@ The Pinnacle of Lincoln: The New Nebraska Arena

When I completed my first half marathon in 2010, I agreed to become a running billboard.  (Now, before you are that impressed, I finished my 2nd and probably final half last spring.  I am not exactly speedy, but I am glad that I “ran” them both times!)  Anyway the race happened to be days before a big vote was happening that would affect Lincoln.

While I doubt my shirt had anything to do with the outcome, Lincoln did vote for a new arena to be built.  And now that that building feat has finally be completed, I personally feel this beautiful structure has added a wonderful element to downtown Lincoln.

The possibilities that have been added for downtown Lincoln life are tremendous.  Concerts, expositions and ball games in a quality setting.  I think the building lives up to the hype.

On August 28th, my oldest son and I went down for the ribbon cutting.  We were some of the first of several hundred community people through the doorways.  I knew that I wanted to be able to explore and experience.  Since my oldest is a HUGE sports fan, I knew that he would get my excitement over this monumental opening.  (Thanks, my Kyle, for watching our 3 other kids.  Keeping track of one this time was definitely easier!)

Lincoln himself welcomes you to this newest Lincoln venture.  Sort of.  At first when the Lincoln Journal-Star revealed that the arena would feature a giant chocolate wall sculpture, I was a bit unsure.  But having seen the artwork in person, I have to say the result is impressive.

Even the big “O” is represented.  Since the abundance of “chocolate” might make you hungry, the fact that a concessions stand is nearby is a bonus.

I have heard that the food is outstanding – not your typical game fare.  They had limited concessions available for their opening afternoon, so I did not try any of their featured meals.  But we actually did enjoy eating a snack there – $1 Valentino’s pizza and $1 pop.  Can’t beat that!  (I told my son to enjoy his possibly one and only arena eating experience.  For normally we will may not get to eat a meal there – especially if all six of us attend an event!)

Finally we got to see our first views of the arena.  People could go out on the floor and try out the new hoops.  We both enjoyed being able to say that we have made baskets at the new arena.  My son was in hardwood heaven!

His other highlight was definitely meeting Coach Miles.  He seems to be a genuinely nice guy.  Excited to see what happens with the Husker men’s basketball program in such a great atmosphere!

We made a point of exploring everywhere including trying out the typical stadium seats.  (Fairly roomy rows!)

And admiring the box views.  (The “exclusive” box areas were not open for public perusal.  But they do have a few box-type areas anyone can access.   Leaning a bit allowed me to capture the luxury way to watch games!  🙂  )

We also climbed up to the VERY top row.  This is what the floor looks like from above (no zoom applied).  Almost vertigo-causing height, especially since hardly any people were up to there to stabilize the view.

Due to time and other constraints, we have not attended an official Pinnacle Bank Arena concert or sporting event yet.  But I know that I definitely hope we will be able to take in at least one Husker game this year.  The men’s basketball team has a lot of potential, and the women’s team is already fantastic.  Go Big Red!

Sentimental Stadium: Sensational Husker Hype

As I posted earlier on my Facebook page, today I went to Nebraska’s 3rd largest town with my favorite 10 year old.  In case you are not from Husker Country, Memorial Stadium with 90,000 + people goes beyond all other Nebraska towns (besides Lincoln and Omaha of course).

I grew up going to games as my Dad’s office had tickets.  I am sure I took that experience for granted.  As time has passed and prices have increased, the number and frequency of tickets has decreased.  Plus our family has grown through marriage and grandkids (only I have kids so far), so the guarantee of getting to go once per season is no longer there.

Watching the band perform before the game.

This game our tickets were in the North Stadium.  I missed being able to see the Megatron screen that was right above our heads – we did not get to miss hearing it (that was a bit loud!)  But the people around us were really nice (and the guys next to us even gave my son one of their extra Gatorades.  Love Husker fans!)

The pre-game flyover.  I forgot to have my camera ready, but you get the idea.

The game was a non-conference one.  Although the final score was a bit lopsided, we still had fun watching.  The Huskers played better this week, at least during the last three quarters they seemed to “execute” (Coach Bo’s big word).

We shared a piece of Valentino’s pizza for a halftime snack.  The pizza was yummy and looked better than the box.  But hey, we devoured the slice too quickly to take a picture of the actual piece. 🙂

If you have never been to a Husker game, the experience is like no other.  The cheering crowds. The trivia.  The music.  The band.  Oh, yeah and the quality football.  We enjoyed it all!

One of my favorite parts is seeing the post game prayer huddle.  Last week the opposing team participated as well – this week, we only saw red.  Not sure why …

The prayer huddle is in the middle.  The cell camera just does not zoom very far …

Since only the two of us went, we were not in a hurry to leave.   My brother was there, so we talked to him.  Then we eventually made our way down to the field.  My son had fun running on the field.  What a great way to spend the afternoon!

P.S. Thanks, Uncle Joel, for the bottled water, popcorn and the dogs!  Seeing you there was a highlight!

 

 

Flashback Friday: Harvard, Heroes, Holmes, Hawkins, Hartley, Herbie: Huskers’ Football Humble Heritage

Harvard: Where Roscoe Pound (Lincolnite and eventual dean of Harvard Law School) first became familiar with football.  He shared his love of the sport, and Nebraskans caught on quickly.  The first game occurred on Thanksgiving Day in 1890 on Nebraska Field.    By the early 20’s, tickets continued to grow in demand.  They knew a new location was necessary.

