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Despite losing 'souvenir', S.D. man still big NU fan

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BY COLLEEN KENNEY / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Oct 09, 2008 - 12:52:33 am CDT

Did you hear about the guy who tried to steal a football at the NU-Missouri game Saturday?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln police say Andrew Siemonsma of Dell Rapids, S.D., didn’t throw back the ball after Missouri kicked it through the goal posts. Instead, they said, he tucked it under his jacket and left his seat in South Stadium.

UNL police took the ball — kicked in a first-quarter point-after-touchdown attempt — from him and returned it to Missouri.

Story Photo
Andrew Siemonsma (Courtesy)

The incident prompted a police report and a blotter on JournalStar.com.

Here’s Siemonsma’s story:

First of all, he’s a big Husker fan, like a lot of South Dakota people.

“As a kid, I followed those guys with Frank Solich. And Lawrence Phillips and those guys. I followed them, too.”

He watched them on TV.

“I always wanted to go to a game.”

He played quarterback for his high school team in Dell Rapids, a town near Sioux Falls. He continued his love of the game, playing flag football at Southwest Minnesota State. (The jacket he tucked that football into was his black Southwest Minnesota State jacket.)

He’d been to Lincoln a few times for regional flag-football tournaments. His team placed second one year and he won first time all-region offense honors twice.

On those trips to Lincoln, he’d see Memorial Stadium and think about going to a game some day.

After graduating last year with a business finance degree, he took a job at a Wells Fargo Bank in Sioux Falls. He’s a sales representative who sells home-equity lines and second mortgages. He also helps his dad and brothers farm. They have about 500 acres of corn and beans and about 3,000 pigs.

And, he said, he’s the kind of guy who tries to avoid the police. One speeding ticket when he was 16. That’s it.

On Saturday, he came down to Lincoln with a buddy.

They walked around Memorial Stadium before the game, taking photos with the cheap camera he bought at a gas station, and they met some friendly Husker fans at a tailgate party.

Then he and his buddy took their seats in the South Stadium.

He’ll never forget the screams, the sea of red.

“The crowd was amazing. The atmosphere was great. Everyone was up on their feet. It was a great experience.”

He laughed.

“At least for that quarter I was there.”

The kick went up. The ball sailed his way. He jumped. He caught it!

People around him applauded.

“I thought that was kind of cool. I thought it was a great catch — I just reached back and caught it out of the air.”

He tucked it under his jacket.

“Then I took off because I thought they were going to start attacking me. It was my first game. I don’t know how Nebraska fans react. I figured they’d all try to go after it.”

Thrilled to have a souvenir to show people back home, he headed to the bathroom. When he came out and headed back to his seat, his buddy told him that about five guys were looking for him.

“I said, ‘Oh, really?’”

Then a guy grabbed his arm and took the ball, he said. Soon, several UNL police officers surrounded him. One guy was real nice. But one guy was real stern, telling him how dumb he was for taking the ball.

He explained that he didn’t know it wasn’t allowed, that if he’d thought it was stealing he’d have taken off out of the gate and not tried to return to his seat.

“There was no net up, no signs. I figured it was OK, like at baseball games, where fans can keep the balls.”

The officers took his ticket stub (he’d wanted to keep it as a souvenir, too) and kicked him out.

He walked around the stadium awhile, then found those friendly Husker tailgaters he’d met earlier in the day and told them his story. They invited him to watch the rest of the game on their big-screen TV, which he did.

He says he’s still a big Husker fan.

Reach Colleen Kenney at 473-2655 or ckenney@journalstar.com.


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Joe Joe wrote on October 9, 2008 1:12 am:
" No way should that kid be ticketed. In Arena Football fans can keep the ball. He should be given free tickets to another game...and not in the dang endzone! Oh, and give him a football too. "

 weliveheretoo wrote on October 9, 2008 1:47 am:
" omg, unl owes this guy another game. get the hate out of your game unl! "

 Jen wrote on October 9, 2008 5:19 am:
" What's the big deal? Why couldn't he have the ball? I've been to several baseball games, when it's almost ritual that if a ball go into the stands that it's kept by the person who caught it! How is this any different? So, at a Husker baseball game, do the fans get to keep the baseballs that go into the stands? If they do, then what's the difference? An even bigger slap in the face to this guy, they took his ticket stub! Was he stealing that too???!!! Husker football tickets are expensive, and I'm sure he paid a pretty price for that piece of paper. Just plain RIDICULOUS! I'm sure this guy will never forget his first Husker game for more than one reason now, thanks UNL police. "

 john q wrote on October 9, 2008 6:19 am:
" The MAN got him, leave our footballs alone, "

 sarcasm wrote on October 9, 2008 6:27 am:
" Huge news story, great coverage, this is the stuff Journal Star readers are dying for. "

