Bo Pelini Foundation

Dottie Hof
"Football 101 is such an exciting time for us. The early morning get together is just like a family get together. Because of my age (95), people often come up to me to say hello and how glad they are to see me again. I have gone to Football 101 every year and intend to keep on going. There are always lots of hugs, and I have made many friends. Right from the start when we check in, I enjoy seeing everyone.

I tell everyone I know about Football 101 and have gotten a lot of other women to sign up. It is such a lot of fun. I also have a friend who has come to the last five Football 101’s from Virginia. That shows you how much fun they are. I think the coaches do a great job with football 101 and they are also doing a wonderful job with the team. They have everyone so excited about the upcoming season. We are exciting about this new coaching staff. I sit in the same part of the stadium that I have sat for 50 years, and it is like family, you get to know all those sitting close around you. Thank you for making Football 101 such a great experience."

Kim Scott
“Overall we had a GREAT day!  Both years I went I came away learning something and feel like it is a very rewarding experience.  The ceremony at the end is always nice, and when I see the number of women my own age in the group of survivors it makes me both thankful that I am in the “other” group, but also reassured in knowing that we are all a part of finding the cure!  A BIG thanks to the Coaches, the coaches wives and all the staff for putting together a fantastic day.”

Cindy Thomsen
“Thank you for offering such a wonderful, well organized event.  This was my first Football 101 and it was absolute awesome!  I returned home and could not stop talking about it to my husband and friends.  I would highly recommend it to anyone.  What a fun, informative, educational day, filled with entertainment, laughter and a great cause.  I cannot wait to attend again next year!”

Karen Waters
“I thought the speakers including all the coaches, Coach Osborne and Nancy were excellent. The coaches made the explanations of plays easy to understand and did a great job of including all people of different abilities and ages to participate. The event was well organized and ran on time. I enjoyed the whole day and it was a great way to get to know the new coaches and have some face recognition. The student-athletes were entertaining and well-spoken. Again it was terrific to put names with faces of the young men. Thanks to all!  I am not a breast cancer survivor but have just completed treatment for throat cancer and appreciate all that is being donated to the cancer institutes.  They are special people and need recognition and financial help.”

Pamela Davis
“Football 101 was a total BLAST!  First of all, the bond among the coaches was evident and that was exciting to see.   I enjoyed the trivia questions, the players, Coach Watson’s instructions and follow up questions, running drills with Coach Ekeler motivating me to do my best, Coach Carl making me laugh about little boys, Coaches Osborne, Bo and Ron Brown reminding me what it’s all about here at Nebraska. I could go on and on.  It was a fun day for a worthy cause!   I’ll be back year after year!”

Mary Grimes
“Football 101 was wonderful! Thank you so much to the organizers, coaches, players, vendors, etc. My favorite parts were the question/answer time with the players, listening to the coaches, and the afternoon participation events. There was nothing that I did not enjoy!

“I love football, but don’t understand a lot of what goes on. (Although after Tuesday, I understand more than I did before!) I really appreciated not being ‘talked down to’ by the coaches and staff.

“I have tremendous respect for football players. They are very intelligent, committed, young men with a well-developed work ethic. As I listened to different speakers on Tuesday, I was amazed at the sacrifices that they must make, not just during football season, but on a year-round basis – while also carrying a full load of college courses.

“Again, thank you for a wonderful day!”

Marilyn Borchardt
“I am so glad I got to attend Football 101.  It was a Mom’s Day gift from my daughters, so was extra special.  I thoroughly enjoyed the entire day – the special words, care, and love shown to the cancer survivors brought a tear to my eye…it was so very touching.  Please continue the good work, it is such a vital cause.  My sincere thanks to Tom Osborne, Bo Pelini, all the coaches and entire staff for a fun-filled fantastic event!”

Judy Shinkle
“After coming to Husker football games for 33 years and donating to the scholarship program for many years, it was exciting to actually see the locker rooms and other facilities not usually available to the general public, and it was awesome to walk the tunnel.  The whole experience was great and I enjoyed seeing and hearing the coaches up close as well as some of the team.  I am particularly happy to learn that the coaches are going to make a primary goal of working on the integrity, self esteem and academics of each player, building their character as a human being, which in turn benefits the entire team, and as a by-product, perhaps a National Championship.  I can be proud of our program again.  And it will warm my heart to again see players in the prayer circle at the end of the game. GO HUSKERS!”

Ann Johnston
“This was an awesome day and I thank all who gave their time to make it so!!  I am a lifelong Husker fan and enjoyed every minute of this experience.  I was so impressed to hear how much is returning to what we expect from Nebraska football.  The kids were so cute and funny and the coaches were outstanding in every way!!  I have already written to Dr. Tom to thank him for bringing integrity back to us in such an inspirational way.  Positive influence reigns again!!  Next year my daughter from Dallas will join me, along with other friends.  I can’t wait!!”

Peg Bell
"I have attended Football 101 twice. I attended last year and had a wonderful experience. Although I "think" I know a lot about football, there is always more to learn at these events. Meeting the coaches and players and listening to their talks is probably the highlight of the day. Seeing Coach Osborn in person, as well as his lovely wife, was wonderful. It is just a wonderful experience for any Nebraska football fan. I'm not going to be able to attend this year because of prior commitments but I will be there in 2010!"

Anonymous
“I was totally impressed with Football 101. I appreciated the honesty of Dr. Tom and all of the football coaches. It was a great learning experience. I still have a lot to learn about the game. The closing ceremony was excellent. I appreciated Coach Pelini and his wife presenting the gifts to each of the survivors. It certainly meant so much to me. As the fight song was played, it dawned on me that after 50 years of attending football games, it was the first time that I had ever actually been on the field! I also felt a lot of gratitude that I was a survivor – due to the work of research that has been done. My other thoughts were of those who were not so fortunate as to be standing there. It still brings tears to me as I think of that fantastic experience. Thank you!!!”