Nebraska’s baseball coach gets a vote of confidence, a man completes a marathon in an exoskeleton, and the Husker bowling team is getting some press.

There are at least two stories below that involve mascots. The most clear sign of the offseason is mascot stories. We have to get those out of the way in between “too early top 25” lists and “rank something - anything” lists.

I won’t launch into any commentary on inflatable mascots, but I will leave you with this gem from way-back-when from our own Salt Creek & Stadium.

Frosted Flakes

It’s nice to see people outside of Nebraska figuring out that we’re more than a volleyball school.

Husker Bowling to be Featured on HBO Real Sports - Nebraska Huskers
More on this from the athletic department.

Bill Moos says Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad is 'staying right where he is' | Baseball | starherald.com
Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad's job is safe, Athletic Director Bill Moos said Thursday during a luncheon at the Omaha Press Club. "He's solid, and he's staying right where he

You know it has been a rough year for the defending Big Ten champs when the AD has to give you the vote of confidence during the season. This one appears to a solid vote and not the typical wishy washy stuff that leads to the “dreaded vote of confidence” label.

Nebraska AD Bill Moos jokingly says Scott Frost has Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer 'running a little bit scared'
Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos says he was speaking "a bit tongue in cheek" when he said the hiring of head football coach Scott Frost has left Big Ten coaching stalwarts Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer "running a little bit scared" of the Huskers.

Not much to see here. A bit brash considering Nebraska’s recent history, but given the context where he was speaking, I don’t see much to get overly concerned about.

First analysis: Huskers appear to be in better shape | Sports | hastingstribune.com
LINCOLN — If nothing else the Nebraska spring game Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln was important for sake of a program reset. Though Nebraska football has been in this

POINT: Martinez starting at QB is Huskers' best hope for success | Sports | dailynebraskan.com
Adrian Martinez should be Nebraska’s starting quarterback when the Huskers take the field on Sept. 1.

COUNTERPOINT: Gebbia at QB is the way to go | Sports | dailynebraskan.com
For the first time in five months Nebraska football was back on the field Saturday, April 21, during the Red-White Spring Game.

Green Accepts Final X Berth - Nebraska Huskers
A former Husker wrestler is doing big things on the world stage.

Debating the Merits of the College Spring Game Tradition - UW Dawg Pound
Is it worth it to have a real game at the end of spring camp?

Nebraska running back Bell making smooth transition to Huskers - Omaha Sports Insider
New Nebraska running back Greg Bell is transitioning well to the Division I level. The former JUCO standout had a total of 95 all-purpose yards in Saturday's Spring Game, the most of any NU...

Elsewhere In Sports

HALL OF DISCONTINUED MASCOTS: THE FIU SUNBLAZER - Every Day Should Be Saturday
THE GOLDEN GARY BUSEY OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY

Toledo Rockets deletes tweet promoting possible mascot change to Shrek
A tweet from the University of Toledo's verified account was taken down Tuesday afternoon after the tweet, which promised to change the school's mascot to Shrek with 500,000 retweets, started gaining serious traction.

Paralyzed man walks London Marathon in 36 hours in exoskeleton – OlympicTalk
"I want to be a role model to my children so they can say their daddy's been the first paralyzed man to walk the London Marathon ever."

Pratima Sherpa dreams of becoming the first woman professional golfer in Nepal
Raised in a maintenance shed on a golf course in Nepal, Pratima Sherpa aspires to become her country’s first female professional golfer.

Commission on College Basketball recommends abolishing one-and-done rule, taking control of AAU - SBNation.com
The long-awaited report that is supposed to bring "significant changes" to college basketball has arrived.

Then There’s This

'Houses Disappeared' When Tumbleweeds Rolled Into This California City : The Two-Way : NPR
A resident of Victorville, Calif., says tumbleweeds roll in whenever a strong wind kicks up but that this latest round felt "like we were being invaded."

Museum realizes collection's rare elephant bird egg is real - ABC News
Get breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.