By Brianna Wright, '27
Anyone walking past Al Papik Stadium on Sept. 11 might have heard a familiar tune from the early 2000s or glanced up and noticed people running the stairs. The sight wouldn't be unfamiliar for the field, but on this specific day it was more than a morning workout.
Director of Veteran and Military Services, Daniel Dibbern, alongside the Community and Government Relations office, was hosting a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. “I felt we had to do something to commemorate the 25th year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center. 9/11 stair climbs are pretty popular across the United States,” explained Dibbern. He also mentioned that these climbs can be registered with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Those participating climbed the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center, remembering the sacrifice of a New York City Firefighter (FDNY) or first responder on that day and symbolically completing their journey. Dibbern estimates 120 people showed up; however, “completion slimmed down to around 60 total athletes who actually climbed each and every stair FDNY did on 9/11.”
Dibbern acknowledged the challenge can be tough and said that he is considering counting steps going down in the future to be more realistic and inclusive, taking stadium laps from 68 to 34. The Doane women's soccer team had the largest participation.
Those who participated were cheered on by their peers and President Hughes who was handing out water bottles. The first 100 students had their pick of breakfast pizza and free shirts.
Alongside students were Sergeant First Class Zachary Saunders and his commander, Captain McNeese. “We actually had three students meet with Zach about enlistment options with the Nebraska Army Guard in the weeks after the event,” said Dibbern.
As 9/11 fell on a Friday this year, some students were unable to participate due to class, an issue Dibbern hopes to solve in the future. “I also think, based on feedback, that I will work with the faculty council to request a “stop hour” for future 9/11 challenges that fall on a weekday,” Dibbern shared. Next year, the date will fall on a Saturday.
Dibbern, who served in 2009 and 2011 in Afghanistan, said he felt “responsible to conduct an event for the 25th anniversary.” He finds that while it is easy to glamorize the special forces or the United States forces who responded in Afghanistan, “the first responders of the Global War on Terrorism were the police, firefighters, medics, volunteers, and the general public of September 11th, 2001.”
On November 14, the first Saturday after Veterans Day, the Nebraska National Guard will “have some special equipment they plan to bring to campus on that day,” and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Crete will be providing food and drinks for the Veteran Community at the game.
“Remembrance, honor, and sacrifice is not about looking back or dwelling on the past. It’s about pushing forward. That’s how we honor sacrifice,” said Dibbern, reflecting on the event.
