Annual Big Red Welcome to celebrate back-to-campus at UNL

New Huskers will once again be able to do the famous "Tunnel Walk" at Memorial Stadium to begin their first official days as students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tunnel Walk is part of the Big Red Welcome weekend Aug. 24-26, welcoming students back to campus with dances, events, prizes, a welcome festival and tours.

Classes at UNL start Aug. 27.

The annual event gets new students involved and connected on campus immediately after they arrive. As many as 10,000 students will participate in the various events, with the largest being the welcome festival.

The weekend starts at Memorial Stadium with the Tunnel Walk at 8 p.m. Aug. 24, following the Cornhusker Marching Band's annual preseason concert at 7 p.m. The Tunnel Walk will be followed by a pep rally and "Party at the Rec" in the Campus Recreation Center. Again this year, students have special access to a football practice at 5 p.m. Aug. 26, followed by the welcome festival and a picnic on the stadium "loop" east of Memorial Stadium.

An updated schedule of official Big Red Welcome events and other information for new UNL students is available at the Student Involvement Web site, http://si.unl.edu. Students should be prepared to show their NCard student ID to access events.

Big Red Welcome is presented by University Bookstore.

Big Red Welcome Schedule:

Friday, Aug. 24: Cornhusker Marching Band concert, Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.; Tunnel Walk, Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m.; "Party at the Rec," presented by Verizon, Campus Recreation Center, 9-11 p.m., games, student activity displays and demonstrations; big screen movie on Ed Weir Track, 11 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 25: Lincoln bike trails tours by Campus Recreation, 11-2 p.m. (lunch provided); class schedule tours, starting at Nebraska Union Crib, 1-4 p.m.; "Party at the Union," Nebraska Union, 9 p.m.; free University Program Council Concert on the Plaza, 10:30 p.m., Nebraska Union Plaza (free); pancake breakfast on the Union Plaza, midnight.

Sunday, Aug. 26: Class schedule tours, starting at Nebraska Union Crib, 1-3 p.m.; New Student Convocation at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 3:30 p.m.; Open football practice for UNL students only, Memorial Stadium gates open 4:30 p.m. with practice starting at 5; Big Red Welcome Festival presented by Gallup, Memorial Stadium Loop, local vendors, campus organizations, free food, prizes, giveaways, 6 p.m.

KFRX Radio will provide music at the events.

CONTACT: Pat McBride, Assoc. Dean, Admissions, (402) 472-8141