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2008 Dec 15
Bo, Swift Talk Captains
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Before the 2008 season, Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Steinkuhler might have been considered a bit of a longshot for captain. He had struggled with injuries in 2007. He wasn’t loud or constantly in front of the media. And he was a member of arguably the worst defense ever to play at NU.
But the Huskers’ four captains weren’t picked at the end of fall camp. They were picked at the end of the year, after a gamut of players had served as game captains.
And Steinkuhler, fresh off a terrific year as part of a dominant defensive line, joined defensive end Zach Potter, quarterback Joe Ganz and receiver Nate Swift as four Huskers voted official leaders of the team.
“It was pretty sweet,” Steinkuhler said. “We got a little plaque. Got a picture. We haven’t done it in the past like this, so it was really special.”
Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini had seen captains selected this way at LSU. He liked it and thought it “gives the guys ownership.” He brought it to NU, where maybe it didn’t get the best early reviews.
But it was a hit after a number of players – including some underclassmen and all seniors for the Nebraska-Colorado game – got to walk out for the opening coin toss. Then they chose four leaders after a Saturday practice.
And Pelini liked the final four selections.
“They were good choices,” he said. “This was a group here on this team where there were a lot of guys who were deserving of it and could have been. The vote was pretty close. We just took the top four vote-getters. Some of the other guys could have been voted in very easily. There were a lot of leaders, especially in that senior class.”
Swift agreed.
“The way we did it, letting everybody get to know everybody, it’s an honor to have your teammates vote you,” he said.
The top traits of the captains? According to Swift, “consistency and work ethic.”
“I came in with Joe and Stein and you know what those guys are like – workhorses,” Swift said. “Potter came the next year, and he’s the same way..everybody that’s up there is a natural leader. I wouldn’t say we expect it, but we all kind of fell into the role.”
But the Huskers’ four captains weren’t picked at the end of fall camp. They were picked at the end of the year, after a gamut of players had served as game captains.
And Steinkuhler, fresh off a terrific year as part of a dominant defensive line, joined defensive end Zach Potter, quarterback Joe Ganz and receiver Nate Swift as four Huskers voted official leaders of the team.
“It was pretty sweet,” Steinkuhler said. “We got a little plaque. Got a picture. We haven’t done it in the past like this, so it was really special.”
Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini had seen captains selected this way at LSU. He liked it and thought it “gives the guys ownership.” He brought it to NU, where maybe it didn’t get the best early reviews.
But it was a hit after a number of players – including some underclassmen and all seniors for the Nebraska-Colorado game – got to walk out for the opening coin toss. Then they chose four leaders after a Saturday practice.
And Pelini liked the final four selections.
“They were good choices,” he said. “This was a group here on this team where there were a lot of guys who were deserving of it and could have been. The vote was pretty close. We just took the top four vote-getters. Some of the other guys could have been voted in very easily. There were a lot of leaders, especially in that senior class.”
Swift agreed.
“The way we did it, letting everybody get to know everybody, it’s an honor to have your teammates vote you,” he said.
The top traits of the captains? According to Swift, “consistency and work ethic.”
“I came in with Joe and Stein and you know what those guys are like – workhorses,” Swift said. “Potter came the next year, and he’s the same way..everybody that’s up there is a natural leader. I wouldn’t say we expect it, but we all kind of fell into the role.”
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Tags: bo pelini, nate swift, ty steinkuhler, zach potter, joe ganz
Home > Blogs > Official Husker Locker Blog > Bo, Swift Talk Captains
Man it just gets better n better.
– Dec 15, 2008