount of motocross races that can run in a day, and the easy access fans have to all of the action while the races are taking place. UNLimited_11.20

After arriving for the day around 9 a.m., the head of the event hosted a “riders meeting” which was designed to go over basic motocross rules as well as local rules about the track and what to do if involved in a wreck. NASCAR does something similar -- a “driver’s meeting” is held 2-3 hours ahead of the green flag to go over basic rules and remind drivers of important protocols. At the AMA event, it seemed most of the riders were already aware of the rules. In NASCAR, some fans joke about the driver’s meeting being a tradition, because the drivers and crew chiefs are reminded of the same thing week after week. The event schedule was packed with roughly 30 individual heats races going on from about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Now, these races are a lot shorter. Usually just five laps, but there would never be a NASCAR event that could have that much action from dawn to dusk. In addition, fans could watch the race steps away from the edge of the track. Try that in NASCAR, and you’d fall flat on your back. Lastly, the two biggest similarities I found were that you have to start ‘em young. At the motocross race, kids as young as 5 years old competed along with 60-yearolds who have been competing since they were just as young. In NASCAR, most drivers have been doing it since they could reach the pedals, be it go carts, motocross or sprint cars. And finally, race fans have a passion unique to just them. They live and breathe racing, and the excitement is unparalleled from the drop of the green flag. They go all out, as both motocross and NASCAR fans pull up in motorhomes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to see the action.

Peyton Stoike Photo

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Editor’s Letter

won’t shock anyone by writing this: 2020 is whack. You know that. And while I am naturally a pessimist, I’ve been trying to find the good in life.

In all reality, I have a lot to be thankful for, and sports are one of those things. I can go on about how society would be a lesser place without sports. Here’s an example: As a society, we’ve been talking about racial injustice a lot

watch Big Ten football. Lucky for me, the Big Ten leaders reversed course, and I love being able to watch football again. It’s almost as if, for a few hours, all of the world’s problems go away when there is Big Ten football on my screen. That’s what sports should be: an escape, and also a place to empower.

in 2020. Imagine where the civil rights movement would

You may disagree with me about bringing back Big Ten

be without Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens or the 1968

football, and that’s OK. You’re a human, and you’re

Mexico Olympics. I’m guessing you can pick up what I

entitled to disagree. But I would ask you one thing: Are

am writing: We would not be where we are today.

you not happy to see them back? Maybe you aren’t. And

Sports are powerful and reflect the best in society. They are the epitome of hard work, toughness and grit. They bring us together -- regardless of race, gender, creed and sexual orientation -- in a time of great divide. “It’s so much bigger than sports.” In all reality, it’s so much bigger with sports. From fourth graders learning how to work together on a

that’s OK, too. I won’t waste your time trying to convince you. We have enough of that in our world. But I will tell you that sports matter -- no matter if you like it or not. Because sports matter, in the second installment of UNLimited Sports, we continue telling the stories of how the pandemic has changed sport, how race is still a problem in sport and what’s being done about it, among other things. Spoiler alert: not everything is gloom and doom. By

their role on the football field and, now, 30 graduating

reading this, I hope you, too, can find an escape for just

seniors learning how to produce a sports magazine in

a few moments and enjoy what I hold so near and dear

the middle of a pandemic. Sports are a chance to learn,

to my heart.

and that is beautiful.

Without further adieu, here’s round two.

Brent Bartels Design | Huskers.com photos

basketball court to high schoolers learning how to find

I was a little sad when the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors decided to forego the fall season. The coronavirus is one thing that may be bigger than sports, and we need to be careful to manage it. But in a time

- Will Bauer Class of 2021

of great unrest, I was anxiously awaiting the day I could

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UNLimited | SEPTEMBER 2020

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Starting Lineup

UNL im ited Sports FALL 2020 M A N AG I N G E D I TO R William Bauer ADS & DESIGN Brent Bartels Brendon Caskey Matthew Chambers Ryan Dean Chelsey Jones Tanner Smejdir Ethan Whitmire William Stone F E AT U R E S Jake Bartecki Caelan Debban Jack Driggers Tyler Fangman Francis Forte Cody Frederick Garrett Freund Jaxon Hallmark Brandon Idelman Luke Mullin Taylor Riemersma Nicholas Schreiter Katie Squier Dustyn Stortzum Bryce Zimmerman P H OTO Lydia Asplin Aaron Housenga James Rowland Peyton Stoike Maddie Washburn

Maddie Washburn Photo

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WILL STONE Design

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Director of Data Science and Advanced Analytics MVPindex

Coming Soon: Horse Race Track Casinos

“

What We said Bryce Zimmerman: I really enjoyed hearing from Dr. Nutting. He was my professor for ADPR/SPMC 464 last spring, and he was one of the best professors I’ve had at UNL so far. I was sad to see him leave the University, but it’s nice to see him succeeding at MVPIndex. I love learning about the marketing and advertising side of the sports industry. This is the field that interests me the most. Cody Frederick: I found it fascinating that they can

pinpoint how much a brand logo is worth for the amount of time it is shown on the screen. I could see myself working in this space. From his presentation, there’s obviously a lot I would have to learn, but it was interesting, and I hope he comes back to talk to us again.

Peyton Stoike: I still find it fascinating to think of how many times in a single minute of a game, how many brands you can see in that frame, some placement and some not, but still enough to eye catch and spread awareness.

UNLimited Sports’ Dustyn Stortzum visited Ag Park in Columbus, Nebraska to find out how this year’s ballot initiatives to legalize gambling will impact the sport of horse racing in the state. On Nov. 3, all three initiatives - 429, 430 and 431 to allow casino gambling at the six horse racing tracks in Grand Island, Columbus, Omaha, Hastings, Lincoln and Sioux City, Nebraska -overwhelmingly passed. Wayne Anderson, who has been in the horse racing business for over 50 years said some of that money from casino gambling will help keep owners and trainers in the state of Nebraska. “The prize purses will increase and create more jobs within

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horse racing to help this once successful sport thrive again,” Anderson said. Not everyone in the state thinks it’s a good idea. Gov. Pete Ricketts and former Huskers football coach Tom Osborne have openly expressed their disapproval of the initiatives. In an ad paid for by Gambling With The Good Life, Osbourne said that gambling all across the state meaning more money leaving Nebraska, more addiction, bankruptcy and crime.

Scan to watch the YouTube video @ UNLimited Sports

Caelan DebbAn: I was really intrigued by the entire concept of MVPIndex before he left, because he showed us some of their partners and what they were working on, so this talk only expanded upon the interest I had. I think that space would be so cool to work in, but I feel it might be a little complicated for me as of now. That kind of stuff would be really cool to get into at some point, though. Maddie Washburn: In his class last semester, I know he always challenged us to be informed with the ADPR side of sports and made us discuss our own opinions involving the sports industry.

Jake Bartecki: It’s interesting to me hearing about

the advertisement and relations side of the sports business because I’m primarily focused on media and broadcasting. However, one of the main takeaways I had from this talk, is that they’re all connected. Without relations and advertising to supplement broadcasting and media, there would not be broadcasting and media.

Brandon Nutting

Brendon Caskey: Personally, I wasn’t familiar with that technology before our class last Friday. After hearing about it though, it makes sense these companies are starting as we live in an ever-expanding digital age. Obviously I would need to learn a lot more and gain experience, but this unique field draws my attention in regards to a future career. I would love if we were able to listen to Dr. Nutting again because he always keeps it interesting. Jaxon Hallmark: I’m kinda shocked by the technology that they have out there. Before the Zoom I had never heard of MVPIndex, but I get why individual sports teams value the information on what brands are most beneficial to them. The part of the talk that I really took something from was at the end when he said he was running code that he had never done before, and how hard it was. He also said how if it’s not that hard to work for and achieve, then it’s not rewarding. He said that it was the things that were so hard and so new that required so much to achieve was what was rewarding. That’s the part I feel like can be applied to everyone, no matter the field they pursue. Lydia Asplin : I remember thinking how far technology has come to be able to analyze and break down games and events second by second. It was neat to hear more about the kind of work he’s doing now. MVPIndex seems like such cutting edge technology that I would love to hear more in depth in the future. James Rowland: I was super intrigued by what he does with MVPIndex but have never seen that rapid of data being sent to a company in that fast of time. I like using the data to write about it but I think it would be challenging to use the data in an advertising campaign. Francis Forte: It was very interesting to see the things that company he works for does, and how MVPIndex plans to shape the future. Advertising analysis is an industry that I am surprised is just taking off. I am curious as to how MVPIndex markets itself to athletes. UNLimited_11.20

ESPN Reporter, Los Angeles

Radio Play-byplay for Dallas Mavericks

What We said Shelley Smith

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Garrett Freund: Last week we had the pleasure of listening to one of the biggest sports journalists, Shelley Smith. She talked about how lucky she is that she has a writing background, so during times like this she has been able to write stories since she hasn’t been on TV in a while. Peyton Stoike: Something that she said that really

struck me as important in this field is that no matter what your role is in the company, you should go to everything. We are continuously students and learning everything. Learning every sport and going to everything allows us in the media field to adapt to what we are covering. Not knowing a sport or something that you are covering makes you vulnerable.

