Nebraska Athletics unveiled a new statue Thursday of recently retired volleyball coach John Cook in front of the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
Earlier, current head coach Dani Busboom Kelly jokingly thanked athletic director Troy Dannen. Dannen wanted a statue of Cook by 2025, which Cook said helped make his retirement decision easier.
“Troy I want to thank you again for this. And Dani was right. [Troy] told me we’re going to build this thing this year, no matter what,” Cook said. “And I said ‘I’m not coaching if we’re doing’ — it’s enough pressure coaching here without a statue out here.”
The bronze statue depicts Cook raising his fist into the air in triumph, shortly after Nebraska set the world record for attendance at a women’s sporting event in Memorial Stadium.
Cook had one more person to thank.
“None of this happens without my wife Wendy, none of it. She raised our kids. She put up with my crap all the time. She had to go through the highs and lows of coaching,” Cook said. “And anyway, Wendy, thank you for your support.”
Cook retired from coaching in January. He led the Cornhuskers to four national championships and 12 final fours in 25 years.