Photo Day Set for Saturday

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln -- The University of Nebraska Athletic Department will host its annual football Autograph Day for the fans at Memorial Stadium, on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 1:30-3 p.m. Team photos will NOT be taken until the entire squad has reported. Fans will be admitted into the stadium at 1:30 p.m. and players will be available to sign and mingle with fans until meetings at 3 p.m. The time was extended from one hour to 1 1/2 hours several years ago as a courtesy to the fans, however, it is not realistic to assume that signatures of all the players can be attained in this time period. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

All 105 of the early reporting players, including the 2003 recruiting class will be seated in designated areas around and in the stadium. With hot weather forecast for Saturday and Nebraska's season opener one week away, every effort has been made to ensure that players are seated in the shade. As a result, many of the tables will be arranged under the North and South end zones, as opposed to on the field. Single lines will be enforced and fans will be limited to one signature (one item) per player or coach. Photos may be taken with the players as long as they are allowed to keep signing for other fans. For seating locations, see diagram on Huskers.com.

The four outside gates will be open to admit fans into the stadium. Fans wanting to get into the defensive lines should enter in the North gates (gates #11, #14), while those fans wishing to go to the lines for offensive players should enter the gates on the South end (gates #3 and #24). Six gates will be open on the field (each corner and one on each sideline). First-time players will spread out in the shade of the upper West stadium stands. Pre-autographed cards and blank 8 1/2 x 11 autograph cards will be distributed. A complete numerical roster will be printed on the backs of both cards.

Sports Information Director Chris Anderson would like to remind everyone that photo day is intended to be a fun day for children. Fans are asked to limit their autograph items to one per player/coach and to please adhere to the safety of youth in attendance by forming single-file lines up to each table and not to push or shove. Players will be escorted off the field promptly at 3 p.m.

Concession vendors will walk throughout the stadium and under the concourses selling cold drinks. Huskers Authentic will have two souvenir stands open in the Northwest and Northeast corners of the stadium selling apparel and media guides. The team schedule posters, depicting offensive, defensive and special teams players, will be available at Huskers Authentic on Friday, Aug. 29. When released on Aug. 29, schedule posters will also be sold out of the Huskers Authentic store, just west of the stadium. Media guides are available at the store now.