Entrance during the West Stadium Years

West Stadium Lobby before 1981

West Stadium Lobby until 2006

West Stadium Entrance before 1981

The West Stadium Years

1981 Bob Devaney, Athletic Director said, “When I asked Boyd Epley to create our lifting program in 1969, I had no idea that strength training would become such an essential component in our athletic programs or athletic programs across the world. In 1981 we merged the North Weightroom located in Schulte Field House with the Circuit room in the South Stadium into the West Stadium Strength Complex. At 13,300 sq. ft., it was the largest weight room in the world at the time with the closest being Oklahoma and Indiana with 6500 sq. ft. each. Devaney said, “As long as I’m the Athletic Director we will continue to provide the best opportunity for our athletes to develop themselves physically. It has cost us a great deal of money but I feel it has been very worthwhile for our athletic programs.”

The 1981 poster shown below was sent to all high schools by recruiting coordinator, Jerry Pettibone prompting the NCAA to create a rule that colleges could not send posters to high schools.

Bob DevaneyAthletic Director

Nebraska became the first school to have color balanced lights installed throughout the weight room for television so interviews could be done without setting up special lights.

1981 prior to remodeling

Nebraska took a space under the west stadium bleachers that had been used for storage and maintenance and set the standard for weight rooms across the nation.

The Husker Power “Brick Man” was created by Endicott Clay company near the entrance of the complex.

Offensive Center Dave Rimington is named Lifter of the Year.

Quarterback Turner Gill training in the temporary weight room set-up in the Northwest Field House.

Nebraska Neon sigh Company donated the huge sign above the record platform. Combine running stretching and lifting if you dare to be great. The images are likenesses of I.M. Hipp running, Jane Epley stretching, and Rod Horn lifting.

1982Tight End Mitch Krenk is named Lifter of the Year.

The NCAA sanctioned women’s sports.

After most all the players had left the field house Mike Rozier ran his 40 yard dash naked to see if he could run any faster but he failed to run any faster with no clothes on.

Record Platform Turner Gill

Dave Finn - photographer

“Brick Man”

Dave Rimington wins Lifter of the Year Award

Strength Museum

Epley created a strength museum to show recruits what the original equipment used by the Husker athletes was like and to give them a perspective of where strength training came from.

Dave Finn was the Husker Power photographer and later would oversee the development of Husker Video operations for the coaches.

Gobel worked with Dr. Riley to develop electronic timer.

Coach Osborne and Coach Bob Thornton timing hand held in Schulte Field House

Turner Gill with new timer

Randy Gobel, Assistant Strength Coach worked with the Dr. Michael Riley of the UNL Engineering Department to create an electronic timing system for testing Nebraska athletes. Offensive guard Joe Thigh is shown testing it. Prior to electronic testing coaches had to average times between two coaches as show below.

1983Nebraska became the first school in the country to have an Outland Award winner three years in a row and the first to have two-time winners with Dave Rimington and Dean Steinkuhler.

Nebraska became the first school in the country to produce 10 Outland, Lombardi, or Heisman Trophy winners.

Middle Guard Mike Tranmer won the Lifter of the Year Award.Tom Osborne

Jane and I celebrate the birth of our son Jay Robert Epley on May 5, 1982 who would later become a certified strength and conditioning coach after graduating from the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

Speed at Performance 101

The first person has the wrong foot forward but that’s why

they come to learn

Assistant Strength Coach and former All-American Danny Noonan is shown developing agility at Performance 101

Jerry Schmidt with Lawrence Pete

Jerry Schmidt, a student strength coach from Harvard, NE is shown with Lawrence Pete. Jerry developed into one of the top strength coaches in the country as he became the strength coach at Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, Florida, and Oklahoma. Lawrence Pete later became the first husker to ever bench press 500 lbs.

Husker Power, Inc. offered strength and conditioning to high school athletes in the form of Performance 101 camp.

Jerry Schmidt

1984Wm C. Brown published, "Dynamic Strength Training for Athletes" by Boyd Epley.

