On September 27, 2024, news of Nebraska selling alcohol at athletic events was released to the public. The main two facilities that would gain the most profit from these sales would be at Memorial Stadium and the Bob Devaney Center. If this decision would be approved, Nebraska would be the last in the Big Ten to approve of alcohol sales.
The idea of selling alcohol at Memorial Stadium has been circulating since at least 2022 within the NU Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is the governing body for the University of Nebraska. It consists of eight voting members who are elected by district and stay in term for six years. The board also consists of four students from each NU campus, those of which are un-voting. The students that are on the board also hold the role of the Student Body President. The four campuses consist of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The board’s main goals are to provide leadership to the University, while also advocating for the advancement of the University’s mission of education, outreach, and research. The board will be meeting on October 4, 2024, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney at 9:00 A.M in order to approve or decline the ruling.
According to the Board of Regents agenda and meeting minutes, the discussion of selling alcohol was directly associated with the topic of business and finance. It was listed under Addendum XI-B-1.
With it now being past the meeting date of the final decision, the decision to sell alcohol, primarily beer, was approved. Beer is currently sold at Husker basketball and baseball games. The decision to further the purchase of beer within other athletic events was an assumed decision. Many people in the Nebraska community have different opinions on the matter.
“From a student perspective, it will increase the safety on game days,” according to Student Regent Elizabeth Herbin from the article “Nebraska regents approve alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium and university sporting events,” written by Nebraska Public Media. “It is a positive effect that we have seen across our Big 10 peer campuses as well.”
While Herbin may be for the approval of the sales, the opinion from the former head football coach proves to differ. Tom Osborne was the Husker football coach from 1973 to 1997. He set multiple records during his reign, including a 25-year coaching record, leading the Huskers to 25 bowl games, and 13 conference championships.
“Tom Osborne has long opposed the idea,” according to the article “Nebraska regents approve alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium and university sporting events,” written by Nebraska Public Media. “Osborne cautioned to think about all angles.”
The opinions regarding the sale of alcohol are very mixed within the Husker community. Only time will tell if this decision, something that was heavily discussed for years, will finally prove to be beneficial for Nebraska or not.