 Joke wrote on October 9, 2008 6:50 am:
" This is a joke. They may as well let people keep the balls, otherwise put up the net. "

 Stupid wrote on October 9, 2008 7:31 am:
" Rest my case on the cops in Lincoln. I would have thought the same, you get to keep the ball. He didn't run out of the stadium, he returned to his seat. Always one cop that has to be Mr. Macho so UNL I would look into his behavior. He is the type of cop that can make a simple situation worse. Don't you just love the hospitality of Lincoln and Nebraska? Makes you real comfy and wanting to stay doesn't it? "

 Integrity wrote on October 9, 2008 7:45 am:
" What's the message here? The university lets students sell professor's exam materials and doesn't expel them. But expels a paying fan for catching and keeping a football! "

 Anon wrote on October 9, 2008 8:13 am:
" Somebody get this kids address and send him a ticket stub. All he gets from his experience here is that UNL takes away his 'dream'. Poor guy. Glad he still has an upbeat attitude but what a unfortunate red mark on UNL. "

 Terry wrote on October 9, 2008 8:13 am:
" There is no place like Nebraska...... "

 Come on wrote on October 9, 2008 8:30 am:
" He should have grabbed one of the band's tubas, there were no signs that he couldn't take those either. People these days just don't think anymore. "

 Explain the Legality wrote on October 9, 2008 8:35 am:
" Can someone (who actually knows) explain the legality behind this?
Why is it technically theft to take a football kicked into the stands, but not a baseball? "

 DOC wrote on October 9, 2008 8:36 am:
" Great Posts Fans. Back in the day, we used to chase foul balls at the old town team games and get a dime for returning them. What should we get for a football? I certainly feel safer in Lincoln now that I know that they have protected Missouri's balls. "

 Scott wrote on October 9, 2008 9:08 am:
" Didn't the ball technically belong to Missouri? Not that I think he should've been kicked out, nor do I think keeping a ball is a big deal. Just curious... "

 Monkey boy wrote on October 9, 2008 9:11 am:
" So is it stealing if you keep one of those Hot Dogs they shoot into the stands? "

 Husker fan wrote on October 9, 2008 9:34 am:
" I can see taking the ball from him, but as long as he cooperated with the officials in admitting he didn't realize he couldn't keep the ball, I think ejecting him from the game in the first quarter and taking his ticket stub was wrong. "

 no bo-ll wrote on October 9, 2008 10:14 am:
" come on let him go let him keep the ball and others after i would think with the dismay of the team for the last several years this is the sort of thing unl will need to do to keep the fans happy they bow and scrape to those in the sky boxes why not give a few balls away for those in the "cheap seats" "

 jenn wrote on October 9, 2008 10:24 am:
" UNL pd needs to realize we need people like him to come to the games and be true fans when NE does not do well. The income the games bring in to the city is important. How dare they treat someone so disrespectfully! So sorry Andrew! "

 wrote on October 9, 2008 10:29 am:
" Welcome to Lincoln.... There is no place like it on earth. "

 Larry wrote on October 9, 2008 10:35 am:
" Being a first time fan at a Husker game does not absolve him from making misteaks. He should have read up on the rules and regulations so that he can participate safely. If he shows up at the stadium drunk and carrying a six-pack of beer, a gun belt, an unbrella and a food cooler, it's a sure bet he will be turned away. Worse yet what if he showed up with a AK-47 or a shotgun?? Get smart and read the rules!! LJK. "

 classic wrote on October 9, 2008 10:44 am:
" classic UNL PD - doing what is has to do to prove it has the same authority the LPD has. everyone always said that if you don't make the LPD, go join the UNL PD "

 Price wrote on October 9, 2008 11:11 am:
" You don't get to keep the footballs because some of them belong to the opposing team (this one belonged to Missouri) and they also cost (per an earlier article) about $100. A bit more than a baseball. "

 THE OTHER JR wrote on October 9, 2008 11:17 am:
" Of course, if he tosses it back he gets kicked out for throwing an object on to the field. I guess the lesson here is to just let the ball hit you. At least then you can sue UNL for not providing a safe environment to watch a game. "

