Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1989)
Heart attack still hasn’t slowed Husker Bob By Jim Hanna Staff Reporter Dear Husker Bob, You’ve helped us cheer through many, many games. You made us cheer when we didn 't really want to cheer. So why don ‘tyou cheer us up one more time and get well. - An 11-year old Husker Bob fan When Husker Bob Rowe had a heart attack before the Nebraska football game Nov. 7, 1987, many Cornhusker fans feared they might never see their favorite Big Red fan leading cheers again. Two years and 23 football games later, however, Husker Bob is cheering louder than ever, and the fans love it. “Husker Bob? He’s all right,” said football fan George Hanson with a thumbs-up. And he is all right. His heart attack convinced him to quitsmok ing and he says he hasn’t felt stronger in years. At 67, Husker Bob is in his 11th season as Ne braska football’s most famous fan. “I gave it (smoking) up, and it gave me strength,” he said, raising his fists enthusiastically. “I thought I had a lot of strength then, but I have more strength now.” His strength as a I lusker fan has made him a durable fixture at home and away games since 1978, the first year he was able to get tickets. Decked out in a variety of red clothing and sporting his trade mark white cap, 1 lusker Bob roams the stands leading cheers and incit ing the crowd. It seems like they all love me." And I lusker Bob loves them. I le even loves the students in the stands, a group that often gets a bad rap for their unruly behavior. “I love the students, they’re good students. I think we have the best students in the Big Eight. I don’t just think, I know that’s true,” he said. That is not to say that he thinks the rest of the teams in the Big Eight have bad fans. Having missed only seven ga mes in the last 11 years, Husker Bob has a good grasp of the natu re of fans through out the league. He even speaks highly of Oklahoma, Nebraska’s most-hated rival for nearly 20 years. “Oklahoma is class,” he said. “Oklahoma fans have class just like their team.” Still, Husker Bob remains loyal to the fans who pack Memorial Stadium on game Saturdays. He notes with pride the surprise ex pressed by visiting fans when they see how likable Nebraska fans are. His favorite fan story involves a 1984 game against Florida State University, which Nebraska lost. After the game, as is typical Ne braska fan behavior, the winning team was applauded as they left the field. After the game, several*Florida State followers were hoping to celebrate the victory, but diet not know where in Lincoln they could do so safely. “I told lOpeople to follow me, I said ‘come on downtown, I’ll take you down to the Sidetrack. I’m sure they’re not moping in their drinks They’re singing and having a good time.’ We walked in there and.they couldn’t believe it. They said I lusker Bob, it looks like, the way you’re celebrating here, that you won the game today, and we won ’ I said that’s just the way we are.” Though Husker Bob may be proud of his fellow fans, there is one situation that does not sit well with him. “When it’s quiet,” he said. “I don’t like the quiet.” I hat’s why Husker Bob often can be seen leading the crowd in a few cheers. “The cheerleaders do a tremen dous job, but they can’t do it all,” he said. I lusker Bob’s role as Nebraska’s most famous fan starts well before the kickoff. On the Friday night before home games, he attends the pep rally at Misty’s in Havelock. He goes to bed late and allows himself to sleep in the following morning, until 8 a m. From there, it’s off to his own little tailgate party with a breakfast/ lunch on the hood of his car across the street from the Hilton. Several other fans join up with him and by 11:30, they’re oft on a tour of pre game hotspots. At 11:30, you can find Husker Bob outside of Chesterfield’s lead ing an alurnni pep band in a few rousing numbers._ “It’s just like clockwork. You can always find me there,” he said. Finally, at 12:50, Husker Bob and his followers head into Memo rial Stadium for the start of another Big Red contest. See HUSKER BOB on 11 I>avc Fahlcson/ Dally Nebraskan Husker Bob Rowe kneels amidst his signs and puppet. Husker Bob has been a familiar sight at Cornhusker games since 1978. ^aPa John Knows Best! . 114 So. 14th St. \v!L^.'? Big Breakfast Downtown -—Everyday 7 to 11 a.m. Two Early Bird Specials! QQ Ham, Bacon or Sausage Ham, Bacon or Sausage with Two Eggs, Toast, H with Two Pancakes, Butter & Jelly JBm* Butter & Syrup Watch For “WAFFLE-RAMMA’S" MID-AFTERNOON BREAK Everyday 1 to 4 p.m. ALL DESSERTS ‘/a PRICE Papa John’s a 114 So. 14th • 477-7657 _Next To The Library • "We Like To Caterf”_ _ IFrom the home office in Lincoln, Nebraska, THE TOP TEN THINGS TO DO I on Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to Midnite. | 1 □ PLUS THE WORLD S MOST DANGEROUS STAFF! J P Late Night With Valentinos-Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to Midnite. 1 •VSlentinoS J L The Pizza Restaurant H That Didn’t Stop With Pizza 13th & Q — Downtown