I-back Jeff Smith was named Lifter of the Year after going his entire career without an absence. He gained 20 lbs. and increased his vertical jump 8”.

I-Back Jeff Smith never missed a workout in his entire

Nebraska career.

1985Linda Ybarra was hired as Secretary. She later became Epley’s Administrative Assistant. Epley was quoted as saying, “Linda is the best in the department.” She and the multi-talented Strength Coach Randy Gobel, both left the strength program at the request of Epley to join him in overseeing the development of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Complex in 2004.

The Performance Index and Strength Index were developed by numbers guru Dr. Chris Eskridge with help from Assistant Strength Coach Mike Arthur for Husker Power, Inc. The University of Nebraska became the first school to use the Performance Index and Strength Index to evaluate performance and to motivate athletes. Husker Power, Inc. became EPIC Athletic Performance in 2006.

Defensive Tackle Jim Skow won the Lifter of the Year Award.

Jane and I celebrated the birth of our daughter Jenna Shea on March 5, 1885. She later graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, married Chase Beideck a certified strength and conditioning coach and had two sons, Cash and Colt. She also received a PhD in Nursing from Creighton University May 14, 2015.

1986Middle Guard Danny Noonan and Defensive Tackle Chris Spachman tied for the Lifter of the Year Award.

Dr. Chris Eskridge developed the Performance Index and

Strength Index

Linda Ybarra was hired as the Husker Power Secretary

Epley created the Husker Power Club to support the Nebraska Strength and Conditioning program and staff. With the help of a dedicated board of directors, the Husker Power Club raised over 2 million in support of the Nebraska Strength Program. Many generous Husker fans made this possible.

1987The NCAA began testing for steroids.

Defensive Tackle Neil Smith won the Lifter of the Year Award. Neil was the fastest linemen in the nation at 4.63 seconds for forty yards timed electronically and had a tremendous career with Kansas City and Denver after gaining 50 lbs at Nebraska.

The Cook Pavilion was built with a full size indoor field. Dan and Gail Cook contributed to the Cook Pavilion along with Dan’s father George Cook. Dan and Gail also contributed greatly to the Nebraska Strength Program.Dan and Gail Cook

The Strength Complex was expanded under the West Stadium in 1988

Neil Smith

1988The Strength Complex was expanded under the West Stadium. The Husker Power staff moved the lifting equipment into the Schulte Field House during construction and the Husker Power office was in a trailer in the parking lot north of the stadium. During a winter storm it got so cold in the trailer that Epley and the athletes he was meeting with as recruits never took off their gloves or coats.

All the lifting equipment changed from the AMF blue color to white paint with red naugahide. Lifting platforms were increased from 4’x 8’to 8’x 8’ to increase safety for the athletes.

Husker Power celebrated 200 wins in Football with a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners, 7-3.

Epley with help of his six year old son J.R., created a line of equipment for children called “The Future Force”.

Offensive Linemen Andy Keeler was named Lifter of the Year.

1989Middle Guard Mike Murray won the Lifter of the Year Award after posting the highest strength index on the team for the third year in a row.

The UNL student weight room was expanded to 7800 sq. ft. as Epley was asked to do the floor plan by Vice Chancellor Dr. Jim Griesen.

1990The Cook Pavilion had a computerized electronic 40-yard dash timer and scoreboard with Performance Index Points installed to displayed Index points as athletes are tested.

February 6h - the Husker Power office moved from the temporary trailer in the parking lot into the new West Stadium Strength Complex.

February 26th - The Record Platform requirements changed to 500 points required for each of the six tests. The Vertical Jump, Pro Agility Run, 10 Yard Dash, 40 Yard Dash, Squat and Hang Clean.

J.R. Epley at six years old helps test new equipment

Future Force for children

Temporary Husker Power Headquarters

Curtis Cotton a defensive back won the Lifter of the Year Award. Curtis was one of the strongest players in history with the hang clean record of 812 points for lifting 406 lbs. 812 is the highest index for any lift every by a Husker.

