100 years ago: University of Nebraska officials break ground on Memorial Stadium

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A century ago, construction began on Nebraska football’s home.

On April 26, 1923, University of Nebraska Chancellor Samuel Avery broke ground on Memorial Stadium in a ceremony that involved a horse-led plow.

In a History Nebraska blog post on Wednesday, officials shared photos of the event, where about 1,000 people gathered to hear speeches and watch the groundbreaking.

David Bristow, an editor at History Nebraska, said the partly finished stadium was opened on Oct. 13, just in time for the Huskers’ home opener against Oklahoma.

Bristow said the Sooners became the first opponent to lose in Memorial Stadium, as the Huskers won 24-0.

Now, 100 years later, the longstanding stadium is set to be renovated.

Earlier this month, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the initial contract for a massive overhaul.

As a whole, the project is expected to cost between $200 million and $700 million.

READ MORE: Regents approve initial contract for massive Memorial Stadium renovation