Maddie Washburn: One thing that stood out to me was how she finds stories that no one else has told. She talked about stories she’s covered by just outworking and outsmarting others and how she makes use of her time before and after games. She kept explaining the importance of curiosity and how that will be beneficial in the sports industry. Bryce Zimmerman: One of the things I appreciate the

most about Shelley is how she’s not afraid to tell it like it is. I think this is an important trait for a reporter to have.

Brendon Caskey: It was awesome to hear from such a

well known journalist such as Shelley Smith. I found one piece of advice she gave to be intriguing: She said as a journalist it isn’t our job to make friends, but rather find the scoop. Shelley’s final point that stood out to me is to keep an undying curiosity; it’s needed to thrive in the industry and if you don’t have it, this career isn’t for you. Katie Squier: Something that I thought was a pretty minor comment but was really interesting was that when she started, there were no women’s restrooms in the press box at Memorial Stadium. This is super interesting to me because I feel like that is something that I would have never thought as being an issue.

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Luke Mullin: It was great to hear from Shelley Smith, and her talk definitely got me fired up for a career in sports media. She spoke about how she’s always on the lookout for interesting stories and she certainly commands respect from her position as a journalist. Shelley showed me the importance of hard work, because none of her successes and the job she has now wouldn’t have come without the work and effort she’s put in over her whole career. Tanner Smejdir: I loved how the only thing that she cared about was focusing on the story at hand and not worrying about making friends or enemies. I learned from her that doing the job at hand is more important than worrying about what people might think of you after. She is the true definition of a reporter. Ethan Whitmire: From her talk, I liked the suggestion to get as many phone numbers as you can because you never know who will be able to help you when you need it. William Stone: She talked about how journalism is so hard right now because she can’t get the same in person scoops that she once could. She can’t just hang out with players and get ideas for stories that are unique and different from everyone else because everyone is on Zoom and gets all the same quotes. Caelan DebbAn: Shelley Smith has been someone that I was lucky enough to hear before. I remember her coming to the college my freshman year and she was just so energetic, entertaining and real about everything she talked about. I agreed with a lot of what she said. She has always been a tough, no nonsense reporter and I respect her so much. Tyler Fangman: I thought it was nice to hear that she does not experience sexism in the locker room. I think too many times, sexism gets in the way of great sports reporting. I think women are not only integral to sports itself, but as well as women being in sports media, I think they can bring a unique and different perspective into the game.

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Chuck Cooperstein

Lydia Asplin: He talked about making sure to not go into an interview with a preconceived notion of a story and be as open minded as possible when it come writing pieces. In doing this stories can turn into something no one has ever seen before, which is the ultimate goal. Jake Bartecki: I learned a lot about how he called games remotely that I didn’t know or hadn’t really thought

about. I also liked that he thinks of himself as a reporter first and not a fan, that’s something not a lot of journalists/broadcasters for home teams can make easy.

Tyler Fangman: I thought it was interesting to hear from a play-by-play announcer in the NBA, especially during the bubble era. It is fascinating to me that a lot of these play-by-play commentators are doing at least half or the majority of the games from a monitor either from the booth or from the locker room in Mr. Cooperstein’s case. Taylor Riemersma: It was fun listening to Chuck as he was very passionate about his work. This was very evident by the way he talked about how he called games. He mentioned one should always bring energy to the job and that’s where you’ll find success. Matthew Chambers: When Chuck Cooperstein mentioned he’s a reporter first, that interested me because I

think that most people that enter this industry to be a play-by-play announcer dream of announcing their favorite team’s game because of their love for their team. However, certain instances may bring out times where you have to report the facts and call out your team for things that they may do wrong, and some people aren’t ready for this aspect of sports media. Being a reporter first is critical so that you’re not prone to cheering them on regardless, because then you are a fan and not a reporter.

Ryan Dean: I thought Chuck’s talk was extremely insightful. He was a very real speaker and by that I mean

he told it like it is and wasn’t afraid to say what’s real about the sports media industry. I can’t even imagine getting to call a young team like the Mavericks and having such a personal relationship with a coach like Rick Carlisle. I appreciated the way he talked about his career and what we can do to get there.

Francis Forte: Chuck was definitely my favorite guest speaker we have had in class this year. He was very receptive to all of our questions and gave each of us strong answers that seemed well thought out. One thing he said that I enjoyed was when he said that he is a reporter first, rather than a fan. This is important for any young, aspiring broadcaster and journalist to know. Tanner Smejdir: He mentioned that sometimes you can not go into an interview and just bring a script to follow it. That you have to think of interesting questions that are going to bring out great answers. I thought that is a great value of not sticking with the script and letting some things just flow their own way. I also liked how Chuck brings his own game to the table. He finds all his own notes and uses his voice the way he wants to and not what the producers want him to use it as. Katie Squier: I think one of my biggest takeaways is to not put the fan within you, in your story. This was something that Professor Shrader said to us in SPMC 150 as well. I think this is kind of challenging for a lot of young professionals in sports to understand. All of us are majoring in sport because we love it and I’m sure most of us can agree that we have favorite teams. UNLimited_11.20

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Texas native Jaxon Hallmark was coming home with a truck full of groceries when he got a text from his mom about COVID shutting down the start of his junior season with Huskers Baseball. After that, he and his team went from training seven days a week to having nothing to do -- no practice, lifting or facilities to run or take ground balls and swings. That team, he said, was ready to be one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Nine months later, Hallmark, 22, sat down for this interview with classmate, Brandon Idelman, to talk about fall practice, being a fourth year junior and what happens when he gets to put the “N” on. JH: It’s such pride - it means so much to me. It represents like all the guys that have played before me, all the guys that I play with now all the future guys that are going to come that I hopefully have helped pave the way for. It means a lot. BI: Are you a Husker football guy? Or? JH: I still put as almost as much energy into Texas football as I do Nebraska football, but if it’s a Nebraska game and Texas game around the same time, I’m watching the ‘braska game. I don’t personally know any Texas football players and I personally know football players here and that makes sense. I’m friends with, I’ve hung out with them, I see what they go through all the time. I get it. I feel for him. Especially the media swarming them. BI: What has your experience been like so far - this is your fourth season? JH: The new coaching staff is awesome. I’m healthy now. When I came in here as a freshman, they had just won the Big Ten championship. I got here and started practicing in the fall with the team and was doing really well and I was like, ‘Wow, I can actually start and then I started and I played really well my entire freshman year and I was Big Ten All-Freshman. BI: Then you broke your wrist? JH: That was tough. I went from being on top to only playing half the time. BI: You sat out for a season?

places opening night. BI: But you guys kind of started getting a little something rolling toward the middle of the season last year, and then it was cut short? JH: We started out - like we felt like we were ready to go and then we hit our first speed bump and lost our next seven games after winning the opening night and we had a players meeting - we needed to address some stuff. There was some growing pains with the new coaching staff just like being different with a new staff and then we got stuff ironed out and we came home. We started playing really good and it was just kind of like -- it’s not depressing -- but it was just disheartening because we felt like we were finally on the right track. We finally had the ball rolling in our favor and then we’re just done. Completely done. People have lost their jobs, people have lost family members, so I mean, we lost a season. We lost the game. In hindsight, if you put it in perspective, it’s not that big of a deal but like when you put in as much time and effort that we had, it just kind of sucks. BI: What was your first reaction? JH: We’re like this might this might affect us. We weren’t really sure what was going to happen. The MLB had already postponed the day before. We had already gotten the alert that the Big Ten was going to have no fans in the stands for the rest of the year. So we thought we were going to play in an empty stadium the rest of the year.

BI: Then, obviously, last season was cut short with a leg injury?

And then 10 minutes before I’m supposed to leave to head to the field to go to Wichita State, we get a text saying Wichita State’s canceled. We had the weekend off like it was a normal like day off for us, and then we had another team meeting and we didn’t really know what was going on Friday. We didn’t really know.

JH: Yeah, partially tore my MCL in like three different

Then we got a text: You’re off for the weekend; Be

JH: We were not playing great until the end of the year. Then we got hot, made a run at the Big Ten Championship and almost won it. And then (Darin) Erstad retired and it was a big shock.

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WIll Stone Photo

Maddie Washburn Photo

For Nebraska Communications

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Something can go from so irrelevant to just, like, a burning passion, just like that.â&#x20AC;?

