Red balloons have soared over Memorial Stadium after Husker touchdowns for more than 60 years, but you won’t see them this year.Fans will not be given balloons during football games in the upcoming season, according to Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts.During his monthly radio show Monday night, Alberts pointed to a helium shortage as the reason for putting the tradition on hold. In the past, the University of Nebraska has faced criticism from environmentalists, who say balloon releases are mass littering. “While we’re still concerned about the environmental impact of the balloons, the reality is aquiring helium in today’s day and age, given some of the challenge and some of the production of it, is really challenged and it’s been hard to get,” Alberts said.Alberts added the university needs to use the helium it gets for medical purposes. It is unclear if Nebraska will try to bring the tradition back for the 2023 season, assuming the helium shortage ends by then.
Red balloons have soared over Memorial Stadium after Husker touchdowns for more than 60 years, but you won’t see them this year.
Fans will not be given balloons during football games in the upcoming season, according to Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts.
During his monthly radio show Monday night, Alberts pointed to a helium shortage as the reason for putting the tradition on hold.
In the past, the University of Nebraska has faced criticism from environmentalists, who say balloon releases are mass littering.
“While we’re still concerned about the environmental impact of the balloons, the reality is aquiring helium in today’s day and age, given some of the challenge and some of the production of it, is really challenged and it’s been hard to get,” Alberts said.
Alberts added the university needs to use the helium it gets for medical purposes.
It is unclear if Nebraska will try to bring the tradition back for the 2023 season, assuming the helium shortage ends by then.