By Brian Rosenthal / Huskers.com
On Sept. 2, when Nebraska begins the 2017 football season against Arkansas State at 7 p.m., fans will watch the famed Tunnel Walk unfold on what will be the first major update of video boards in Memorial Stadium since 2006.
The biggest change will be the addition of wrap-around video boards on the northeast and northwest towers. The same image can be displayed on either side of the board, or one image can stretch across and around the entire screen.
Now, fans in North Stadium won't have to turn around completely to view the big screen behind them; they can see the same concepts and images right before them on either tower.
Some fans will also enjoy wider seats, as seat width expansion has been changing Memorial Stadium's fan experience. The entire upper north stadium, rows 80 and above will now have a seat width ranging from 22-24 inches from the previous 18 inches. Along with the north seating completion for 2017, Section 14 in south stadium, rows 16-98, will have seat widths increase from 18 inches to 20-22 inches.
Fans should consider these new amenities as approximately 1,500 season tickets went on sale June 1 and are selling quickly. Seats are available in locations throughout Memorial Stadium, and tickets can also be purchased by calling Nebraska Athletics Development and Ticketing 1-800-8-BIG RED.
“As we continually look to improve the season ticket holder, alumni and student Memorial Stadium experience, we are excited to bring on these new amenities for 2017,” said Diane Mendenhall, Nebraska Senior Associate Athletic Director . “We will continue to strive to provide a first-class game day experience and are always looking at possible ideas to continue to ensure the sell-out streak.”
Updated screens, with new technology, will replace the video boards on the southeast and southwest towers as well.
The components of the North Stadium videoboard – installed in 2006 – will also be updated. The current board will not change in size but the resolution will tighten from 20-millimeter to 10-millimeter pixels, creating a clearer, crisper picture that will match the state-of-the-art sound system that was updated in 2014.
“The benefit to us,” said Shot Kleen, Assistant Athletic Director with Husker Vision, “is it gives almost everyone in the stadium a good view of a screen. We have Shawn Eichorst to thank, given his progressive vision to continue to provide the greatest fans in college football with the best in-stadium experience.”
Head coach Mike Riley, on the Husker Tour across the state in May, thanked Nebraska fans for their past, present and future support. Nebraska, 9-3 last season, is eyeing a West Division championship with a home schedule that features games against Wisconsin and Iowa, the only teams that have won the division.
“You all play a major role,” Riley said told fans at a stop in Fremont. “We are all in this together. I know that more every day. That is what is really cool. We are all doing this thing together. This is like one big project to get this team back to where it was in the day.”
Reach Brian at brosenthal@huskers.com or follow him on Twitter GBRosenthal.