For Nebraska's Julia Stubblefield, it’s not a great Husker game day without a little sparkle.
The hospitality service leader for Campus Recreation at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Stubblefield creates custom outfits to wear to Husker sporting events. Hand-sewn sequins and matching shoes and jewelry are Stubblefield’s way of expressing her fandom, and she loves seeing how fellow fans express theirs.
“This person went into this being creative and coming up with a cool outfit,” she said. “Little kids, older kids, they attach to that. It just adds that spirit.”
Born in McCook and raised in Lincoln, Husker fandom has always been a part of Stubblefield’s life. She studied music and art at Hastings College, the alma mater of legendary Husker football coach Tom Osborne. She was a cheerleader when Osborne’s son played on the Hastings football team.
“I’m that cheerleader everywhere,” Stubblefield said.
She now works in hospitality and events at Campus Recreation as well as part-time security at Sheldon Museum of Art. She also recently served on the Staff Senate.
Stubblefield has been attending football games for more than 30 years. Her hand-embellished clothing makes up her biggest game day tradition. As someone with an art background, Stubblefield finds it to be a great creative outlet. She sorts sequins by color, sits and watches television and meticulously sews them onto the garment.
“It’s soothing; it’s therapeutic,” she said.
A classic Husker food item is another important tradition for Stubblefield at every game.
“I have to have that Runza,” she said.
She’s relished the opportunities she’s had to meet major Husker figures like former football player and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, head football coach Matt Rhule and other coaches within Athletics. Stubblefield also sings the national anthem at several Husker sporting events, including gymnastics, baseball and soccer. Especially because of her background as a performer, she enjoys what music adds to that environment.
“Everybody gets hyped,” she said. “I’m here to get that extra spunk…You see it in the football players; they’re down there stretching and they dance a little bit and get pumped up.”
Whichever event she attends, Stubblefield tries to bring the “Husker spirit.” To her, this means bringing positivity and a good attitude to share with others.
“I’m able to use that to sing the national anthem or just yell ‘Go Big Red!’” she said. “And I have this big, loud voice to do so.”
Stubblefield revels in an environment where thousands of people are all coming together to support their favorite team. That togetherness makes the game day environment one-of-a-kind for her.
“We’ve got to cheer them on all the time,” she said. “That team is listening to us and we help them…Everybody’s there to be together and cheer these students on.”
She goes out of her way to make fans from the opposing teams feel welcome too. She appreciates that they’ve traveled to watch their team and wants to make sure they have a good experience in Lincoln.
“I know they feel shy and timid, because here comes the Sea of Red,” she said. “I want everybody to be comfortable and enjoy their game.”
Stubblefield also carries that “Husker spirit” with her in her job at Campus Recreation. When she speaks with students at the facility, she tries to bring her own positive energy to encourage them to keep up their exercise or study for a big test. She cherishes a card she received from a student following their graduation thanking her for her encouragement and energy.
“I’m here to motivate everybody,” Stubblefield said. “We’re all here together; let’s stay positive and get through the day…It’s like Herbie Husker. He can’t speak but he expresses himself and people love that because it’s positive.”
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This is part of "Cornhusker Superfan," a series celebrating University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and staff who go all-in on Husker spirit. This sereis celebrates the people who make the university more than a workplace — they make it a Big Red family, proving there is no place like Nebraska. To nominate yourself or a colleague, send email to tfedderson2@unl.edu.