Maddie Washburn Photo

For Nebraska Communications

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smart; Don’t do anything stupid; Be ready to go on Monday. I went to Walmart and got like hot dogs and other stuff and then I drove home, and right when I got home, my mom texted me and said what just happened. So I got on Twitter and the first thing I see is that the College World Series was canceled. t was just like, we thought it was one weekend, and now we’re done. From one little speed bump to just complete. We couldn’t practice. We couldn’t lift. We couldn’t use the facilities. It was like I went from seven days a week having something to do for like six hours not including school and class to nothing. BI: Before COVID, you think you guys had something special rolling, like you could have maybe made some noise? JH: So, what I thought personally is good teams start off good, and then every good team that starts off good ends good. They have some point in the season where they just play awful and it seems like nothing can go their way and they can’t win a game and then all of a sudden they pull it together at the right time, and I thought that we were in a really good spot because we figured it out and we pulled it together quick. It wasn’t late to make an NCAA tournament push. It seemed like we had addressed everything that was wrong and we had turned it around early. And so I was like, yeah, if we already went and had our downfall and it’s up from here -- if we have two more months of playing like this we really could have been one of the most dangerous teams in the country. But that didn’t happen. BI: What are your expectations for this year as a player and as a team? JH: I’m old now, just turned 22. It’s my fourth year. I’ve played in as many if not more college baseball games than just about my entire baseball team and as a player I see myself as a leader with a lot of experience and I feel like my main job this year is to help these younger guys because we’re going to have a lot of younger guys in the lineup and I played as a freshman. I know how weird it is jumping into a new level and playing right away. That’s the best thing that I can do is help these younger guys learn on the fly and be able to contribute for this team. And as a team, we have so much depth in every position and our bullpen is like it’s never been. I really don’t understand how good we could be because I’ve never been on a team here that has been this good. But I’m in uncharted territories -- our fall practices right now are so much better than any fall practice I’ve ever been a part of. So basically anything up from here. BI: Well, since it’s your fourth year, do you have any plans for after this year? JH: I don’t have any plans. I would love to be here. I just don’t know. I’m pretty sure my academic stuff is for four years, I don’t know what it looks like. I had always planned on being here for four years. And the thought of a fifth year never really entered my mind. I’d never missed the season, I didn’t

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have to redshirt and I was going to graduate on time. So, I haven’t even started thinking about that. BI: Do you have any goals to make it to the next level? JH: I personally do. I think that, with this skill set that I have, and the mentality that I have and the knowledge that I have for this game, I think I could make it to the next level. But that’s just me personally. BI: What do you want people to think has been your impact on the team? JH: I would want people to think that I played the game so hard. I played the game so fast, so fearless. That anytime, whether we win or lose, there was no doubt that we left anything in the tank, like every time that he played. He emptied it. He played hard. And he played the game the right way. And when I say play the game the right way. The game has given me so much that I didn’t deserve, and so I owe the game so much. BI: What will you think about the Huskers once you’re gone? Or what will it mean to you? The university? JH: It’s weird because whenever I was growing up, I was a die-hard Texas fan. And like Nebraska was so irrelevant to me. But what I remember about Nebraska football it was after they were good. They were downhill when Texas was at its peak. And so Nebraska was so irrelevant to me. I didn’t know anything about it. I probably didn’t even know it was D1 until I started getting recruited here. So it just went from being absolutely nothing to me, and then I came here on my visit, and I just stepped on campus and I stepped onto the field and I was just like, Wow, this is it -- just felt like home. It’s crazy. Something can go from so irrelevant to just like a burning passion just like that.

“The game has given me so much that I didn’t deserve, and so I owe the game so much.” - Jaxon Hallmark UNLimited_11.20

Words: Taylor Riemersma and Nick Schreiter

The state of America’s pastime amid a global pandemic

t’s a hot and sunny June afternoon in Omaha, Nebraska. The best teams from all over the country have come to play. Sweat is dripping down their foreheads and they’ve had to put on their favorite pair of sunglasses to shield their eyes from the bright sun. The classic “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” is playing over the sound system while the smell of hot dogs and nachos overtakes the senses. This is the College World Series of Omaha. Except COVID canceled college baseball in March and caused a lot of uncertainty. As the fall term closes out, many sports, including baseball, are still struggling to find a path to competition.

The University of Nebraska Omaha, home of the Mavericks. Lydia Asplin photo

“It was completely out of the blue,” said Chase Cheek, a graduate student and outfielder for the Duke University baseball team. “We were dumbfounded.” Cheek recalled being on the field starting practice when the team received an email from Duke’s president that the season was canceled. Duke’s Head Baseball Coach Chris Pollard said he was shocked and felt numb because of the season’s cancellation. “It was as surreal a day as I have ever had in my entire life,” he said. Some players heard about the cancellations even before their coaches were aware of them. Other universities sent out tweets and posted on social media about the cancellation of sports before the athletics departments learned what was happening. “That day, everything was kind of unfolding in such a way where it was like a snowball going downhill that I literally picked up the phone and called my immediate supervisor who’s an senior associate AD, and I called our senior associate AD for compliance,” Pollard said, adding that neither of them knew about athletics being suspended.

“It (had already) gone out on social media but not everybody was aware yet,” Pollard said. “They said, ‘Hey, listen, keep practicing. We’ll do some research and get back (to you).’ So, we started practice and about 30 minutes later, I got a call saying, ‘We did confirm that all athletic activities have been suspended,’ so we pulled the guys off the field. We brought them into the locker room.” This confusion around the sports world included the Big Ten canceling its basketball tournament after playing two games on Wednesday, March 11. Viewers could see this happening on the Big Ten pregame basketball show. While the conference had sent out the announcement that Big Ten sports were canceled, the message was not relayed to the TV crew getting ready to cover the game. Approximately 20 minutes after the conference made the announcement, word was sent to the broadcasters to halt. March 12: NCAA cancels all remaining winter and spring sports championships Final college baseball game of the season

No one knew what to make of this announcement. The NCAA basketball tournament had been played every season since 1939 for men and 1982 for women. The College World Series has crowned a champion every

With changes for the upcoming spring baseball season on the horizon, whether that’s from a coaching or playing aspect, coaches and players alike have tried to keep a positive attitude with a greater appreciation for the game they love and getting back on the field. March 11: NBA suspends season, Ivy League cancels remainder of spring athletic events

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When news of the pandemic hit in mid March, coaches and athletes were surprised to find out about the season’s cancellation.

The Duke University baseball team was caught offguard when the pandemic hit and canceled the remainder of the 2020 season. Photo by Duke Athletics

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Springs Brooks Stadium on campus of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. Photo by Coastal Carolina University

Boise State University dropped its baseball program in 1980 until they decided to try and give the sport another chance in 2019. Plans were also in the works for a new baseball stadium until the pandemic hit and all of this forward progress came to a screeching halt.

year since 1947. Now, for the first time in history, no champion would be crowned because of a novel virus spreading across the globe. Before the season was canceled, Miami (OH) beat Penn State 5-1, in what is now known as the final game of the short 2020 season. A mere 112 spectators witnessed this Miami victory, unaware of what would come next in the sporting world. In the blink of an eye, college students and athletes were sent home. Many in athletics across the country lost their jobs or were furloughed. Coaches and athletes scrambled to figure out what to do next. Baseball coaches typically recruit during the summer, and athletes train and play in summer league games, but the state of the pandemic was too dangerous for regular activities to take place. May 15: Bowling Green becomes first college to cut its college baseball program

Collegiate athletics departments made decisions in the face of budget cuts. As part of a $2 million shortfall, the athletics department at Ohio’s Bowling Green State University decided to cut 38 UNLimited_11.20

its baseball program. Funding wasn’t the only thing affecting baseball programs and athletics departments. Coaches were struggling to recruit with the flash of a change. University of Nebraska-Omaha Assistant Head Coach Brian Strawn said they have not been able to recruit inperson since March. “This provides a real hurdle when trying to evaluate talent,” he said. “Recruiting is done 100% through computers and phones for the time being.” High school baseball was also in a chaotic state as nearly every city and state had different guidelines to play amid a pandemic. Some states like Iowa continued holding high school baseball state tournaments, but Nebraska’s governing body decided to cancel its high school championships. This created issues on the amount of footage for high school players in different states being recruited. July 2: Boise State drops baseball one year after resurrecting the program

“Today’s decision came after an extensive review and in-depth analysis of the athletics department’s budgets and programs by several senior leaders,” Boise State University President Marlene Tromp said in a statement. “The university had already been working closely with athletics to create a sustainable budget. The pandemic has made a challenging financial situation unsustainable.” July 16: NCAA releases safety protocols for returning to practice

As the fall semester began, changes were evident among Coastal Carolina University’s baseball team, said sophomore infielder Cooper Weiss. “We haven’t been able to use our locker room,” he said. “We have a lot of new guys, transfers that transferred in or freshman.” He continued: “You get to learn about guys -what they are like on and off the field, and we haven’t had that. It’s affected how I can interact with others in a more personal way like last year.” Like other schools facing similar restrictions, UNO athletics has decreased locker room access, added restrictions to the training and weight room, and required masks at every practice, along with socially distancing.

