Dozens of former Husker football players will be flocking to the Capital City this weekend thanks to new interim Athletic Director Tom Osborne.

Just two days after being named the interim athletic director at Nebraska, Osborne is reaching out to former football players by inviting them back to their "Big Red Home."

It's a tradition many former Husker football players have been missing out on for nearly six years feeling welcome inside Memorial Stadium.

"It was basically on lock-down mode when Steve took over," said Chris Dishman, former husker.

Thursday Osborne, brought the tradition back to life by sending letters to former players inviting them back home.

"This was pretty much what a lot of guys were waiting for. The open door policy, the feeling of being welcomed at the place where a lot of guys put a lot of time, effort, sweat, tears and it feels good to be welcomed back," said Jason Peter, former husker.

Osborne's letter states: Whether you were a walk-on or scholarship player, from Nebraska or another state, you are a valuable member of this family and a key factor in our school's storied history of tradition of excellence.

In the letter he also encouraged former players to visit. He said:Please feel free to come visit us anytime. Just walk in our front door and say you are a former player, and I promise you, you will be welcomed with open arms.

Visits like that from former players is something past Huskers say encouraged them to give all they had.

"When I'd be in the huddle and we'd get the call from the linebacker, and you're just waiting for the offense to come out and you look over and see Neil Smith and Roger Craig, and you see all those guys and you think there's no way I'm going to disappoint these guys," Peter said.

"I remember Johnny Mitchell coming out and practicing when we were there. John Parella coming back in his off week and watching us practice, and those are the times that you really cranked up practice just because you really wanted to impress those older guys, because they knew what it took to play on that field," Dishman said.

In Osborne's letter he also stressed that the University of Nebraska football program was built by each former player because they're the ones who made lifelong commitments to play for and support the Big Red.

He also said.Former players are welcome to visit him and other coaches, go to practices and even attend home games free of charge or donation.