Heroes: Official Name of the Husker Field: Soldiers Memorial Field. Originally they wanted to honor Roscoe “Dusty” Rhodes, captain-elect of the football field, who had been killed in France during WW1.  Quoting directly from the Nebraska State Historical Society “Memorial Stadium” article:

The Nebraska Soldiers and Sailors Memorial was projected to be an impressive complex with a museum, stadium, gymnasium, and an assembly room for veterans’ gatherings.

What stopped this great plan: funds of course.

Holmes: The banker who took a chance on loaning the money for the new complex.  based on citizen and students pledges, along with future ticket sales. (Hope he got a huge bonus eventually!)  Due to lack of money, the museum and gymnasium were no longer a part of the plans, so most Nebraskans may not recognize the initial concept behind the stadium.  But, thankfully there are those associated with Nebraska football who have made soldiers still be a part of the tradition: Huskers Salute (the troops!)

Hawkins: The Parsons Construction Manager who oversaw the transformation of the Huskers move from Nebraska Field (an East-West field) to Memorial Stadium.  He was one of the men honored at a big banquet following the first season.

Hartley: Hartley Burr Alexander.  A philosopher whose influence is seen in many Nebraska locations.  (More on him at a later date!)  Specifically at Memorial Stadium, his 4 quotes are found above each of the main corner entrances.

Southeast: “In Commemoration of the men of Nebraska who served and fell in the Nations Wars.”
Southwest: “Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory.”
Northwest: “Courage; Generosity; Fairness; Honor; In these are the true awards of manly sport.”
Northeast: “Their Lives they held their country’s trust; They kept its faith; They died its heroes.”

Herbie did not actually make an appearance until 1974.  Artist Dirk West had designed a cartoon for the Huskers’ game in the Cotton Bowl.  Husker Sports Information Director Don Bryant decided that cartoon should turn into a mascot.  West willingly modified the design slightly, and Herbie was born.  He underwent a “facelift” for his 29th birthday including a change of hair color.  I personally miss the big old blonde guy.

Huskers: If you were a fan during the first decade, you would have needed to keep track on an almost yearly basis what to say when cheering for your team.

1890-1891 Go “Old Gold Knights” would have been your cry.  When the team’s official colors became scarlet and cream, the nickname was changed to …

The “Bugeaters” (aka insect devouring bull bats): pretty inspiring, huh?  At least that was the name that most people shouted.  But some yelled for the “Tree Planters,” “Nebraskans,” “Antelopes,” or “Rattlesnake Boys.”   Journalist Cy Sherman (Lincoln Star sportswriter & AP poll originator) decided that none of these names were right.  When Iowa seemed to be committing to be called “Hawkeyes,” Sherman snatched up their alternate name and began to call the University of Nebraska football team the “Cornhuskers.”  The name stuck.  So, go Huskers!

A picture of the original stadium before all of the additions were added (for sale on E-bay in case you are feeling sentimental or wondering what used to be.)

Obviously I need to consult many sources for this article.  Here are the links to where I found the information.  

Origin of Husker Nickname (from Huskers.com)

UNL historic buildings: Memorial Stadium

Husker Spot History  (Disclaimer: I did not appreciate the ads on this particular site, so please be aware of that possibility when you click forward.  The information was great though!)

History of Memorial Stadium (from Huskers.com)

Bonus link: my favorite football picture ever: Doc Edgerton’s photograph: “Wes Fesler Kicking a Football”

(While not of the Huskers specifically, Edgerton, inventor of the strobe light grew up in Aurora, and they have a museum there).

Memorial Stadium: The Place (Most) Nebraskans Love to Go

A view of Memorial Stadium from the Nebraska Capitol building.

My MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) group has made an annual trek to Memorial Stadium for several years now every August.  The tour guides are a bit perplexed by this since the kids seem rather little to want to see an athletic complex.  I am sure part of the reason is that they usually get to run out on the field.

But even more than that, there is just excitement in the air when you are in the building.  (As a visitor anyway! 🙂 )  Seeing the state of the art equipment.  Possibly seeing players and coaches (why, hello, Kenny Bell!).  And watching the video in the screening room that shares all about Husker football.

I could see why people who are not from Nebraska might be confused.  After all, many states have several college teams to choose from, not to mention professional sports of every variety.  If I tell a fellow Husker, I was born on a football Saturday, they get the pride in that.  People from other places might be a tad bit concerned about me.

Am I technically alumni if I took one summer class at the University?  🙂

While they give tours all of the time, you do need to set up one in advance.  Wednesdays and Thursdays are the usual days.  The other rule that I just heard this last visit is that you cannot ask players or coaches for autographs or take any unauthorized pictures.  (And unless you happen to have a press pass, all pictures would be considered unauthorized!)  Makes sense since while we are there for fun – they are there to work.

On the other side of this “wall” is where the players complete the “tunnel walk” on their way to get on to the field.

So, in honor of this week’s first fall football game, I definitely think that is fitting that I wrote about Memorial Stadium for “there is no place I’d rather be.” (Sorry the words are a bit blurry!)

And while I can hold my own in a football discussion, although not compared to my 10 year old, I still think I will refer any of you who want to know more about the Huskers football team to the official Huskers N’Siders blog.  They seem to know more what they are talking about than I do (imagine that).  Will you be watching the first University of Nebraska football game?  Our family will probably make it through half since we do not get the game on our tv (no cable!)  Or maybe you get to attend this week’s contest – going to the games are such a fun experience!

P.S. I wanted to get this post to you this morning.  But I need to go start our day, so I will be adding the “place at a glance” box later!