The COVID protocols posted on the NCAA website include health and safety guidelines for players exposed to someone who have tested positive for the coronavirus and suggest that training should occur outdoors and masks should be worn. July 23: Hope for college sports as MLB starts its 60game season

This year, seasons for the Hastings Sodbusters and Fremont Moo -- of the Expedition League, which has six teams in three states -- began two days after what was supposed to be the end of the College World Series. This helped provide coaches with material to analyze for recruiting, mostly for players already competing in college baseball. These Expedition League teams are generally made up of collegiate players who need a place to play in the summer. For baseball players who weren’t playing in a summer league, they focused on improving themselves, just in different ways. “We normally don’t get that amount of time to have off, so with that time, I worked out and worked on my nutrition trying to get my body right,” said Coastal Carolina sophomore pitcher Nick Parker. Some players certainly saw the season cancellation as a negative, but others saw it as a growth opportunity. Weiss took this opportunity to work out in a gym in Arizona. He met with many other players around the country who were influential to his baseball career. “I used this time to set myself apart and gain a lot of knowledge that I wouldn’t have if not for the shutdown. I was able to be influenced positively during the shutdown,” he said. Coastal Carolina’s Head Baseball Coach Gary Gilmore said parts of his job will have to change in response to the pandemic. “As far as philosophically, how you put a team together and what you’re trying to do to create UNLimited_11.20

a complete team, I don’t think philosophically necessarily will it change,” he said. “How we have to go about it, absolutely. We’re being forced every day to change how we’ve done things for years and years. Some of it will be things and pieces that you hang on to and continue to use moving forward.”

Memorial Stadium that provides student athletes the nutrition they need. Without the Training Table, some student athletes have trouble trying to maintain their nutritional needs.

For Louisiana State University’s hitting coach Eddie Smith, time together as a team has been “very limited.”

While many coaches have been avid proponents of playing sports during a pandemic, as sports are a return to normalcy, others say the impact on athletes is insignificant compared to the impact of on normal lives.

“Usually we try to do as much together as we possibly can to create that team mindset, to promote team play for each other, work-togethertype values in our team,” Smith said. “Quite frankly, we just can’t do that at the rate we want to. We can’t even have a full scrimmage with a whole team on the field at the same time with the current conditions.” September 17: University of Nebraska-Lincoln begins fall scrimmage

September 26: Creighton, Duke baseball begins fall scrimmage

“Ultimately, when it gets to on-the field coaching, the biggest thing that COVID has done is just renew my sense of gratitude for being able to coach,” Pollard said. “Having that experience taken away from us for several months, I don’t take it for granted that we’re able to get out there on a field together day in and day out and do what we love to do.” September 30: LSU begins fall scrimmage; will continue through November 10

Will Bolt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s head baseball coach, said in a September press conference that once his players were able to play in the summer leagues and get back into their routines, their spirits started picking up. In the fall, the team has started training and playing in fall scrimmages.

In the future, many players, coaches and fans are not sure what to expect for the upcoming season. UNO’s Strawn said spring will be different than any other season because of this uncertainty among teams.

Even with a return to play, some frustration remains among Nebraska players, fans and staff. Multiple confidential sources reported that only Nebraska football players are able to use the Training Table, a separate dining hall within

“The highlights for me are simply waking up every morning and coming out here and being around these kids and realizing how blessed I am to be around them and have my family and have such a great school to work for,” Gilmore said.

After having the 2020 baseball season cut short, the Duke University baseball team resumed operations with its fall scrimmages on Sept. 26, 2020 in a welcome return to normalcy. Photo by Duke Athletics

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Could Michael Jordan and Bubba Wallace’s new relationship

Create a More racially Diverse Nation

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Beginning in 2021, Michael Jordan’s New race team will compete with Darrell “Bubba” Wallace as its driver, pairinG NASCAR’s only Black Cup Series driver with the sport’s only Black Majority team owner and possibly attracting a long overdue minority presence.

n five years of racing hundreds of competitors at local dirt tracks, Tommy Etherton has competed with less than five Black drivers.

But he is hopeful the number will increase.

In addition to bringing more overall eyeballs to the sport, this Black duo will set a new standard.

In a state with a 5% Black population, per 2019 census, having just a handful of Black drivers among hundreds of competitors doesn’t add up.

“Folks don’t feel they’re welcome unless they see someone who looks like them doing it,” said William Richard, another NASCAR fan known on Twitter for sharing his perspective. “Anyone, no matter their color, race or creed, can make an impact in the world of NASCAR.”

So, while the world’s most well-known athlete has seemingly won everything there is to win in the basketball world, there’s one honor he adds to his list of accomplishments when he becomes a rookie again -- a title he hasn’t held since he entered the NBA in 1984 -- as the first Black majority owner in 50 years.

Having another African-American come into the sport in a significant ownership role, not just as a minority owner, but as the majority owner of a race team, is huge, added Jesse Iwuji, one of the only Black drivers in NASCAR’s Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series.

This newly-formed team, 23XI Racing, featuring Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., the sport’s only full-time Black driver in 50 years, could help NASCAR expand its demographic and diversify its mostly white audience.

While Jordan was known his apolitical during his NBA playing career -- famously saying, ‘Republicans buy sneakers, too’ -- he has recently increased his public activism, recently pledging to donate $100 million to anti-racist organizations.

Etherton said the team, with longtime driver Denny Hamlin also on board, will be a good stepping stone for drivers of different backgrounds to get a chance to compete within the Cup Series. Bubba Wallace signs autographs for fans on the red carpet before a race at Kansas Speedway last year. Photo by Bryce Zimmerman

Chase Thompson, a local Nebraska race fan, said he knows many NASCAR fans who have left the sport following the Confederate flag ban and 42 UNLimited_11.20

“Jordan getting into the sport and connecting with Wallace will only help diversify the sport,” he said. “I think NASCAR is losing fans due to the movement towards diversity, but those are the people you don’t want in your fanbase. NASCAR has made it very clear that they’re more than OK with losing that demographic in return for earning a whole new one.” The new Jordan and Wallace team could also help encourage young and talented Black drivers to see a path for racing NASCAR, according to Bob Pockrass, a NASCAR FOX Sports reporter.

“In all my years of racing locally around Nebraska, there’s been only one to three Black drivers that I’ve noticed competing,” said Etherton, a Denton, Nebraska native and former I-80 Speedway Rookie of the Year.

“This team could also create more interest in racing among minorities and make more people want to compete at their local dirt track,” he added.

public support of Black Lives Matter earlier this year. Thompson said the overall impact of promoting diversity has however been positive.

Lenny Batycki of Performance Racing Network, which airs radio broadcasts of NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series races at Speedway Motorsportsowned tracks, said Jordan’s brand brings attention to wherever it goes “More will see the sport of NASCAR due to the

light reflected by Jordan,” he said. In fact, NASCAR has been longing to find a partner like Jordan, Richard added. “To have him join the racing world in an ownership role only adds to the draw that NASCAR can bring around the globe.” Teaming up with Jordan likely further places Wallace in the limelight, too. Following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis Police officer in May, Wallace became the face for NASCAR’s support of the Black Lives Matter and the sport’s troubled past with racist fans at tracks and most notably the Confederate flag. “Removing the Confederate flag from all premises is a monumental moment in NASCAR history,” Thompson said. “NASCAR has made massive steps in diversifying its fanbase this season and that goes back to the shunning of the Confederate flag and symbols of racism.” While some fans point to NASCAR’s support of Black Lives Matter and eventual banning of the Confederate flag as a publicity stunt, Brenden Avery, a Black NASCAR fan from Omaha, said the move is actually a human rights stunt. “(Wallace) is already in a position where people won’t back him, because he’s in a sport that’s predominantly white. But now he’s got fans who give him backing and support,” Avery said. Banning the Confederate flag is a move that Pockrass thinks will help create a more inviting environment for everyone. He also believes that NASCAR needs to do a “better job” in encouraging teams to require sensitivity training and educate employees about discrimination. Drivers and crew rallied in unity behind Wallace at Alabama’s Talladega Superspeedway in June when what appeared to be a noose was discovered in his team’s garage. “Wallace’s 2020 season has opened the eyes of many race fans,” Richard said. “Seeing the level of support for Wallace from fellow drivers UNLimited_11.20

Photo Source: Getty Images

23XI Racing will make its NASCAR Cup Series debut at the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by 44 UNLimited_11.20 @23XIRacing

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is one step into changing the viewpoint that NASCAR is a ‘southern white man’s’ game. To know there is support in the garages of America’s premier motorsport simply showcases that anyone is welcome.” Thompson said he doesn’t think Jordan will be more popular than the revamped 2021 Cup Series schedule, including six road courses and a dirt race at Bristol Motor Speedway. “What will have the effect is the schedule changes coming in 2021, more track locations, cheaper ticket prices and added fan activities will be what allows the sport to become more popular,” he said.

