Should Nebraska football fans be worried about the stadium project?
Questions have started about the funding for the Memorial Stadium project. Should Nebraska football fans be worried about a botched job?
When the scope of the Memorial Stadium project was unveiled earlier this year, most Nebraska football fans were on board, even if it meant a bit of pain for those attending the games. However, the massive $450 million scope of the endeavor is starting to raise questions.
The Nebraska Examiner reports that most of those questions surround how much money is being spent, in the middle of the University of Nebraska making cuts. It’s also extremely likely that the Nebraska football program’s fundraising is going to come into direct conflict with The University of Nebraska Foundation’s $3 billion fundraising campaign.
The Foundation’s campaign is geared towards helping NU broaden its academic reach and reputation in the coming years. There have reportedly been a few lawmakers who question the timing of having dueling fundraising efforts. Especially when one is just to revamp a stadium that is already there. It’s already complete.
Nebraska football optics a concern
There are some who believe that timing and optics go hand in hand. State Senator Steve Erdman is one of those who has been loudest about the bad timing. In his estimation, he believes AD Trev Alberts should have waited until at least year two of the Rhule regime.
Erdman thinks the Nebraska football team needs to win more before asking for millions of dollars.
"“It looks bad to me when you have a situation where you’re considering or have raised tuition, and you’re trying to make cuts in your spending at the university level.”"
Some regents questioned the timing when the massive project was fully announced.
“Why now?” Regent Barbara Weitz asked Alberts. “I know how important Husker athletics are, but I’m deeply concerned about the amount of money that we’re expecting to raise from a lot of the same people.”
The question as to whether or not Nebraska football fans should be worried about the project is one without an answer at the moment. At least not a final one.
Alberts is moving full speed ahead for now. One has to wonder what happens though, if Year 2 of Matt Rhule’s leadership doesn’t see some big improvements in quality of play and quality of the results.