 Kudos wrote on October 9, 2008 11:18 am:
" GREAT job UNL Police! You have rules/laws to enforce and I'm glad to see that you're out there earning your pay. It's too bad the so many people have shallow minds and think this kid should have got to keep the ball and remain in the game. Get a clue people! This kid knew what he was doing. He knew he wasn't supposed to keep the ball. Being afraid of getting mugged as a reason to hide the ball and get to the restroom is a bunch a "BS". He knew better, he was just trying to steal the ball. GREAT job to the Police for kicking him out. It's people like him that give Nebraskans a bad name. "

 to Larry wrote on October 9, 2008 11:24 am:
" Larry... I think your comments go above and beyond. The poor guy was just trying to have fun. Obviously he wasn't trying to get away with anything since he came right back to his seat. I'm sure he paid high dollar to come to the game. Do the right thing, UNL, give him tickets to another game for the rude way your 'police' force treated him. Is that how we want him to remember memorial stadium? He couldn't even keep a ticket stub? Pretty lame. "

 Ignignokt wrote on October 9, 2008 11:26 am:
" Okay Larry, I have 'read the rules' as you demand, and there is nothing in the 2008 Nebraska Football Fan Guide (the logical place to look) regarding what to do with errant footballs. I also cannot find anything in the NCAA rules regarding such a requirement to return errant balls to the field.

I also don't see how mistakenly taking a football is anywhere near comparable to bringing a firearm to the stadium. First of all, if a person brings any of those items to the stadium, they will be made aware of the rules and turned away before they ever enter...giving the ticket-holder the opportunity to dispose of, or return said items to their vehicle. That way, they are aware of the rules and may still be allowed to return to the game. Furthermore, rules regarding such items ARE stated in the fan guide, so a fan SHOULD be aware that those items are prohibited. Additionally, if anybody tried to get an AK-47 or a shotgun into the stadium, there are enough police officers between the parking areas and the stadium (as well as fans and spectators) that NO ONE would be able to get close to the stadium with a large firearm.

Your ridiculous comparisons, combined with the unreasonable expectation that the man should be aware of an unwritten rule in only his FIRST visit to Memorial Stadium make me wonder what kind of a person you are. If you are a Husker fan, then you are a poor representative of the Husker Nation.

To the UNL police, you could have handled this situation in a much more positive manner. Take the football, explain the rules, and the the guy return to the game. It could have been that simple. "

 Good kid. wrote on October 9, 2008 11:30 am:
" He just got a little excited and wanted something to always remember his trip to Lincoln. Give the kid a break. He's a huge Husker fan, standing among a sea of red, enjoying life ... and a game ball drops in his hands. I'd have done the same thing - not knowing any different. I think he should be given a ball and asked to come back. Go Big Red for our out of towners. Hey - next time bring more people with you!! "

 Mandy wrote on October 9, 2008 11:52 am:
" I actually attended the Kansas State-Nebraska baseball series in 2000. The officials at the game were very strict about fly balls. They came into the stands to get the ball. At one point a foul ball was hit out of the park and into a backyard. There were two young boys playing catch who seemed VERY excited about the souvinier ball. The officials actually went over to their house and took the ball back! Talk about strict "

 Sigh wrote on October 9, 2008 11:59 am:
" Good grief. He didn't try to run out of the stadium with it. Why couldn't they just explain the rule, get the football back and be done with it? It seems like he cooperated fully. Why kick him out and take his ticket stub??? Major overreaction! "

 Ron wrote on October 9, 2008 12:05 pm:
" yeah Larry nobody takes liquerr into the game what planet are you from, take the ball back but why kick him out?? doesn't make sense to me "

 Outside the Box wrote on October 9, 2008 12:10 pm:
" I'm not buying. He puts it under the jacket because he's afraid people are going to "attack him"? To use his baseball analogy, when somebody has possession of a foul ball, everyone else stops and sits back down - you don't sucker punch the guy who catches the foul.

Why take your new "souvenir" to the bathroom if you're coming back? It sounds like he was looking to split but couldn't make it out so he came back.

