Nebraska Board of Regents to vote on alcohol sales at Haymarket Park

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will consider allowing alcohol sales at Haymarket Park next week.

On Friday, the board announced its agenda for the April 19 meeting, which includes selling alcohol at Husker baseball and softball games.

Alcohol can already be purchased at Lincoln Saltdogs games.

Interim Nebraska President Chris Kabourek and Athletic Director Troy Dannen reached an agreement with NEBCO, which jointly owns Haymarket Park with NU, for revenue sharing of the proceeds from alcohol sales.

The university said all proceeds would be invested back into Haymarket Park, which is over two decades old.

Alcohol is allowed at men’s and women’s basketball games at Pinnacle Bank Arena.  Fans also bought alcohol at Volleyball Day in Nebraska and the Big Ten wrestling championships.

Kabourek said in a press release that there have been “no significant alcohol-related fan incidents” at Husker events.

“This is about improving the fan experience,” Kabourek said in the press release. “We do not make recommendations related to alcohol lightly, but our teams have shown that we can responsibly provide this amenity that our fans have been asking for and that almost all of our peers offer. I’m very pleased that we have reached this positive outcome with NEBCO and we couldn’t be more grateful to continue the University of Nebraska’s wonderful partnership with the Abel family and the entire NEBCO team.”

Dannen said this would be a “win for our fans, Husker Athletics and the University of Nebraska.”

“Not only does this added fan amenity bring Nebraska in line with national trends, but it gives us an opportunity to make much-needed investments that will make our facilities more competitive,” he said in the release.  “All of us at Husker Athletics thank Jack and Jim Abel and the NEBCO team for their support and partnership and look forward to continuing our strong working relationship.”

If approved, alcohol sales would be permitted at Haymarket Park effective immediately, the university said.