1991Mike Arthur released the 10 Principles of Performance.

January 17th - “The Meeting” A meeting that changed the Huskers. 200 players dedicated themselves like none before them. They went 6500 workouts without a miss and at the end of the winter program they set 78 school records in one day.

June - Coach Osborne asked Epley to come up with a way to maintain the discipline the players had demonstrated during the winter program. Epley developed a point system for football players. This led to the development of the Unity Council by Dr. Jack Stark the next year. The council was made up of players from each position. Players with too many points would go before the Unity Council to explain themselves. The council would decide which players would need to miss a game.

Linebacker Mike Anderson won the Lifter of the Year Award.

Bill Byrne is shown with Epley

10 Principles Poster

1992Teachers Bell Award was presented to Boyd Epley for 17 years of teaching service from Dr. James O'Hanlon, UNL Dean of Teachers College.

Defensive Tackle John Parrella won the Lifter of the Year Award.

Bill Byrne was hired to replace Bob Devaney as Director of Athletics and did a tremendous job with the Nebraska Athletic Department and staff.

1993Boyd Epley was named Assistant Athletic Director of the Nebraska Athletic Department by Athletic Director Bill Byrne.

Byrne allowed Epley to create the Performance Team to oversee 23 sports strength and conditioning programs, with a staff of 20 and a budget of 1.3 million. The budget included the Training Table which Epley termed the Performance Buffet and assembled 9 nutrition staff.

Boyd Epley was named to the Nebraska Hall of Fame with the Lyell Bremser Merit Award.

Epley honored by Nebraska Hall of Fame

Epley changes training table to Performance Buffet

Husker Power started using Metabolic Circuit training as an advanced lifting program. This program was originally called the Survivor Circuit but created too much lactic acid. After some tweaking by Dr. Bill Kraemer the leading NSCA researcher, the program was re-introduced to Nebraska athletes with great success.

Cory Schlesinger and Donta Jones tie for the Lifter of the Year Award.

This tactic worked as the Huskers were unbeatable in the fourth quarter and came from behind to win the national championship over Miami. They also won another national rushing title.

Donta Jones a defensive end won his second straight Lifter of the Year Trophy. 1993-1994. Center Rik Bonness was the first to do so in 1974-1975 and Kyle Vanden Bosch did it in 1999-2000.

Basketball player Tom Wald makes the Record Platform .

Donta Jones wins second Lifter of the Year Award

Epley receives 25 year watch from Chancellor

Basketball Player Tom Wald became the first Husker other than a football players to make the Record Platform in the Strength Complex.

Tom Proffitt - National Sales Manager for Hammer Strength

Epley receives 25 year watch from UNL Chancellor Graham Spanier.

Epley worked with Tom Proffitt of Hammer Strength to create the Hammer Jammer the first of many ground based pieces of strength training equipment. The term “triple extension” spread across the country.

1994

During the summer conditioning program Epley had Randy Gobel put 1:16 seconds on the game clock each workout and added an extra minute and sixteen seconds of work to the summer program to motivate the players.

Hammer Strength and Husker Power created several ground based units. Danny Noonan is

demonstrating.The Hammer Jammer

develops the Triple Extension

Offensive linemen Brendan Stai, Zach Wiegert, Rob Zatechta, all members of the “PipeLine” created the “Real Deal”workout. This program was a six day split routine that required a lot of dedication.

Dave Ellis was hired as the Coordinator of Nutrition, as a member of the Performance Team.

1995Mike Arthur was named the National Strength and Conditioning Coach-of-the-Year by the Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coach's Association.

Huskers win the National Championship over Florida as they physically dominated the Gators.

Tight End Mark Gilman is named Lifter of the Year and later becomes a strength coach for Wyoming.

Epley worked with Rick Lewis of Wynmor in Topeka, Kansas to create the first Husker Power Rack which led to the development of the first Half Rack.

