Over the past several weeks, a couple news stories – both about schools – caught my attention as the items of interest put Nebraska in the national spotlight.

            No, I’m not talking about Bo’s rant at Chase Rome during the Husker defeat of those groundling Gophers. And I’m not discussing the power of Husker volleyball as they toppled undefeated Illinois from atop the spiking throne this past weekend.

  Still, one item centers on sports and made ESPN broadcasts and national daily newspapers.

At Morrill, in Nebraska’s panhandle, the Friday night lights dimmed early for the season after four players suffered season-ending injuries and two additional players moved away from the town.

That left 12 students to play 11-man football.

School personnel are investigating a move to the 8-man ranks for next year and hope more of the 50 male students presently enrolled in school will consider playing football.

Morrill hasn’t scored a victory since the 2008 season. Yet, these players worked toward a common goal. Now they, along with their parents, administrators and coaches, decided another injury wasn’t worth the risk.

Bravo to the adults who faced the arduous decision for placing student safety as a priority.

Still, it’s an unfortunate series of events for the town of approximately 940 residents and the students of the district.

Football and Fridays blend together, a perfect fit that unites communities to celebrate wins and study the losses, in addition to applying the lessons learned from the snap of the pigskin.

Once that tradition slips away, a smidge of uncertainty can swirl through a town. 

What’s next? The loss of a school? A major business? The eventual downturn of rural Nebraska?

A sense of identity circulates around a town, its school and activities. When married, these elements promote community spirit and pride.

Hopefully, Morrill rebounds and attracts a larger team next season, rebuilding its community spirit into a thriving source.

In early October, major news networks, including MSNBC and Fox News, featured video clips of a 12-year-old Fremont student who was prohibited from wearing a specific necklace to school.

The controversy? The necklace, which resembles a rosary, has been affiliated with gang activity. The Fremont school system bans such accessories, citing dress code violations. Reportedly, gangs in Oregon, Arizona and Texas also misuse the rosary as a means of ID.

This is an interesting case: public school safety policy versus freedom of religion.

I understand concern regarding all students’ safety if there is a viable threat. The key word – viable.

However, if this student wears the necklace as a symbol of her religious devotion and beliefs – which she says she does – how can another entity take that right away?

Where is the line drawn? What about a T-shirt with a Celtic cross symbol? A cross on a keychain?

Sometimes, a necklace is just a necklace; its significance recognized by the one wearing it.

Incidentally, I counted the number of cross necklaces I own. Ten. And I proudly wear each one as a symbol of my beliefs.

                 It’s funny how someone retains certain memories.

                October 21, 1972. Lawrence, Kansas. My first Husker road trip. The game ended in a 56-0 Husker rout.  Game details of the Big 8 matchup aren’t crystal clear, but I can still see the KU marching band descend down the hill, strutting its way amongst the oak trees. Those bright blue uniforms popped vividly against the red and gold leaves drifting from tree branches.

                In 1907, Nebraska, Iowa, KU, Mizzou, and Washington University formed the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association. A year later, Drake and Iowa State College (now Iowa State) entered the mix. In time, Iowa left; Kansas State, Grinnell College, Oklahoma and Oklahoma A&M joined. The Huskers left but returned.

                Then it became the Big Six. Colorado joined, forming the Big Seven. When Oklahoma A & M became Okie State in 1958, the Big Eight was complete, although the name wasn’t official until 1964.

                The middle of America represented Big 8 country, where Saturday afternoons in autumn meant hard-hitting, tough-running football, with ruggedly handsome quarterbacks calling the option and burly linebackers completing the tackle. Here in the heartland, hometown boys segued from Friday night heroes to Saturday afternoon walk-ons.

                As a kid, Saturday meant Nebraska football. I count myself lucky. My parents loved the Huskers and weren’t afraid to haul me and my sister to those home and out-of-town events.

                Or perhaps my parents knew something bigger was taking place. Possibly they knew about the magic football formula: Husker game + road trip = quality family bonding time.

                When the Big 8 merged with former Southwestern Conference schools and began play in 1996, Husker fans could still count on a quick drive to Ames, Lawrence or Manhattan. Our family’s Thanksgiving plans usually revolved around a journey to Norman. Sure, allowing those Texas teams into the mix messed up our family weekend getaways, but by that time, I was married, with children, and we were dragging our kids to Lincoln for football Saturdays.

                I spent nearly 15 years travelling with the fam to the Midwest’s football capitals: Ames, Boulder, Columbia, Lawrence, Manhattan, Norman and Stillwater. Each city possesses an irreplaceable memory not necessarily associated with gameday fanfare. Ask my ‘rents about the stinky tennis shoe incident during a trip to Stillwater or ask my sister how fast one should merge into traffic on I-35 in Kansas.

                These Big 8/12 traditions represent something bigger than a pigskin victory. They scream security and shout stability. They represent hopes and dreams, not only for an athletic program, but for families sharing precious time and building a repertoire of memories. 

                This Friday, when the Huskers run onto the field to the strains of the Tunnel Walk and pounce on those Boulder buffalos for the last time, a nostalgic chapter of college football closes for the Big Red…and for my family.

