LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts said fans will not be given balloons inside Memorial Stadium for the 2022 football season. Alberts said the break in tradition is due to a shortage of helium.

“While we’re still concerned about the environmental impact of the balloons, the reality is acquiring helium in today’s day and age and some of the production of it is really challenged,” Alberts said. “The helium that we are getting as a University we need to use for medical purposes.”

For many years, Huskers fans released balloons following Nebraska’s first touchdown of each home game.

The tradition, which dates back to the 1960s, had been scrutinized recently due to its environmental effects.

In November 2020, Nebraska’s student government unanimously voted to support a resolution that encouraged the stopping of balloon releases.

According to a survey done by the Nebraska Athletic Department in January, the balloon release scored a 5.4 out of 7 satisfaction rating in the Gameday Experience category. That was toward the bottom of a list that included other traditions like the Tunnel Walk, military recognitions, the third quarter lights show, the spirit squad, flyovers, the Cornhusker Marching Band, and mascots. It ranked slightly higher than “The Cornhuskers Song.”

Football ticket mini-plans available this week

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) -Nebraska fans will soon have an opportunity to purchase a “3-Game Mini-Plan” of 2022 football tickets at Memorial Stadium. The customizable ticket option will go on sale this Wednesday, May 25, at 10 a.m. by visiting //Huskers.com/tickets or by calling or visiting the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office.

The 3-Game Mini-Plan includes one home game each from September, October and November and is available for $180, providing buyers a $30 savings off single-game ticket prices. The Mini Plan includes a choice of September matchups between North Dakota (Sept. 3) and Georgia Southern (Sept. 10), an October choice of Indiana (Oct. 1) or Illinois (Oct. 29), and in November fans can choose either the Minnesota (Nov. 5) or Wisconsin (Nov. 19) matchups.

The only 2022 home game not available in a package is the Sept. 17 matchup with Oklahoma. Seating locations for tickets available through the 3-Game Mini-Plan are in the North and South end zones.

Full season tickets also remain available for the upcoming season. Season tickets may only be purchased on the phone at 1-800-8-BIG RED or in person at the Athletic Ticket Office.

Nebraska opens the 2022 football season on Aug. 27 against Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland.