Football Fans Reminded of Memorial Stadium Policies

Lincoln -- The University of Nebraska's 2003 football season kicks off Aug. 30 when the Cornhuskers host Big 12 Conference rival Oklahoma State in a 2:30 p.m. game at Memorial Stadium.

A new feature at NU home games this year is the Husker Nation Pavilion located on the Ed Weir Track northeast of Memorial Stadium. It will open three hours prior to kickoff and have food vendors, a big-screen TV, bands, the Pinnacle Sports Network pre-game show, kids' games, appearances by former players, cheerleaders and the Cornhusker Marching Band.

For the first game, 800 former players will return and will parade down Stadium Drive when the band marches to the stadium and then will ring the playing field prior to the game. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by the time the pre-game programming begins at 2 p.m.

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 parking areas that have changed because of construction projects on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and in and around State Fair Park. Hug reminded fans of Memorial Stadium policies:

• Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Patrons are encouraged to enter the gate printed on their tickets.
• The West Stadium weight room viewing area will be open four hours prior to kickoff; access will be from the West Stadium skybox entrance.
• Memorial Stadium, like all UNL 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.
• The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: Glass, cans, coolers, Thermoses, backpacks, video cameras, large bags and umbrellas. 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. Consumption of alcohol is also 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. A lost and found area is located at the south end of each concourse.
• Most parking lots on the UNL City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Public parking on City Campus is available at 16th and Court streets just South of the Bob Devaney Sports Center for $10 per vehicle with a shuttle service to and from the stadium for $3 per person each way. Additional on-campus parking is available at 14th and New Hampshire streets, 16th and Y streets and the parking garage at 17th and R streets for $10 per vehicle. The 17th and R parking garage is the best option for campus parking as the construction in and around the State Fair Park has eliminated a large number of parking spaces.
• Parking for people with disabilities is available for $10 at 19th and 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 needing to return to their vehicles. Wheelchair accessible parking is available at Stadium Drive and Holdrege streets (Lot 8) for $10 per vehicle; access to this lot is from the intersection of Stadium Drive and Holdrege Street. Additional wheelchair accessible parking is available on the east side of the stadium in Lot 12, access from 14th and Vine streets; cost is $10 per vehicle. Please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (402) 472-3111 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 on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.
• StarTran will offer Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from various sites around Lincoln at a cost of $3 each way. Service begins two hours before kickoff and riders are dropped off at the east side of the stadium. Express lots are at Southeast Community College, 8800 O St.; Holmes Lake, 70th Street and Normal Boulevard; North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd St. (south of the 27th Street exit on Interstate 80); Westfield Shoppingtown, 61st and O streets; Nebraska Department of Roads, 14th and Burnham streets; and South Pointe Pavilions, 27th Street and Pine Lake Road.
• A taxi cab drop-off/pick-up area is available at the northwest corner of the stadium.
• Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on games days. Persons who have permits for the lots at the south end of the stadium will be the only vehicles that will be able to access T Street and these vehicles must be parked 90 minutes prior to kickoff in order to provide a more secure pedestrian environment.
• Avery Avenue on the north side of the stadium will be closed to vehicle traffic four hours prior to kickoff.
• The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic will be open in the Stadium Drive Parking Garage at T Street and Stadium Drive on game days beginning four hours prior to kickoff.

Nebraska Department of Roads officials said motorists coming to Lincoln for the Nebraska State Fair or Nebraska home football games will find most roads open for traffic, but there are still several construction areas motorists should be aware of.

Work on I-80 in the Omaha and Lincoln areas continues. There will be no closures, but motorists might experience lane shifts between Highway 50 and Highway 370 west of Omaha. Work on Interstate 680 and West Dodge Road in Omaha may need temporary, nighttime closures. The Cornhusker Highway and Interstate180 interchange in Lincoln is under construction and motorists should exercise caution traveling through this work zone. There is intermittent work on I-80 west of Lincoln to the Wyoming state line. There will be lane shifts and reduced speed zones, but no lane closures. There is work on Highway 81 in Columbus and south of Columbus that may slow motorists briefly. Highway 34 traffic is detoured at the east edge of Seward, with I-80 and Highway 6 as the detour routes. Highway 77 is detoured south of Wymore, with traffic following Highways 8 and 112.

Motorists are reminded to use extra caution when driving through a work zone, whether the work crews are present or not. Speeding fines are doubled in a construction area. Always allow more than enough time to arrive at your destination safely. 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."