The Husker Power Web site went on-line under the direction of Danny Noonan Assistant Strength Coach and former All-American player.

Nebraska offensive line coached by Milt Tenopir and Dan Young doesn’t give up a single sack all season.

The Husker Power Club has a demonstration each

homecoming for members

1996Courtney Carter became the first full-time female strength coach at Nebraska. She later married Assistant Strength Coach and former National Shot Put Champion Kevin Coleman.

Karen Cook was hired at the Husker Power Secretary/Receptionist.

Jeff Connor creates Power Lift equipment and asks Epley to endorse the new line. Powerlift.com Power Lift quickly becomes the top equipment for colleges and high school strength programs. The Half Rack developed at Nebraska, becomes the most popular rack made in America.

Defensive End Jared Tomich won the Lifter of the Year. Jared was a walk-on that also made the All-America team which is an amazing accomplishment.

Rodger DeGarmo was hired as the Husker Power technician for Olympic lifts after assisting with the Olympics Games in Atlanta and heads up the Bob Devaney Sports Center strength training program and facilities.

Charlton Heston stops by to see the world famous strength complex.

Courtney Carter is the first full-time female strength coach for

Nebraska

Karen Cook - Husker Power Secretary/Receptionist

Epley created the half rack with Wynmor but Power Lift

made the Half Rack the most economical rack for schools

across the nation

Moses stops by to see the Strength Complex

The Legacy by Fred Hoppe

President Clinton

National Championship ring presentation in the stadium

1997Huskers win National Championship over Peyton Manning and Tennessee. Osborne collects a third championship in four years and a trip to the White House.

I-back Dan Alexander wins the Lifter of the Year Award.

The Legacy statue by Fred Hoppe in front of the East Stadium was patterned after the photo below. Fred asked the assistant strength coaches to wear plaster casts to make the mold for the casting in bronze. Randy Gobel donned the K-state uniform. Coach Osborne wins three in four years

Ahman Green had a spectacular run against Colorado on the first play of the game. He went untouched for a touchdown.

1998January 2nd - Tom Osborne retires after posting 255 wins and three national championships.

March 16th - Ken Harvey at 253 lbs. set Baseball records in the Vertical Jump 35.5” for 656 points, Pro Agility 4.24 seconds for 605 points, 10 1.65 sec. for 694 points, and 40 at 4.89 for 5.88 points. This effort earned him the first ever Baseball Lifter of the Year Trophy.

April 14th - Ryan Tobin set the Wrestling record for vertical jump at 32 inches for 524 points.

Ahman Green #30 takes off to his left

Ahman goes untouched for a touchdown on the first play of the game

September 12th - Husker Power celebrated 300 wins in football with a victory over California 24-3 (Head Coach Frank Solich presents ball to Boyd Epley). A commemorative coin was given to all current and former Nebraska Strength Coaches thanking them for their contribution to the most successful strength program in history.

Ahman Green posted 819 points for 10 yards

Nebraska became the only school to have two full-time nutrition staff members when Lisa Kopecky was hired.

The Food Channel featured the Performance Nutrition program and the fact that nutritionist go with the athletes to the grocery store to help them make food choices.

The Performance Nutrition staff used the Bod Pod to determine lean body mass.

Arthur and Bailey put the Nebraska program in writing

Performance Nutrition Staff

Performance Buffett Staff

Nutrition goes shopping

James Harris with the Bod Pod

The Performance Buffet staff headed by Art McWilliams provided great food using the stop light colors to identify percentage of fat in the food. Items marked green contained less than 10% fat. Yellow were 10-20% fat and Red were 20-30% fat or higher.

Human Kinetics published "Complete Conditioning for Football" by Mike Arthur and Bryan Bailey.

Defensive End Chad Kelsay is named Lifter of the Year.

1999Boyd Epley was named as one of the top 100 persons to most influence college football in the 20th century by Lindy's National Football Annual.

