Nebraska Cornhuskers

The Nebraska Cornhuskers (often abbreviated to Huskers) is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Cornhuskers compete in NCAA Division I, fielding 21 varsity teams in 15 sports. Early nicknames for the university's athletic teams included the "Hawkeyes" (which is now associated with the University of Iowa), the "Antelopes" (which the University of Nebraska at Kearney later adopted), the "Old Gold Knights", the "Bugeaters" and the "Mankilling Mastodons". The name Cornhuskers first appeared in the school newspaper as "We Have Met The Cornhuskers And They Are Ours" referring to a 20-18 upset victory over Iowa in 1893. The name would be used again, this time to refer to Nebraska by Charles "Cy" Sherman in The Nebraska State Journal during the 1899 season and would replace all other names by 1900. The Cornhuskers have two official mascots, Herbie Husker and Lil' Red. The Cornhuskers participate in 21 sports sponsored by the Big Ten Conference. In addition the Huskers play in two non-sponsor Big Ten events: Rifle and Bowling. Rifle is in the GARC and Bowling is independent. For over 100 years, the Cornhuskers participated in what is now known as the Big 12 Conference, having been a member since the conference's earliest predecessor, the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association, later the Big 8 Conference, was founded.