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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 1995)
TUESDAY I WEATHER: Today - Mostly sunny. Hot. South wind 10 to 20 --inifiht - Mostly clear. __August 22, 1995_ L______ ... .. .. .. __ . .... . ... .. . 1^.7 Retailers say Herbie still husking big green By Paula Lavigne and Trevor Parks Senior Reporters His job was to excite fans on the sidelines, but the key to Herbie Husker’s survival de pended on whether he excited fans in the stores. Athletic administrators announced their de cision to replace Herbie this summer, but they had been talking about it since February, said A1 Papik, senior associate athletic director. Inside: ■ Please see page 6 for more Herbie Husker coverage. A new mascot will be approved by Athletic Director Bill Byrne, who was out of the country Monday. Chris Anderson, director of Nebraska Sports Information, said the decision was based on a survey of900 season ticket holders and recruit ing, marketing and public feedback. City mourns slain Omaha police officer By Steve Kline The Associated Press OMAHA — For the first time in more than 20 years, Omaha will bury a police officer killed in the line of duty. Officer James Wilson Jr., a 24-year-old, third-generation police officer, was shot in the head about 8 p.m. Sunday when he stopped a van to check its registration. He was declared brain dead about an hour later but was kept on life support until 5 a.m. Monday, said a Univer sity Hospital spokesman. Two men were arrested about 9:30 a.m. Monday at a south Omaha housing proj ect about six miles from the residential neighborhood where Wilson was shot. They were being ques tioned about the shooting. Police said a third man later surrendered. Their names were not made public, and no formal charges had been filed late Monday. “What a tragedy for the police department, his family, for everyone in Nebraska,” Gov. Ben Nelson said. “We just don’t know what to think when we see this sort of thing happen in Nebraska,” Nelson said. “It’s senseless. It’s cowardly.” Wilson had stopped the van, which he sus pected was stolen, a few miles northwest of downtown. Before he could get out of his patrol car, he was struck by shots fired from the van, wit nesses said. The van sped off, and neighbors called 911. “I am outraged by such a cold-blooded act,” Omaha Mayor Hal Daub said. Daub said officials believed an automatic or semiautomatic weapon was used. Wilson had been on the police force for about a year. His father, James Wilson Sr., and grandfather, Walter Olson, also had served with die Omaha Police Department. Fellow officers, including many off-duty officers, volunteered to help search for suspects. Police searched for the van using the de scription from one of Wilson’s last radio calls. When two officers spotted the van and tried to stop it, at least two men fled from the van and ran into the Southside Terrace Homes. Through the night and into the morning, police stopped every vehicle that tried to enter or leave the Southside Terrace Homes area. The last time an Omaha policeman was killed in the line of duty was June 5, 1974, when officer Paul Nields was shot by a man with a shotgun who had barricaded himself in a home. Wilson was the 22nd officer to be killed in the line of duty in the 129-year history of the department. The mayor asked citizens to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Wilson. “They’ll still buy Herbie. He’s still the mascot in the fans’ eyes. ” ■ JIM CORNELL Nebraska bookstore general manager Physical appearance, age, gender and racial issues made Herbie’s popularity wane. “People felt he was very outdated,” Ander son said. “He was a misrepresentation of farm ing and agriculture.” Anderson said Herbie didn’t sell, but repre sentatives at local retail stores said sales showed otherwise. Jim Cornell, general manager of Nebraska Bookstore, said Herbie sold on everything from coffee mugs to golf club covers. “Herbie’s always sold well,” Cornell said. Gwen Plummer, assistant manager at Uni versity Bookstore, said out-of-state customers recognized Herbie as the Nebraska mascot. He sold better to those customers than to college students, she said. And Herbie merchandise has always moved off the shelf at the Big Red Shop, selling as well as other Comhusker items, said manager Loraine Livingston. After the announcement was made that Herbie’s mascot days were over, Cornell said, sales at Nebraska Bookstore “shot through the roof.” “People are seeingthemascollector’s items,” he said. “They’ll still buy Herbie. He’s still the mascot in the fans’ eyes.” Nebraska fans, regardless whether they’re nostalgic about Herbie, are encouraged to offer new umscui »ujjgcsiiuua. Marketing Director Heidi Cuca said a com mittee was taking ideas from the public and The 21-year-old mascot will remain a li censed logo of the University of Nebraska professional marketing agencies. Cuca said the athletic department had an outline of what to look for in the new mascot. “We’re looking for something that’s ath letic, we’re looking for something that’s strong, we’re looking for something that’s powerful and can entertain,” Cuca said. “We want some thing that will represent Nebraska well any where whether it’s New York City or Lexing ton, but we’re kind of struggling.” Lincoln Athletic Department, Anderson said. Herbie merchandise still will be produced. And Herbie will continue to exist — off the field. The department’s research found Herbie appeals to children. He will greet people out side the stadium before football games and continue to be involved in youth activities, Papik said. “Herbie’s not dead.” Jon Waller/DN Camera operator Lawrence Gibbs goes through microphone, lighting and script checks with anchorwoman Deb Collins before the KOLN-TV (Channels 10/11) newscast at 6 p.m. Monday in the Nebraska Union. Broadcast eye shines live from union By Matt Woody Senior Reporter Lincoln’sonly commercial television sta tion is taking its show on the road. First stop: the Nebraska Union. Beginning with its 5:30 p.m. newscast Sunday, KOLN-TV (Channels 10/11) has been broadcasting its news live from the heart of the University ofNebraska-Lincoln campus. Glen Mabie, newsroom manager, said while the television station was retooling its newscast set, it needed a temporary home. And UNL was an easy choice. “The thousands of students and staffmake it a city unto itself,” Mabie said. “And there’s a lot of interest in what goes on there.” But the 10/11 News team found out what looks good in theory does not necessarily work well in practice. “Let’scall ita logistical nightmare,” Mabie said. Although the cast and crew is experi- ' enced in doing remote broadcasts, he said, “I don’t think any of us have undertaken some thing like this.” Some of the arrangements include find ing adequate power for the remote truck, a location for the makeshift studio and support for engineering and production. The television station got all the help it needed from the university. Phyllis Larsen, UNL public relations di rector, said the office was sponsoring the effort, making all the arrangements in only a few days. “The union was very cooperative and excited about them coming in and using their space,” Larsen said. Public relations paid a nominal amount to cover rent for the space, but Larsen said it was money well spent. “What we get out of it is a lot of great air See BROADCAST on 7 TV participation thrills new student By Matt Woody Senior Reporter The temporary relocation of KOLN-TV (Channels 10/11) on the University of Ne braska-Lincoln campus had a personal im pact for one new student. Courtnev Shaw, a freshman from Lin coln, was the subject of a story that will air today. Shaw said she was filmed Wednesday as she moved into her roon in Selleck Hall and met her roommate, Gloise Hunter. She also was filmed as she made her way around campus Monday. See SHAW on 7