New sideline canopies shield players, obstruct view of field for some in Memorial Stadium

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - As thousands of people pour into Memorial Stadium this weekend for the Nebraska-Colorado rivalry game, some will, no doubt, have better seats than others.

One long-time fan is concerned that he won’t have a view at all as obstructions on the sidelines during last week’s game left a lot to be desired.

From a Barneston farm to the sidelines, Doug Jensby has cheered on the Cornhuskers since he was a child.

“I can remember dad had a radio rigged up in the combine so I could listen to all the games,” Jensby said. “I mean, that’s why I went to the university. So I could go to the football games.”

To this day, his whole life bleeds Husker red. Jensby has a Husker lamp, a signed 1993 football and even a Husker Barbie. But there’s something this season ticket holder since 1991 doesn’t have: a view of the game.

“I’m getting totally blocked out,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll be able to see much of it this year.”

Canopies stretch across the Husker sideline, shielding the players from the sun and the elements. From the sound of it, they won’t be going away any time soon. The Athletic Department weighed in on Thursday:

“The new canopies on the team bench have been installed this year to improve the comfort and safety of our team. These canopies shield the sun, wind, rain, snow, etc. but also enhance the heating and cooling systems in our benches by helping capture more of the cool/hot air in those systems. During the off season, we did a series of sight line studies to limit the impact these canopies would have on fans who sit behind the bench. The position of canopy on Saturday was the ideal height for both our players and fans. We will continue to monitor these this season and appreciate your understanding as we try to provide the best environment for our team to compete and win.”

That still leaves Jensby in a bind.

“It’s a lot of standing on my tippy toes,” he said.

It also makes Jensby reminisce over the glory days, when he first scored his tickets three decades ago.

“They were like gold,” Jensby said. “And I can remember going to the games and just, you know, shaking and just in awe of them, especially when I went with my grandfather those times, you know, it was just, like heaven.”

Jensby said he can deal with some obstruction, and he has in the past. But now, he said he’s feeling betrayed.

“I knew the team was coming over from the east side to the west side, but they never, ever used those sun shades before at all,” Jensby said. “If they could just be accommodating in some ways, like when it gets the night games.”

Jensby said he won’t be giving up the games anytime soon, but he said he just wants a view of the action.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2024 KOLN. All rights reserved.