San Diego Chapter Nebraska Alumni Events

Founder's Day 2007

The San Diego Chapter's Founder's Day 2007, Big Red Weekend, was the best to date. N.U. President James Milliken was the guest speaker Saturday night for the main "Sold Out" event. The Saturday night affair had Runzas and Valentino's pizza aromas filling the air at the Mission Bay Yacht Club. Friday night was the free flame broiled chicken, tortillas, refried beans, chips and guacamole and pot-luck. It too was a full seating capacity crowd. MBYC is definitely the place for San Diego Chapter events. Dave Schmidt was the recipient of the Corazon de San Diego Award. Dave is a native of Hastings. He's been active with the San Diego Chapter since its reorganization in 1995. In the photo, left to right Gregg Hansen, S.D. Chapter President and Commodore of the MBYC, presents the Husker chair to Dave. Here are Dave's personal words - "I am very proud to be a member of the San Diego Chapter and a Lifetime Member of UNAA as they both represent one of the elite educational institutions that give our kids the right direction in getting the best education possible. In the 12 years of being a member of the S.D. Chapter I will relish the memories of all the times especially at the Watch Parties now at Seau's, also the yearly Founder's Day Dinners and last but not least our Ice Cream Socials. Without these functions I would never have met a finer group of people here in San Diego. I would like to thank everybody for the Corazon Trophy. I am very proud to be the recipient. I will continue to support this great San Diego Chapter and look forward to seeing everyone at the annual events."

Fiesta 2006 Picnic at Mission Bay

All of the free special flame broiled chicken, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, guacamole and anniversary cake you can eat, plus a killer day at Mission Bay provided the backdrop for our 10th Anniversary Founder's Day. The bay was the place to be as adults and kids enjoyed the cool ocean breezes as it was hot inland. Most conversations centered around the Huskers vs USC football game and whether anyone had game tickets. The Fiesta saw the introduction of Gregg Hansen, '85 as the new San Diego Chapter President. It was a busy day for Gregg as he was also the recipient of the 2006 Corazon de San Diego trophy. Here are Gregg's words – "It is truly an honor to serve as the San Diego Alumni Chapter President, as I look forward to carrying on the outstanding leadership tradition established by our former President Tom Hedges. In 1985 I graduated from UNL and moved to San Diego along with a group of friends from Nebraska, so I have always felt a strong connection with my Nebraska roots, even though I now live on the West Coast. Being an active Alumni member has allowed me to maintain my Husker bond and over the years we have had many positive experiences with the UNAA organization and made great relationships with their advisors too. Because of this I am also proud to be able to continue my membership with UNAA. Thanks to everyone for your support."

A great night for Fiesta 2005

Dave Redding, N.U. '77, San Diego Chargers Strength and Conditioning Coach, and former Husker athlete, told the attendees what it's like to work with the athletes to keep them in shape not only for the season, but also the off-season. The North Platte native also told us about growing up in Nebraska, playing football in high school for North Platte and for the Huskers, and his route from college to the job he has now.

Sharon and Larry Bay are the co-recipients of the Corazon de San Diego award. Sharon is the publisher/editor of "San Diego Family Magazine." Larry is an integral part of the publication. "San Diego Family Magazine" is one of the premier family magazines in the U.S. It is distributed free at several locations around San Diego county. Both Sharon and Larry have volunteered for a number of projects for the San Diego chapter, including using their office conference room to assemble our chapter newsletter and have our chapter board meetings. The entire chapter benefits from their participation. Thanks Sharon and Larry.

America's Cup Video Clip

Founder's Day Fiesta 2004

Café Machado

Fiesta 2004 was outstanding. Over 140 people attended the event including the 40 plus members of the N.U. baseball team and coaching staff. Sharon Preston Hinkle, '62, is the recipient of the 2004 Corazon de San Diego trophy.

Sharon Preston Hinkle, '62, is the recipient of the 2004 Corazon de San Diego trophy."In My Own Words" Humble beginnings on a northeast Nebraska farm to a degree from the University of Nebraska jump started my life and career.What a great journey! I thank the University of Nebraska. To do alum activities are not a chore - is a fun cause: sending postcards to possible U. of Nebraska future students, presenting book awards to outstanding juniors in high schools, hosting and cheering on the Husker athletic teams, assisting in organizing S.D. chapter events, etc. UNAA and the San Diego Chapter are to be commended for carrying on the excellence and traditions of the University of Nebraska. I am proud to be the 2004 Corazon (Heart) de San Diego alum of the year trophy recipient. GO BIG RED!

