What's new at NU?
The football experience is timeless at the University of Nebraska's Memorial
Stadium.
You can still expect the usual stuff — fans in red, applauding the opposing team,
a roaring Tunnel Walk. But there are a few changes:
Video boards
Are you ready for some replays? Memorial Stadium sports two new 21-by-24-foot video screens on the northwest and northeast towers, mirroring the pair on the south end that were upgraded in 2006. And all the screens will now be high definition. Brand-new ribbon boards, measuring roughly 4 feet tall and stretching more than 300 feet, will line the front balconies of both the east and west upper decks. They'll scroll stats, ads and limited video throughout the game.
Adios alcohol
Memorial Stadium rules have always prohibited bringing alcohol into the stadium, but the university usually turned a blind eye to the big boosters and their booze in the skyboxes. In April, though, Tom Osborne announced an end to that. An alcohol-poisoning case at a game last fall prompted stricter enforcement. Today's game will be the first since Osborne toughened his stance. The university has been in touch with skybox owners about the change and has pledged to check all containers for alcohol.
Larry's locale
One of those skybox owners, Larry the Cable Guy, will have a new home in the stadium. Comedian Dan Whitney, who owns a house near Lincoln, is switching skyboxes. He used to sit in the northeast corner, where he sometimes handed out hotdogs to fans. Now he'll be in the southwest corner, high above the visiting fan section, probably too high to share dogs. The reason for the move? His old skybox didn't have a bathroom, so his kids had to run down the hallway to do their business. That was too hectic for Larry. His new spot has its own facilities.
Pared parking
If you're one of those fans who parked at dawn for a night game, you're out of luck. Beginning today, reserved parking lots will open only six hours before kickoff. They used to open first thing in the morning, but staffing the lots for that long got expensive. Memorial Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff.
Police texting
Somebody in red is watching to see if you're being naughty or nice. And it ain't Santa. For the first time, fans can crack down on rowdy spectators via text messaging to university police. Here's how it works: Create a new message on your cell phone. Type in “UNLPD,” press the space key and type in your complaint and location. Send the text to 41513. Standard rates apply. UNL is one of the first universities to offer the service and one of several large sports venues to do so. The university tested the technology during the July 4 Larry the Cable Guy performance.
Big banner
The university commissioned a Sioux Falls, S.D., company to create a 60-by-80-foot flag that the student section will wave while the Cornhusker Marching Band plays the national anthem each game. “Go Big Red — N” is scrolled on the flag, and the “N” measures almost 28 feet tall. The university originally bought a cheap version from a Brazilian firm, but when that banner ripped, it paid $5,000 to Maximum Promotions in Sioux Falls. The flag makes its debut today.
Campus construction
Fans may notice some new construction projects on campus. The Gaughan Multicultural Center is a major addition to the Nebraska Union. A new residence hall is being built at 17th and R Streets. A new physics building is going up near 16th and W Streets. And you can expect Broyhill Fountain outside the union to bubble until the weather gets cold, probably around mid- to late October.
Tidier tower
Mueller Tower is getting some new landscaping. That's the old bell tower between Morrill Hall and Memorial Stadium that plays Husker fight songs and other tunes. The tower is getting a new stairway on the north, retaining walls in the surrounding plaza, planting beds, seating areas and a new pathway directing foot traffic more efficiently through the area between the tower plaza and Greenpoint sculpture. It doesn't look pretty now — poured concrete forms and piles of dirt — but the project should be done by the homecoming game on Sept. 26.
Go Big Green?
The university is stepping up its recycling program — Big Red Go Green — this fall. Recycling bins are situated near all trash cans. And a post-game recycling crew will sweep through the stadium before the trash crew comes through.
Tunnel Walk tweaks
There certainly will be some changes to the pregame tradition, as there are every year. But it will be a game-day surprise.
Sources: Butch Hug, NU's assistant athletic director for event management; Kelly Bartling, university spokeswoman; Dan Whitney, comedian.
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