Cornhuskers fans opt to pass on Shreveport
Associated Press
Dec. 26, 2002 12:00 AM
LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska fans typically go in droves to the football team's bowl game each year.
Not this year.
For many reasons, few Cornhuskers fans are heading to Shreveport, La., where Nebraska plays Mississippi in the Independence Bowl on Friday.
They blame the timing. They blame the economy. They blame a 7-6 season, the worst in 41 years.
Only 5,000 to 8,000 Huskers fans are expected at the game, which comes two days after Christmas. Bowl organizers anticipated about 12,000 Huskers fans at first.
About 20,000 to 25,000 Huskers fans usually show for a bowl, said Marc Shkolnick, associate executive director of the university's Alumni Association. Last year, about 60,000 showed for the Rose Bowl against Miami in Pasadena, Calif. This year, Shkolnick said, it will be different.
"It won't be quite the sea of red," he said. "It'll be the pond of red."
Few local travel agencies are taking people to Shreveport. Bill Bennett, owner of Lincoln's Adventure Travel, said this is the first time in 25 years his company is not offering a bowl trip.
When he tried to round up 45 people for a bus package, he called his loyal customers. He ended up with 18 - not enough to make a go of it.
Shkolnick said the alumni association also canceled its trip. He had figured they'd have no problem finding at least 120 fans to charter a plane.
"I think we had only 20 or 25," he said. "I've been at the association nine years, and I haven't seen anything quite like this."
Glen Krupica, executive director of the Independence Bowl, said Huskers fans shouldn't fear going at the last minute. Tickets and hotel rooms will be easy to get.
"We will paint the town red for you," he said.
Associated Press
Dec. 26, 2002 12:00 AM
LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska fans typically go in droves to the football team's bowl game each year.
Not this year.
For many reasons, few Cornhuskers fans are heading to Shreveport, La., where Nebraska plays Mississippi in the Independence Bowl on Friday.
They blame the timing. They blame the economy. They blame a 7-6 season, the worst in 41 years.
Only 5,000 to 8,000 Huskers fans are expected at the game, which comes two days after Christmas. Bowl organizers anticipated about 12,000 Huskers fans at first.
About 20,000 to 25,000 Huskers fans usually show for a bowl, said Marc Shkolnick, associate executive director of the university's Alumni Association. Last year, about 60,000 showed for the Rose Bowl against Miami in Pasadena, Calif. This year, Shkolnick said, it will be different.
"It won't be quite the sea of red," he said. "It'll be the pond of red."
Few local travel agencies are taking people to Shreveport. Bill Bennett, owner of Lincoln's Adventure Travel, said this is the first time in 25 years his company is not offering a bowl trip.
When he tried to round up 45 people for a bus package, he called his loyal customers. He ended up with 18 - not enough to make a go of it.
Shkolnick said the alumni association also canceled its trip. He had figured they'd have no problem finding at least 120 fans to charter a plane.
"I think we had only 20 or 25," he said. "I've been at the association nine years, and I haven't seen anything quite like this."
Glen Krupica, executive director of the Independence Bowl, said Huskers fans shouldn't fear going at the last minute. Tickets and hotel rooms will be easy to get.
"We will paint the town red for you," he said.
