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Lincoln- The Nebraska men's and women's basketball teams celebrated the official start of practice by inviting all Husker fans to the Big Red Tipoff on Friday evening at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
The doors to the Devaney Center opened at 4 p.m. for a special "Select Your Seat" event for men's basketball fans to purchase and choose their seats for the upcoming excitement of the 2006-07 season. Fans were able to choose their seats to watch the Huskers and each fan who purchased a new season ticket during the event received a free Nebraska basketball T-shirt. More than 100 new season tickets were sold on the night, bringing the public season ticket total to nearly 7,600 for the season.
Children of all ages enjoyed the carnival-like atmosphere in the Devaney Center concourse, which featured inflatable games, music and other fun activities. Fans were also treated to free Wimmers hot dogs and Pepsi products.
The Nebraska women's basketball team was on hand to sign autographs in the concourse for an hour before being introduced to the crowd on the arena floor at 6:30 p.m.
Coach Connie Yori spoke to the crowd about the upcoming excitement of the 2006-07 season for the Huskers, who return preseason All-America guard Kiera Hardy, 2005 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Jelena Spiric and 2006 Big 12 All-Freshman Team selection Kelsey Griffin to its talented and experienced roster.
After handing out T-shirts and shaking hands with fans, the Huskers and Coach Yori left the Devaney Center for their first official practice of the season at Mabel Lee Hall.
Coach Doc Sadler and the Husker men then took center stage. Sadler got the crowd revved up for the start of the season by calling them to their feet and letting them know that no one gets to sit and watch at any of his practices.
After a hot-shot and three-point contest that included fan interaction, the Husker men took the court for their first official practice. Approximately 3,000 fans went through the building on the night and were on hand to begin the Doc Sadler era.