Epley’s Lifting for Young Athletes,book was printed by UNL Printing.

Defensive End Kyle Vanden Bosch won the Lifter of the Year Award.

Performance 101 has eighty kids and set 16 records.

The Cook Pavilion gets new Field Turf field. One of the first in the entire nation to have it.

Cookie belcher sets the Basketball Index record at 2386 points and Nicole Kubik scores the best for women at 1913.

2000 Football players in Winter Conditioning gain 1120 lbs. of Lean Body Mass.

Boyd Epley and Mike Arthur were named as Executive Board Members for the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association.

Tom Osborne asks Epley to participate in the Legends of the Game Video project.

Kyle Vanden Bosch win a second Lifter of the Year award.

Freshmen football players party at Epley house during fall camp

Performance 101

Performance 101 Summer Camp

The freshmen football players go to Epley’s house during fall camp for a bonding session with the Husker football coaches.

The Nebraska Principles Video isdistributed by Hammer Strength.

The Make the Play for Football, book series is printed by UNL Printing.

2001January 25th - Nebraska Hammer Thrower, Melissa Price set an All Sport record for women on the Squat with 345 lbs. for 563 points.

The Strength Center at Phoenix College in Phoenix, Arizona is named the Boyd Epley Strength Center. Boyd attended there in 1966-67.

Epley named The Godfather by American Football Monthly magazine.

Center Jon Dawson is named Lifter of the Year.

Jon Clanton became the first Husker to score over 1000 points and any of the six performance tests. His 1018 for his 3.97 Pro Agility Run remains the best ever on any test for a Husker.

2002Epley commissioned Rivers Metal of Lincoln, NE. to develop eighteen Transformers exclusively for Nebraska. Randy Gobel worked closely with their engineers and added wood platforms to give Nebraska a tremendous advantage in safety and efficiency. No other school in the nation has anything that compares to the Transformer.

The Transformer sets the standard for safety as demonstrated by Jake Anderson

Phoenix College names weight room after Epley

Epley makes the cover

Randy Gobel helped create the Transformer

Epley worked with Hammer Strength to create the Push Pull Circuit for core strength.

Defensive end Demoine Adams won the Lifter of the Year Award.

Brendan Stai did 42 reps with 225 lbs. to lead the NFL prospects.

Bill Byrne moves to Texas A&M and Steve Pederson is hired as Athletic Director.

Push Pull Circuit

The 2002 West Stadium Strength Complex has 18 Transformers

2003

Trevor Johnson a defensive end was the football Lifter of the Year. The winner of the Lifter of the Year for each sport (see male LOY award and female LOY award photos) became a candidate for the Husker Power Athlete of the Year. The Athletes of the Year were presented the Performance Pyramid. The annual banquet was usually held at the Performance Buffet.

Peaches James became the first Nebraska female to jump over 30 inches.

Husker Power made an impact in all sports

Husker Power Awards Banquet

Peaches James - over 30” Male Lifter of the Year Award

Female Lifter of the Year AwardThe Record Platform in 2003

Warren Buffet gives Epley some tips

June 6th - Chancellor Harvey Pearlman approved 50 million dollars for the Osborne Athletic Complex project. Athletic Director Steve Pederson asked Boyd Epley to oversee the design and construction. Epley is promoted to Associate Athletic. Epley begins working with the architects to develop the plan immediately but Pederson does not announce the project to the public until November.

The 35 years that Epley oversaw the Nebraska strength program for Devaney, Osborne, and Solich, produced 356 wins and five national championships.

Mike Arthur is named the Director of Athletic Performance as Epley turns his focus to the new Tom and Nancy Osborne Complex project.

35 teams posted 356 wins

Championship Rings

Every Nebraska football player that stayed for four years during the Husker Power ERA 1969-2004:

attended at least one bowl game and won at least one championship ring.

Please view the Schulte Field House Years, the Osborne Complex Years and Life After Nebraska Football, and 2010 and Beyond for more Husker Power history