Several years ago I had the chance to attend the College World Series in Omaha. It was coincidentally the first year that Nebraska had ever made the Series. I was so impressed about how warmly I was treated by the Nebraska fans, and the people of Omaha. They were good people, and my kind of folks, there to enjoy the game but still be civil and cordial.

I didn't get to Lincoln last year, but have friends who did, and they all reported the same experience - a warm and gracious welcome to the Buckeyes. So Saturday late afternoon, I spent a bit of time before kickoff, roaming and working the crowd, looking for Huskers just to shake their hand and say welcome. It was a tough order. Not because they weren't there, not because they wouldn't reciprocate, but dang - everyone was in red! No one stood out. I guess one could take a lesson from that - when we take off our school colors, well, we are all alike!

Huskers I did find though, and I talked with quite a few. To a person, they all shared three things: 1) They were thankful someone took the time to shake their hand and say hello, 2) They - for the most part - were being treated nothing but gracious by the Ohio State fans, and 3) They were thrilled and excited and in awe - to be able come to this magnificent place called The Horseshoe, a stadium which they had heard so much about!

Several of them were on what they called their "Inaugural Big Ten tour" and I had to laugh when one guy said, "We've been treated really gracious here compared to the 'crap we had to endure' at Wisconsin!" To that I replied, "Yea us too, and wait until you go to Penn State." It was a great evening for football, and I hope they went home feeling that despite the score, their Buckeye experience was a good one. And if you have never gone up to an opposing fan, shook their hand, and said welcome and hello, well try it - you meet the most interesting people!