LINCOLN: The squad that won the 1994 national title. Solich Frank. a former conference adversary.
The Nebraska-Colorado game on Saturday night was already bringing back memories at Memorial Stadium.
Would you like another one? The balloons in red.
The school stated in a news release on Thursday that “Husker fans have been anticipating Saturday’s football game with Colorado and the events surrounding the weekend for months.” “As we celebrate the rich tradition between the two schools and honor our 1994 national championship team, Nebraska athletics will bring back a Memorial Stadium tradition of releasing balloons after the Huskers’ first touchdown.”
The custom was discontinued in 2022, with the then-athletic director Trev Alberts citing environmental concerns along with a global helium shortage (the element being needed for medicinal purposes).
The effect of the balloons on the environment had caused criticism of the custom for fifty years. The student government decided to discontinue the tradition in November 2021, however their decision was not legally obligatory.
So the balloons are back, for one game at least. Employees of the athletic department will give them out for free all around Memorial Stadium.
NU “will consider bringing back the balloons for select special occasions” in regards to upcoming games.
Along with former Husker player and coach Frank Solich, who will be honored at halftime prior to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in December, Nebraska will also celebrate the 1994 national championship team on Saturday.
