UNL officials urge football fans to protect against extreme heat Saturday
Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 29, 2013 – With temperatures expected to be in the upper 90s with a heat index of over 100 on Saturday, University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials are encouraging fans planning to attend that day’s football game to be aware of the dangers of extreme heat and to take steps to protect themselves.
The Cornhuskers will kick off the 2013 season at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium against the University of Wyoming. Stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m. – at which point forecasts are placing the expected heat index at 103 degrees. The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature – what it feels like, as opposed to the actual temperature.
Excessive heat can be dangerous and even life threatening. In addition, many of Memorial Stadium’s seats will be in direct sunshine, which can raise the heat index by an additional 15 degrees. Large gatherings of people in close contact also contribute to higher heat indexes by limiting cooling effects of breezes, increasing humidity and raising heat levels from body heat. Risk factors are greater for infants and young children, people 65 and older, and those who are ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure.
To prevent heat illness, fans attending Saturday’s game should:
* Drink lots of water.
* Avoid drinking liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar, which actually cause the loss of more body fluid.
* Minimize direct contact with the sun. Try to rest often in shady areas.
* Avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
* Snack regularly, rather than eating heavy meals. Consider eating light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
* Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
* Water fountains are located on the main concourses of Memorial Stadium, and two large, portable water fountains also will be added Saturday – one at the north and one at the south end of the stadium, located underneath the seating bowls. In addition, fans on Aug. 31 will be permitted to bring their own sealed, clear, non-frozen commercial bottled water containers of up to 20 oz. into Memorial Stadium.
The Red Cross will be on hand to provide emergency medical services and First Aid stations are in the southeast corner of field level, East Stadium upper concourse, East Stadium club level, northwest concourse and West Stadium club level. An emergency heart unit is in the northwest concourse; Advanced Cardiac Life Support is in the southeast corner of field level. Contact Red Cross volunteers, Boy Scout volunteers or stadium security personnel for assistance.
INFORMATION FOR FANS ATTENDING AUG. 31 WYOMING-NEBRASKA SEASON OPENER
The following information has been provided by the University of Nebraska Athletics Department for Saturday’s game in Lincoln, Neb., between the Wyoming Cowboys and Nebraska Cornhuskers.
New policies and procedures in Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium:
> Mobile tickets will be accepted; tickets can be stored on mobile devices and scanned at the gates.
> Bags larger than 13 inches by 10 inches will not be allowed in the stadium (security will use containers at the entrances to measure bags).
> Escalator and elevator access will be restricted to those fans holding tickets to their respective areas in the premium level and the 600 East Stadium level.
> No entry or re-entry will be allowed after the start of the fourth quarter.
> A free bike valet service will be provided at Cook Pavilion by UNL Campus Recreation. For details, go to http://bike.unl.edu/bikevalet.
Tickets at all gates will be scanned with an optical reader for entrance and for re-entry if someone leaves the stadium. No re-entry is allowed beginning at the start of the fourth quarter.
Fans will again have the ability to report safety concerns to UNL Police via SMS (Short Message Service) text messaging. Anyone with a cellular phone and SMS capabilities can initiate a text message to 69050, keyword, “UNLPD,” and type in their complaint and location. Standard SMS rates will apply. The text number is the same as the one used in 2012.
Fans are asked to help the “Big Red Go Green” in a stepped-up recycling program this fall by depositing their plastic bottles and cups in marked recycling bins located near every trash receptacle.
Memorial Stadium gates will open 1 hour and 30 minutes before kickoff of each game and ticket holders are encouraged to enter the gate number printed on their ticket. Express lanes will be in effect at stadium gates again and fans are encouraged to “travel light.” Ticket-holders who are not carrying items that are subject to inspection (purses, fanny packs, camera bags and water bottles) can use the express lanes. Fans carrying such items must use the other lanes. Backpacks are not permitted in Memorial Stadium.