“Ultimately, it comes down to the driver. What are we paying attention to? We’re paying attention to who wins and who loses.”

“This would help bring people from different demographics that you don’t see at the track a lot, whether they’re Hispanic, Asian or Black,” he said.

Centennial Celebration

In addition to giving away free tickets, Iwuji said this program could offer a VIP tour experience that shows people around the track and garage area. This would provide them with behind-thescenes looks, which could help provide better understanding and appreciation for the sport.

- Chuck C ooperstein

Other onlookers, such as Dallas Mavericks radio play-by-play announcer Chuck Cooperstein, believe that Jordan’s impact on NASCAR’s future rests on the team’s success. “Ultimately, it comes down to the driver. What are we paying attention to? We’re paying attention to who wins and who loses,” Cooperstein said in a recent Zoom meeting with University of Nebraska-Lincoln sports media students. “(For example,) Jordan owns the Charlotte Hornets. If the Hornets are good, we’re ultimately going to be talking about how PJ Washington, Devonte’ Graham or Malik Monk are doing the things they need to do in order to win games, not Jordan.” If Jordan, Hamlin and Wallace are not successful in their new endeavor, it’s possible Etherton may not see any more minority drivers behind the wheel. Some like Iwuji and Batycki said NASCAR could try diversifying its audience and drivers through other methods, too.

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For Iwuji, NASCAR can continue to diversify its audience by creating a program to bring minorities to the track and others who don’t have the normal opportunity to attend races or know anything about NASCAR. This program could set aside a certain number of tickets as part of a diversity outreach program that provides minorities a NASCAR experience.

The most important thing, Iwuji said, is just getting people to the track. “I’ve never heard anyone go to a NASCAR race and say it sucked after. The key step is just getting them there,” he said. “This experience would allow them to tell their friends, ‘Hey, this was cool, let’s go next year,’ which would further help build the sport.” As far as diversifying NASCAR’s group of drivers, Batycki said the first step is lowering the costs of team ownership and making room for investors. NASCAR’s Generation-7 car, set to debut at the beginning of 2022, is intended to improve the aerodynamics and downforce of the car while lowering the cost of owning a race team, according to NASCAR President Steve Phelps. In Batycki’s eyes, more available seats means more drivers can potentially compete.

The Rec Center Story Words: Jaxon Hallmark Visuals: Lydia Asplin

good day in Amy Lanham’s book is seeing students, faculty and staff outside of class at the Campus Recreation center. “For me, when I talk about Campus Recreation, it’s a get to, not a have to,” current senior associate director Lanham said. “There are so many things as a college student that you have to do, and what I like is that people decide in their time management that this place means enough to them to figure out how to come over and use our services.”

“Most likely, getting to come here is the best part of people’s days, and any day that we can make that a success for the student, is a good day in my book.” Because of dedicated staff like Lanham -whose called Campus Rec home for more than two decades -- 2020 marks the 100year anniversary since University of NebraskaLincoln opened the doors to the first Rec Center on East Campus, three years before Memorial Stadium was constructed, making the East Campus

Rec Center the oldest athletic building on campus. With over 210,000 square feet of indoor space, and 34 acres of outdoor space, Campus Rec provides 80 percent of the UNL student body an opportunity to create lifelong healthy habits and employs over 600 staff every year. With weight rooms, a golf simulator, swimming pools, football and soccer fields, athletic training rooms, locker rooms, an Outdoor Adventures Center and UNLimited_11.20

“there is a place for everyone over here. We can provide the support they need, and I like to think that we are part of their routine for day-to-day life.” - Mark Joekel even massage therapy, the Rec Center is more than just a place to get a lift in. “What I think The Rec does really well is connects students to other students, whether that is through sport clubs, intramural sports, or through student employment,” Lanham said. “They build new connections that they have for life.” The Campus Rec community, according to Mark Joekel, associate director for development and external relations and sponsorships, offers something unique to everyone. “Whether it’s joining a team in intramurals, or just coming in between classes to run on the treadmill, there is a place for everyone over here. We can provide the support they need, and I like to think that we are

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part of their routine for day-to-day life.” UNL senior Kendrick Umphreys said he plans his day around working out at Campus Rec. “Without The Rec I probably wouldn’t plan times to lift,” he added. Amid the ongoing pandemic, Campus Rec leaders revised the Centennial Celebration schedule by canceling gatherings to keep the students and staff safe. But the pandemic will not stop Campus Rec from celebrate its milestone, Joekel said. Even with all of the COVID changes, Joekel said they still plan to reward academic scholarships to UNL students, like they would in a normal year, and will continue to raise money for the betterment of the center.

It’s awesome to see how many people come through the program and get to have those real world experiences, Lanham said. “And it’s awesome to see how their story evolves from joining the Campus Rec up to commencement and past then when they stay in touch with us and let us know how influential this Rec was for them.” Umphreys said it’s important to workout throughout the week because it takes his mind off of my college studies and improves his overall wellness. “I think it’s big for my mental health along with my physical health,” he added.

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COVID Golf:

The most by par Words: Caelan Debban Visuals: Maddie Washburn

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he sun shimmers onto the freshly cut fairways of Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska. The golf carts glisten, thanks to a fresh wipedown that the employees coated on the seats. The greens are well-kept, watered and soft, just like normal.

stand out to employers, he said, adding that the PGM program requires 14 months of internships to graduate

Blake Schroeder, a 24-year-old graduate of the PGA Golf Management program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, strides onto the green. He prepares for a 6-foot putt on hole 11 by relaxing his shoulders and taking a deep breath.

In Texas, not only did Schroeder work for Bluejack National -- a course Tiger Woods helped design that is ranked the 114th best course in the country by Golf Digest, but he also saw the ups and downs of a golf season during a pandemic -- similar challenges being faced at golf courses in Lincoln.

“That’s a bad par,” he says. “It’s a par, but it’s a bad par.” Based on the number of people out on the golf course, it might look like a normal day on the links. However, amid a global pandemic, in the midst of businesses and restaurants temporarily shutting down and locking the doors, it’s anything but. Meanwhile, some golf courses continued welcoming guests. In recent months, the wide-open Highlands course, tucked away on the northwest side of the capital city, has seen record rounds and revenue.

“You actually have to take a year off of school to get these internships,” he said.

“In Houston, it was kind of an inverse relationship with everything,” he said. “As people unfortunately lose their jobs and get laid off or furloughed, they all come to the dang golf course. We were absolutely swamped for a while down there.” When he first got to Bluejack National, which is 30 miles north of Houston, the private golf club was not fully staffed because the management didn’t expect to see a major increase in play at a time when people were largely staying inside.

“June, July and August were the busiest three months in 20 years,” said Denis Vontz, a Highlands golf professional. Highlands is just one of the many courses that broke records this year, as the public course tallied an increase of 5,000 rounds this fiscal year, according to Vontz. “The benefit of playing golf during this pandemic is that you can easily social distance and be very safe outdoors,” he said. Golf experts attributed the rise in golf rounds this year to the pandemic -- a time when many people are choosing to stay inside and distance themselves from everyday activities. “There’s nothing better than day out here,” Schroeder said. “It’s been probably about a month or a month and a half since I’ve been out, and I love it.” As a recent graduate, Schroeder’s seen the behindthe-scenes operations of several golf courses across the country, starting at the Columbus golf course before moving on to Lincoln and Omaha and eventually working his way down to Texas for a summer internship, which is what will really

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“In a time that has been unfortunate for several others, it’s been great for golf.” - Blake Schroeder

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“When I got there in May, we were so busy that we actually broke the club record for rounds played in a day eight different times,” he said. “And that was just through the month of May. So it was almost unsustainable on our workload just to keep up with that.” It hasn’t just been veteran golfers hitting the links again and again each day. The surge of new golfers include high school and college students who have class online, or adults who have never had the time to clean off a set of old irons and swing away from the front tees. Michael Haas, another UNL student studying golf course management, said the 2020 summer was quite different from the 2019 summer. “We’re basically at full capacity every day,” Haas said of working at TPC Twin Cities, a PGA Tour-owned course in Blaine, Minnesota. “We went from about 140 rounds each day last year to about 200 plus this year.” Because of the increased foot traffic on courses, Haas said that golf patrons had to set their tee times days in advance just to get a round in. “It’s just so different,” he said. “Even trying to get out is tough. You have to make plans so far ahead of time just to get out. It’s so busy, and golfing is basically the only thing people can do.” Schroeder said he believes it’s possible golf could keep growing, but it all depends on how COVID progresses and what governments do in response to the virus. “You know, if it still ends up that people are working from home and unable to commute to and from work, those 9-hour work days could become 6-hour work days,” he said. “That is going to open up the entire afternoon to allow you to go out and golf. In a time that has been unfortunate for several others, it’s been great for golf.” COVID has changed the lifestyle of golfing with public city courses in Lincoln on pace with the city’s suggested safety measures, including washing carts after every use, adding plastic dividers inside of the carts and in front of counters and obliging by the city-wide mask mandate. With all of the added safety measures golfers are asked to socially distance inside of the clubhouse and, once outside, can remove their masks while playing. On the course, golfers play normally, with the exception of not removing the flag from the hole in order to reduce touching the same surface as previous golfers. Three members of the Lincoln Women’s Municipal Golf

