Official Big Ten Conference Ticket and Travel Packages
The Big Ten Conference divisions and 2011 schedule are now official! The Nebraska Alumni Association is already hard at work on plans for our Big Ten Conference football ticket and travel packages, open to all alumni, friends and fans.
The association will offer ticket and travel package options to each of Nebraska's Big Ten road games in 2011. We are in the process of securing hotel rooms. Travel packages will also include game tickets, transportation, exclusive pre-game events and more! We’ll continue to finalize the details in the coming days.
Big Ten Wait List
To be among the first to know about trip details, send your name and email address to ppenner@huskeralum.org (put "Big Ten travel" in the subject line). Demand for trips will be high, and priority will be given to Nebraska Alumni Association life members on the waiting list. To become a member today, call Bob Stelter at (402) 472-4246, or click here. Remember, you don’t have to be a UNL graduate to join!
This fall, we'll take a look at each of our potential future destinations and its respective Big Ten university. Check back often; a city will be added weekly.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Northwestern University Sculpture Garden & Gallery
Northwestern University Beach
Bill's Blues
Northwestern University enrollment: 8,000
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 12
Football Stadium: Ryan Field (47,130)
Notable traditions:
Painting The Rock (originally a fountain that was donated by the Class of 1902) is a way to advertise Greek organizations, student groups and on-campus events.
Primal Scream is held at 9 p.m. on the Sunday before finals week every quarter. For the event, students lean out windows or gather in courtyards and scream at the top of their lungs.
The Rebecca Crown Center Clock Tower glows purple (instead of its usual white) after a winning football game, announcing the results to a large part of the Evanston community. The Clock Tower remains purple until a loss or the end of the sports season. The Clock Tower is now lit for football, men's basketball, and women's lacrosse victories; important wins in other sports may also prompt a lighting.
During football games, students perform the "Wildcat Growl" when opposing teams control the ball, while making "claws" with their hands. Also, students jingle their keys at the beginning of each kickoff.
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 75
Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium (52,692)
Notable traditions:
IU's largest student activity is IU Sing, an annual competition, scholarship fundraiser, and musical extravaganza. Teams from residence halls, student organizations, fraternities, and sororities—totaling more than 3,000 students—write, produce, and choreograph song-and-dance skits, which they perform at the IU Auditorium over two nights in February.
"Little 500" – Since 1951, IU has been the proud home to what's known around the country as the "World's Greatest College Weekend," a non-stop party that centers around a bicycle race. See the movie Breaking Away, which was filmed entirely in Bloomington, to get a feel for the spirit.
The Freshman Induction Ceremony is a tradition that dates back to 1933. Freshmen are gathered, the band plays, the faculty watches, and a "spirit" (usually a theater major) recites a speech about gathering new freshmen into the fold, then freshmen take an oath of their loyalty to the school. (http://collegeprowler.com/indiana-university/inside-scoop/)
UNL alumni chapters in Ohio:Central Ohio Alumni, Dayton/Cincinnati Alumni
Columbus's must-see attractions:
Franklin Park Conservatory
Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
North Market Farmer's Market
Short North Arts District
Ohio State University enrollment – 55,00
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 56
Football Stadium: Ohio Stadium - 102,329
Notable traditions:
In the premier college marching band tradition, the band spells out “Ohio” in large cursive letters on the field. At the very end, the drum major will lead out a fourth-year sousaphone player to dot the letter "i" on the field. Flashbulbs fly and the crowd erupts in applause as the band member performs a salute. Dotting the "i" is a major honor, and it is reserved for marching band members, with few exceptions. Bob Hope and Woody Hayes have dotted the "i" as well.
Skull Session – This event begins two hours before each home game. The band goes through its upcoming performance in a pep-rally type of atmosphere, while fans pack St. John Arena to listen. Under Coach Jim Tressel, the Buckeye football players now walk through on their way to the locker room before the game.
When the football team beats Michigan, the players receive their "Gold Pants" - a gold charm replica of a pair of football pants is given to each of the players.
Block O is the official student section for football games. Block O sits in the south stands and cheers on the team by holding up signs that show spirit. It is highly publicized, and has a storied tradition of cheering on the Buckeyes.
It is said that if you can walk completely across the Oval, from the Main Library to the seal, while holding your sweetheart's hand, you two will marry each other one day.
