Husker Anthology: Adrian Fiala
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Each week, Husker Extra's Ken Hambleton talks with a past Husker player or coach for Husker Anthology. This week, it's former Husker player and current radio commentator Adrian Fiala. To listen to Ken's full audio interview with Adrian, go to Husker Extra Game Day and click on Husker Anthology.
Adrian Fiala
When he played for Nebraska: A football and baseball standout at Omaha Ryan High School, Fiala turned down a scholarship offer from Notre Dame and picked Nebraska. He played for Bob Devaney in football as a linebacker and for baseball coach Tony Sharpe as a catcher. He is involved in a number of charities, including the Friends of Adrian Fiala Husker Heritage Golf Tournament to benefit TeamMates.
And now....: The deep-voiced Fiala is the color man on the Husker football and baseball radio broadcasts, co-host of “Big Red Wrap-up” on NET and radio broadcaster for the College World Series. He’s worked with former Husker football broadcasters Dick Perry, Tim Moreland, Ray Scott, Warren Swain, Jim Rose and now, Greg Sharpe. He is an attorney when not on the air.
The memories: Fiala’s first radio gig was working the sideline for the 1976 Spring Game. “Dick Perry asked if I wanted to do the sidelines for the games in the fall, and with no experience, no journalism background (he was in business, then law) I jumped on board,” Fiala said.
After a hiatus from 1983 to 1996 when KFAB had exclusive rights, Dale Jensen and Paul Aaron of Pinnacle Sports asked Fiala to return.
“We hit the ground running and I’ve been running ever since,” Fiala said. “Ray Scott taught me that ‘You are the eyes and ears of the listener,’ and that it was up to the broadcaster to paint the pictures for the fans. That means putting in some technical stuff, but not too much that it’s there to just satisfy an ego.”
Preparations for game day broadcasts last for hours days in advance.
His favorite call, “He knocked his hat in the creek,” came accidentally, he said.
“If you plan that kind of thing it comes across artificial. I try to stay as honest as I can. If I see a call that is blatantly wrong, I’ll say it. But for the most part, I try to look into the judgment of the official or the coach or the player.”
Things got tough in recent years.
Fiala refused to refer to the Nebraska defense as the “Blackshirts” on the air after halftime of the 2007 debacle against Oklahoma State.
He tried to stay above the fray and breakdown of relationships between former players, alumni and fans with the Nebraska administration.
“I was critical when I needed to be and I tried to remain professional about the whole situation. I am so glad the bridges have been built to all the fans and all the former players.”
— Ken Hambleton
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