Rennovations, improvements at Memorial Stadium will have to wait, according to NU Board of Regents

Fan experience is always of the utmost importance at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium.

Almost every football season, it seems like there’s a new tweak or addition of some kind.

Last year, the big change was new video boards on every corner of the stadium. Currently, there are plans in place to add more windows, toilets, and even escalators. There’s also talks of widening the seats.

However, these changes will have to wait, according to the NU Board of Regents, due to budget limitations.

NU Regent and Chair of the Business Affairs Committee Jim Pillen says while stadium improvements won’t happen this year, fan experience remains a top priority for the University.

“It’s really important that all of our fans are well taken care of and they have a great experience,” Pillen said. “That means there’ll have to be investments over the long haul to keep it that way.”

 There’s nearly $18.1 million earmarked by the University for athletic department improvement projects in 2018. Nearly 80 percent of that 18 million is going toward a new gymnastics complex which the Board of Regents approved last year.

Nebraska athletics is one of just three programs in the country that contributes money back to its academic program. NU gives back roughly $10 million annually to academics.

“(Nebraska) is a great, great program,” Pillen said. “It’s a really important part of the face of the front porch and foundation of the University, and it’s important we keep it that way. That requires long-term investments.”

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