Memorial Stadium policies unchanged from 2004 season

Cornhusker football fans arriving at Memorial Stadium for Nebraska's Sept. 3 season opener vs. Maine will find no major changes to the stadium from last season.

They should continue to be aware of the ongoing construction of the Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex at the north end of the stadium, which will limit some movement inside the stadium. Fans arriving for the season opener should also keep in mind that the Nebraska State Fair will also be in progress that weekend.

Express lanes will be in effect at stadium gates again this season and fans are encouraged to "travel light." Ticket-holders who are not carrying items that are subject to inspection (purses, fanny packs, camera bags and water bottles) can use the express lanes. Fans carrying such items must use the other lanes.

The Husker Nation Pavilion will be back for its third year at Ed Weir Stadium at the northeast corner of Memorial Stadium. It will be open 3 hours prior to kickoff and have food vendors, a big-screen TV, bands, the Pinnacle Sports Network pre-game show, the Kids Zone, face painters, appearances by former players, cheerleaders and the Cornhusker marching Band. Stadium Drive on the west side of the stadium will also have food vendors and some game-related activities.

The north end zone scoreboard will not be replaced this year, but the sound system at the north end will be reinstalled sometime during the 2005 season.

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 road construction around the stadium. That construction has caused some alternates routes to be developed. Hug said fans should be patient and follow directions of police officers and parking lot attendants. Hug reminded fans of other game-day policies and procedures:

Memorial Stadium policies:

* Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff. Ticket holders are encouraged to enter the gate number printed on their ticket.

* The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic generally open 4 hours prior to kickoff.

* Memorial Stadium, like all university 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, 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.

* Lost and found areas are located at the south end of the east and west concourses.

* The West Stadium weight room viewing area will be open 4 hours prior to kickoff; access will be from the West Stadium skybox entrance.

Parking and traffic policies and procedures:

* Most parking lots on the UNL City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Paid public parking on City Campus is available at the Parking Garage located at 17th and R streets.

* Parking for people with disabilities is available for $10 at 19th & 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 Street for $10 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis. This lot is accessible off Holdrege Street. Additional wheelchair-accessible parking is available on the east side of the stadium in Lot 12, with 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 available on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.

* Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on game days.

* Persons who have permits for the lots at the south end of the stadium will be the only vehicles able to enter T Street and these vehicles must be parked 90 minutes prior to kickoff in order to provide a more secure pedestrian environment. Cars in those lots will also be held post game until pedestrian traffic clears the stadium.

* Star Tran will offer the Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln at a cost of $4 each way or $40 for a season ticket book for all home games. Season ticket books are available by mail. Send a check payable to StarTran for $40 per ticket to StarTran, 710 J St., Lincoln NE 68508. Big Red Express Service begins 2 hours before kickoff.

* The taxi cab drop off/pick up location will move to the east side of the stadium this year because of the road construction and will be located at the corner of 14th and Vine streets. Other passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after games. The recommended drop-off location is 12th and R streets.

* The city of Lincoln has established the following traffic patterns after football games:
o 10th Street is one-way northbound from Military Avenue to Sun Valley Boulevard.
o 14th Street is one-way northbound from Avery to Cornhusker Highway.
o Eighth Street is one-way southbound from S to J streets.

* Motorists are also reminded the Antelope Valley Project has resulted in changes to 16th and 17th streets near campus.

* The Nebraska Department of Roads reports that there are no detours or closures on any of the state's major routes. There are, however, several areas of highway work that motorists should keep in mind, including a lane restriction in the northbound lane of the U.S. 77 Homestead Expressway between Capitol Parkway West and West O Street on the west side of Lincoln. In addition, there is work on Interstate 80 from Nebraska 370, just west of Omaha, to Ruff Road, just east of the Platte River. On Nebraska home game days, the westbound on-ramp from Nebraska 31 to I-80 at Exit 432 (Gretna), will be closed, as needed, to prevent backups on I-80. Westbound Nebraska 31 traffic will be directed to take U.S. 6. Other construction zones (all open to traffic) are U.S. 77 from Winslow to south of Fremont, U.S. 81 from north of Norfolk to Madison, U.S. 281 from north of Greeley to St. Paul, and areas on U.S. 30 between Cozad and Wood River. Up-to-date road information can be found online at www.nebraskatransportation.org. Highway conditions and a brief weather report can be obtained by calling 511 on a home or cell phone.

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