Nebraska’s annual Red-White Spring Game is virtual this year. While the Huskers are going to do their best to implement game day traditions throughout the event—including a Tunnel Walk—it’s not the same as being at Memorial Stadium.
That got us thinking a little about traditions and Husker favorites. From fight songs to mascots to stadium food, we covered it all and asked for your input via Instagram Stories. Thousands of you sounded off. These are the results.
Fight Song
Hail Varsity: 54%
Dear Old Nebraska U (There Is No Place Like Nebraska): 46%
Did you know that Nebraska technically has five fight songs? Dear Old Nebraska U (There Is No Place Like Nebraska) and Hail Varsity tend to be the most recognizable, but The Cornhusker (Come A Runnin' Boys), March of the Cornhuskers and Mr. Touchdown USA are all listed in the fight song category for the Huskers. In fact, a number of people replied to the original poll saying they preferred March of the Cornhuskers to every other fight song listed. We’ll give it an automatic third place finish as a result.
Mascot
Herbie Husker: 70%
Lil’ Red: 30%
Well, Herbie Husker won by a landslide. He’s been Nebraska’s official mascot after appearing on the cover of a Huskers’ media guide in 1974. He received a makeover from his traditional overalls to his current look in 2003. Herbie was also the National Mascot of the year for the 2005 season.
As for Lil’ Red, he came on the scene in Nebraska in 1993. He was selected as the newest mascot after a statewide contest.
What’s one without the other at this point though?
Stadium Food
Runza: 52%
Valentino’s: 48%
Close one here. If only we had added the Fairbury red hot dogs to the mix. Some would call those the “holy trinity” of stadium food, you know. Like us. We said that in the 2018 Hail Varsity Food Issue.
Pump Up Song
Thunderstruck: 60%
You’ll hear both of these played in Memorial Stadium on any given game day (and that’s not likely to stop any time soon), so we thought we'd see if you had a favorite. Thunderstuck took a big lead right at first, but Let Me Clear My Throat made a comeback as the poll time went on. Regardless, maybe add both to your next game day playlist.
Sirius
Love it or hate it?
Love: 94%
Hate: 6%
For those that voted “hate” on Sirius, we offered the opportunity to tell us what they’d rather hear. This is what was shared:
- Power by Kanye West
- Can You Feel It by The Jacksons
- Break On Through by The Doors
- Enter Sandman by Metallica
- Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N' Roses
- Jump by Kris Kross
There was a hodge podge of others shared too, but these were the most common. In some cases though, fans just wanted Can You Feel It back before kickoffs. There was a lot of debate over that one.
Tunnel Walk
Is there any Nebraska tradition better?
No: 88%
Yes: 12%
Of those that answered yes, here’s what they offered up as a better tradition:
- The first touchdown balloon release
- Husker Power chant
- The marching band’s pre-game spectacular
The most popular follow-up answer of all those shared goes to the band and the pre-game show. In some ways, the band leads up to the Tunnel Walk so it all feels connected.
What are your favorite things about Nebraska’s game day? Let us know in the comments below, and make sure to follow us on Instagram. You never know when we might share a question or two for “research.”
