Looks like John Cook is out here living the dream after hanging up his coaching whistle! Just three months into his so-called “retired” life from Nebraska, he’s already back making headlines — and no, it’s got nothing to do with spikes or sets. A few days ago, the Sandhills Global Event Center was buzzing with cowboy hats and wild energy as Cook hosted his first-ever John Cook Team Roping Classic. Over 250 riders from six different states showed up to rope and ride, all chasing a slice of that $180,000 prize pie. As Travis Schauda, the mastermind behind the scenes, put it, “Today is a lot of team roping”—and boy, he wasn’t kidding. Between headers, heelers, and steers on the run, it was a full-on showdown, sprinkled with the kind of mental toughness you usually only hear about in rodeo legends.
And speaking of legends, Cook wasn’t just standing around—he saddled up on his trusty horse Rev, the one he basically manifested straight out of his coaching bonus! He wasn’t shy about throwing himself into the action either, roping right alongside the pros and raising money for the UNL Rodeo Team’s scholarship fund. Cook even confessed the whole thing had his jaw on the ground, saying he never expected the event to blow up the way it did. And now, John Cook opens up about the tough truths he faced while reflecting on his first-ever rodeo adventure.
As per a report by Rural Radio, John Cook wasn’t just playing cowboy for the weekend — he went all in, boots, banners, and all, and honestly, it was electric. The first-ever John Cook Team Roping Classic turned the Sandhills Global Event Center into a rodeo wonderland, bringing in talent from all over and major momentum for the UNL Rodeo Program. Cook and rodeo announcer Travis Schauda had a vision, and Cook couldn’t have been prouder, calling it, “a Final Four, Super Bowl type roping weekend in Lincoln.” With youth clinics, wild mutton busting, and roping duels, the vibe was pure magic, and Cook said it best: “They’re going to get a really nice big scholarship check… More importantly than that, it is momentum for building the new facility.”
When it came to the heart behind the whole thing, Cook kept it real and raw. Tipping his hat to the toughness of rodeo athletes, he shared, “Nebraska Volleyball players, they get everything. They fly in charter jets—all the equipment, training table, trainers, sports psychologists, everything. The rodeo kids, they’re all on their own. They’re paying for everything and they really don’t get much. This is a huge, huge deal, and it is so gratifying to be able to help those athletes.” His experience building a powerhouse volleyball program gave him a deep appreciation for the grit it takes to ride the rougher road—and this event was his way of tipping the scales just a little more in their favor.
And yep, Coach Cook wasn’t just there for photo ops—he roped, competed, and even scored big in his very first showdown. “This was my first competitive roping ever,” he said, laughing about the pressure, “Of course I had my name plastered all over the banners—nothing like a little pressure.” But hey, pressure’s basically his middle name, and he crushed it, proudly saying, “I roped out of my mind. I won a check!” Even sweeter? He got to rope alongside his son Taylor, sharing, “It’s a dad’s dream.” With a little sparkle in his eye, Cook’s already teasing what’s next, saying, “I think there is going to be a lot of momentum for it.” Safe to say, the cowboy chapter of John Cook’s story is just getting started. And while Nebraska sit comfortably right now, this wasn’t the case earlier!
John Cook helps Nebraska reach heights!
John Cook and Nebraska Volleyball? Oh, that’s a whole legacy wrapped in sweat, dreams, and a whole lotta volleyball magic. Since taking the reins in 2000, Cook turned the Huskers into more than just a team. And even though he’s officially stepped away from the clipboard, his fingerprints are all over that court. Fast-forward to January, and boom—Volleyball Day in Nebraska became a record-smashing spectacle with 92,003 fans rocking Memorial Stadium. Oh, and the event brought in a jaw-dropping $7.25 million in revenue. Just casual, no big deal.
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA – AUGUST 30: The Nebraska Cornhuskers celebrate winning the first set against the Omaha Mavericks at Memorial Stadium on August 30, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
The vibe that day? Unmatched. The energy? Absolutely unhinged in the best way. And the numbers? Mind-blowing. Concessions alone brought in $1.78 million—literally more than double what they earned the entire 2022–23 season. Cook, now watching it all unfold from a well-earned retirement seat, still thinks back to that early hustle—like when he pitched the idea for their first-ever international trip. “We want to go on an international trip. We’re allowed to do that, right?” he asked. “China,” he added, cool as ever. And sure enough, they made it happen, even when a Beef Club member questioned, “By the way, who’s paying for it?” Cook’s reply? “Well, I think Bill Berner is going to pay for it.” And the Beef Club shot back: “No, we’re paying for it out of the beef club.”
That moment stuck with him. Hard. “I remember that, and I walked out after that, and I said to myself, we’re going to find a way someday to be a revenue-producing sport, so we never have to listen to that again.” And oh boy, did they ever. Cook even admitted, “It’s unbelievable, all the things that I’m reading and hearing. When you’re in the moment, just grinding to survive… I could never imagine the impact that Nebraska volleyball’s had.” From scrambling to prove themselves to shattering global records, the Huskers didn’t just show up — they showed out.
The post ‘Nebraska Volleyball Get Everything’: John Cook Reveals Harsh Reality While Discussing Inaugural Rodeo Event appeared first on EssentiallySports.