Offensive lineman Leslie leaves team

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BYSTEVEn M. SIPPLE

Following three surgeries on his injured left ankle, offensive lineman Jermaine Leslie is leaving the Nebraska football program.

Leslie, a sophomore-to-be from Weatherford, Texas, said Monday he will leave Lincoln at the end of the current semester. He said he's unsure of where he'll transfer, and he's also uncertain whether he'll continue to play football.

"Iwant to make sure the fans and my teammates understand I'm not leaving with a sour taste in my mouth,"Leslie said. "I just wanted to get closer to home and focus on school."

The 6-foot-1, 315-pound Leslie suffered a broken and dislocated left ankle near the end of the 2002 season. He had impressed coaches enough earlier in the season that they considered playing Leslie as a true freshman.

Leslie remained hobbled by the injury last season and never appeared in a game. His latest surgery occurred in January.

"My teammates would help me get through practice even though I was in pain,"Leslie said. "I have full confidence in the team, and no matter what, I'll be supporting it."

Leslie's absence further depletes an offensive line thinned during the past two seasons by injuries and attrition.

The Touchdown Club of Nebraska, the largest booster organization devoted to Husker athletics, announced Monday it is donating $1 million to NU for the construction of new athletic facilities.

Bob Knowles, president of the 3,200-member organization, said that the gift was unanimously approved at a recent meeting of the club's board of directors. The $1 million donation is in addition to the club's annual donation of more than $1 million to the Husker athletic department.

"We feel great about the donation," said Paul Meyers, Nebraska assistant athletic director for development. "You're talking about a longtime booster organization that's been supportive of the program in the past and is obviously supportive of what's happening in the future."

Nebraska officials in November announced the Husker Nation Championship Drive that will feature a new athletic complex on the north end of Memorial Stadium and add 5,000 seats to the football stadium.

Asked Monday how much money has been raised for the $49 million project, Meyers said, "At this point, we're not prepared to discuss that publicly."

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@;journalstar.com.