Taking daughter to Iowa game -- any suggestions from parents re: first game experiences at Memorial?

VectorVictor

VectorVictor

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Just as the topic says, I'm taking my 6 year old daughter to her first game in two weeks against Iowa at Memorial Stadium.

I'm looking for cool ideas to get her involved--possibly the tunnel walk, though I don't know how to get down there for that from South Stadium. Also, do they still allow folks to go on the field after a while? Thought we would get some pics of her on the field if they still let people do that after everyone's filed out. May do the tour after the game...though she may be exhausted by then.

And yes, I'll make sure she holds onto the balloon until they get a TD, and not anything else.
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The tunnel walk is fairly accessible and is a cool thing for the kids to get a close up look at the players. Plus if you're down there 30 minutes before kick you'll see players/coaches coming and going.

Check out the new foyer in East Stadium, it's like a Husker Football Museum.

Yes after the players and staff clear the field they'll open it up and you can toss footballs around, take pictures, just ask an usher.

An hour or so after the game the players will be exiting North Stadium by the TO/Brook Statue and if she brings a sharpie she can get some autographs.

Load her up on Husker Dogs and Runzas and she won't run out of gas!

 
HuskerTed hit it all. Well done.

Also don't forget that beforehand you can go into North Stadium, see bowl/championship trophies and the Heisman room, and that there are a bunch of family-oriented things going on down on the track beforehand too.

 
Thanks both of you.

Question, what area will the opposing team come out of, btw? Thought it would be cool for her to see us congratulating them, win or lose.

 
HuskerTed said:
The tunnel walk is fairly accessible and is a cool thing for the kids to get a close up look at the players. Plus if you're down there 30 minutes before kick you'll see players/coaches coming and going.
Check out the new foyer in East Stadium, it's like a Husker Football Museum.

Yes after the players and staff clear the field they'll open it up and you can toss footballs around, take pictures, just ask an usher.

An hour or so after the game the players will be exiting North Stadium by the TO/Brook Statue and if she brings a sharpie she can get some autographs.

Load her up on Husker Dogs and Runzas and she won't run out of gas!
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All this and bundle up.

 
I made sure to share the history of our team driving to their first games (poor kids): Devaney, Osborne, Berringer so when they see the statues it is more meaningful. I tell them about the traditions of the balloons, the tunnel walk and how Nebraska fans NEVER leave early regardless of the weather (this worked out really well because they are afraid to ask to leave).

Just like everyone mentioned - hit the north stadium area to see the trophies, weight room, waterfall. hit the east stadium entrance for more history. On the North side of the stadium is a track and next to it is a field that they allow kids to play in (I can't remember the name ) Usually there are games, balls to throw/kick and most important this is where you can pick up red balloons. Do this activity last so you don't have to carry the balloons for hours.

I found the easiest way to get into the tunnel area is to go down to the field level from your seat and walk alongside the fence to the northwest corner (by the tunnel door) and underneath the stadium and you will see the red carpet. Get there early as there will be a line!

Hopefully you'll see the players arriving at the north stadium doors and the band arriving about an hour before kickoff. No doubt they will have a blast. Enjoy and yes take lots of photos.

 
I was going to say 'keep her away from the frat guys'. But then I read she's only six.

Keep her away from the frat guys anyway.
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Have a good time.

 
HuskerTed said:
The tunnel walk is fairly accessible and is a cool thing for the kids to get a close up look at the players. Plus if you're down there 30 minutes before kick you'll see players/coaches coming and going.

Check out the new foyer in East Stadium, it's like a Husker Football Museum. A definite must.

Yes after the players and staff clear the field they'll open it up and you can toss footballs around, take pictures, just ask an usher. Get a picture of her standing on the "N" in the middle of the field.

An hour or so after the game the players will be exiting North Stadium by the TO/Brook Statue and if she brings a sharpie she can get some autographs.

Load her up on Husker Dogs and Runzas and she won't run out of gas!
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Have a great time I still have incredible memories of the first games I took my kids to. T_O_B

 
All of the above are must do things!, if you can though, she is 6 you said right ? so dont try an do so much she will be asleep on your shoulder in the 4th quarter. Both of ours spent the last qtr.either in my arms on my wifes lap sleeping away for their first game or 2.

I found out some 13 yrs ago when we took our first born (our daughter now a Sr. In high school and already accepted to UNL starting the 2014 fall semester) that while taking them that young is great fun they really will get more out of the whole experience if you make sure you take them again when they are old enough to grasp the meaning of just what a special place in College Football history it truly is. While all the material things like food and Husker gear and so forth are great its the whole audio,visual all out assult on your senses and the memory imprint that they will never forget.

I can still smell the state fair like atmosphere and sights and sounds of my first game so many years ago now and will long after the roar of the crowd has died out and the game is over.

 
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