The Big Ten season is about to kick off and Nebraska Volleyball fans have every reason to be thrilled. Especially as they enter as the defending champions this year, having lifted the Big Ten Conference Championships title in 2023 after a six-year drought. Plus, this year marks a very special occasion for the man who has been the driving force of the Huskers.

With just a single loss against the SMU so far, it looks like the Huskers have decided to ‘Go Big Red’ this time around. But what makes the opening match against UCLA on Friday, September 27, even more interesting, is that it marks Coach John Cook’s silver jubilee year leading the side. And they have decided to commemorate the veteran’s contributions with a unique gesture.

Nebraska’s coach Cook to get special honor

Nebraska volleyball fans are in for a real treat as they celebrate the opening match of the team’s 25th season under legendary coach John Cook. Not only will the game at the Bob Devaney Sports Center be full of pride, but fans will also walk away with a special keepsake—miniature Coach Cook bobbleheads! These fun collectibles show Coach Cook rocking a white Adidas polo with the Nebraska logo, sneakers, a cowboy hat, and holding a volleyball, perfectly capturing his signature style. The custom-designed box also adds to the excitement, decked out in Nebraska’s iconic red and white. One side features an image of Cook with a bold ’25’ in the background, while the other gives a nod to the Sports Center itself.

In a behind-the-scenes video, Coach John Cook’s reaction to seeing his own bobbleheads for the first time is priceless. As he walked into the Volleyball Conference Room and saw them stacked up, he said, “We got the bobbleheads, is that what that is? You gotta be kidding me.” As he picks one in his hand and laughs it off while saying, “What are you guys gonna do with these?” When he was told that 10,000 of them would be distributed, his surprise was clear as day: “Are you serious?”

Taking over from the legendary Terry Pettit, Cook had some big shoes to fill—but he didn’t just fill them, he blew past expectations. Under his leadership, Nebraska Volleyball has become a powerhouse, winning 4 NCAA championships, reaching 11 NCAA semifinals, and clinching 9 Big 12 and 4 Big Ten titles over 24 incredible seasons. Recently, the program hit a huge viewership milestone, cementing its place as a fan-favorite in college volleyball.

Nebraska Volleyball cruises to another high

The Coach Cook bobbleheads hit the headlines Thursday. But by Wednesday, September 25, Nebraska Volleyball was in the headlines for another reason. As the Cornhuskers came out to play the Louisville Cardinals, the viewership numbers peaked beyond anticipation. As per ESPN’s announcement, this turned the most-watched regular-season game ever on their platform, touching 808,000 viewers and averaging at 684,000.

And the results of the thrilling showdown were dominated by Nebraska. They defeated the Cardinals 25-16, 25-17, and 25-20, positioning themselves second on the national table. Therefore, it’s needless to say that the Huskers enter the Big Ten season riding on the success wave.

Besides, this season, Coach Cook may have gained additional screen time, for he spoke on the Big Ten Network and starred in the “No Place like Nebraska” documentary recently. And while they celebrate this benchmark in style, what do you think the results of the game will be? Will the Huskers continue their on-the-trot success or will UCLA snatch the win? Let us know below!