Fans to see major changes at Memorial Stadium

Cornhusker football fans arriving at Memorial Stadium for Nebraska's 2:30 p.m. Sept. 2 season opener vs. Louisiana Tech will find some major improvements to the 83-year-old structure.

The most obvious will be gigantic video screen above the 6,500 new seats in the North Stadium. The screen, measuring 117 feet wide by 33 feet high is one of the largest at a college stadium in the country and is supplemented by two additional screens on the southeast and southwest corners of the stadium. The additional seats mark the stadium's first major expansion in 34 years and raise its capacity to more than 80,000.

There are also several other fan-friendly improvements that go along with the stadium expansion and the newly opened Tom and Nancy Osborne Athletic Complex at the north end of the stadium. A new concourse will connect the East, North and West stadiums allowing greater fan mobility in those areas, while additional restrooms and concessions areas will add to fans' enjoyment of the Memorial Stadium experience. Additional and improved wheelchair seating has been added to the North Stadium.

Because of all the changes, stadium gates for the Sept. 2 opener will open a half-hour earlier than normal to give fans extra time to get in and check out the new features. Gates will open at 12:30 p.m. for the Louisiana Tech game. For remaining home games, gates will open 1 hour and 30 minutes before kickoff.

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.

Most other features of home games remain the same as in previous years, said Butch Hug, assistant athletics director for events. Hug reminded fans of other game-day policies and procedures:

Memorial Stadium policies:

* Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff (except Sept. 2, when it is 2 hours). 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.

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 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis in Booster Lots 5 and 9 on the south side of Holdrege Street between 10th and 14th streets northeast of Memorial Stadium, and in Booster Lot 12, southwest of 14th and Vine streets, east of the stadium. Lots 5 and 9 have a free cart shuttle service to the stadium. This shuttle is radio equipped and will be stationed during the game at the northeast corner of the stadium and on the east side for those patrons needing to return to their vehicles. Please contact the Athletics Ticket Office at (402) 472-3116 for pre-purchase opportunities. 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. The shuttle service will run from Southeast Community College, 88th and O streets; Holmes Park, 70th Street and Normal Boulevard; Westfield Shoppingtown Gateway, 61st and O streets; Nebraska Department of Roads, 14th and Burnham streets; South Pointe Pavilions, 27th Street and Pine Lake Road; Slumberland/Toys R Us, 27th and Superior streets; and Shopko, 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway. Big Red Express Service begins 2 hours before kickoff with the last shuttle running 45 minutes before kickoff. Shuttles will return to the lots immediately after the game.

* 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:

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

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

* 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. 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, Asst. Athletic Director for Events, (402) 472-1950