Shatel: Checking that wish list for 2012

On Christmas Day, my Christmas list for our sports world's movers and shakers:

• Bo Pelini: An SEC pelt in the Capital One Bowl and a third straight 10-win season.

• Rex Burkhead: A pair of Robert Griffin III's Superman socks. With the capes.

• Tim Beck: A healthy offensive line. A healthier Rex Burkhead. Stocking stuffer: Jamal Turner on the field.

• Taylor Martinez: Lunch with Tommie Frazier and Eric Crouch.

• Ron Brown: A heartfelt thanks for your dedication, your perspective and your impact.

• Greg McDermott: A Valley championship and a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tourney. Stocking Stuffer: A "Teach Me How to Dougie" shirt.

• Doug McDermott: He got his present when Grant Gibbs became eligible. But because he's been really good, a pair of new Air Jordans.

• Doc Sadler: An upset over Ohio State or Michigan State or Wisconsin or Indiana or ...

• Connie Yori: A return trip to the NCAAs.

• Dean Blais: A berth in the WCHA Final Five. For 20 freshmen and sophomores, and the old legend holding their hand, that has to be the goal.

• Trev Alberts: Forgiveness.

• Derrin Hansen: Tom Izzo agrees to play at UNO next year.

• UNO basketball fans: Before the final game at Sapp Fieldhouse (Kearney-UNO), a game of one-on-one between Tom Kropp and Dean Thompson.

• Civic Auditorium: A winter full of sellouts in the last go-around for sports in the old barn.

• Fans of Rosenblatt Stadium: One last good look.

• South Carolina baseball coach Ray Tanner: Gift card at the Drover, expires on July 1.

• Ed Servais: Get to host a regional at TD Ameritrade Park.

• Darin Erstad: Big Ten baseball title.

• CWS fans: A 2012 CWS without a tornado warning or a flood.

• MECA: No major mix-ups when CWS and Olympic swim trials go head-to-head.

• Cops who work traffic during CWS and Olympic swim trials: A Christmas bonus.

• Michael Phelps: A handful of world records and a ticket to the CWS championship series.

• Omaha hoop fans: An NCAA field at CenturyLink Center including Ohio State, Missouri, Kansas, Marquette, Northern Iowa, St. Louis, Colorado State and the Summit League champ. Stocking stuffer: Creighton, which can't play in Omaha, is in a bracket on opposite day of Omaha's tourney.

• St. Louis Cardinals fans: Memories.

• Chicago Cubs fans: The key to the Red Sox success was Theo, not Terry.

• Kansas City Royals fans: Some pitching, any pitching, to go with that lineup.

• Alex Gordon: Another year like last year.

• Omaha Storm Chasers: Another year like last year.

• Elmar Bolowich: One more game next year.

• Green Bay Packers fans: Another belt.

• Denver Broncos fans: Tim Tebow doll, which throws and kneels.

• Todd Haley: A razor. And a coordinator's job.

• Robert Griffin III: A big NFL combine and a loyal accountant.

• Jim Delany: An undefeated bowl season — against the SEC.

• To All: A Merry Christmas and a Happy Capital One Bo.

Contact the writer:

402-444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com

twitter.com/tomshatelOWH

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