Credit to Drew Johnson and Chase Pray

Ever since I can remember, the University of Nebraska has always been a part of my life. My first birthday party was in Lincoln while we were attending a football game. We traveled to Orlando for a Bowl game and make multiple pilgrimages a year to Lincoln to see the Cornhuskers take on their opponents. Though we lacked a formidable football team, we cheered them on every game, and my family kept the rivalrous hatred of Mizzou alive. That was what made my decision to attend Mizzou and not Nebraska so difficult, it was breaking away from the family traditions.

My father went to the University of Nebraska, as well as my aunts and uncles. They all grew up watching and cheering on Nebraska football and so the culture of the game was ingrained in me since I was born. I was taught that ‘Go Big Red’ and ‘Husker Power’ was the only correct way of life. 

I had dreamed of going to Nebraska like my family since I was little, even drafting a version of my college essay in third grade to show the college how much I wanted to be a Husker. The campus was familiar and I was so immersed in the culture that Nebraska was my only option. So when senior year rolled around and it was time to apply, Nebraska was the only application on my to-do list. I got accepted and my family and I were thrilled. All was going well until one conversation with my mom. 

She explained how nice it would be to only be an hour away in Columbia versus seven hours away in Lincoln. I had made the all-to-familiar drive to Lincoln many times but the distance hit me only then. I wouldn’t be able to drive home to them on the weekends and I wouldn’t know anybody going to Nebraska with me, I would feel completely isolated. It was a realization that hit me like a train. My family was so important to me that I couldn’t possibly be so far away from them. I was wrought with confusion as to what I should do with my life. But the more I thought about it, the more comfortable I became with the thought of staying at home. I had close friends staying home, my family was near and I would save on in-state tuition versus Nebraska. The stars were aligning for me to go to Mizzou. But the most difficult task was confronting my Nebraska-loving, Mizzou-hating father. 

I came to him with tears in my eyes, scared of what his reaction would be. I knew this was the right decision for me but I didn’t know how he would respond. I explained my predicament and he wrapped me in a hug and told me he would support me no matter what, Tiger or Cornhusker. I felt immense relief that I had the backing of my family and that I was ready to embrace that Mizzou lifestyle.

I will always be a Husker, win or lose, but I’m looking forward to embracing my new life as a Tiger, even if a little part of me would still want Nebraska to win in a football game.