For the last 50 seasons, a dynamic Greek duo have worked behind-the-scenes to keep the Cornhusker Marching Band stepping out in style.
The husband and wife tandem of Demetrios and Stamatia Deligiannis have served as tailors for the Pride of all Nebraska since 1971 — the same year Bob Devaney led the Huskers to their second national title. In the years since, they’ve outfitted thousands upon thousands of students, carefully altering each band members’ uniform to fit to perfection.
“It is very, very hard work, but we love doing this,” Demetrios said. “We do it for the kids. We love working with them.”
The couple — Demetrios now 87; Stamatia, 85 — have lived the American dream here in the heartland.
They ventured from Greece separately and months apart in 1969, beckoned to Nebraska by relatives already here. They met in a Greek church that spring and were married two months later.
Demetrios, having worked and been trained in a tailor’s workshop since the age of 10, took a job in a Lincoln shop in 1969. The next year, he bought the business. The couple worked together in the downtown shop, but struggled to make ends meet.
“We had no money,” Stamatia said. “We cried every day and wondered why we came here.”
And, just about the time they were ready to give up and return to Greece, a local banker came in and ordered 45 suits for himself and his sons and son-in-law.
“It was enough to pay what we owed for the shop,” Demetrios said. “And, I was able to put $1,000 down on a house for my family.”
That sale sparked word of mouth and business picked up — alterations from a downtown clothing shop; men and women bringing in items to be mended; various requests from college students; uniform work from the university’s ROTC program; and orders from the Lincoln police department. Then, the first year adjusting uniforms for the band.
“The rest is history,” said Des Deligiannis Burcham, the couple’s oldest daughter. “I grew up in their shop. They were always busy and I would help out whenever I could.”
Des continues to handle the business’ accounting every week. She’s also amazed at how her parents handle the band order every year — completing 300-plus in the week prior to the first home football game of the season.
“They’ve slowed down a bit over the years, but they’re always there for the kids,” Des said. “They’ve had kids call at midnight the night before a game, asking if they can come pick up a uniform. My dad always goes to meet them, no questions asked.”
One year, Demetrios was scheduled for back surgery and the family told band leaders that they would have to find a new tailor. When the band failed to find an interim couturier, Demetrios rescheduled his surgery.
“He was not able to let down the kids,” Des said.
Rose Johnson, an administrative tech who handles all logistics for the band, has worked with Demetrios and Stamatia for the last 43 years. She’s appreciated their professionalism and the dedication to the students.
“Their work is essential to our band’s success every season,” Johnson said. “The Deligiannises do an incredible job finishing the uniforms off so they fit each student perfectly.
“They’re phenomenally talented. They do amazing work. And they’re just lovely people to be around.”
And, Des said her parents’ pride in the work keeps them going year after year.
“They love every minute of it — from taking measurements of the uniforms in the ROTC building to handing off the last uniform,” Des said. “I don’t know how many more years my parents will do this, but they’ll keep at it as long as they possibly can.
“They’re like the students and are so proud of being a part of the Cornhusker Marching Band.”
