Neighborhood Watch: UNO and IWCC
5 comments so far
May 4, 2009 by
Your mother really was right. You are who your friends are. Or, more broadly, we are who we associate with. While the University of Nebraska-Lincoln ("Dear Old Nebraska U") is most closely associated with the Big 12 schools to most people, it has some other loose affiliations that can have an impact, too. Right up the metaphorical street from UNL, is the University of Nebraska-Omaha. A little further down the block, Iowa Western Community College. Events at both UNO and IWCC could have implications for their big red neighbor.
Trev Alberts, AD
UNO recently completed its search for a new athletic director, and came up with a very suprising name - Trev Alberts. Alberts, with no previous experince in athletic administration passed two other more qualified candidates to become the new face of UNO sports. When I say "face" I might as well mean that l itterally.
UNO hired a spokesman, in my opinion. Every news article on this topic referenced Alberts for what his is...a former Butkus Award winning linebacker and a TV commentator. They have basically hired a very good spokesperson with some leadership talent. We'll see how that works out for them. It certainly has caught people's attention. I guess that was the point.
How does this affect UNL? Well, everyone assumes that Alberts is trying to position himself for the UNL AD job after Osborne steps down. I honestly don't see this happening. First, there are a lot more good candidates in house at UNL. Next, the two jobs are not very similar. Finally, I also doubt Alberts (with no experience to date) will have gotten enough experience at UNO to qualify to take the UNL post by the time Osborne steps down. Maybe I'm dead wrong. Maybe there is fire to go with the smoke. But, I'll believe Alberts as the UNL AD only when I see it.
UNL...East?
There is something else afoot just to the east of Husker Nation. Quietly, Iowa Western Community College is launching their football program. They had their first recruiting class this February, and completed their spring game last week. At Big Red Network, my colleagues and I find the development of IWCC fascinating, primarily because Tom Osborne is involved as an advisor to the school.
It appears that UNL may have a hand - directly or indirectly - in building up a junior college program, because of Osborne's influence. Sure, it is not unique for schools to have strong relationships with certain JC programs. Many schools "place" kids at these programs when they fail to qualify academically, and then have the inside track on re-recruiting them two years later.NU has good relationships with some JCs (Butler County and San Francisco City College spring to mind...), but this is going to a whole new level.
If UNL can "guide" IWCC as it builds its systems and programs from scratch it could position UNL very favorably. IWCC could have academic courses or structures that "fit" UNL qualifications to a tee. They could have similar training and development programs for players. Heck, even the playbooks or at least the style of play could be similar. All of this would make it easier for players to acclimate to becoming Huskers after two years at IWCC. Maybe I'm overstating things. But, you have to admit the possibilities are pretty cool.
We might get to see how this all plays out sooner rather than later. IWCC already has some interesting prospects for NU to consider. Omaha athlete Vondrae Tostenson - a legendary two-sport standout a few seasons ago - is a member of IWCC's first recruiting class. He heads my list of possible future Huskers coming from western Iowa. Another is Lorenzo Dennard, twin brother of current Husker Alfonzo Dennard. Apparently, he is transferring to IWCC to be closer to his brother and reduce his homesickness. Nice. By the way, raise your hand if you even knew Dennard had a twin brother. Because I sure didn't.
So, while their is a constant microscope on what happens inside of UNL, it sometimes pays off to be paying attention to what is going on in other parts of the neighborhood.
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James Moore May 04 09
I agree with your entire strategic premise regarding IWCC and UNO. If could serve as a potential 'farm' team for the Nebraska program and be a de-facto compliment to our own in house walk-on program. A fascinating development and one that could bear lots of fruit. . .
Totenson and Dennard's brother (a twin Cornerback would be fantastic, anyone remember having two twins at Safety in 2003), are targets one and two for us. Great, great, great article. . .
Brandon May 04 09
Couple months ago Tom Luginbill was asked about IWCC and its relation to NU on 1620 the Zone. His response was so positive I wrote it down. Sayeth Tom:
"The ability to be able to be nearby, maintain that relationship (with non-qualifiers), it's huge.
I think that thing (IWCC football) could pay huge--not big, huge--dividends down the road. That could end up being a gold mine for them."
So, Go Reivers, I guess...
Husker Mike May 04 09
I don't see Tom Osborne stepping down as UNL's athletic director for several more years...more than five IMHO. If Alberts is successful at UNO, that would be as much, if not more, administrative experience than many of the other candidates. That being said, there are several other candidates who probably have a leg up on Alberts at this time.
Bill in Iowa May 04 09
Alberts has always vocalized his passion for Big Red Football. He certainly wasn't afraid to voice his opinion on ESPN. I think he exhibits a lot of the qualities of a strong leader. Give him a few years at UNO to prove himself and I think he is a strong contender for AD. But whoever the next AD is...I think it is going to be a former Nebraska football player who has a clear understanding and passion for the tradition and philosophy of the athletic programs at NU.
me May 06 09
Alberts has no respect in college sports circles. He would be a huge mistake as AD in Lincoln.