As somebody else noted, the football was valued at $100. A game baseball is about $8. "

 CS wrote on October 9, 2008 12:35 pm:
" A football costs 100.00? Please. I can buy a football at any sporting goods store on the planet for a lot less than that. If UNL is paying the 'value' instead of the price for a piece of pigskin they are getting ripped off. "

 Ridiculous wrote on October 9, 2008 12:36 pm:
" Tom Osborne AND Harvey Perlman should personally call this kid, apologize for the behavior of the UNL Police, and invite him to attend a game in the Athletic Director's box. What, weren't there any students illegally parked that you couldn't ticket? I know the University is short on money, what with all the severance pay to Pedey and Callahan (thanks, Harv) but this is crazy. "

 BC wrote on October 9, 2008 12:58 pm:
" This guy deserves tickets to the next home game for that. The stadium staff should be courtious to all fans no matter what. I think the guy that was rude to this man should be fired and not allowed in the stadium. We don't want people to have the wrong idea about NE. I wouldn't have known to give the football back either. "

 They did him a favor wrote on October 9, 2008 2:21 pm:
" Don't hate the UNL Police. They probably did this guy a favor. Considering how the game went the next three quarters. Heck, if Mizzou would have kept their starters in, That whole endzone section would have had a football. "

 insaniadirge wrote on October 9, 2008 2:32 pm:
" I love the mentality of Husker fan. If you take most of the arguments expressed in this blog to there logical conclusion the following also holds true. I'm standing in my driveway watching my neighbors as they exchange in either some sort of husband/wife disgreement or some sort of playful jocularity. At some time the husband/wife takes of their $10,000.00 ring and tosses it at the other, but misses the target and I catch it. That ring now becomes my property and I have every right to it as the owner. Just like the old poster says, 'Everthing I need to know I learned in kindergarten...' Finders keepers losers weepers. "

 Hmmm wrote on October 9, 2008 2:54 pm:
" Obviously, none of the people who posted on LJS website were at the game or realized the ball Siemonsma chose to keep was not the first one kicked into south stadium. Had Siemonsma been paying attention, he would have seen other fans throwing the ball back after the field goal or extra point. I can't recall the last time a fan didn't throw the ball back. Lastly, the ball belong to Missouri not Nebraska therefore, UNL PD took the right action. "

 Sue wrote on October 9, 2008 3:02 pm:
" I believe he didn't know he couldn't have the ball how could he have if he had never been to a game before poor guy "

 Doug wrote on October 9, 2008 3:35 pm:
" It was a bad choice on his part. It is also a great story. I hope the judge lets him off with a short lecture about making better choices. "

 Weak Case wrote on October 9, 2008 4:16 pm:
" Seems to me UNL PD would have to prove he had the intent to steal the football. He never left the stadium with the ball. Nothing is posted saying if you catch our ball throw it back or be cited for theft. Hope he fights it, or better yet I hope the County Atty. does not file charges on this guy. Give me a break next thing is Fan arrested for taking a foul ball at the Husker Baseball Game. I think UNL could spare a football with the millions they bring on footbal Saturday. "

 f wrote on October 9, 2008 5:13 pm:
" He is glorified for trying to steal a football?
And to "joe joe," he was not ticketed, just kicked out. "

 Gregg wrote on October 9, 2008 5:38 pm:
" I had no idea it was 'illegal' to keep a game ball. After all, how many times do we see MLB home run balls caught and kept? Several times per game!

Ignorance is no excuse, but it does not sound like it was a malicious act...he should be left off with a stern warning. Nothing more. "

 annie wrote on October 9, 2008 5:49 pm:
" okay...so who reads the rules when they go to a sporting event? I have been to many Husker games, I even have season tickets. I never knew that you couldn't keep a game ball, until now! I think the boy is innocent..give the boy back the damn ball or put up nets to catch them!!!! "

 Mookie wrote on October 9, 2008 6:15 pm:
" It's a story, but I don't think we needed the kid's entire life story. I'm sure he'll get over it. He didn't miss a good game anyway. "

 ryan wrote on October 9, 2008 6:57 pm:
" A Ticked off football fan now, hearing this upset me more, I watched the replays of the game. No Nets, you watch any game and they set up nets. What happens if missouri kicker smacks someone in the head with the ball and knocks them out or breaks a nose. They will simply say you purchased the ticket, thats your consent, Also.... IF he throws the ball back onto the field They could ticket him with attempted assault with a weapon "the football" And kicking him out of the game, sounds like Mr.Perlman might have a little law suit on his hands. Nothing like dragging the university through crap. To Quote Jim Rome "Heres What Im Burning On" "

 Price wrote on October 9, 2008 7:43 pm:
" I too thought that $100 was a heck of a lot to pay for a football. But then again maybe the balls they sell at the local sporting goods stores are similar, but lower quality. Also, I've noticed the balls are personalized with the team name engraved on the ball. "

 Cole wrote on October 9, 2008 8:14 pm:
" It's easy. You watch the kicker kick the ball - so it doesn't hit you in the head. Then, catch the ball and throw it to the nearest referee. Everyone pats you on the back - done. If someone doesn't understand, stop him - quick explanation of how it works, have him throw it back. Everyone pats him on the back. He returns to his seat.