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Association, Sherrie Nelson, Shelly Herrod and Mary Ann Frye, said the added protocols make them feel safe amid current conditions. “Just by observing, you can see that the things the courses did to deal with (COVID) were effective,” Nelson said. “On the greens, you can’t touch the pin in the cup, so we only touch our own equipment. If we gather afterwards, we sit outside by the picnic tables or we just won’t gather at all.” Nelson and her club mates are out on the Lincoln city courses almost every day finding a way to have fun and socialize. “Our social lives that are built around golf haven’t changed,” she said. “We started playing again in March when they were back open fully. We were out here right away, and at first it was kind of funny because we’d literally be standing six feet apart. We don’t do that as much now, but we’re respectful.” Most of the people that come to the courses are respectful and cautious to keep the protocols in mind, the women said. Herrod said she feels it’s becoming a bit easier to trust each other more in that case. “For us especially, for the most part, we know what each other’s schedule is like,” she said. “We’re pretty comfortable being around our golf friends because most of us don’t do anything except golf or go grocery shopping.” When Schroeder steps onto the 18th green, he pauses to fix the divot his ball imprinted in the grass from his last shot and prepares for one final putt. He squares up, sways his putter forward and connects with the ball. The line is flawless, as the ball strikes the pin and falls into the cup. He smiles and drops to his knees, dramatically lifting his arms into the air. There may be a pandemic, but today, on the golf course, that thought is lifted away in the perfect end to the day.

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Words: Jack Driggers and Garrett Freund

Overshadowed and underappreciateD:

the life of a Nebraska student manager

housands of dirty socks, hundreds of scuffed uniforms and sweaty towels are washed by the boat load

WIll Stone Photos

in equipment rooms at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. When thinking of a normal college football Saturday at Memorial Stadium, the programâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history of five national championships or the three different Heisman trophy winners might come to mind. But without Huskers student managers -- who are responsible for taking care of equipment problems, setting up the field and helping coaches and players during practices -- not everything in the athletic

Nebraska student managers prepare for The Turkey Bowl against the athletic trainers. Photo by Zane Goldfish

department would get done.

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Baylie Fadool helps prepare by sliding the player’s jersey over the shoulder pads. Photo by Baylie Fadool

And this year, as the Huskers football team returns to action, the athletic department has to function without a majority of its

he could qualify for the same tutoring that the football players

student managers.

get.

COVID-19 affected higher education in different ways across

are, but sometimes it’s like at least 25 hours a week during the

money. UNL was no exception, as the student managers were

fall season -- that’s pretty big responsibility and pretty big time

one of the university employee groups that partially lost funding.

commitment. So, sometimes it’s hard to get between having a

because of budget cuts, said becoming a student manager at Nebraska was in his bloodline.

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“We’re not spending as many hours in the stadium as they

campuses. Many universities decided to slash budgets to save

Zane Goldfish, one the many student managers out of a job

Dan Matthews, Zane Goldfish and Ben Chaloupka throw up the bones before kickoff inside Memorial Stadium. Photo by Zane Goldfish

student manager during the 2019 football season, said he wishes

social life, academics and working; it’s kind of hard to balance all three.” Due to budget cuts, the only managers still working with the

“I’ve always kind of wanted to do it because my dad actually

football team are seniors, which left Goldfish on the outside

did it when he went to UNL,” he said. “I wasn’t sure how I would

looking in. He’s also on the National Guard and is being sent

go about getting that -- I didn’t think I was ever going to be a

to Texas for a border mission next September, meaning he will

manager, honestly. But, one of my first few weeks here at UNL,

not be in Lincoln for next year’s football season. When he steps

the manager’s Twitter account tweeted that they’re looking to

back on campus, he hopes he can be rehired by the athletic

hire, which I don’t think they’d ever done before.”

department to make sure he didn’t work his last snap for the

After seeing the post, Goldfish, a junior who worked as a

football team.

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Senior Baylie Fadool has been a student

managers washing dirty laundry, organizing

manager with the football team since she

travel equipment and making sure practice

arrived on campus in 2016 under then

equipment is in place.

coach Mike Riley. She is also one of two

“They have just told me they’re super

women serving as student managers with

busy,” said Grant Miller, a former equipment

the football team.

manager for Nebraska Athletics who was let

“In the beginning, I was like, ‘I don’t know

go because of COVID. “Usually, they would

how this is gonna be at first.’ I literally

be doing all the computer work like ordering

am one of the only girls amongst a ton

more gear and making sure all the sizes are

of, you know, players and coaches and

right on everything. And we would be doing

everything,” she said. “And at first, it was

all the laundry and handing out some of the

interesting, but I’ve always been so grateful

gear. But now that we’re not there, they got

to be with a staff that has really made me

to do both of it.”

feel welcome and appreciated.” Fadool also said valued she feels by the coaching staff and players.

Jay Terry, the assistant athletic director and equipment Operations for Nebraska football, said without student managers,

“Everyone knows my name. And I am

even with the limited numbers due to the

always told, like, ‘Thank you for this,’ and

COVID-19 restrictions, he wouldn’t have

‘You’re doing a great job,’ and that’s so

enough time in the day to get things done.

helpful to just know that, even though we

“They provide me with hands, so we’re

are kind of like the bottom of the totem

able to do projects much quicker. Just things

pole and everything, to still be recognized

where you need hands to get things done.

and noticed is definitely something I

In the past years, I’ve had 15 to 20 working,

appreciate.”

(and) right now I have six, Terry said.

The student football managers are not the only ones without a job as both men and women’s basketball, along with volleyball suffered staff losses. It’s hard to imagine

These managers, Terry said, work hard and are not looking for recognition. “Because that’s not what you’re going to get,” he said.

how these programs can succeed without Baylie Fadool stands on the sideline surveying the action on the opposite side of the field. Photo by Baylie Fadool

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the essential everyday work of student

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Kearney, Nebraska:

everything a hockey player needs Words: Francis Forte Visuals: Maddie Washburn

hen people think about hockey hotbeds, states like Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota come

to mind, as do northern states hosting loads of hockey facilities and talented professional and college teams.

tier-I hockey program in the United States Hockey League. “The setting of Kearney doesn’t change how we run our hockey operations,” TriCity Storm Head Coach Anthony Noreen said. “We’re not in Minnesota or Michigan, but we offer a unique experience to our

One region that does not often come to

players and allow them to grow in our

mind is Kearney, Nebraska -- a city of

environment. The USHL is a hugely

just over 33,000 residents in the center

competitive league filled with top talent.”

of the Cornhusker State. The town and surrounding county are known for its agriculture with over 1,000 farms and ranches. Herds of cattle and rows and of detasseled corn cover the vast landscape of the city’s surrounding areas. Few look at Kearney and see a hockey community. The class-A public schools there do not have a hockey program, nor does the Nebraska Schools Activities Association. However, since 2000, the city

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has been home to the Tri-City Storm, a

While the setting of Kearney is unlike many others in hockey, it’s here that the Storm players and staff can focus on the game while gaining high-level experience and coachinig. “It’s a culture shock for them,” Noreen said. “They sometimes come from places like Los Angeles and are placed right in the middle of farm-country Nebraska. It’s a huge transition for a lot of the guys.”

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In Kearney, the USHL’s third-smallest host city in metro

the University of North Dakota, and said that while Kearney

population, the Storm has players from four different

may be different to other hockey-centric areas, it provides

countries and players from all over the US.

him and his teammates everything they need to succeed.

“These guys are coming here to chase their dream,”

“We have the best coaching out there,” Portz said. “The

out NHL talent. The team loves to win but that will come if

Noreen said. “For all of these guys, the dream of eventually

town is a little smaller than what I’m used to, but at the end

we have the development right. Our goal is to give players

The Storm have produced a steady stream of Division

making it to the NHL is still a reality. Last year, we had more

of the day, it has everything we need. We’re here to play

the best chance to form into solid professional players.”

