Herbie Husker

Herbie Husker
Herbie Husker
	Herbie Husker in 2022
University	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Conference	Big Ten
Description	Farmer in red workshirt and blue jeans
First seen	1974
Related mascot(s)	Lil' Red ; Harry Husker

Last updated June 05, 2023

Herbie Husker is the oldest current mascot of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Herbie was created by Lubbock-based artist Dirk West and first appeared on the cover of the Huskers' media guide in 1974. Soon after, he became the university's official mascot.^[1] Herbie frequently travels to academic and athletic events at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and often appears at events throughout Lincoln.

History

Herbie Husker in 2007 091407-USCNeb-HerbieHusker.jpg — Herbie Husker in 2007

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln cycled through several official mascots before settling on Herbie Husker. The first of these was Corncob Man, a man in green overalls with an ear of corn for a head. After just a few years, the university sought a more "representative" mascot and debuted Huskie the Husker, a farmer who stood ten feet tall and wore overalls with a straw hat on top of a fiberglass head.^[2] Huskie soon gave way to Mr. Big Red (more commonly known as Harry Husker); Harry was equally tall but dressed in a blazer and red wide-brim hat. Harry's head was so large it couldn't fit on the team's traveling bus, and it was so heavy the student wearing the costume had to be switched every 45 minutes.^[3]

The physical demands of the Harry costume meant the university was soon looking for another mascot design, and in 1974 NU acquired the rights to Herbie Husker based on the design of Lubbock, Texas artist Dirk West. NU hired Disney cartoonist Bob Johnson to refine West's design into a costume, and Herbie made his first appearance at a Nebraska football game at the 1974 Cotton Bowl Classic, a 19–3 Cornhuskers victory over Texas.^[4] Mr. Big Red wasn't officially retired until 1988, but was infrequently seen while co-existing with Herbie.^[5]

Historically, Herbie had blond hair and dressed in denim overalls (with an ear of corn in the pocket), a white undershirt, and a red cowboy hat. Prior to the 2003 season, Herbie's appearance was altered to include a red workshirt, blue jeans, and workboots in an effort to update the overall appearance of the state's agricultural workers and general public; however, the new design was not well-received.^[6]

Nebraska holds open tryouts prior to each football season for students who wish to dress as Herbie for the academic year. The students who are selected are encouraged to keep their identity a secret until after graduation, though this is not a requirement.^[2]^[7] Since 1994, Herbie has often been joined on the sideline by the inflatable Lil' Red, Nebraska's other official mascot. Initially, Lil' Red was created to appeal to younger fans and to primarily represent the school's volleyball team, which occasionally played at the same time as Nebraska's football team. However, the mascots are now frequently seen together across all sports.^[5]

In January 2005, Herbie starred in his own children's book, Hello, Herbie Husker!, published by Mascot Books.

Herbie was named the 2005 National Mascot of the year at halftime of the 2006 Capital One Bowl.

In 2022, the university modified Herbie's left hand in its classic logo to avoid association with a perceived hate symbol.^[8]^[9]

In January 2022, the university began the process of redesigning Herbie, with athletic director Trev Alberts announcing the plan in September. On April 17, 2023, the university unveiled a redesigned Herbie that closely resembles the 1974 design, with blond hair, dressed in denim overalls with an ear of corn in the back pocket, a white shirt, and a red cowboy hat.^[10]

Related Research Articles

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the Cornhuskers compete in NCAA Division I, fielding twenty-two varsity teams in fifteen sports. Nineteen of these teams participate in the Big Ten, while rifle is a member of the single-sport Patriot Rifle Conference and beach volleyball and bowling compete as independents. The Cornhuskers have two official mascots, Herbie Husker and Lil' Red.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dirk West</span> American journalist (1930–1996)

Gerald Glynn "Dirk" West was an editorial cartoonist, journalist, and mayor from Lubbock, Texas, most famous for his caricatures of collegiate mascots. He was born in Littlefield, Texas but his family moved to Lubbock soon after. He attended Texas Tech University where he drew cartoons for The University Daily student newspaper. He appeared as "Uncle Dirk" on a local children's program for three years while heading up his advertising agency, West Advertising. Beginning in the 1960s, he cartooned for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team competes as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, representing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the West Division of the Big Ten. Nebraska plays its home games at Memorial Stadium, where it has sold out every game since 1962.

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"Hail Varsity" is the fight song of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (NU), written in 1936 by Joyce Ayres and composed the same year by Wilbur Chenoweth. The song is often played at Memorial Stadium during Nebraska's football games by the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band and at other athletic events by the school's pep band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil' Red</span>

Lil' Red is one of two mascots representing University of Nebraska–Lincoln's athletic programs. Lil' Red was created in 1993, after a statewide contest was conducted to find a counterpart for Herbie Husker. Then-associate athletic director Barbara Hibner spearheaded the contest, hoping a second mascot would appeal to Nebraska's young fans. The mascot has since become a recognizable part of Nebraska athletics culture.