However, it isn't as if Andrew didn't have PLENTY of opportunities to witness Missouri balls going through the uprights to see how we handle it. "

 Dana wrote on October 9, 2008 9:10 pm:
" Ew - I know - let's try to do this to everyone who poses a "threat" of stealing or having a good time in Lincoln during a football game. That is great public relations. Oh - and Larry - just so you know - I Do so hope that you read all the rules and fine print on every sporting event you attend. You are so on point. This guy should be sent to prison. Was that saracasim? I think so! "

 chomper1 wrote on October 9, 2008 9:18 pm:
" If you all believe this story then i have some ocean front property in arizona i would like to sell. if he is a huge husker fan i am sure he has seen some games where they throw the ball back. all of the security was asking for the ball and he stuck it under his coat and left. i agree they didnt need to kick him out but the story of not knowing what to do with the ball is a joke. for all of you who believe him why dont you give him your ticket to the next game. "

 I didnt know either wrote on October 9, 2008 9:41 pm:
" I've been a Husker fan for many years and have been to around 5 games (I am 31) and I must say...I had NO idea you were to throw the ball back! I honestly have never been paid much attention to the person who caught them so I never noticed the ball being thrown back. Also, I too would have based my assumption on baseball games where you are allowed to keep it.
Now I don't know if I totally believe this kid's story but I think he should have been given the bennefit of he doubt. I think they shouuld have given him a second chance and if he acted like a jerk or didn't comply then they should have thrown him out. To not even let him keep the stub was beyond lame and just being mean.
I hope someone can get this kid another ticket and I hope next time the UNL Police and Security etc will be a little more rational with their judgement. "

 Matt P. wrote on October 10, 2008 3:10 am:
" How petty can the police be??!! Yes, go get the football from him, but good grief! This is just stupid! Of all the things to worry about at that game. "

 Dustin wrote on October 10, 2008 10:01 am:
" hey... you kick a ball at me, it hits me, I catch it... it's mine. Simple as that.

If you want to keep it, don't kick it at me next time. "

 Clueless wrote on October 10, 2008 11:39 am:
" I've been a football fan for 39 years. If any of you actually thought that you can keep the ball then you are not football fans. This all comes from "Husker Fan" and alledgely the greatest fans ever who are so well versed on football. This goes to show that many of you just go to the games as a social event, to be scene, and are not a true fan of football or Husker football. The story raised many red flags about his 'story'. For being such a football fan and watching Husker games on tv, he would know that you throw the ball back after it's kicked. It's common knowledge. He put it under his jacket and left his seat. His story is that he didn't know how husker fan reacts. What? He's watched husker games and is a football fan. He would know that there is not a mad rush to get the football. It wasn't like the kick set a NCAA record or even won the game. He was trying to steal the football and got caught. The police did the right thing by ejecting him from the game and should have given him a ticket for theft. "

 Pooky wrote on October 10, 2008 12:06 pm:
" I'd probably feel bad for him if I hadn't seen the dudes on the field standing their, gesturing for him to throw it back. And then he said he thought he'd get attacked? Oh Gawd. He knew he was supposed to throw it back and took off to avoid getting caught. Don't dog the police on this. If the object belonged to you, you'd be totally up in arms that the cops didn't do enough.

Puhleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees "

 flob wrote on October 10, 2008 12:59 pm:
" The way things are going, they may soon be doing "free gameball day" at the stadium just to get people in the stands until things turn around. "

 duh wrote on October 10, 2008 8:46 pm:
" They took the ticket stub so he couldn't get back in after they kicked him out..... duh.
No where in the story does it say they gave him a ticket for theft..... duh.
The footballs cost way more than baseballs do plus it was Missouri's ball so he couldn't keep it..... duh.

I don't think he should have been kicked out though. "

 David J. Christenson wrote on October 11, 2008 8:18 am:
" Regarding your story Big A, I understand completely. I am a big Husker fan and also reside in South Dakota. I have been to a number of college football games around the country. Nebraska is by far the greatest place to see a college football game.Sorry you got booted, but sounds like you had a good time when it was all said and done.Husker fans are second to none when it comes to how to be part of a great football tradition.My only concern is you should have been able to watch the rest of the game and keep your ticket stub.I police officer was obviously a tiger fan.Well you got a pretty cool story to tell your kids.pmws5 "

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