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 29
Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium - 75,005
Notable traditions:
Beaumont Tower is one of MSU 's most famous attractions located in the center of campus. The clock stands tall on what was formerly the site of the first building of the original school, Old College Hall. What makes the tower especially unique is the carillon that lies inside. According to the Beaumont Tower website, it is an old MSU tradition that one does not become a true "coed" until they have been kissed in the tower's shadow, or if two people kiss when the bells are ringing. Only then will they be in love forever.
Painting the Rock –The Rock, located centrally on campus, has tradition: anybody may paint it after sundown as long as they "control" it. As soon as you leave it, you lose "control." After sunrise, you are not allowed to paint it until the next sundown. Many student organizations, fraternities, and clubs set up tag teams to watch over the rock on the nights they paint it.
Tennis Court Tailgates – The tennis courts are the place to be at 10 a.m. Saturday mornings of home football games. Just after 9 p.m. the night before a football game, MSU football fans begin to line up along Chestnut and down Trowbridge to claim a part of tailgating turf.
Every halftime show during football season, Zeke "The Wonder Dog" puts on a show for fans by performing amazing Frisbee –catching feats.
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 22
Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium - 62,500
Notable traditions:
The Old Oaken Bucket – The Old Oaken Bucket is exactly what it sounds like—an old oaken bucket. The winner of the Indiana University/Purdue University football game gets to take home this ancient piece of rivalry history, along with bragging rights for the year. A "P" or an "I" is added to a chain at the end of the game to show who won. Purdue has added a lot of "P's" to the bucket in recent years.
The PMO Christmas Show – On the weekend before fall finals, the Purdue Musical Organizations join to produce an "annual lyrical musical miracle" on Elliot Hall of Music's stage. Nearly 36,000 people travel to West Lafayette to watch this musical extravaganza, and every year nearly 100 PBS stations air the Christmas show to hundreds upon thousands of spectators.
Sledding down Slayter Hill – On the first snowfall of the year, Slayter Hill is packed with students rolling, sledding, and jumping down the fresh-fallen powder. Students who are wily enough to sneak lunch trays out of the dining halls will use them as makeshift sleds.
Purdue Grand Prix – This 50-mile, 160-lap go-kart race is "The Greatest Spectacle in College Racing" and wraps up Gala Week each year. All 33 participating karts are made from scratch by student teams. The event has been raising money for student scholarships since it began in 1958. It was created as a counter-part to Indiana University's Little 500.
City Park (hiking and biking trails, athletic fields, swimming, ice skating and children's rides)
Iowa Children’s Museum
Coralville Lake and Devonian Fossil Gorge
Finkbine Golf Course
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities:29
University Enrollment:28,705
Football Stadium:Kinnick Stadium (70,585)
Notable traditions:
Weeks of Welcome – During the first weeks of classes, the University of Iowa, along with Iowa City, provides many different events to welcome students back to campus. Some of the events include a city-wide barbecue, a fireworks show along the banks of the Iowa River, and stations where new students can get basic information about campus and classes.
Dance Marathon is a fundraiser the UI and Greek community sponsor to raise money for cancer patients at the UIHC. Students spend months raising money, standing outside of local bars with donation cans, and their reward is a 24-hour dance party located in the IMU. (http://www.enotes.com/university-of-iowa-guide/traditions)
Homecoming Week involves a large party every night. Many head out to bars or house parties, and the week culminates in a parade sponsored by the Greek houses and featuring various floats and famous UI alumni.
Other annual events include: Family Weekend, Riverfest, Cultural Diversity Festival, and Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Week.
Penn State University enrollment – 45,000 (University Park)
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 15
Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium - 110,753
Notable traditions:
A recent tradition started in the last several years at Beaver Stadium has the student section hopping and singing in unison to the thumping dance number "Zombie Nation."
Camping out before games to obtain prime seating has also become a tradition. "Paternoville," as the campsite is called, increased in population during the winning 2005 season.
Not knowing the words to the Alma Mater is probably the greatest Penn State tradition. Students typically know the general tune, but sing "I don’t know the words to this song" instead of any actual lyrics.
The Mifflin Streak—every year, the students of Mifflin Hall streak across campus. Running down Mifflin Road naked during finals week has been a long-standing tradition at University Park.
