Thanks Tom for giving our state an image of strength and integrity. You have lead by example and it is up to us to carry that image forward. Thank you for showing us how to live and how to lead a decent and honest life. You have been an outstanding role model for all the youth that you have been responsible for over the years. How can our state ever thank you enough?

Rita Kaul

You will always be remembered fondly by me and my family as a true Christian leader who stayed true to his principles in life and cared for his players and staff at Nebraska like they were family.  I’m sure the players, the recruits and their families quickly picked up on that, and that was a big part of your success and the 3 National Championships you helped bring to Nebraska.  Thanks for your caring, class, and commitment which you always demonstrated both on and off the field and in your coming out of retirement to help Nebraska once again as Athletic Director.

People say it’s sometimes the small things that show the real mark of a man.  I’ve wanted to thank you for this for years, now I will.  I’ll never forget the time in the early 1990s when I visited my Aunt Mildred suffering with terminal cancer at the assisted living center in Hastings.  She warmly greeted me as always, and quickly showed me the book that you had just sent her along with your touching personal note on the inside cover. You thanked her for all she had taught you as your Sunday School teacher when you were a boy in Hastings, and how you had kept her in your prayers since learning of her illness.  This was in October, the middle of your football season, when you sent her your book.  You’ll never know how much that reconnection meant to her, and her family.  She was so touched that you remembered her after all the years, and that after somehow learning of her illness, you had taken the time to send your book and personal note to her in those difficult last few months of her life.  She followed your career all of her life, and was your biggest fan, Tom.  We miss her, and we’ll also miss you at the helm at Nebraska.  You gave joy to my Aunt Mildred, as well as to so many Husker fans, athletes, and students over your distinguished career.

I shared this story about you and my Aunt Mildred with Coach Bill McCartney out here in Colorado in the late 1990s at Promise Keepers.  His eyes welled up some, and then he said, “Yes, that’s the Tom Osborne I know alright, he’s a friend of mine, he’s also a real man of the Lord, and a class act”.  I hope my Aunt was up there above us listening to that, she would have really liked his comment a lot.  You are not only loved and respected by your former players, assistant coaches, fans, and students, but also your coaching peers and competitors, a great honor for anyone to have.  Well done, and thank you for all that you gave us and taught us Tom.

Mike Frost – Aurora, CO

Your role in Nebraska football/athletics has forever changed many young people for the better.  Your patience, courage and morals have created something special at the University of Nebraska that can be carried forward for many years to come.  Having grown up in Nebraska, I fondly remember listening to the games (when not televised) while hunting, camping or just hanging out.  I am proud to be a true Husker fan and also a Coloradoan for Nebraska.  Thank you very much for the joy you and your teams have given us over the years.  We will be forever grateful, thankful and fondly remember you and your family.  Best of luck on your next adventure in your life. God Bless!

David Rhoades – Gypsum, CO

I wanted to say thank-you for the positive and profound impact that you have had on my life, the lives of former players and coaches, and the entire state of Nebraska.  I had the privilege and blessing of being asked to “walk-on” in the fall of 1988.  I was from the small, rural farming community of Clarks that was stuck between Grand Island and Columbus.

My experience at Nebraska was everything I expected. The friendships cultivated with the players and coaches continue to enrich and shape my life to this day.

During my senior year at Nebraska, I had the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant alongside, Gerry Gdowski, Brian Carpenter, Tyler Zahn, and the rest of the coaches.  The opportunity to observe you as you worked with your staff, challenging and encouraging players, and watching you deal with adversity and the daily challenges of being a coach was instrumental to me.

You taught me many lessons while I was involved with the program those five years, but the most important lesson I learned from you was how to treat people.  Whether you were an all-american, walk-on, or the concession worker at the stadium, you treated each person with dignity and respect.  Each person matters and you modeled that lesson for me daily.

Thank you for your lasting legacy, the impact you have had on me, and modeling to all of us how to live a life of integrity, trust, respect, and loyalty.

May God richly bless you and your family!

Brian Pollard – Clarks, NE

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