Volleyball Day in Nebraska: Dave Feit’s Fan Guide

Tips from a guy who has been going to games at Memorial Stadium since the 1990s

Nebraska Event Management photo

Tomorrow is Volleyball Day in Nebraska.

It’s going to be an indescribable event. Seriously: try to explain this to somebody who is unfamiliar with Nebraska volleyball and/or Nebraska fans. Watch their head explode as they try to comprehend it.

Over 90,000 people will be in Memorial Stadium for a volleyball match & concert Wednesday. And with no disrespect to (checks notes) Scotty McCreery, the record setting attendance would likely be higher if that stage wasn’t there.

Even if you've been going to football games at Memorial Stadium for decades, this will not be a "normal" Huskers game day experience:

• It will be one of the largest crowds in the 100-year-old stadium has ever held. The current record is 91,585 for the Miami game in 2014.
• It's a night game, but it is also a weeknight. For a Saturday night football game, fans start trickling into Lincoln a good 5 hours before kickoff. But this is a Wednesday: you probably have to work, the kids have school, and many downtown Lincoln businesses (and state government employees) will be working as usual. Plus, there will be lots of families looking to get home early to make Thursday morning more manageable.
• This will be the first Huskers event at Memorial Stadium where beer will be sold. Plan ahead for long lines at concession stands – and at the bathrooms.
• I suspect there will be a lot of Memorial Stadium novices in attendance. The cool thing about Volleyball Day is it will not be the typical football crowd. I expect more families, more kids, and more people not used to the quirks of a game day.

If you’re going to Volleyball Day, I encourage you to check out this guide that the Nebraska athletic department put together. Consider it the official word.

But as somebody who has been going to home games since the 1990s, I’ve got some tips and tricks to make your Volleyball Day as memorable (and stress-free) as possible.

Be as early as your schedule allows.

The main event (Nebraska vs. Omaha) starts at 7 p.m. Assuming you want to be in your seats before the match starts*, you don't want to be pulling into Lincoln at 6:30.

*I’m getting goosebumps thinking about what they’re going to do for a volleyball Tunnel Walk.

I don't know what the road construction situation is between your house and the stadium, but the odds are good that you'll pass some orange barrels on the way. Here is the most recent info from the NDOT and City of Lincoln.

Thinking about grabbing a bite and/or drink beforehand? Me too! And so are 90,000 other people. While you should absolutely check out the amazing restaurants and bars in downtown Lincoln or the Haymarket, don’t be surprised if they’re packed. Be patient with the staff, and tip generously – they’ll be working hard.

The gates to the stadium are opening at 3:30. The Wayne State versus Nebraska-Kearney match starts at 4:30. If possible, go early and beat the crowds.

Plan ahead for parking.

Nebraska game day pro tip: try to park on the side of the stadium closest to where you are going after the game.

For example, if you are heading to Omaha after the event, parking in the heart of downtown Lincoln adds to the traffic you have to battle going in and going home. Instead, consider Haymarket Park (or on a lawn in the North Bottoms neighborhood) and walk over the pedestrian bridge.

I need to go south after the match, so I'll be parking south of O Street. I’ll share a lot of secrets, but I’m not revealing my favorite free parking spots for game day. Just know that they exist.

You can reserve parking at one of the many downtown Lincoln parking garages here. Remember: it's a weekday, so many downtown Lincoln garages may still be used by downtown workers. Lincoln requires parking meters to be paid until 6 pm.

If you don't want to mess with driving or parking downtown, consider using the free "Volleyball Express" buses running from four different locations (Lincoln Northwest High, Lincoln North Star High, Gateway Mall, South Pointe Pavilions). The official Volleyball Day page has more details.

Watch the forecast - and prepare accordingly.

Meteorologist Rusty Dawkins of KLKN TV in Lincoln is a great follow for Huskers-related weather content and forecasts. I’ll defer to him for the current forecast…just don’t joke about the mythical (and completely bogus) “LNK Dome” keeping the rain away.

Early arriving fans in the eastern sides of the stadium may want to bring sunglasses and wear sunscreen.

Also, with temps expected to reach the upper 80s, it will be important to stay hydrated. Stadium policies state "personal empty water bottles are allowed into the stadium for fans to be able to refill at the fountains inside."

Make sure you have - or can access - your tickets.

Few things are more stressful than wondering if you forgot the tickets.

The good news is Nebraska is moving towards digital "mobile" tickets. The bad news is this can be confusing for some fans. Huskers.com has a nice tutorial guide for using mobile tickets.

Do you have mobile tickets? Have you saved them to your Google Pay or Apple Wallet app? Pro tip: double check before you leave the house (and your wi-fi).

Pack your binoculars… in a clear bag.

Let's be honest for a second: depending on where you're sitting, you may not be able to see a lot of the action. If you're sitting in the south end zone (like I am) it's going to be like a football game where all of the action occurs at the 15-yard line on the opposite end of the field.

I'll be taking my binoculars* so the family can zoom in on the action.

*Without the case, as those are not allowed in the stadium.

Speaking of which, it is probably a good idea to double check Nebraska's clear bag policy.

It would really stink to get to the gate and have to choose between walking back to the car or throwing something away.

Have fun.

Volleyball Day is going to be a celebration. A celebration of the Cornhusker State's love for volleyball. A celebration of the best program on the Nebraska campus. And last, but definitely not least, a celebration of Nebraska fans.

Over 90,000 people are going to pack a football stadium to watch a college volleyball match.

Seriously, how ridiculously cool is that?! Where else could that possibly happen?

Husker fans, take a bow. We’ve accomplished a lot of crazy feats over the years – sellout streaks, stadium take-overs, and so much more to cement our legacy as the greatest fans in college athletics.

But this is another level.

This will be a once-in-a-lifetime, tell your grandkids you were there, potentially world record setting moment.

I suspect that the athletic department is going to go all out, with some fun surprises in store.

So, enjoy it. Wear red, be loud, take selfies, and show the nation that there is no place like Nebraska.