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities:22
University Enrollment:45,361
Football Stadium:TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
Notable traditions:
The antique lamp on the Regents' Seal represents the metaphysical sciences; the telescope, the physical sciences; the plow, the industrial arts; and the palette with brushes, the fine arts. The Latin motto means "a common bond for all the arts."
The "Golden" Gophers – The "Golden" adjective has not always been a part of the Gopher nickname. During the 1930s, the Gophers wore gold jerseys and pants. Legendary KSTP-AM radio announcer Halsey Hall coined the term "Golden Gophers" in reference to the team's all-gold attire on the field.
UNL alumni chapters in Michigan:Southeast Michigan Huskers
Ann Arbor's must-see attractions:
Museum of Natural History at the University of Michigan
The Ark (nonprofit organization and nightclub)
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Kerrytown (shopping, restaurants, and Farmer's Market)
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities:4
University Enrollment: 37,197
Football Stadium: Michigan Stadium, nicknames "The Big House"- 107,501
Notable traditions:
Wade in the Water – At the new student orientation, the tour guide makes students walk through the fountain just outside of the Michigan League, in the direction of the Diag and the Grad Library. It is a tradition that upon graduation, students walk through the fountain the opposite way, towards Rackham Hall, home of Michigan's Graduate Department.
UM has a fierce rivalry with many teams, including Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, the latter of which has been referred to by ESPN as the greatest rivalry in American sports.
Rumor has it that if a student steps on the bronze M in the middle of the Diag before their first bluebook exam, they are destined to fail.
Michigan claims to be the only university with an alumni chapter on the moon! Apollo 15, an all U-M space flight, flew to the moon from July 26-August 7, 1971, with astronauts Col. DAVID R. SCOTT, '49-'50, commander; Maj. ALFRED WORDEN, MS’63, command module pilot; Col. JAMES IRWIN, MS’57, lunar module pilot. It was the first flight in which all three astronauts were from the same university. They carried three U-M items: a miniature of the U-M flag, a miniature of the U-M Dept. of Aerospace Engineering seal, and a charter of the U-M Alumni Club of the Moon, which was left on the moon.
UNL alumni chapters in Illinois: Chicagoans for Nebraska
Urbana-Champaign's must-see attractions:
Restaurants, bars, retail and museums in "Campustown" district
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum
Alto Vineyards (Champaign)
Orpheum Children's Science Museum
University of Illinois enrollment - 36,738
University of Illinois Alumni Association membership – 600,000 (all alumni are considered members)
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 39
Football Stadium: Memorial Stadium - 62,872
Notable traditions:
Students with tests in Lincoln Theater often rub the nose on Lincoln's bust for luck. After decades of use, the glaze on the bust has been worn away, thanks to anxious test-takers.
The "Illibuck" was a turtle that was used as trophy between the Ohio Buckeyes and the Fighting Illini. After years of changing locations, "Illibuck" unfortunately passed on, and he has now been replaced by new turtles: Sachem of Illinois, and Bucket and Dipper of Ohio State. These turtles maintain peaceful relationships between the two warring teams.
Unofficial St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 8 of the school year. Because students are generally gone on spring break during the real St. Patrick's Day, unofficial St. Patrick's Day was invented so that the students would not lose out on a perfectly good holiday
U.S. News and World Report ranking for top public universities: 9
Football Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium - 80,321
Notable traditions:
Annual Mifflin Street Block Party – Since 1960, residents on this street open their homes and liquor cabinets to anyone wanting to party. Bands are often hired for entertainment, and you can expect to find at least 10,000 student attendees. It started as a Vietnam protest demonstration in 1969. It was ranked the largest block party in the world by the Associated Press in 2007.
While winter can be one of the worst times weather-wise, UW students try to make the most of it. Bascom Hill is perfect for sledding, and students will use everything from notebooks to cardboard boxes to travel its slope.
The Helen C. White Library (better known as College Library) is one of the main places on campus to "study". However, this library is also home to great socializing. Many people go to the library for a total of three hours, and only do ten minutes' worth of homework. It is believed that the library is one of the best places to meet your future wife.
The city of Madison also has some traditions to offer the students. During late spring, summer, and fall, Capital Square is closed every Saturday for the Farmer's Market. Here, students can buy fresh produce, handmade jewelry, wild flowers, and other craft items.
