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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 1996)
Ex-husker Graham’s star rising in Arizona By Vince D’Adamo Staff Writer The shoe is now on the other foot for former Nebraska Comhusker All American center Aaron Graham. The previous two years, Graham was the ringleader of a legendary of fensive line that helped pave the way for two national championships at Nebraska. The Arizona Cardinals spent a fourth-round draft choice on Graham last April. Unlike Ne braska, the Cardi nals have a tradi tion for the wrong reasons, ine^arus have not posted a winning season since 1984, and last won a play-off game in 1948. Arizona picked up the rear in the NFC East last year with a 4-12 record. “At Nebraska, when we practiced, we knew we were the best team and everyone was gunning for us,” Gra ham said. “In the pros, there are no easy guarantees. It’s a contest, that’s why you see so many games come down to a field goal.” A new era dawned in the “Valley of the Sun” during the off-season when the Cardinals hired Vince Tobin as the new head coach. Tobin was a defensive coordinator for the India napolis Colts last year. Tobin is determined to change what has not been a good tradition in Ari zona. Graham said a new attitude is the first step in that direction. “We’re trying to establish an atti tude of ‘Why not the Cardinals in Athletics 1996?’” Graham said. “Instead of just assuming we’ll be 4-12 again. “We’ve got some talented players on this team and that’s what we’re trying to focus on.” Graham had already noticed some other differences from college to the National Football League. “It’s like going to a job everyday,” Graham said. “Everyone’s got their own job to do, whereas in college everyone leans on one another. “They’re looking to see if you can go out and do what they ask you to do.” Graham has wasted no time im pressing the Cardinal coaching staff. He is listed as the second-team center on the depth chart. In addition, Gra ham is working as the team’s long snapper. “I’m trying not to make mental mistakes and play smart football,” Graham said. “The coaches under stand there will be physical mistakes. They won’t spend much time on the mental aspect because they expect you to know that already. “It’s tough for any offensive line man to come in and take over from the get-go.” The offensive line is one area the Cardinals must get better at in order to rise in an already rugged NFC East division that includes Dallas, Phila delphia and an improving Washing ton team. The Cardinals allowed 53 sacks last year. Graham exceeded pre-draft ex pectations; scouts projected him as a fifth- or sixth-round choice. The Cards took a flier on Graham in the fourth round. “I went about where I thought I’d go,” Graham said. “So I don’t feel like I got robbed.” T\ltitnAtc Sports l&az q st nst -9th Mt¥M*Ad -8th -m •Buffalo Wings - Honey Beer, BBQ, Sweet Molasses 3DQ, Teriyaki, Mellow, Nippy, Sweltering and Torridll •Open at 11 am for lunch •Happy Hour 4 - 7 pm •TV’s, pool, darts and big screens 72£> Q St. • 475-UNTD Tanna Kinnaman/DN Members of the Schramm alumni gather together for dinner at La Paloma in the Haymarket Saturday night. Clockwise from center bottom Kurt Klanderud, Denver, Toni McNeff, Lincoln, Tim Hindman, Hay Springs, Tony Korth, Gretna, Roger Aden, Lancaster, Iowa, and Todd Wolverton, Chariton, Iowa. Come together UNL alums still tight after 12 years By Lon KODison Staff Writer After years of pulling all-nighters, working to pay the bills, and sitting bleary-eyed through classes, it’s been hard for some former students not to feel a tug on the heartstrings when reminiscing about college days. And for a group of guys that used to share the sixth liUUi VJ1 OClilOlIUli Hall during their first two years at UNL, those tugs have helped to keep them to gether 12 years after graduation. Every year, be tween the 4th of July and Labor uq.y, me Schramm almuni, their wives and children gather at the home of one of li—-:=--—II me graduates to piay gon, eat Durgers and hot dogs and generally have an all-around good time. “Group members start showing up around Thursday,” Tim Hindman, a former mechanical engineering ma jor, said, “and, depending on how far they have to travel back, stay until Sunday.” They come from various states around the country, including Ohio, Kansas, and Minnesota, with career areas ranging from communications to construction management. Mem bers of this alumni crew include Roger Aden, Jeff Biaer, Tim Hindman, Jon Johnston, Tony Karth, Kurt Klanderud, Jeoff McMurtry, Alan Weeder and Todd Wolverton. Getting together is great, Hindman said. He said everybody always has a good time. But these former students are about more than just roasting hot dogs and playing golf. Their allegiance and gratitude to the institution that enabled them to achieve success, still runs deep and helps to keep the group bound to gether year after year. Hindman explained that it was this love for their old alma mater that motivated the group to offer some thing in return to their beloved institu tion. “We’ve reached a point in our lives when we needed to start giving back to the university,” Hindman said. That’s why these alumni will soon be offering a partial scholarship for UNL seniors and graduate students. Although still undecided about all of the requirements and the date of availability, Hindman did say that the $250 scholarship will be need-based for students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. “We’ve all gone and established ourselves in our careers,” Hindman said. “This (scholarship) will be a way that we can give something back to the students.” iVafifrtf rrUuU /-JvJ ^Tft rid $f\Ctt(tt<} V . zd**0'*' b**#S'P 6tk vtitfthvd Centro Plaza (near Best Buy) 400 N. 48th St. 402-467-1532 Classified 00s For Sale 5 Bicycles For Sale 930 Singletrack Trek mountain bike. Green and blue. Paid $600, asking $300. 464-8256 days, 467-1212 evenings. 10 Books For Sale Airline Jobs Applications are new being accepted lor domestic and international staff!-Flight attendants, ticket agents, reservationist8, ground crew + more. Excellent travel benefits! Call Airline Employment Services for details. 1 206-971-3690 ext. L57781 CRUISE SHIPS HIRING -Earn up to $2,000+ /month. World travel. 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