Nebraska Aims to Break Women’s Sports Attendance Record with Epic Volleyball Celebration
Nebraska is gearing up to make history in women’s sports attendance as the University of Nebraska plans an epic volleyball celebration at the Memorial Stadium. With an exhibition match between in-state Division II rivals Nebraska-Kearney and Wayne State, followed by a regular-season game featuring Omaha and the fourth-ranked Cornhuskers, the stage is set for a record-breaking event. To top it off, country artist Scotty McCreery will perform after the matches.
The target is to surpass the current women’s sports attendance record of 91,648, set during a Champions League soccer match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the iconic Camp Nou Stadium in 2022. Nebraska’s athletic department officials are confident in their ability to achieve this feat, with Huskers freshman outside hitter Harper Murray expressing belief in the state’s potential. Memorial Stadium, typically known as the home field for the Huskers football team, will accommodate more spectators as seating on the field will be made available for this special event.
The current American record attendance for a women’s sporting event stands at 90,185, set during the 1999 World Cup soccer final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. However, Nebraska’s impressive track record suggests they are well-positioned to make sporting history once again.
Nebraska has sold out an incredible 306 consecutive regular-season matches, demonstrating the unwavering support of their fans. Unfortunately, Wednesday’s event won’t be considered part of the streak as it will not take place on the team’s usual Devaney Center court. Nonetheless, the Huskers have consistently dominated attendance statistics, leading the nation since 2013. In fact, eight of the top nine crowds in NCAA volleyball history involve matches featuring Nebraska.
The significance of this event has led chancellor Rodney Bennett to cancel classes for the day, highlighting the immense enthusiasm surrounding this celebration. Not only will NCAA President Charlie Baker and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti be in attendance, but former Husker volleyball players from Terry Pettit’s teams over four decades will also join the festivities. High school teams from across the state, spanning a distance of 430 miles, will be granted leave from classes to witness this historic occasion.
Volleyball has surpassed basketball to become the top girls’ high school team sport in the United States, with a staggering 455,000 players. This rings especially true in Nebraska, where the sport has long reigned supreme. Despite being the 38th most populous state with just under 2 million residents, Nebraska ranks 25th in terms of the number of high school volleyball players, boasting 7,000 participants.
Nebraska’s volleyball program has an impressive history, capturing five national championships. Notably, it stands out as one of the few Division I programs that turn a profit, reporting a surplus of $1 million last year, according to athletic department CFO Doug Ewald.
Volleyball Day in Nebraska has already garnered immense interest, with ticket sales commencing in late April. In just three days, over 82,000 tickets were sold, emphasizing the widespread anticipation for this landmark event. Adult tickets are priced at $25, while children can attend for just $5.
Nebraska is on the cusp of making volleyball history once again, and the potential record-breaking attendance at the Memorial Stadium will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and recognition of the sport. The significance of this occasion has been widely acknowledged, with hopes that it will have a similar impact to the iconic USA soccer team’s match at the Rose Bowl, which propelled women’s soccer to new heights. With the world eagerly watching, all eyes are on Nebraska to deliver an awe-inspiring evening of volleyball.
