Despite the gloomy weather that kept most of them off the golf course Friday, more than 200 former Husker football players talked for hours about how good things are at Nebraska.

If you haven’t paid attention to the Nebraska football drama over the last six months, be warned: The sappy is sincere.

“This is like a new sunshine and everything is a lot brighter,  said Broderick Thomas, a Husker All-American in the late 1980s. “Everybody is so much happier.”

A year ago, tensions reached a peak between former players and the Nebraska football program and athletic department. There was an “official” alumni golf outing at one golf course, and the “Fun the Original Husker Way” tournament at another the day before the annual Spring Game.

This year, there was just one tournament and it outdrew last year’s two tournaments combined.

“There are a lot of smiles and guys feel welcomed,” said Kenny Walker, who played in 1989-90 and now teaches at the Iowa School for the Deaf. “It feels a lot better.” 

New Husker football coach Bo Pelini and NU athletic director Tom Osborne spoke to the crowd.

Unlike the last few years, when coach Bill Callahan showed up, said “Hi” and left, Pelini and Osborne mixed and mingled for hours after their talk at HiMark Golf Course.

“There is great energy here and none of those little grumbles in the corners of the room like last year,” said Tommie Frazier, former Husker All-American. “Everybody is excited. I don’t know if you could say that the last couple of years. These guys here feel a part of the program again.”

Osborne spoke to the group as their former coach and as the current athletic director.

He talked about the attitude of the new coaching staff and his appreciation of the efforts by players on the current team.

He also sent a clear message to the former players.

“People do matter and I hope you understand that is a part of our culture here at Nebraska,” he said. “I hope you feel good about your association here.”

Osborne then asked if former players would consider fundraising efforts for a new academic center, a new downtown basketball arena and a Husker Hall of  Fame.

“We have trophies scattered all over and it would be nice to centralize that,” he said. Osborne then brought a roar from the crowd with “Maybe if you contribute some money, you could be in the hall of fame.” 

Pelini told the crowd that he felt the lettermen were important and the “door is always open.” He added, “You guys are Nebraska and my role is to serve you guys and serve the state. You are the ones who built it and we want you around as much as possible.

“Just keep the X’s and O’s to a minimum.”

Pelini asked the N Club members to write a letter about their experiences and memories at Nebraska and he would put the essays on display for the current players.

“If we keep heading in the right direction and do the work, we’ll be ready to roll, be accountable night and day and do everything that makes you proud of  the way you made this whole state proud for so many years.”

N Club president Mitch Krenk, who tried to get the “two sides” together in the past, said he was impressed with the change in attitude and feelings about the program since Osborne and Pelini took over for Steve Pederson and Bill Callahan.

“We had a lot of guys decide not to golf because of the weather, but when I asked if they wanted the money to go to one of Osborne’s projects, they all stood and applauded and agreed,” he said.

Lee Zentic, who played for Nebraska in 1957-59 and coached at Lincoln East for many years, said the change was easy to explain.

“Tom Osborne knows this is what it’s all about,” he said. “Bo fills in the gaps. He’s hired a great staff. Everybody here and everybody you talk to feels there is a change for the better and there is a reason for optimism.”

Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.