The 1903 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska as an independent during the 1903 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Walter C. Booth, the Cornhuskers compiled a record of 10–0, excluding one exhibition game. Nebraska played home games at Antelope Field in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 1940 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nebraska in the Big Six Conference during the 1940 college football season. In its fourth season under head coach Biff Jones, the team compiled an 8–2 record, won the Big Six championship, was ranked No. 7 in the final AP Poll, and lost to Stanford in the 1941 Rose Bowl. The Cornhuskers outscored opponents by a total of 183 to 75. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the Big Eight Conference during the 1971 NCAA University Division football season. The Cornhuskers were led by tenth-year head coach Bob Devaney and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

The 1910 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 1910 college football season. The team was coached by fourth-year head coach William C. "King" Cole and played its home games at Nebraska Field in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1920 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team</span> American college football season

The 1920 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team represented the University of Nebraska in the 1920 college football season. The team was coached by second-year head coach Henry Schulte and played its home games at Nebraska Field in Lincoln, Nebraska. The team competed as an independent. Schulte departed shortly after the end of the season, though he remained at the school to coach track until 1939.

The 1938 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nebraska in the Big Six Conference during the 1938 college football season. In its second season under head coach Biff Jones, the team compiled a 3–5–1 record, tied for third place in the Big Six, and was outscored opponents by a total of 84 to 68. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The 1946 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Nebraska as a member of the Big Six Conference during the 1946 college football season. In their first year under head coach Bernie Masterson, the Cornhuskers compiled a 3–6 record and were outscored by a total of 161 to 126.

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The 1957 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team was the representative of the University of Nebraska and member of the Big 7 Conference in the 1957 NCAA University Division football season. The team was coached by Bill Jennings and played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team</span> American college football season

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References

↑ "Husker Press Box - Whatever Happened To Harry Husker?". Archived from the original on April 15, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
1 2 "Herbie Husker: the history of a Nebraska icon". MyHusker. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
↑ "Lil' Red's forebears: The history of Nebraska's on-field mascots". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
↑ "Herbie Husker | The Mascot, The Myth, The Husker Legend". All Huskers, All the Time | MyHusker. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
1 2 "All Hail Herbie". Nebraska Alumni Association. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
↑ "Husker mascots, through the years" . Retrieved 2020-06-09.
↑ "NP grad earns role as Herbie Husker" . Retrieved 2022-03-18.
↑ AlBaroudi, Wajih (February 1, 2022). "Nebraska alters mascot logo, removes 'OK' hand gesture to prevent association with white supremacists". CBS Sports . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
↑ Madani, Doha (January 30, 2022). "University of Nebraska changes mascot logo to avoid confusion with white power sign". NBC News . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
↑ Mullin, Luke (April 17, 2023). "Nebraska returns to tradition with updated Herbie Husker". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, NE. Retrieved April 17, 2023.

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[1] "Husker Press Box - Whatever Happened To Harry Husker?". Archived from the original on April 15, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2016.

[MyHusker-2] 1 2 "Herbie Husker: the history of a Nebraska icon". MyHusker. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-03.

[LJS-3] "Lil' Red's forebears: The history of Nebraska's on-field mascots". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2022-03-17.

[4] "Herbie Husker | The Mascot, The Myth, The Husker Legend". All Huskers, All the Time | MyHusker. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-01-03.

[NAA-5] 1 2 "All Hail Herbie". Nebraska Alumni Association. 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-03-17.

[6] "Husker mascots, through the years" . Retrieved 2020-06-09.

[7] "NP grad earns role as Herbie Husker" . Retrieved 2022-03-18.

[8] AlBaroudi, Wajih (February 1, 2022). "Nebraska alters mascot logo, removes 'OK' hand gesture to prevent association with white supremacists". CBS Sports . Retrieved 20 March 2022.

[9] Madani, Doha (January 30, 2022). "University of Nebraska changes mascot logo to avoid confusion with white power sign". NBC News . Retrieved 20 March 2022.

[10] Mullin, Luke (April 17, 2023). "Nebraska returns to tradition with updated Herbie Husker". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, NE. Retrieved April 17, 2023.

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v t e Nebraska Cornhuskers football
Venues	Lincoln Park (1890–1895) "M" Street Park (1894–1996) Antelope Field (1897–1908) Nebraska Field (1909–1922) Memorial Stadium (1923–present)
Bowls and rivalries	Bowl games Colorado Iowa Kansas Kansas State Miami (FL) Minnesota Missouri Oklahoma Texas Wisconsin
Culture and lore	History Herbie Husker Lil' Red "Dear Old Nebraska U" "Hail Varsity" Cornhusker Marching Band Blackshirts Origin of "Cornhuskers" nickname 1939 Kansas State game Game of the Century (1971 Oklahoma game) Fumblerooski 1982 Penn State game Flea Kicker Black 41 Flash Reverse Pass 2009 Big 12 Championship Game Yes Man
People	Head coaches All-Americans NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
National championship seasons in bold

v t e Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball
Venues	Grant Memorial Hall (1896–1926, 1924–1926) State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1921–1923) Nebraska Coliseum (1926–1976) Bob Devaney Sports Center (1976–2013) Pinnacle Bank Arena (2013–present)
Rivalries	Creighton
Culture & lore	Herbie Husker Lil' Red "Dear Old Nebraska U" "Hail Varsity"
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

v t e Mascots of the Big Ten Conference
East Division	No mascot (Indiana) Testudo (Maryland) No mascot (Michigan) Sparty (Michigan State) Brutus Buckeye (Ohio State) Nittany Lion (Penn State) Scarlet Knight (Rutgers)
West Division	No mascot (Illinois) Herky the Hawk (Iowa) Goldy Gopher (Minnesota) Herbie Husker / Lil' Red (Nebraska) Willie the Wildcat (Northwestern) Boilermaker Special / Purdue Pete (Purdue) Bucky Badger (Wisconsin)