Football Fans Reminded of Memorial Stadium Policies

The University of Nebraska's 2004 football season kicks off Sept. 4 when the Cornhuskers host Western Illinois in a 6 p.m. game at Memorial Stadium.

Two changes will affect how fans enter the stadium this season. One is the addition of "express lanes" at stadium gates. The express lanes will be reserved for fans who are not carrying items that are subject to inspection (such as purses, fanny packs, camera bags, water bottles). Fans who are carrying such items must use other lanes at the gates.

The second change involves the construction of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex at the north end of the stadium. Construction has closed Gate 14, so fans who normally use that gate will need to use Gate 15 or 16. Because of the construction, Schulte Field House and the Baumann Building have been demolished and Avery Avenue has been permanently closed between Stadium Drive and 14th Street.

The Husker Nation Pavilion will be back for its second year at Ed Weir Stadium at the northeast corner of Memorial Stadium. It will open three hours prior to kickoff and have food vendors, a big-screen TV, bands, the Pinnacle Sport Network pre-game show, the Kids Zone, face painters, appearances by former players, cheerleaders and the Cornhusker Marching Band.

Inside the stadium, the scoreboard at the north end of the stadium is gone, along with its sound system. The scoreboard lost its means of support when Schulte Field House was demolished and will not be replaced this season, although the sound system will be relocated. The scoreboard will be replaced in 2006.

Most other features of home games remain the same as in previous years, said Butch Hug, assistant athletics director for events, with the exception of some parking areas that have changed because of construction projects on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and in and around State Fair Park. Hug reminded fans of Memorial Stadium policies:

* Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Patrons are encouraged to enter the gate printed on their tickets.

* The West Stadium weight room viewing area will be open four hours prior to kickoff, access will be from the West Stadium skybox entrance.

* Memorial Stadium, like all UNL buildings, is a non-smoking area. Those who want to smoke must leave the stadium to do so, but will be allowed back in if they have the appropriate re-entry pass. Re-entry passes are available at each gate.

* The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: Glass, cans, coolers, Thermoses, backpacks, video cameras, large bags, umbrellas and pets. People will be asked to return such items to their vehicles. Purses, fanny packs and small camera bags are allowed but are subject to search. Plastic water bottles are permitted but may be inspected.

* Fans should not bring alcoholic beverages of any type into the stadium. In addition, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in city and university parking lots and property.

* Throwing of any object in the stadium is prohibited. Any person throwing any object is subject to immediate removal from the stadium. Rules allow game officials to penalize the home team if objects are thrown onto the playing field.

* The Stadium Assistance Team, wearing orange jackets bearing the word "Security," can help with any problems fans may encounter. Should fans become separated from their friends, they should report to any First Aid station for assistance. A lost and found area is located at the south end of each concourse.

* Most parking lots on the UNL City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Public parking on City Campus is available at 16th and Court streets just South of the Bob Devaney Sports Center for $10 per vehicle with a shuttle service to and from the stadium for $3 per person each way. Additional on-campus parking is available at 14th and New Hampshire streets, 16th and Y streets and the parking garage at 17th and R streets for $10 per vehicle. The 17th and R parking Garage is the best option for campus parking as the construction of the Antelope Valley Project has eliminated a large number of parking spaces north of Vine Street.

* Parking for people with disabilities is available for $10 at 19th and R streets, where a shuttle will bring them to the stadium. This shuttle is radio equipped and will be stationed during the game at the northwest corner of the stadium and on the east side for those patrons needing to return to their vehicles. Wheelchair accessible parking is available at Stadium Drive and Holdrege streets (Lot 8) for $10 per vehicle; access this lot is from the intersection of Stadium Drive and Holdrege streets. Additional wheelchair accessible parking is available on the east side of the stadium in Lot 12, access from 14th and Vine streets; cost is $10 per vehicle. Please contact the Athletics Ticket Office at (402) 472-3116 for pre-purchase opportunities. Fourteenth Street from Vine Street to W Street is also available for wheelchair accessible vans on a first-come, first-served basis. Charter and shuttle bus parking is on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.

* StarTran will offer Big Red Express shuttle bus service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln at a cost of $3 each way or $30 for a season ticket book for all six home games. Season ticket books are available by mail. Send a check payable to StarTran for $30 per ticket book to StarTran, 710 J St., Lincoln, NE 68508. Big Red Express service begins two hours before kickoff and riders are dropped off at the east side of the stadium. Express lots are at Southeast Community College, 8800 O St.; Holmes Lake, 70th Street and Normal Boulevard; North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St. (south of the 27th Street exit on Interstate 80); Westfield Shoppingtown Gateway, 61st and O streets; Nebraska Department of Roads, 14th and Burnham streets; South Pointe Pavilions, 27th Street and Pine Lake Road; and Home Depot, 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway.

* A taxi cab-only drop-off/pick-up area is available at the northwest corner of the stadium. Other passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after games. Fans can be dropped off or picked at 10th and Charleston streets north of the stadium and 12th and R streets south of the stadium.

* Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on games days. Persons who have permits for the lots at the south end of the stadium will be the only vehicles able to access T street and these vehicles must be parked 90 minutes prior to kickoff in order to provide a more secure pedestrian environment.

* The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic in the Stadium Parking Garage will be open four hours prior to kickoff on game days.

The city of Lincoln has established the following traffic patterns after football games:

* 10th Street is one-way northbound from Military Avenue to Sun Valley Boulevard.

* 14th Street is one-way northbound from Avery Avenue to Cornhusker Highway.

* Eighth Street is one-way southbound from S Street to J Street.

Motorists are also reminded that the Antelope Valley Project has resulted in changes to 16th and 17 streets near campus. North 17th Street from the new Y Street Connector (near Nebraska Hall) to Y Street is permanently closed. Traffic has switched from one-way to two-way on 17th from Y to Holdrege Street and north on 16th to Holdrege.

Nebraska Department of Roads officials said motorists coming to Lincoln for the Nebraska State Fair or Nebraska home football games will find most roads open for traffic, but should be aware of highway projects in two locations.

There is a widening project on Interstate 80 between Nebraska Highway 370 and Ruff Road, west of Omaha. This stretch of I-80 will maintain two lanes of traffic in both directions. Motorists should watch for lower speed limits in this area. Work on this project will proceed through the football season.

Motorists may encounter short lane closures on U.S. 81 between Madison and Columbus. It is anticipated this work will be completed in September.

Motorists are encouraged to drive carefully through any work zone. Work zones may have reduced speed limits or closed lanes. Drivers may obtain short-term, route-specific road conditions and weather reports on any Nebraska highway by dialing 511 on their phone, or by visiting the Travel and Weather section of the Nebraska Department of Roads' Web site (http://nebraskatransportation.org).

As always, Hug said, the best advice is to "Arrive early and drive safely, and keep in mind that the Nebraska State Fair is also going on during the first home game."

CONTACT: Butch Hug, Assistant Athletics Director for Events, (402) 472-1950 (bhug@huskers.com)