Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 26, 2013 — The East Stadium expansion will be the most obvious change for Cornhusker football fans when they arrive at Memorial Stadium to set a stadium attendance record in Nebraska’s season opener vs. Wyoming on Aug. 31. The expansion elevates the height of the stadium’s east side, adds 6,000 new seats, 38 suites and a new club level and increases the stadium’s average attendance to more than 91,000. In addition, for the first time in two years, all stadium gates will be open.
There are also some new policies and procedures in Memorial Stadium:
> Mobile tickets will be accepted; tickets can be stored on mobile devices and scanned at the gates.
> Bags larger than 13 inches by 10 inches will not be allowed in the stadium (security will use containers at the entrances to measure bags).
> Escalator and elevator access will be restricted to those fans holding tickets to their respective areas in the premium level and the 600 East Stadium level.
> No entry or re-entry will be allowed after the start of the fourth quarter.
> A free bike valet service will be provided at Cook Pavilion by UNL Campus Recreation. For details, go tohttp://bike.unl.edu/bikevalet.
Other stadium policies remain unchanged from previous years.
Tickets at all gates will be scanned with an optical reader for entrance and for re-entry if someone leaves the stadium. No re-entry is allowed beginning at the start of the fourth quarter.
Fans will again have the ability to report safety concerns to UNL Police via SMS (Short Message Service) text messaging. Anyone with a cellular phone and SMS capabilities can initiate a text message to 69050, keyword, “UNLPD,” and type in their complaint and location. Standard SMS rates will apply. The text number is the same as the one used in 2012.
UNL students will be seated in Sections 9 through 14 in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium, and all student seating is general admission. Students with tickets for East Stadium seating (Sections 9, 10 and 11) must pick up a required wristband at the tent east of Gate 23 beginning four hours prior to kickoff each game; when stadium gates open, they will enter Memorial Stadium through Gate 23. Wristbands are not required for students with tickets for South Stadium seating (Sections 12, 13 and 14, entering through Gate 24). UNL student tickets are sent to the students’ valid NCard which will be scanned at the gate for admission. They must be scanned in and out just like a regular ticket. All transfers of student tickets will be done electronically via http://www.huskers.com. If the transfer is made to a non-UNL student, the validation fee will be charged and a print-at-home ticket is issued. If transferred to another full-time student, then the ticket will be sent to the recipient’s NCard. Validated student tickets for East Stadium seating require a wristband.
Fans are asked to help the “Big Red Go Green” in a stepped-up recycling program this fall by depositing their plastic bottles and cups in marked recycling bins located near every trash receptacle.
Memorial Stadium gates will open 1 hour and 30 minutes before kickoff of each game and ticket holders are encouraged to enter the gate number printed on their ticket. Express lanes will be in effect at stadium gates again 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. Backpacks are not permitted in Memorial Stadium.
The Husker Nation Pavilion will be back for its 10th year, with most activities taking place on the Gass practice field, where the Huskers practice daily northeast of Memorial Stadium. It will be open 3 hours prior to kickoff and will provide free and fun activities for the whole family, games, music, autograph signings and appearances by current and former athletes across many sports.
Stadium Drive on the west side of the stadium will also have food vendors and some game-related activities.
Memorial Stadium policies:
> Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
> Outside chairbacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium. Some 20,000 chairback seats will be available for rental at $5 each.
> Backpacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium.
> The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic 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. Tickets will be scanned for exiting and re-entry. Re-entry is available at each gate. Persons re-entering the stadium are subject to rescreening. No re-entry beginning at the start of the fourth quarter.
> The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: Guns, knives, backpacks, glass, cans, coolers, beverage containers, video cameras, umbrellas and pets. People will be asked to return such items to their vehicles or home. Purses, fanny packs, and small camera bags are allowed but are subject to search. Plastic water bottles are permitted but may be inspected.
> Alcoholic beverages of any type are not allowed in 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. If fans become separated from their friends, they should report to any First Aid station for assistance.
> Lost and found areas are located at the Guest Relations Desks in both the East and West Stadiums..
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. Most lots surrounding the stadium have been converted to reserved stalls, with patrons assigned to specific numbered stalls. Paid public parking on City Campus is available at $15 per stall at the Parking Garage at 17th and R streets.
> Parking for people with disabilities is available for $15 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis in Booster Lots 5 and 9 on the south side of Salt Creek Roadway between Stadium Drive and 14th Street northeast of Memorial Stadium. Lots 5 and 9 have 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. Contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 402-472-3111 for pre-purchase opportunities. Charter and shuttle bus parking is available on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.
> Parking lots will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled before 6 p.m.; for games that start at 6 p.m. or later, lots will open at 11 a.m.
> UNL Red/White shuttles, with parking at the 17th and R Parking Garage, will drop off patrons on the east side or at the northwest corner of Memorial Stadium. This is a convenionent ADA drop-off point for those patrons who cannot walk long distances. There is a $15 charge for parking in the 17th and R Parking Garage.
> Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on game days.
> Star Tran will offer the Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln. The cost is $5 each way or $10 round-trip. Season passes are available for $60. For additional information, go tohttp://startran.lincoln.ne.gov or telephone 402-476-1234.
> The taxi cab drop off/pick up location will be at the corner of 14th and Vine streets east of the stadium, and north of Memorial Stadium on Salt Creek Roadway. 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.
> Up-to-date statewide road information can be found online at www.nebraskatransportation.org