Nebraska announced a heavy-hitting 2018 Hall of Fame class Monday, including a former Heisman Trophy winner and two legendary coaches.
Mike Rozier, Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney headline the Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2018, which also includes Darin Erstad (baseball, 1993-95; football, 1994, current head baseball coach), Peaches James (softball, 2001-04), Sarah Pavan (volleyball, 2004-07), Mike Rozier (football, 1981-83) and Tom Schlesinger (men’s gymnastics, 1985-88).
Devaney and Osborne, both of whom also served as the school’s athletic director from 1967-92 and 2007-12, respectively, will become the first head coaches inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
For those wondering why the likes of Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney aren't already in the Nebraska Athletics HOF .. this is only the fourth year of its existence, and the first for coaches. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) April 9, 2018
There’s plenty of accolades to go around with this group, so let’s hit the highlights:
- Erstad: became the first Husker baseball player to be named the conference player of the year and the first player in Major League Baseball history to win a Gold Glove Award at multiple positions
- James: the first pitcher in Big 12 history to be a four-time First Team All-Conference selection and a two-time finalist for national player of the year
- Pavan: the only individual in NCAA history to be a two-time national Academic All-American of the Year, one of only five volleyball players in NCAA history to be a four-time first-team All-American.
- Rozier: the second player in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season (2,148 yards in 1983), Heisman Trophy winner in 1983
- Schlesinger: the first Husker gymnast to be an Academic All-American, a multi-time All-American both academically and athletically, an individual and team national champ, competed in the Olympics
- Devaney: led the Huskers to a 101-20-2 record over 11 seasons (1962-1972) and won eight Big Eight titles and the first two national championships in school history (1970 and 1971)
- Osborne: won 14 conference titles and three national titles in 25 years (1973-97), a 255-49-3 record
The 2018 class will be inducted into the Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Sept. 7, before being recognized during the Colorado game on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Derek is a newbie on the Hail Varsity staff covering Husker athletics. In college, he was best known as ‘that guy from Twitter.’ He has covered a Sugar Bowl, a tennis national championship and almost everything in between (except an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game… *tears*). In his spare time, he can be found arguing with literally anyone about sports.