I athletes, as 19 members of the 2019-20 roster are

players drafted to the NHL than any other junior team in the

hockey first and foremost. We have great fans who support

world. Most people wouldn’t expect that to happen in a little

us. There’s not much else you can ask for as a player.”

town like Kearney, Nebraska.”

National Team Development Program and Chicago Steel. “The goal of our program here is development,” Noreen said. “We want this place to be a hockey factory that pumps

The size of Kearney is treated like an advantage for the Storm’s coaching staff. Noreen said that since Kearney is

lot of things a player can do on his off nights that can be detrimental to them, he said. “In Kearney, the guys can focus on what will make them better. We’re very happy to be in this town.”

committed to play high-level college hockey after their time in the USHL.

The Storm tied its program record in the 2020 draft, as six

not a night-life hotbed, the players can focus on hockey,

Missouri native Cole McWard played two seasons for

Nick Portz, a second-year Tri-City player from St. Cloud,

former Storm players were drafted by NHL programs, which

rather than getting distracted hanging out downtown.

the Storm and is committed to play at the University of

Minnesota, is committed to play Division I NCAA hockey at

was the third most in the USHL behind the USA Hockey

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“When you play hockey in a huge market, there are a

Michigan.

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“We are given so much opportunity to

season’s start back from its usual early

grow as players here,” he said. “The

October start to Nov. 5.

environment is different from when I played AAA hockey in St. Louis, but I’ve loved my time here. It’s weird to think that

McWard said it has been a bit difficult with the complications of COVID.

a lot of my growth as a player happened

“We’re all wearing masks and staying

in Kearney, but I’m thankful for my time

spread apart to make sure everyone stays

here with this coaching staff.”

healthy, but I think we’re doing a really

For most of the Storm’s roster, college hockey is just beyond their time in Kearney as the USHL However, Portz said he must keep himself in the moment and focus on his development. “You look forward to it. It’s kind of in the back of your mind, but you know that you’re here because you need to develop and win a championship,” he said. “You have to put that future in the back of your mind, focus on what you can do to get

good job overall. It’s not affecting us too much. We’re still able to go out there and work hard. If we keep that up, I think the season will run smoothly.” The setting of Kearney has helped Noreen and his staff realize its vision of a hockey development factory. Noreen said the city of Kearney and the community surrounding the team have aided the program’s efforts to push players forward to the next level.

better today and take advantage of all the

“The quality of life here has been great,”

opportunities we get here.”

he said. “What I would say that’s unique

Like the rest of the sports world, the ongoing pandemic has affected the USHL. Two teams, the Madison Capitols and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, suspended operations for the season. Players on other teams reported to practice at a later date, and league officials pushed the

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about Kearney is when we win, the fans support us. When we lose, the fans support us. When we trade guys, the fans support us. The people here behind are these guys because of what they represent and how they carry themselves. That wholesome part of the game is way more important than wins and losses.”

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Words: Tyler Fangman

Friday night lights: A new

Visiting Malcolm fans socially distance and cheer during the Oct. 23 Malcolm-Wahoo game. Photo by Dallas Sweet

look and feel in this strange year

ootball stadiums across the country sit more empty than ever this fall. In Nebraska and across the Great Plains, some stadiums have no student sections, some only

allow home fans and others just immediate family members and grandparents. In many areas, everyone is masked up -from the ticket booth to the concession stands and coaches willing their teams to victory. Even the handshake line sits dormant this year. “After games, we take five yards onto the field and both sides just wave to each other,” said Patrick Foley, Creighton Prep’s punter. “Say good game and then we split.” As the state playoffs began in all 93 counties within the next two weeks, from large Class A communities, like Lincoln and Bellevue, to the villages that make up Class D-2 schools, like Falls City and Sacred Heart, schools across the state

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Creighton Prep Kicker Patrick Foley kicks off against Millard West. Photo by Heather Johnson

-- except the seven Omaha Public Schools that are

suspended,” according to the OPS statement. “We

not playing football this fall -- are making it work by

understand the important role extra-curricular activities

reworking schedules to resemble a regular season.

play in a student’s experience. This suspension is for

“I think every AD in the state would agree that one of the best things that’s happened is that the (Nebraska

All of the rest of the Omaha and Lincoln schools, 24

School Activities Association) has allowed us the

in all, decided that with proper protocols, it was safe

freedom of when somebody has to cancel a game, we

enough to not only play the high contact sport but all

can pick up the game,” said Dallas Sweet, assistant

other sports as well, leaving the seven OPS schools on

principal and activities director at Malcolm. “And it

an island alone.

doesn’t count for wildcard points and the seeding system for the state playoffs.” For the first time in Class A, the playoffs will allow all 24 teams to participate with the best eight teams getting

Not only did that decision affect the lives of OPS teachers, students and parents, but other schools were also forced to revise their schedules to adjust to cancelations of games.

a bye. Class A and D have cut off the usual last week

“We were (supposed) to play Omaha Northwest,” said

of the season, Week 9, to get through the playoffs with

Jeffrey Pierce, assistant athletic and activities director

less risk of a team having a COVID outbreak. Class

for Lincoln Northeast. “When that game fell, Lincoln

B and C will get going, though if a team has a COVID

Southwest, who actually had three openings, contacted

outbreak, they are automatically forfeited and the next

us and said, ‘Hey, by the way, we have an opening on

team moves on.

the same date that you do. Can we play?”

“The one bad deal that’s beyond anybody’s control is

That game happened Week 3.

once the bracket is set, should a team have a COVID

***

issue, they simply are forfeiting, and the other team will

Not all schools in Nebraska have been as fortunate

advance,” Sweet said.

as Lincoln Northeast to reschedule football games.

The pandemic has rocked many parts of everyday life;

Creighton Prep had to drop a game against defending

that was no different in the state of Nebraska where

state champions Bellevue West due to a positive test,

fans worried that they might not see any football in

which resulted in the entire team quarantining.

2020, especailly after Omaha Public Schools canceled all fall sports.

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the health and safety of everyone.”

“That was a tough one for our team,” said Foley. “Then we missed practice for that week and a half, that kind

“During our time in the 100% Remote Learning

of slid out a little bit. Then our next week, we played

Instructional Model, all activities and athletics will be

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beat, but we’re just missing that practice.” Maybe nobody has had it worse in the metro area, possibly even the entire Cornhusker State, than the defending state champions Bellevue West Thunderbirds; they managed to get five games in, winning in all five to secure the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs as well as a first-round bye, but it has been a rocky road getting there. “For us, it was extremely difficult coming off a state title last year, having a pretty good team returning several very high caliber players,” said Jon Mauro, Bellevue West’s assistant principal and activities director. “We really struggled to find in-state opponents that were willing to play us during our open weeks.” Another interesting piece of the puzzle is deciding how many fans can watch these games from the stands. Many schools are doing it differently than Grand Island, one of two public schools in the central Nebraska town of just over 50,000 that decided not to let visiting fans in their stadium. For the Omaha schools still playing, 100 high school seniors are allowed to attend, while Lincoln schools allow only immediate family members in the stands. “Each district has different guidelines,” Pierce said. “As far as how they allow spectators in core family members, that kind of thing. Lincoln Public decided that they would have each participant submit a list, and they submitted up to eight names. And those names have to

Either way, Sweet said any football is better than no

be either people that live in your immediate household

football: “We’re happy having had the chance to give

or grandparents.”

our kids nine games.”

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Visiting Malcolm fans socially distance and cheer during the Oct. 23 Malcolm-Wahoo game. Photo by Dallas Sweet UNLimited_11.20

“As we sat down with all of our clubs, the first question we asked was: ‘In this environment, is this something you even want to explore doing?’” Brost said. “The answer from all of them was yes.” Sport clubs connect and engage college students outside of the classroom. That, for Brost, is the most important part. “Most of these students are involved because this is their community,” Brost said. “This is their family here on campus. They would rather continue to have that community and do it in a different way than it looked like in the past than not do it at all.”

How UNL Sport clubs Are surviving through COVID Words: Cody Frederick Visuals: Aaron Housenga

osh Adams drove over to the bright green grass of Whittier Fields to start training for his fourth year of men’s ultimate frisbee practice and second year as club president.

Adams, a Michigan native and men’s ultimate frisbee club president, said he didn’t know anyone coming to UNL, and the men’s ultimate club has since become his home and allowed him to grow as a leader.

sports for the approximately 1,000 students involved, according to Zac Brost, senior assistant director for sport programs.