                Our football traditions won’t end. No, we won’t be travelling across I-80 or down I-35 next year. Instead, you’ll find us in Big 10 country, creating new family memories.

Before the first streaks of a rosy-fingered dawn swell across the horizon, weary yet wired travelers trickle into empty parking lots, warming up for the day’s activities.

The parking lot – slowly filling to a noisy commotion – is hallowed ground, where backyard barbeque goes high-tech, memories are tossed around more than a T-Magic pass, and stories grow larger than the legendary T.O. himself.

This may be the last Great American neighborhood party, a sacred autumnal ritual where the three “F’s” – fans, family and friends – partake in the four “B’s” – bonding, boasting, brats, and beverages.

It’s Saturday, game day in Lincoln, and the total package sold as Husker mania is not complete without a tailgate party.

The art of the tailgate party became popular during the Civil War, according to historian and tailgate aficionado Stephen Linn. Picture this: 1861, Battle of Bull Run. A group of Virginian aristocrats fraternized and shared a picnic lunch of fried chicken, pheasant and ham while the Yankees and Confederates battled it out.

Somehow, the custom survived.

The College Football Hall of Fame reports partying prior to kickoff began at the first officially recognized collegiate pigskin scrimmage between Princeton and Rutgers in 1869 at College Field in Brunswick, New Jersey. Visitors arrived by horse and buggy and brought refreshments. Cold meat sandwiches, shucked oysters on the half shell, honey-laced cakes and lemonade filled the buffet table.

My, how tailgate has changed!

Now, RVs fill parking lots, Husker flag proudly waving from the rooftop, right next to the satellite dish that’s connected to a 36-inch flat screen TV. Open-air tents protect tailgaters from Augusts’ hot sun and the chill of November snow.

Games of skill, chance and stupidity are available for the competitive crowd. Others remain satisfied with conversation and camaraderie that unites this sea of red.

And the food….oh, the food. Today’s fare pummels my family’s usual tuna or spam-salad sandwiches on wheat bread, cookies and iced tea into the ground. Sorry, mom. I know you prepared those sandwiches with love, but we should have fired up the Hibachi and been tailgating trendsetters.

The 2010 Weber Tailgating Study reports that across the U.S., gourmet dishes are trouncing the basic hot dog competition. Chicken, ribs, brats and steak rank as favorites among epicurean tailgaters. Overall, 35 percent of respondents report serving adventurous party foods.

Perhaps a side of Bevo will be served in some Lincoln parking lot this Saturday.

While NU didn’t make Tailgater Monthly’s 2010 Top Ten list (Colorado and Texas did), Lincoln’s tailgate scene appears to be flourishing. Family-friendly spots like Husker Pavilion, with its carnival-like excitement, draw large crowds.

Our preferred spot is on Cassie’s deck in the Haymarket. The “F’s” gather on her deck for a round of “B’s” before kickoff.  

But sometimes, I think about the parking garage at 14^th and N, my childhood tailgate paradise, where a father, mother and two daughters shared tuna salad sandwiches while listening to the pre-game show and established our family’s Great American party tradition.

Share your favorite tailgate stories with LuAnn.

Great! I posted all the 2010 Nebraska-isms. And, I finished this little project four days ahead of schedule!   Now, I’ll be able to add the new column on a weekly basis.

Not sure what a Nebraska-ism is? It’s a unique look at the Cornhusker state and what sets the landscape and people apart. Column topics include:

• The Lure of Friday Night Lights – High School Football
• Autumn in Nebraska
• Husker Football Fans
• The Kitchen-Family Connection
• Farm Safety
• Clotheslines
• Nebraska Literary Scene
• Popcorn
• FFA Emblem: Drawn in Nebraska
• WWI, Draft Cards, and Grandpa
• Hunting Widows
• Drama of One-Act
• Fruitcake
• Poinsettias
• Christmas Traditions
• Ice Fishing
• Symbolism of a State’s Culture
• I’m a 30.
• The Late Night TV Dilemma:  What Would Johnny Think?
• Press Trips – Marketing Nebraska
• Unique Libraries
• Valentine’s Traditions from Nebraska
• Going for Olympic Gold:  Nebraska Olympians
• Sandhill Cranes
• Happy Birthday, Nebraska!
• 4N6: What I Learned Competing in High School Speech and Coaching HS Forensics
• Nebraska’s Irish Roots
• Nebraska Tall Tales & Legends
• Husker Women’s Basketball

Interested in reading one of these weekly columns? All columns are included as PDF files on the Nebraska-isms page .

It’s a long, slow process converting scanned copies of my weekly Nebraska-isms column into PDF files.  But, I had a bit of spare time today and I now have all of September 2009 posted. If you’re interested in reading these gems of “flat water” wisdom, check out the Nebraska-isms page and click on the links located at the bottom of the page. Today, I added essays about Friday night high school football, autumn in Nebraska, and the responsibilities of being  Husker football fan.

My goal for this week is to upload all the columns. Check back and read a fresh perspective on what makes Nebraska a wonderful place to live.