The Nebraska video that generated more than 130,000 views in its first four days on YouTube was designed to promote our new website and a first-ever event called Red Out Around the World on Oct. 16.

"The goal of Red Out Around the World is to connect, celebrate and salute Husker fans across the globe for their unparalleled support," Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said. "We want to showcase the depth and breadth of support from Nebraska fans and give them a way to connect with each other and the Athletic Department."

The original logo and marketing message were created and approved in February. The message - Wear Red, Be Loud, Beat Texas - was chosen to succinctly communicate the goals of the day.

"We want our fans to wear red, no gray, white or black shirts that day, and we want them to be loud but respectful, whether they're at the stadium, a watch party or at home with their families and friends," Michael Stephens said, adding that he thought "Beat Texas" was a natural ending "since winning is a goal every time we take the field."

Osborne: We Have Great Respect for Texas

What seemed to be an innovative logo has been perceived by some to be a little too direct, so Osborne made the decision to remove the Beat Texas part of the message.

"We normally do not call out any opponent, and we regret that this promotion has been perceived in this manner," Osborne said. "We have great respect for the University of Texas and want our fans to continue to treat all of our opponents in a respectful manner."

Last fall, Stephens, Nebraska's assistant athletic director for Marketing and Licensing, did a great job orchestrating Nebraska's 300th Consecutive Sellout Celebration. But he never felt comfortable saluting just the fans who kept clicking the turnstiles. As unwavering as those fans have been in filling every seat for every game for 48 consecutive years, he knows the Nebraska phenomenon digs much deeper than 20 million fans who kept the NCAA record sellout streak alive.

After seeing more than 30,000 Husker fans show up in San Diego for Nebraska's 33-0 Holiday Bowl win over Arizona, Stephens couldn't believe how far so many had traveled to get there. They came not only from across the country, but around the world, and several told him they had never sat inside Memorial Stadium to see The Tunnel Walk, feel the spirit or hear the band serenade with Hail Varsity and There Is No Place Like Nebraska, at least not live or in Lincoln..

Stephens flew back from San Diego on the team plane, knowing what he would like to suggest - select a day when every Husker football fan in the world could rally around their favorite team. It didn't matter if they were part of another sellout, at home with friends or family or at an alumni watch party in Alliance or Asia, Eustis or Europe, Columbus or Canada.

Planning for this special Red Out Around the World began last January. By February, the marketing team, thinking it had clearly defined the event's goals, received approval on messaging and began executing major logistics before Nebraska had even played its Spring Game.

Red Out Celebration Includes Honoring 1970 Team

The Nebraska-Texas game, of course, is the backdrop for the day, and as part of the festivities, the Athletic Department made the decision last winter to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Huskers' first national championship team in conjunction with Red Out Around the World.

The 1970 Huskers went into the Orange Bowl against LSU ranked No. 3, but emerged a 17-12 winner and was voted national champions after Stanford upset Ohio State and Notre Dame broke Texas' 30-game winning streak in the Cotton Bowl earlier that day.

Such creative coincidence seemed worthy of celebration and provides the perfect thread to weave together a national reunion of players to go with a worldwide reunion of fans.

Stay tuned. The football season will be here before you know it.