“From the beginning, it was about how can we find a way for students to do things that are so important to them or vital for their development but do it as safe a way as But this year, his team, which normally travels possible,” Brost said, adding that UNL was to tournaments in Iowa, Oklahoma and “more aggressive” than most other Big Ten Texas, won’t be competing against any other universities in its approach to maintain sport schools. clubs this year. “They cut out travel for this fall semester, which was a big bummer,” Adams said. “That’s something I really look forward to because coming back from summer, you get to play and have fun.” The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was the first Big Ten university to return to club

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For the 32 sport clubs -- ranging from frisbee to curling and Cross-Fit -- the ongoing pandemic forced new rules, travel restrictions and mandatory protocols all without mandatory COVID-19 testing. However, even without traveling to other schools and play in tournaments, many students are happy to return to some sense of normalcy.

For UNL alumnus Grantley Thomas, men’s ultimate team coach, one of his best memories from college was his time on the team.

Cornfed frisbee players practice at Whittier Fields on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Photos by Aaron Housenga

“Since then, I’ve played in the semi-professional league,” Thomas said. “I’ve played in three different world championship events for frisbee.” Under the leadership of Coach Grant, the men’s ultimate team has been a “role model” for UNLimited_11.20

conducting club sports during the pandemic, Brost said. “We’re doing the best we can to stay playing as much as we can,” Adams said. “If we can just follow what our administration has set for us to do, we’ll have a lot of success playing.” Brost said he has been pleased, not just with the men’s ultimate team, but with all sport clubs following protocols to prevent an outbreak. Other sport club members like Kealey Jensen, president of the women’s club hockey team, are pleased with the chance to compete even if it’s just against each other.

men’s ultimate team -- an influx of students consistently show up for Tuesday and Thursday night practice. “For the most part, they can’t really go out and do anything else COVID-wise,” Adams said. “It’s a good way for them to go outside and be active at the same time and stay as safe as we can from the virus.” Natalie Milhouse, president of the women’s soccer club, said she has seen an increase in freshman trying out for the team.

“I think we all felt grateful that we still had the chance to attempt to do something,” she said. “I honestly don’t think there’s been any kickback in that sense because they’re trying really hard to make it as normal as possible.”

“A lot of them didn’t want to come back because we weren’t playing games,” she said, “And we were only practicing once a week for fun, instead of normally, we practice twice a week.”

Without travel this season, some expected less students would show up for sport clubs, but that was not the case with the

While some may focus on the negative consequences of the COVID pandemic,

Thomas said some good that has come out of it, too. “We can take things slower and introduce these concepts that we’d normally be introducing one on top of each other in a more sequential, thought out manner to hopefully give people less information they have to remember and build the basic knowledge to understand the sport rather than try to do it all at once,” Thomas said.

“We just go until you don’t feel good, and if you don’t feel good, don’t come.”

Brost said he doesn’t imagine the administration would reverse course and allow sport clubs to travel. “I never say never,” he said. “The thing to understand is it’s not apples to apples when we’re talking about Big Ten varsity athletics football and sport programs at Campus Recreation. If we were able to get access to mass rapid testing and do that multiple times a week, that would be a great start.”

Even though sport clubs players are not required to test negative, the players on the team have been great at being cautious, Adams said.

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Photo by Aaron Housenga

The biggest change for sport clubs sports is “just being conscious of it all the time,” Adams added. “We’re limited with what we can do at practice. We have to do things a little more spaciously,” he said. “When we’re in a huddle, we’re always spaced out.”

Jensen said the 13-member hockey team feels safe practicing at the Breslow Ice Hockey Center with enough room to distance while doing drills, and no one else is in the rink.

- Josh Adams

Sport clubs, however, do not have the same access to mass testing resources as the UNL athletics department. Even if the sport clubs athletes did, the administration would have to find universities who have the same protocols.

Kealey Jensen, UNL Women’s Hockey Club Team President, skating before practice at the Breslow Ice Hockey Center on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

said. “We just go until you don’t feel good, and if you don’t feel good, don’t come.”

“We stress that if at any point you don’t feel OK, it’s best to not come to practice that day and probably go get yourself tested,” Adams

When looking forward to spring, few have answers, and Brost said he does not know if travel will be allowed or even when a decision will be made. “The goal posts are moving all of the time,” he said. “I’m a fairly optimistic person. So much of it depends on if we have a vaccine coming. Nationwide, are people doing a better job with protocols that are in place to try to keep spread down? The top priority right now, Brost said, is making sure sport club athletes are safe. “We’re so focused on our campus,” Brost said. “When it comes to traveling and competing against other campuses, now I’ve got tons more campuses that I have to worry about. We have a hard enough time on our own.”

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g i b go

BREAD

Q&A Omaha, Nebraska is one of the most racially

segregated towns in the United States. Blue dots represent White people in Omaha, who take up nearly all of the western part of the city, with clear lines of division -- 72nd Street running north-south and Dodge Street running east-west -- dividing the city. Black Americans are represented by the green dots live mostly in north Omaha, while Hispanics are represented by orange dots and live predominantly in south Omaha. Asian populations are in red. Few industries or programs within Omaha are insulated from this racial division, and youth sports

are not immune to this either. Geographicbased leagues are convenient to parents and players alike, but does their presence continue to pass down this divided legacy?

UNLimited Sportsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Luke Mullin Interviewed Sgt. Tony Espejo of the Omaha Police Department, who founded Police Athletics for Community Engagement, a free sports league for youth in Omaha, and Robert AMdor, president of Omaha-based soccer club, Nebraska Futbol Club.

husker pride delivered to your door runza.com/shop racialdotmap.demographics.coopercenter.org

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www.runza.com

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Q: What was starting the Police Athletics for Community Engagement league like? A: Sgt. Espejo: I found a park

behind the Boys & Girls Club that hadn’t been used for years -- the lights certainly hadn’t been used for years. I picked Friday nights, which is my busiest night of the week, and I divided south Omaha into six different districts geographically where I was having the most problems with gangs. I went to the park so I could start taking these recruits from the gangs. I said (to the kids in the park) that I want it 10-13 years old, I’m going to give you a piece of paper and 18 jerseys. I want you to write down the names of who you want on the team. The games are going to be Friday nights. I’m going to find you a coach. I’ll let you pick the name and number of the team, too. We’re not going to be in Gretna or Elkhorn. We’re going to be here in south Omaha and you can either ride your bikes or walk to get to the games. Q: How does offering this free soccer league make it accessible to kids? A: Sgt. Espejo: It’s all driven by

parents who care about their kids and want the best for them. They’re paying for the extra training session, the shoes and all that stuff, so how do kids down in south and north 82 UNLimited_11.20

Omaha have access to any of that? Their parents care about them just as much as the other ones do, so how do we give them that opportunity? The thing about soccer that I like is that it’s relatively cheap and that’s why it’s a world sport. All you need is two sticks, something that simulates a ball and then you play 11 v 11. Q: Do you get a lot of appreciative parents? A: Sgt. Espejo: The big thrill is the

kids who have been through it and are now parents. The kids who were originally in the program are 26, 27, 28 years old now and they’re having their kids. At the end of the day, it’s about instilling the values learned through athletics: courage, persistence and consistency. We’d rather have 100 solid citizens that

“it’s about instilling the values learned through athletics: courage, persistence and consistency.” - Sgt. Tony Espejo and Pace founder

understand the sacrifices people gave to coach them, rather than whether they make it to Major League Baseball or not. If everyone took care of their own backyard, our problems would be a lot less socially and economically. Q: How much does the Nebraska Futbol Club focus on winning versus development? A: Amdor: The vast majority of

kids who are playing soccer are playing because they want to be competitive and they want to play on their high school team. Their goals are just as important, so it’s overall about trying to develop the players and help them achieve the goals they’ve set. I learned a long time ago that you have to help these players understand why they want to play. It’s important for us to help these kids understand they have to set some goals, and then we help them try to achieve them. Otherwise you just fall into a routine of having a lineup and playing soccer, and they don’t even understand what the end goal is. Is it all about winning, or it supposed to be about trying to make yourself a better person? I hope it’s the latter. Q: How do you see your role as a soccer club? A: Amdor: We’re trying to coach

Victory Formation the best players we can and teach them some life lessons along the way, and our goal is to serve players who didn’t have some of the opportunities that kids in west Omaha had. We’re proud of the fact that we’ve been able to be successful, that we’ve attracted a lot of kids from the local area. To see some of them grow and achieve their goals is very rewarding. I know of one boy this year who made it on a development academy team and he and his mom moved to St. Louis, so it’s fantastic to see kids achieve their dreams. Q: What are the future goals for Nebraska FC? A: Amdor: The goal for NFC will

always be to try and help these kids on the south side of town. I can see the club growing quite a bit because we’ve been very consistent in providing competitive teams in the last seven or eight years. I think we’ll just continue to build on that. We’ll focus on developing our facilities, and it’s a constant battle to try and find quality coaches, and I think all the clubs will tell you that. To provide the best service to the kids you have to have knowledgeable coaches and facilities and a lot of volunteers. , UNLimited_11.20

WILL STONE Design

Lydia Asplin Photo

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