Nebraska Inside Cornhusker Sports

"Nebraska Inside Cornhusker Sports" was a short-lived publication that first hit the stands December 15, 1978 before the Nebraska-Oklahoma Orange Bowl rematch. The cover featured Husker and Sooner helmets on either side of an Orange Bowl Trophy. It was as part of a group of various college sports publications (maybe as many as 50) published by LeDuc Enterprises, with the individual editions operating as franchises. Schools bought into the operation and members of the sports information offices wrote for the magazines. Many didn't have as widespread a fan base as Nebraska, Oklahoma, and others, so the group didn't survive long.

The Nebraska magazine, along with several others including what became Sooners Illustrated, were bought by a group in Oklahoma, and the name was changed to Huskers Illustrated. The transition to Huskers Illustrated was pretty seamless and fairly quick, with new owners honoring existing subscriptions.

The magazine existed in 1979 and 1980, when there were weekly fold-outs recapping games as well as monthly issues of the magazine. It was published monthly from December through August, then weekly for eleven weeks September through December. Contributing writers included Mike Babcock, Randy York, and Steve Pederson (student intern in the NU sports information office at the time), among others.

I have a few examples of the magazine posted below, though there are more to be added. If you have one or two, please email a scan and I'll add them.

Special thanks to Mike Babcock for details covering the history of the publication.

Vol 1, #1 - Dec 1978

Vol 2, #1 - Jan 1979

Vol 2, #2 - Feb 1979

Vol 2, #3 - Mar 1979

Vol 2, #4 - Apr 1979

Vol 2, #5 - May 1979

Vol 2, #6 - Jun 1979

Vol 2, #7 - July 1979

Vol 2, #9 - Aug 1979

Vol 2, #9 - Sep 1979

Vol 2, #10 - Sep 1979

Vol 2, #11 - Sep 1979

Vol 2, #12 - Oct 1979

Vol 2, #13 - Oct 1979

Vol 2, #14 - Oct 1979

Vol 2, #15 - Oct 1979

Vol 2, #16 - Nov 1979

Vol 2, #17 - Nov 1979

Vol 2, #18 - Nov 1979

Vol 2, #19 - Dec 1979

Back cover advertisement from Dec 1978 inaugural issue

Tidbit of note: Of the four issues that I have thus far, there are two versions of Schlitz advertisements on the back covers, as shown at right (second and third). The first add comes from the back cover of the initial issue from December 1978 (thanks, Jonathan Cyriacks). The NU Athletic Department during this period would not endorse any product or advertising within a product that dealt with alcohol or other items deemed to be against the culture of the University of Nebraska. That didn't apply to this publication, however, as it wasn't governed by University policy.