Bahamian Tour of 1997

The spring season of the 1996-’97 season began earlier than was the norm as the Select Husker Invitational Touring Side (S.H.I.T.S. ) departed for Nassau, Bahamas in mid-March, ostensibly to play rugby against Harvard and San Diego State Universities. 

The squad all donned matching formal jackets with the UNL insignia proudly displayed on the lapel; and one player even wore a kilt in the authentic Scottish tradition of wearing nothing underneath (an unfortunately poorly kept secret). 

Upon taking off from Omaha, two handles of Jack Daniels were passed and cashed by the time we landed in Chicago. Contraband was ample and those checked baggage contents are the foundation of the TSA Prohibited Items list you all know and love today. While taxing on the tarmac, the squad belted out the official Marine Hymn which undoubtedly was encouraged by an unnamed Marine coach, which surprisingly led to a round of applause from all on the plane.

After a snafu with the lodging, the UNL team staked claim to prime beach real estate in front of a bar not so aptly named “The American Dream” and delivered Top Gun quality beach volleyball, ad nauseum. 

Trip highlights included: Finishing 2-0 versus in the tournament, drinking an abundance of Kalik Beer, a HUGE beach bonfire next to Eddie Murphy’s mansion, a booze cruise featuring scantily clad coeds from the University of Southern Connecticut, “working” Bahamian girls, conch fritters, and nearly half of the team falling madly in love in one way, shape or form. 

The irony with the trip is that the two aforementioned teams that we beat went on this tour to play competitive rugby before running into the rum soaked Big Red buzzsaw.  Rumor has it that Harvard was temporarily suspended for joining our post-game shenanigans. The lime jerseys and tour t-shirts that were designed and referenced “Ride our Honeywagon” remain prized possessions.

Everyone on that trip is thankful that smart phones were not invented.  However, a few rolls of film, yes film, still exist and have been kept locked and key until the applicable statutes of limitation have run.