Solich inks deal with 
W.W.T.O.D.? clothing line

LINCOLN -- Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Frank Solich has signed a three-year deal worth an estimated $3.2 million with the wildly popular W.W.T.O.D.? clothing line, it was announced Monday.

In addition to becoming the line's official spokesman, Solich has agreed to wear the apparel while stalking NU's sidelines this fall.

"There have been many, many occasions when I'm facing fourth and long and the score isn't in my favor, and I've thought, 'You know, what would Tom Osborne do here?' Usually, that helps me find my way.

"That philosophy also has come in handy during my team's football games, come to think of it," he added.

Many industry experts said the W.W.T.O.D.? gear, named for Nebraska's legendary football coach, is a natural fit for Solich. An Osborne disciple for 19 years before taking the reins of the Cornhusker football program following the 1997 season, he combines name recognition with the ability to give sincere testimonials regarding his relationship with Tom.

"I was saved in 1978, when Tom made me the coach of his freshman team," Solich said. "Since then I've met tons of like-minded friends and I wear my W.W.T.O.D.? bracelet every day.

"I think it's just tremendous to be able to walk around campus and pick out others who respect the teachings of Tom just by looking at their wrists. People ask me all the time what my bracelet means, and I love to tell them because it sparks their interest in learning about Him."

Solich, 42-9 in four years at the Husker helm, wasted no time in getting to work as the clothing line's spokesman as he offered a tip to young Nebraskans.

 "Say kids, here's a good idea. When you buy a W.W.T.O.D.? bracelet, buy one for a friend, too. It makes them feel good and they might be touched in ways they never have before. You may become better friends, too."

During the off-season, Solich said he will travel to schools around the state and share his witness with others. He likely will kick off his statewide tour at Omaha Holy Name High School, where he was head football coach following his playing days at NU. 

The goal, Solich said, is to convince others to realize that his apparel provider is not merely something people can do because it looks cool. He read for reporters a letter he had received from 14-year-old Kristin Wiebner, a freshman at Seward High School, to underscore the importance of his outreach.

"I see a lot of people wearing the W.W.T.O.D.? stuff just for fashion," Kristin wrote. "One day I asked a girl why she wore it and she said, 'Because some guy gave it to me.' I asked her what the words 'More Than Winning' meant to her. She said, 'Nothing, really.' It made me, like, mad, and I wanted to yell at her for her ignorance to Tom's total awesomeness. Instead, I did what the bracelet asks -- What Would Tom Osborne Do? I told her about Tom and invited her to come over and watch a game with me the next Saturday. Now she's saved, too -- not to mention a big Eric Crouch fan!"

"The bracelets and shirts are great," Kristin added. "Not only do they make Nebraskans think about their actions, but they help us witness to others."

The W.W.T.O.D.? movement began in 1998, after Osborne's third tome, Faith in the Game, hit bookstores. A teacher at West Point Central Catholic High School used the text for his religious studies classes, but wanted to provide students with a tangible reminder of Osborne's lessons once they left his classroom.

The answer was a modest, woven bracelet with the letters W.W.T.O.D.? embroidered in it. It was a simple, physical reminder to these youth to constantly ask, "What would Tom Osborne Do?"

Former wingback Abdul Muhammad, a devout Muslim who played for Osborne in the mid-1990s, capitalized on the growing sentiment and began mass-producing the apparel. Now, the trendy gear is worn on youth and businessmen alike, from grandparents to kindergartners, from Scottsbluff to Falls City, South Sioux to McCook.

The clothing line even survived a smear campaign by Rep. Bobby Rush (D.-Ill.), who got to know Osborne during their time together in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"I really don't understand why people would wear a bracelet or t-shirt asking what Tom Osborne would do," Rush said. "Hell, they could just call him up and ask him. I just had lunch with him the other day and asked him what he planned to do on this campaign-finance reform bill, in fact."

Still, wearers say the bracelets are unflinching reminders. Would Tom Osborne lie to his mother-in-law? Spank a child? Take credit for a co-worker's idea? Run a momentum-halting halfback pass after establishing the ground game in the first quarter against a hot-and-cold Hurricane defense?

"If you call yourself a Nebraskan and wear a bracelet that announces you're one, it's real dadgummed important to do the right thing," said Bob Stauffer of York, who has worn W.W.T.O.D.? apparel daily since 1999. "Being a Nebraskan is a spiritual struggle we take part in, and the people are watching you all the time."

Few realize that any better than Solich, who at times has been perceived by the national media of struggling to step out of Osborne's lengthy shadow at NU. However, the 5-foot-8 coach said he actually wants nothing of the sort. He said he has enjoyed following Osborne -- in more than one sense of the word.

"To the extent that our mortal powers permit, we should make every effort to become like Him -- the one perfect and sinless example this state has ever seen," Solich said. "Besides, knowing what's coming on our schedule this fall, I can use all the help I can get."