In an unconventional proposal addressing both fan devotion and financial constraints, University of Nebraska Regent Barbara Weitz has suggested incorporating a columbarium beneath Memorial Stadium’s football field during its next renovation.
This concept would allow ardent Cornhusker fans to have their cremated remains interred at the site of their team’s stadium.
With the university facing a substantial $58 million budget deficit, Weitz argues that no revenue-generating idea should be summarily dismissed. She envisions a tiered pricing structure based on location desirability, with premium spots commanding higher fees, all proceeds directed towards academic initiatives.
The concept of sports-themed memorials is not without precedent. European venues for soccer, rugby, and horse racing have integrated similar structures, reflecting a growing recognition of stadiums as spiritual homes for devoted fans. Colm Hannon, founder of an Ireland-based business specializing in sports-themed fan memorials, posits that such sites offer a celebratory alternative to traditional graveyards, aligning with fans’ most cherished memories.
In a different endeavor, real estate developer Whit Suber has been pursuing approval for an above-ground columbarium near the University of South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium. His project, conceptualized in 2016, aims to allocate a portion of proceeds to the athletic department or athlete endorsement collectives — a deal between fan memorialization and institutional support.
However, these proposals face multifaceted opposition. Critics cite concerns ranging from religious sensitivities to potential negative impacts on athletic recruitment. At Nebraska, while some regents view the idea as impractical or low-priority, others, like former team psychologist Jack Stark, acknowledge a potential market based on past experiences with fans’ final wishes.
This innovative, but controversial, concept meets at the intersection of life, fandom, and revenue generation.