Founder's Day Fiesta 2003

The Auld Course

Coach Frank Solich, Cindy, Thomas and Tom Hedges

The Corazon goes to all San Diego chapter members this year. I will be the holder of the trophy, but each individual who has sent in Voluntary Chapter dues, or participated in one of the chapter functions deserves his name on the plaque. In 1996 when I became president I surrounded myself with a board that I felt would be available to help me make the decisions we needed to make in order to re-organize the chapter. The board came through. We have an active chapter with 12 board members who have made themselves available 24/7. We have been recognized by UNAA in Lincoln for our focus of spreading the good word about the academics of N.U.; we have initiated a high profile method of promoting N.U. with our Nebraska Book Awards (the individual schools now know me by my name); we have our own Founder's Day events with a wide range of special guests; we have recruited students to attend N.U.; we are continuing to increase membership in our local chapter; and communication between chapter members increased when we launched our own chapter web site. I want to thank all of you for your efforts and this award. It means a lot to me to have been recognized by Nebraska alums. I am always proud to say I went to the University of Nebraska.

Founder's Day Fiesta 2002

Mission Bay Yacht Club

Over 50 alums and friends of the university attended Fiesta 2002. Chancellor Perlman told us about the fantastic research being done at N.U., and some of the projects that are being performed by N.U. faculty and students around the world.

Husker Defensive Line Coach Jeff Jamrog filled us in on the 2001 season and what to expect in 2002 ... another run at the title.

Joe Morgans, N.U. '75, was presented the Corazon de San Diego Award for his involvement with the San Diego Chapter since its reorganization in 1996. Joe volunteered to become Chapter Treasurer and held that position until he moved to Las Vegas at the end of August 2001. His accessibility to discuss chapter issues was round the clock, and the chapter respected his views on all topics.

Annually, Joe participated in the San Diego Chapter presentation of the University of Nebraska Book Awards. He endowed one of the books and often presented at several high schools.

Joe was the Treasurer for the Hoover High School Cardinal Club, the school's booster group. He was awarded a special presentation by the administration at Hoover High at the annual San Diego County Coaches Association ceremony in July of 1999. Joe's unbiased opinions for reorganization of the Hoover Cardinal Club treasury and its ability to collect volunteer funds to provide for the athletes at Hoover High was and still is unprecedented.

He will be missed by the entire San Diego chapter. Thanks for everything Joe.

Founder's Day Fiesta 2001

Officer's Club, U.S. Sub Base Point Loma

Over 80 alums and friends of the university attended Fiesta 2001 to listen to former All Big 8 quarterback and current Husker Quarterbacks Coach Turner Gill talk about the upcoming 2001 football season and the new 2001 recruits; and Ed Paquette, Executive Director of UNAA discuss, among other topics, the new retirement village for alums to be located near the northeast corner of the city, with an adjacent 18 hole golf course next to the planned community.

John Wertz ‘69, JD’72, received the Corazón de San Diego Award for his active community service and his participation and support of the university, the University of Nebraska Foundation, UNAA, and UNAA San Diego Chapter.

Founder's Day Fiesta 2000.

Officer's Club, U.S. Sub Base, Point Loma.

At the last minute, by direction of the Chancellor, Athletic Director Bill Byrne had to attend a Board of Regent's meeting in Lincoln and couldn't make the trip. Defensive Backs Coach George Darlington and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs James Griesen were his more than adequate replacements.

A packed group listened to Coach Darlington tell us about the '99 season. And the reason for the C.U. kicker missing the field goal in the last seconds of regular time to send the game into OT. Read all about it in our June newsletter. He also told us about the class of 2000, a remarkable group of athletes.

Vice Chancellor James Griesen of Student Affairs talked to us about the state of the academic and financial sides of the school. N.U. is in great shape. Average ACT scores are up. The number of high school upper 2% students enrolled is up. The retention rate is up. There are new granfathered scholarships available for children of out of state alums. A search is being held to replace several deans, but he has a number of more than capable candidates.

2000 Corazón de San Diego Award recipient Lloyd "Pete" Bucher, CDR, Ret., USN, N.U. '53. Pete and his wife, Rose, were unable to attend the event as they were off on a cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Several Husker alums and friends attended a luncheon in January to honor Pete. The event was videotaped and it was shown at the Fiesta. Pete's quite a guy and has a very interesting story to tell about the USS Pueblo incident, his and the crew's capture, and being held as a POW for almost a year by the North Koreans. Anybody who would like a copy of the tape let me know. We'll have an "In His Own Words" in the June newsletter.

Previous Corazon de San Diego recipients

1996-Norm Harris; 1997-Max Coover; 1998-Ruth French Chapman;
1999-Dorothy Swisher Frels