The Husker Nation Pavilion will be back for its 10th year, with most activities taking place on the Gass practice field, where the Huskers practice daily northeast of Memorial Stadium. It will be open 3 hours prior to kickoff and will provide free and fun activities for the whole family, games, music, autograph signings and appearances by current and former athletes across many sports.
Stadium Drive on the west side of the stadium will also have food vendors and some game-related activities.
Memorial Stadium policies:
> Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff.
> Outside chairbacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium. Some 20,000 chairback seats will be available for rental at $5 each.
> Backpacks are not allowed in Memorial Stadium.
> The Athletic Ticket Office and Huskers Authentic open 4 hours prior to kickoff.
> Memorial Stadium, like all university buildings, is a non-smoking area. Those who want to smoke must leave the stadium to do so. Tickets will be scanned for exiting and re-entry. Re-entry is available at each gate. Persons re-entering the stadium are subject to rescreening. No re-entry beginning at the start of the fourth quarter.
> The following items are prohibited in Memorial Stadium: Guns, knives, backpacks, glass, cans, coolers, beverage containers, video cameras, umbrellas and pets. People will be asked to return such items to their vehicles or home. Purses, fanny packs, and small camera bags are allowed but are subject to search. Plastic water bottles are permitted but may be inspected.
> Alcoholic beverages of any type are not allowed in the stadium. In addition, consumption of alcohol is prohibited in city and university parking lots and property.
> Throwing of any object in the stadium is prohibited. Any person throwing any object is subject to immediate removal from the stadium. Rules allow game officials to penalize the home team if objects are thrown onto the playing field.
> The Stadium Assistance Team, wearing orange jackets bearing the word “Security,” can help with any problems fans may encounter. If fans become separated from their friends, they should report to any First Aid station for assistance.
> Lost and found areas are located at the Guest Relations Desks in both the East and West Stadiums..
Parking and traffic policies and procedures:
> Most parking lots on the UNL City Campus are reserved for those who have paid reservations on game days. Most lots surrounding the stadium have been converted to reserved stalls, with patrons assigned to specific numbered stalls. Paid public parking on City Campus is available at $15 per stall at the Parking Garage at 17th and R streets.
> Parking for people with disabilities is available for $15 per vehicle on a first-come, first-served basis in Booster Lots 5 and 9 on the south side of Salt Creek Roadway between Stadium Drive and 14th Street northeast of Memorial Stadium. Lots 5 and 9 have free cart shuttle service to the stadium. This shuttle is radio equipped and will be stationed during the game at the northeast corner of the stadium and on the east side for those patrons needing to return to their vehicles. Contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 402-472-3111 for pre-purchase opportunities. Charter and shuttle bus parking is available on W Street between 14th and 16th streets.
> Parking lots will open at 6 a.m. for games with kickoff scheduled before 6 p.m.; for games that start at 6 p.m. or later, lots will open at 11 a.m.
> UNL Red/White shuttles, with parking at the 17th and R Parking Garage, will drop off patrons on the east side or at the northwest corner of Memorial Stadium. This is a convenionent ADA drop-off point for those patrons who cannot walk long distances. There is a $15 charge for parking in the 17th and R Parking Garage.
> Stadium Drive, the street on the west side of the stadium, will be closed on game days.
> Star Tran will offer the Big Red Express shuttle service to and from the stadium from sites around Lincoln. The cost is $5 each way or $10 round-trip. Season passes are available for $60. For additional information, go to http://startran.lincoln.ne.gov or telephone 402-476-1234.
> The taxi cab drop off/pick up location will be at the corner of 14th and Vine streets east of the stadium, and north of Memorial Stadium on Salt Creek Roadway. Other passenger drop-off and pick-up will not be allowed in front of the stadium before or after games. The recommended drop-off location is 12th and R streets.
> Up-to-date statewide road information can be found online at www.nebraskatransportation.org. Highway conditions and a brief weather report can be obtained by calling 511 on a land line or cell phone.