A University of Nebraska regent has proposed a way for lifelong Cornhusker fans to carry their support into the afterlife. When Memorial Stadium undergoes its next renovation, the AP reports that Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha suggested building a columbarium under the football field where departed fans can have their ashes inurned. The idea might be dead on arrival. Her fellow regents laughed at the proposal. Weitz acknowledged she made her pitch light-heartedly but didn’t think any proposal should be dismissed out of hand with the university facing a $58 million budget shortfall. The price for niches, where cremation urns are stored, could vary depending on location, with a spot under the 50-yard line or end zone sold at a premium. Revenue, she said, would go to academics.

“One thing I know best about Nebraska is … we really do love our sports teams,” Weitz says. “It’s part of being a Nebraskan. So why wouldn’t being buried under the field be a great way to be close to your team forever? So it was kind of a combination of needing money, talking about ways to get it, and then kind of trying to say let’s use our imaginations.” Fans wishing to scatter a loved one’s ashes at their favorite team’s stadium is not unheard of and there are columbariums and other fan memorials at soccer, rugby, and horse racing venues in Europe. There are cemeteries and columbariums at Notre Dame, Texas A&M, and military academies that are unaffiliated with sports.

The passion of fans makes sports-themed columbariums a natural, said Colm Hannon, founder of an Ireland-based business that creates fan memorials in Europe. “I think many families realize the fan’s spiritual home was the stadium,” Hannon said. “It was the place they had the best memories. It’s somewhere they would much rather go to remember their loved one than a graveyard… If you want to be mourned, choose a graveyard. If you want to be celebrated, choose a sports ground.” Nebraska Regent Paul Kenney says he found Weitz’s proposal “somewhat entertaining” but says her idea is “not in my top 1,000” possible budget solutions. Regent Jack Stark, the Huskers’ team psychologist from 1989-2004, said over the years he has had people tell him a loved one’s dying wish was to have their ashes sprinkled on the field. “I do think there would be a market for it,” Stark says.

(More University of Nebraska stories.)

In the recruiting world, things can change at a moment’s notice. A little over a week ago, Cornhuskers Wire reported that Chase Loftin, the top high school player in Nebraska, was projected to commit to the Cornhuskers.

That changed Saturday evening when Loftin announced his commitment to the Florida State Seminoles. He chose FSU over Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas A&M.

The tight end told 247Sports that the people at Florida State made the difference in his decision.

“Florida State is home for me because of the people. All the coaches showed tons of love. I think it is a place to win a Natty.”

Loftin is a 6-foot-5, 213-pound tight end for Millard South High School out of Omaha, Nebraska. Over the last two seasons, he’s appeared in 22 games and has 73 receptions for 1,017 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Nebraska’s tight end room is incredibly deep heading into the 2024 season and beyond. With names such as Thomas Fidone II, Carter Nelson, and Ismael Smith Flores, big things are expected from that position group this year.

Im home! Go Noles!!🍢 https://t.co/ocI37HoemP

— Chase Loftin (@ChaseLoftin8) June 30, 2024

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NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – After an active and dry workweek, we are back to sunshine for the weekend; other than some isolated t-storms, we should stay dry with temperatures below average. For our Saturday we saw mostly sunny skies with highs near 80.

That is cooler than we have been, and also about 7 degrees below seasonal averages. Sunday we will be partly cloudy and breezy; some isolated t-storms are possible with highs staying near 77. Monday we keep partly cloudy skies with another chance of evening showers/t-storms; hotter with highs in the low-mid 90s.

Tuesday should be mainly dry with partly cloudy skies; still warm with highs near 87. Wednesday partly cloudy skies with a chance of rain/thunderstorms after 1pm and for the night. Thursday mostly sunny skies and a slight chance of rain/thunderstorms during the night.

Then for Friday we’ll be mostly sunny but dry; highs remain in the low-mid 80s. Next Saturday mostly sunny and highs near 89.

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