Two streaks have ended in Wendel's New Year's WorldDecember 26, 2004
This is Sunday, Dec. 26. As we begin this last full week of 2004 we prepare to ring out the old and ring in the new. I'm not sure why they say that. I've never heard anyone actually ring anything on New Year's.
As this week unfolds, one thing will become painfully obvious. We won't have Dick Clark or the Nebraska Cornhuskers to kick around.
Sadly, two time honored New Year's week traditions have vanished from this year's calendar of events. It looks like Father Time has taken his sharp-edged sickle to both.
It's been nearly 40 years since the University of Nebraska has failed to step onto a football field as another team's worthy opponent in a college bowl game. But with a 5-6 record in 2004, you just can't expect to show up on anybody's holiday dance card.
That's why this team wasn't invited to a New Year's party, even though there's a record 28 bowl games being played. The hangover the Cornhuskers are suffering from their pitiful season must be incredible.
Dick Clark has always been a rock-solid New Year's Eve icon. Make that rock 'n roll solid.
For more than three decades, the innovator and host of "American Bandstand" has popped up on our TV sets like an old, comfortable friend to help all of us stay-at-home non-party folks welcome the new year with his "New Year's Rockin' Eve" television program. He was there for us in Times Square to lead the countdown to the midnight zero hour when the big glowing ball dropped and "Auld Lang Syne" accompanied confetti, party horns, fireworks and romantic kisses.
But a couple of weeks ago, Clark, at age 75 and still known to the country as "America's oldest living teenager" had a stroke. While it's reported that he is recovering and doing well, he's going to have to sit this New Year's Eve out at home.
He's hosted the television bash for 32 years. That's nearly as long as it's been since the Cornhuskers began their NCAA record streak of 36 consecutive college bowl appearances. At least Dick has a good excuse to be spending the holidays at home this week.
Things just aren't going to be the same. Memories of great Nebraska football bowl contests keep bouncing back.
Two heartbreaking losses, one after a gutsy two-point conversion attempt failed, and another following a missed field goal both come to mind quite vividly. Several national championships bestowed after great and glorious bowl wins are also in the recall picture.
We don't have any of that to look forward to this year. There's definitely a New Year's void for Nebraska sports fans.
"New Year's Rockin' Eve" and the Times Square countdown to midnight will still be with us, though. Regis Philbin (without Kelly Ripa, thank God!) will be assuming the New York hosting chores in Dick Clark's absence. Meanwhile, young punk Ashlee Simpson has been tabbed to host the West Coast broadcast. Let's see if she can count down from 10 on live TV without using a pre-recorded tape.
This New Year's week will definitely have two glaring vacancies. I just hope that next year at this time both Dick Clark and the Nebraska Cornhuskers return to the field of play.
In the meantime, I think I'll just find something to ring. Happy New Year's!
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