Donald Trump? Bo Pelini? Concert? The Husker Games Could Have Had a Much Different Look

Oh, what could have been.

A report from CBS Sports details emails from Nebraska administrators on the upcoming Husker Games. Those emails include a wide range of ideas, including bringing back a former coach or the president of the United States.

Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen, football coach Matt Rhule, and 1890's Matt Davidson. — Mar 1, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers athletic director Troy Dannen, football coach Matt Rhule, and 1890's Matt Davidson meet before the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

According to the report, a Feb. 7 email from associate AD Brandon Meier listed more than 30 ideas to be discussed.

The three football-related ideas were an open practice, including a 12-45-minute scrimmage, a 7-on-7 flag football game, and a skills competition.

We know now that the flag football game will feature a pair women's teams, and that the Husker players will be involved in a skills competition similar to those at the NFL's Pro Bowl.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers take part in a new Legacy Walk path that goes in front of Osborne Legacy Complex. | Nebraska Athletics

Besides the ideas that will be utilized on April 26 - garage sale, food trucks, tours of the Osborne Legacy Complex - more than two-dozen ideas were pitched as possibilities.

Alumni flag football
Sand volleyball, Huskers vs. football alumni
Dodgeball
Youth punt, pass and kick competition
John Cook roping exhibition
Soccer field goals vs. football penalty kicks
BMX Bike exhibition
Concert
Sorority tug of war
Fastest student on campus race
Fans are free to come down and cut out a section of turf
BBQ competition
Demolition derby (the one time we can damage the turf)
Go-cart races
Tractor pulls
Give away a free car/truck
½ of the field for fan festival while practice is going on
Dunk tank
Bo Pelini welcome back (plush cat giveaway)
Pancake feed on the concourse
Media/celebrity flag football game*
Bring back the "N" with Script Huskers for this game
Bring in field size flag and live eagle
Invite President Trump to the event
Involve the National Guard/Military in game/event/competition

*Nebraska coach Matt Rhule continues to advocate for this on in press conferences

An email from Rhule indicated he supported a number of the ideas, including the concert, welcoming back former coach Pelini, and inviting President Donald Trump. Trump was recently in attendance at the Division I Wrestling National Championships in Philadelphia, where the Huskers finished runner-up as a team.

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Bo Pelini looks on during their game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. | Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

Nebraska last held a concert inside Memorial Stadium after the Volleyball Day in Nebraska event, which saw a world-record 92,003 in attendance.

As it stands, the Husker Games will feature a full day of activities, between the Osborne Legacy Complex tours, equipment sale at the Hawks Championship Center, flag football and skills competition inside Memorial Stadium, food truck festival in the East Stadium Plaza, soccer exhibition at Hibner Stadium, and volleyball match at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Tickets are still available at Huskers.com.

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