Husker fans raise a glass to approval of alcohol sales at baseball, softball games

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Fans can now enjoy an ice-cold beer during Husker games at Haymarket Park.

On Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents voted to approve alcohol sales at Husker baseball and softball games.

Just hours later, the taps were up and running for Nebraska baseball’s game against Maryland.

Randi Quinn, an employee at Haymarket Park, said it wasn’t much work to get ready for the game since alcohol was already sold there for Saltdogs games.

“Easy transition,” Quinn said. “We just found out today. We have all the beer ready to go.”

All proceeds from alcohol sales will be invested back into Haymarket Park, which is over two decades old.

The regents rejected the proposal in the past, saying it would take away from the family atmosphere at the games.

But Quinn thinks this will be a positive change.

“If there’s no beer sales, it’s no money for anybody,” she said. “I wanted this, and so did a lot of other people.”

In a press release last week, Athletic Director Troy Dannen said the change would be a “win for our fans, Husker Athletics and the University of Nebraska.”

Some fans think this will help bring more people out to support the Huskers at Haymarket Park.

“We got a free hat, and we’re drinking beer while watching baseball,” said Geoffrey Soneson, one of the first fans to buy a beer Friday. “Not sure it gets much better than that.”

Alcohol is already allowed at men’s and women’s basketball games at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Soneson believes it would be beneficial to expand it to Memorial Stadium and the Bob Devaney Sports Center, too.

“Probably just more money for them from each game rather than just ticket sales and concessions,” he said.