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Published Wednesday January 11, 2006 NU green with envy of OSU gift BY RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - In Nebraska's push for $50 million to fund its new football complex, Athletic Director Steve Pederson continually has said every dollar counts.

That was put into perspective Tuesday when billionaire Boone Pickens slipped $165 million into the pockets of the Oklahoma State athletic department.

Pickens gave $70 million to OSU in 2003, "so I don't think anybody is shocked," Pederson said. "Certainly that's a great number, a pretty dramatic number. I guess that's just the situation they're in right now, and they're able to take advantage of that.

"It just shows the competitive world we live in. Everyone in this is playing for keeps."

Asked how Nebraska could contend with such gifts, Pederson said the university would just keep needing to find other ways.

"I don't think we've ever thought anything was easy at Nebraska," Pederson said. "We've always been a program that's tried to work hard and work smart to get things done, and I think that's why we've had success. We haven't had too many things fall into our lap."

The donation from Pickens, an OSU alumnus and Texas oil tycoon, is the largest single gift ever given to an NCAA athletic program. Pickens has provided significant donations before, and said Tuesday that his latest gift "won't be the last."

Pederson said not many schools have somebody with the means and desire to help in such a fashion.

"In the course of history, there haven't been many people like that," Pederson said. "Obviously he feels strongly about helping Oklahoma State."

Nebraska is spending its $50 million on the Tom and Nancy Osborne Complex, Memorial Stadium expansion and a recently completed indoor practice facility. The Osborne Complex football headquarters and new 6,000 seats are scheduled to be ready for the 2006 season.

Pederson wouldn't comment when asked if Pickens' donation might be a sign that spending is becoming excessive in college sports.

"I'm sure every athletic director in the country knows what they would like to do," Pederson said. "But what it comes down to is what you would like to do and what realistically you can do."

Nebraska last reported that it had raised $21.5 million for its project. A strong finish to the football season, including the Alamo Bowl victory over Michigan, has helped move that figure, although Pederson wasn't ready to say how high.

"Through the end of the year and the first part of this month we've had a lot of success," he said. "I feel like we're making real good progress. I hope we'll continue to have more and more help."

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