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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 6, 1999)
Truscott adjusts to baby ■ The Husker forward says he lives life for his wife and his child. By Darren Ivy Senior staff writer Each time freshman forward Louis Truscott talks about his 8-month-old daughter, Janiah, he gets a big grin on his face. Janiah means the world to Truscott and his wife, Linda, who were married Aug. 1,1998. “I am really proud of (Janiah),” Truscott said. “She’s the centerpiece of my heart. With her and my wife also, that’s how I am making it. I hve each day for them.” Balancing school, family and athlet ics is tiring, Truscott said, but it keeps hirpaway from trouble. Luckily, Truscott doesn’t have to worry about a job because he’s on a full ride athletic scholarship and has received several grants. Linda also makes life easier. During first semester, she stayed home with Janiah, postponing her enrollment at UNL a semester. This semester, Linda goes to classes in the mornings and then takes care of the child in the afternoon. After basketball practice, Truscott takes over the parenting duties. “I give my wife a break because she’s exhausted from the baby crying a lot and staying up,” Truscott said. Linda said parenting is tiring because every time she turns her head, Janiah is crawling away or getting into something. Janiah also wakes her in the middle of the night. Now that Janiah is getting older, the late nights are fewer and far between. Basketball also is winding down, which has allowed the couple to share the household and child-care duties more evenly. All the duties that is, except changing diapers. “Louis doesn’t like doing that,” Linda said. His dislike of changing diapers was no surprise to her, but Louis’ gentleness and care of Janiah has been a pleasant one. “He’s very gentle and loving,” Linda said. “I never thought he would possess those fatherly skills. He does this like it is natural for him.” Truscott is motivated to be a good father. He wants Janiah to have it better than he did. He wants her to grow up with a father and mother in the same house. Waiting for Janiah to be bom was the hardest part for him, Linda said, because she was two weeks late in giv ing birth. He kept telling her to push, she said. When the time did come to deliver Janiah, he wasn’t in the room with Linda. She worried that he would faint. He was right outside the door and when Janiah was bom, he just stared and then started taking pictures, Linda said. That day was one of the best ones in Truscott’s life. Another good day was when the first words came out of Janiah’s mouth. “My wife gets kind of jealous because she spent more time with the baby than I did, but (Janiah’s) first words were Dada,” Truscott said with a smile. Linda said she was surprised but that she didn’t let it bother her. Another thing that surprised Linda was how several of the Huskers reacted when they first met Janiah at a booster club dinner. “Cookie (Belcher) and Cary (Cochran) both admired her,” she said. “They were talking in their little baby voices.” Everyone on the team is pretty cool with it, Truscott said. They respect the 20-year-old for being happily married at a young age. Truscott said he never envisioned himself being married so young. But he’s glad he is. Having a family, he said, has focused and kept him out of trouble. “My other teammates would want to go out and have fun,” Truscott said. “Having a daughter or son, you want to spend time with (them) so they can see your face and remember it. “If it weren’t for my family, I would probably be behind in my studies, hang ing out and being a party animal.” in u s Walker waits for injury to heal WALKER from page 12 be a big factor.” Secondary Coach George Darlington said Walker can be charac terized as a game breaker. Darlington said the evidence is in Walker’s 73 yard punt return for a touchdown against Oklahoma State, the turn around in the Comhuskers’ 24-17 win. “He’s a guy that can win games and turn the field for you,” Darlington said. “He’s one of the better return men in the country.” And in a conference with two of the top return specialists in the nation last season (Ben Kelly of Colorado and David Allen of Kansas State), those are lofty words for Walker. Walker’s teammates agree. Redshirt freshman Mike Demps, who NHL ERASE HOUR COLLEGE LOAN. If you’re stuck with a (federally insured) student loan that’s not in default, the Army might pay it oft If you qualify, we’ll reduce your debt—up to $65,000. Payment is either 1/3 of the debt or $1,500 for each year of service, whichever is greater. You'll also have training in a choice of skills and enough self-assurance to last you the rest of your life. Get all the details from your Army Recruiter. (402)467-2221 ARMY. BEAU YOU CAN BET www.goarmy.com is taking a lot of the returns this spring, said Walker brings a sense of excite ment to the game. “I admire the way Joe Walker plays,” Demps said. “You can tell by the way he runs the ball that he’s confi dent.” Walker said that confidence helps when he looks up and sees the ball come into his hands. Whether it be a punt return or a kickoff, Walker said, the first thing he has to do is watch the ball come into his hands. Then, it’s off to the races. “It is a different feeling every time,” Walker said. “Most of the time it is just a mess of people in front of me. “I just have to make it through the maze.” Apply new to be a... HEALTH AIDE Applications due April 91 Applicants must be full-time students living in a residence hall, Greek house or cooperative, must attend class both fall and spring semesters, and must attend orientation prior to the fan semester. Health Aides: ...assist students with minor physical and emotional concerns. ...are trained and certified in First Aid and CPR. ...earn credit by attending a fall and spring semester Health Aide class. 1957-1999 To apply or for more information contact Community Health Education, University Health Center, 472-7440 K UNL ii t oonducrimiiutocy imtitution Augusta prepares MASTERS from page 12 is abuzz with private jets and expand ed flights during the week. In a nor mal week, Bush averages 542 take offs and landings. During Masters week, that figure soars to about 2,500. As a reminder to golfers who may head straight from the course to the airport, the airport has a promi nent sign saying that spiked golf shoes are prohibited in the terminal. Some Augustans even hang out at the airport to catch a glimpse of celebrities who don’t come to town the 51 other weeks of the year. weekdays 474 PAYS Freshmen fill return role FRESHMEN from page 12 part in the game. “Sometimes one punt return can turn a game. Look at Oklahoma State last year. Joe Walker made the big run. This year, we are just going to make sure special teams are a big part of the teams. To get game-like experience, both Demps and Groce are taking a lot of repetitions this spring. They know they have a long way to go, but right now both play ers are happy they are getting the opportunity to compete for a start ing job. “We are trying to fit in some where where we can try to con tribute to the team,” Demps said. “Everybody wants to play. We are just trying to find a spot.” All You Care lb Eat Original Sauce Spaghetti, Plus a Hip lb Our Garden Fresh Salad Bar & Itoo Slices Gallic Cheese Bread #18 NU Baseball vs. Creighton Wed., April 7 at 7 pm at Buck Beltzer Stadium NU Softball vs. Creighton Wed., April 7 at 7 pm at NU Softball Complex Call 472-3111 for ticket information.
