Samuel taps Cowboys defensive coordinator to help raise interest in program fundraiser

Southeast Missouri State football coach Tony Samuel usually dips into his University of Nebraska roots to add spice to his program's golf tournament fundraiser.

That will be the case again this year, although Samuel also has gone outside the Cornhuskers' circle for the event that will be held Monday at Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Brian Stewart — a product of Northern Arizona University — will join former Nebraska stars Tommie Frazier and Jamie Williams as participants in the golf tournament and the day's festivities.

"I'm excited about having these guys in here," said Samuel, who added that a few other ex-Nebraska standouts might attend.

The third annual T.E.A.M. — Together Everyone Achieves More — tournament, is a four-person scramble.

"It's a big fundraiser for us," Samuel said. "It really helps us survive."

Stewart, who spent the past three years as secondary coach for the San Diego Chargers, was hired in February to lead the Cowboys' defense.

"I've known him for a while and we have a lot of similar friends," Samuel said. "We're really happy he's going to be here this year. Any time you have a pro coordinator ... that's a nice big name there."

Samuel, who played at Nebraska from 1974 to 1977 and was an assistant coach there from 1986 to 1996, continues to rely on former Cornhuskers for support.

Frazier and Williams also took part in Samuel's first two fundraiser golf tournaments.

There may not be a bigger name in the storied history of Nebraska football than Frazier, who was the Cornhuskers' quarterback when they won the national championship in 1994 and 1995. Samuel was an assistant for those teams.

A four-year starter for Nebraska, Frazier captured most valuable player honors in both national championship games.

Named one of the 10 greatest college football players of the century by Sport magazine, Frazier's No. 15 jersey was retired by Nebraska in 1996.

Williams, a Nebraska tight end from 1979 to 1982, had a 12-year NFL career from 1983 to 1994. He won a Super Bowl championship with San Francisco in 1990.

"Those were two great players," said Samuel, entering his third season as Southeast's coach. "It's always good that these guys want to come back and help out.

"They have a blast here. They're trying to help us. They know what it takes, but at the same time they have a good time."