Osborne Statue Added to North Stadium

by Brandon Gries and Kevin Bair/NewsNetNebraska

A new statue of former Husker head coach Tom Osborne and quarterback Brook Berringer greets fans at the north entrance of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex. It is the latest addition to the $50 million complex. (Photo by Kevin Bair/News Net Nebraska)

(Lincoln, Neb.) - A final addition was made to the new Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex late Tuesday evening as a life-sized bronze statue of Osborne and former Nebraska quarterback Brook Berringer was placed outside the north entrance of Memorial Stadium.

The statue is just one of the many new amenities to the month-old Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex and is the second at Memorial Stadium created by Malcolm, Neb., artist Fred Hoppe, joining the 'Husker Legacy' statue on the east side of Memorial Stadium.

On Wednesday afternoon, onlookers were forced to take a second look at Nebraska's newest football jewel.

The 'Husker Legacy' statue, created in 1997, stands on the east side of Memorial Stadium. Like the new Osborne statue, it was also created by artist Fred Hoppe. (Photo by Brandon Gries/News Net Nebraska)

The 'Husker Legacy' statue, created in 1997, stands on the east side of Memorial Stadium. Like the new Osborne statue, it was also created by artist Fred Hoppe. (Photo by Brandon Gries/News Net Nebraska)

"It's pretty neat,' UNL sophomore Tyler DoBoer said. "And very authentic. Fred Hoppe (bronze sculptor) did a wonderful job. It feels like a real football (In Berringer's hand). Seriously, feel it."

Osborne's image isn't a rare commodity around the stadium. In 1998, the field was named in honor of the three-time national champion coach, although the lettering 'Tom Osborne Field' was later taken off the turf per his request. Berringer is most-known for leading the Huskers to the 1994 national championship but was later killed in a 1996 plane crash.

Fans that haven't seen the statue could take the opportunity on Friday night when public tours will be offered of the new Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex from 6-9 p.m. Nebraska opens the 2006 season this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when they take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium.