In 1923, the face of the University of Nebraska changed forever as Memorial Stadium opened its doors for the first time ever. The stadium has changed a lot since then and it is not even close to being done changing. 

The University of Nebraska has just announced that Memorial Stadium will be undergoing renovations for the first time since 2006 and for just the second time in the history of the stadium. 

The renovations will be a big change for one of the largest and most loyal fan bases. The university will be forced to balance making renovations while keeping the same energy and feel that fans have enjoyed at Memorial Stadium for many years. 

“The energy is awesome,” sophomore Bennett Berger said. “It’s just a really cool place to go and see a game because of the fans.” 

“It is a large congregation who just love watching football,” junior Kolby Cameron said. “It’s a group of people who love coming together as a community and supporting our state and the greatest sport on the face of the planet.” 

The renovations will cost $450 million dollars with half coming from private donations and half from the university’s budget. It will include upgrading concession stands, complete renovation of the South Stadium, chair seating instead of benches throughout the stadium, a concourse going around the stadium and other renovations. 

“There’s a lot of things that sound really good about the renovations that they’re making,” English Teacher Kathryn Nelson said. “The fact that they’re making the stadium more accessible to individuals with disabilities and making seating more affordable says a lot about the lengths that the Athletic Department is going to in order to make sure all Husker fans are able to experience the game.” 

However, the most notable change happening will be in the South part of the stadium which will be completely demolished and then rebuilt as the new section for students attending the game. 

“The biggest changes will occur in the South stadium,” Business Teacher Taylor Mendenhall said. “The student section and the student’s access to the game will be much improved.” 

“I think it will really help the stadium and the team,” junior Kolby Cameron said. “There will be improvements in accessibility for people with disabilities as well as improving accessibility to concessions and other points in the stadium. I think those improvements are very beneficial for people in South Stadium and the stadium as a whole.”

However, one concern has become the loss of seating within the stadium. With the removal of bench seating, it is estimated that Memorial Stadium’s capacity will drop from 90,000 to around 75,000. 

Most of the seats lost will be in South Stadium which will impact season ticket holders. The university is currently attempting to have season ticket holders in South Stadium moved to other areas of the stadium so they don’t lose their tickets.

However, the university has made no guarantee that all ticket holders will be able to move to new areas of the stadium.

“My family has tickets in the South Endzone at Memorial Stadium,” Mendenhall said. “As of right now, we are still unsure if there will be any alternative seat offering during the renovations in which our seats will not be available.” 

“The demolition of South Stadium will permanently change the amount of people that Memorial Stadium can hold by about 23,000,” Nelson said. “While the Board of Regents said that some South Stadium tickets will be transferred to other parts of the stadium, they can’t guarantee that everyone will get new spots. That’s a huge change for not just Memorial Stadium, but for the community of fans that attend games in that area of the stadium.” 

Overall, big changes are on their way to Memorial Stadium as Husker fans wait to see what the effects of these changes will be.