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Our own Salt Creek & Stadium is a true Renaissance man. Home brewer. Ph.D. candidate in microbiology. Confirmed Lil Red hater. Social media pot stirrer. Alternate uniform naysayer.
While he is usually serious and has some great takes on Nebraska athletics, I especially appreciate his ability to slide humor into so much of this life-or-death thing we all call Husker football. Follow Salt on Twitter @SaltCreekCN
How did you become a Husker fan?
Salt Creek and Stadium: I’ve written about this for CN before. I was born in Virginia and grew up on Navy football, so really there was only one game a year. In 2003, the family relocated to Nebraska, which was the first time I’d ever heard of the state outside of historical context. I chose Nebraska over Oklahoma State for reasons unrelated to sports, chief of which being that I had been to Stillwater, Oklahoma. Woooof.
I arrived on campus in the fall of 2006 and I slowly became a fan despite the fact that I watched Kevin Cosgrove coach the defense. In fact, the only game I ever missed at Memorial as a student was the 2007 Oklahoma State debacle. I had the flu and well, I guess I was the only one feeling pretty good that day. I also witnessed the slaughter in 2007 at the hands of Kansas. My last two seasons featured former head coach Bo Pelini. Graduated in 2010 and then Nebraska followed me to the Big Ten a year later.
If you traveled forward in time and learned that the Huskers never win a Big Ten title or a national title ever again - would you still cheer for them?
Salt Creek: It’s my home, of course I’d cheer for Nebraska.
What is your favorite Husker-related memory?
Salt Creek: 2008 Colorado game. I had gotten tickets for my dad, and we went with my buddies who were still in town for the holidays. I’ve never heard Memorial sound that incredible after Henery’s kick cleared the upright. We knew it was good before the announcer said anything because the cheer just sort of fanned out of the North endzone. It was electric, breath-taking, and exhausting. I honestly have never been that wiped out by a football game. And to follow that up with Suh’s interception? I doubt I’ll ever see One Memorial like that again. I have a photo of Suh running over Hawkins on my wall at home underneath an overhead photo of Memorial Stadium.
Ranchbabe's note: And the kick is....get there.....GOOOOOOOOD!
What is your most prized piece of Husker gear or memorabilia?
Salt Creek: My degree. One of these days I’ll get it framed.
Do you have any "superstitions" or routines that you have to do on game day? How or why did that particular routine/superstition evolve?
Salt Creek: The only one I have is I avoid wearing non-Nebraska shirts all week. Nebraska or plain shirt, that’s all you get.
Among your family and friends, who is the most die-hard Husker fan? What makes you say that?
Salt Creek: I am. Dad likes Nebraska because he remembers their Oklahoma games from his childhood, but he’s kind of a free agent. He doesn’t cheer for Creighton though, so it’s okay.
What is something non-Husker related about you that people here at Corn Nation would be surprised or interested to know?
Salt Creek: I brew my own beer (and cider) and all of my beers get football-related names. I’d love to work at a brewery one day, once I finish my PhD in microbiology. My best beer so far is a coffee porter I brewed last fall, called "Night Game".
You’re on an island with the CN Staff. Who do you kill and eat first?
Salt Creek: I’ve already turned down all of Jon’s invitations for staff retreats in the Bahamas. As a millennial, I’m practically useless.
What one thing about the Mike Riley regime has stuck out most to you so far?
Salt Creek: Professionalism, across the board. I have no doubt they’re putting in work.