Although you’ve probably heard of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, have you heard of the Nebraska Bugeaters? The University of Nebraska athletic teams have a rich and long history. In particular, the school’s soccer team has been consistently ranked as one of the best teams in the nation. Here are some facts you may not be familiar with, regarding the university named after one of the tastiest beans on the planet:

1. Nebraska’s Nickname Honors America’s Most Valuable Crop
It is true. In terms of volume produced and its value, corn is the number one crop in the US Therefore, Nebraska Cornhuskers represent America’s number one crop! Here are some other fascinating facts about corn:

o The United States produces twice as much corn as any other crop.
o Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska grow 50% of the corn grown in the US.
o Iowa sells 55% of its corn to foreign nations.
o Corn is an important ingredient in soft drinks, peanut butter, and snack foods.
o An average ear of corn includes 16 rows and 800 kernels.

2. The Nebraska Huskers were once the Nebraska Rattlesnake Boys
Nebraska Cornhuskers have been known as such for about a century. Charles “Cy” Sherman, a sportswriter for the “Nebraska State Journal,” proposed that people refer to the University of Nebraska athletic teams as the Cornhuskers. Prior to that time, various nicknames for the team included: Antelopes, Bugeaters, Nebraskans, Old Gold Knights, Rattlesnake Boys, and Tree Planters.

3. The Cornhuskers won a national championship without winning all of their games
The Nebraska soccer team has never been defeated during its five national championship seasons (1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997). However, in 1970 his record was 11-0-1 and included a 21-21 draw against the University of Southern California. Arguably the Huskers should have won the game. In the fourth quarter, Nebraska missed a 12-yard field goal after a poor play by the Center. USC then scored a touchdown to tie up the game. Ultimately, the Associated Press College Football Poll ranked Nebraska as the No. 1 team in the nation.

4. The Cornhuskers have retired the jersey numbers of 22 athletes
This total includes 15 men, including soccer stars Mike Rozier and Tommie Frazier. Rozier had a distinguished career in Nebraska, as a running back on the football team. During his senior year (1983), Rozier won the Heisman Trophy award, which the NCAA awards annually to the best college football player. Unfortunately, during Rozier’s senior year, Nebraska lost the championship game in Miami.

Meanwhile, Tommie Frazier led Nebraska to back-to-back national championships (1994, 1995). In an ESPN.com poll (2006), voters chose the 1995 Huskers as the best team in American college football history. Tragically, the NFL never drafted Frazier due to a severe blood clot in his left leg.

Regardless of how many years we’ve been a fan of an NCAA team, we can always learn something new about the team. You know the past NCAA titles, but you don’t know the future ones. Wear Nebraska Cornhuskers merchandise to cheer the team to another national championship!