The Nebraska athletic department is constantly churning. After announcing the Volleyball Day In Nebraska event planned for August, the athletic department launched tickets to Nebraska’s spring volleyball match that sold out in under an hour. The athletic department released a new Herbie Husker mascot and Husker branding. All that before Saturday’s annual Red-White Game, which will publicly unveil the new Herbie mascot to over 65,000 fans.
Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts discussed all those developments with Greg Sharpe during his monthly radio appearance on Thursday. Updates earlier that day estimate near 65,000 tickets sold. That’s up from 60,000 at the start of the week. The fan-involved Unity Walk is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. at the Bell Tower on Saturday. Alberts encouraged fans to leave in plenty of time due to construction throughout downtown Lincoln. Construction updates and recommendations are available on Huskers.com.
Fans attending Saturday’s Spring Game will also likely see the final Tunnel Walk through Tom Osborne Field’s northwest corner. When the Husker football team returns to Memorial Stadium on September 16, they’ll walk through the stadium’s northeast corner since they’ll arrive via the Go Big Project.
Alberts is proud of the new Herbie Husker. He thanked all those involved—university director of licensing and branding Lonna Henrichs, sprit squad head coach Erynn Butzke and Nick Burkhardt, the director of creative and emerging media. Alberts also thanked Torch Creative, the company Nebraska worked with in developing the new Herbie mascot, altered logos and emblems. The new logo Herbie was revealed earlier this week and will make his first public appearance before kickoff of Saturday’s Red-White Game.
“We think Nebraska athletics brings our state together border to border,” Alberts said during Thursday’s radio show. “One of the ways to do that is honor agriculture and embrace our roots. We believe this new version of Herbie Husker honors that goal.”
Tickets for Volleyball Day In Nebraska, the outdoor volleyball event in August, go on sale next week. Season ticket holders get first dibs on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and the general public can purchase tickets as soon as Wednesday at 10 a.m. Alberts confirmed there is a 12-ticket limit for each ticket holder account. There is national interest for the event and it could “fill up.” At some point, the court would have to move from the northern end to the middle of Tom Osborne Field so those who purchase tickets in the south stadium can see better. That would also require altering the stage for the musical guest that caps the event. Alberts asked fans to “have a little, patience, grace and mercy,” as they work logistics out.
Alberts didn’t have a parking or logistics update for the volleyball event but said the university is working on potential solutions. Fans can expect delays and construction closures near the stadium, in addition to class traffic.
>> Nebraska baseball and softball programs firmly have the athletic director’s support. Alberts said he’s pleased with how Rhonda Revelle’s softball team is playing in Big Ten play. He’s excited for the team’s chances to build more momentum this weekend against Wisconsin. Husker fans with a ticket to the Red-White Game can attend Saturday’s softball game at Bowlin Stadium for free. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
>> Alberts is encouraged by movements within the men’s and women’s basketball programs this offseason. Fred Hoiberg and Amy Williams aren’t in the office much, Alberts said, but are filling their rosters. Both teams showed their grit towards the end of the season and Alberts is excited about both programs’ futures. “Clearly we have much more progress to make,” Alberts said. “I am appreciative of both of those staffs to get better.”
>> Alberts approves of new Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. Those two worked together at CBS Sports Network for roughly nine months. Nebraska’s athletic director believes Petitti’s experience working in television will pay dividends as the detail work of long-form contracts are completed. “We need a leader in the room who’s been in those meetings with those folks,” Alberts said. “I think it’s a really good hire. … The future is bright for the Big Ten.”
>> Fans attending Saturday’s Red-White Game may see commemorative Frank Solich shirts. Alberts confirmed on radio that all proceeds of those shirts go to the Frank Solich scholarship.
