On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the largest crowd ever recorded for a women’s sporting event gathered at Memorial Stadium to watch the Lincoln Cornhuskers take down the Omaha Mavericks. Scattered among the crowd were girls from the Millard West varsity volleyball team.
The game racked up a total of 92,003 people at the game, which broke the previous world record of attendance of 91,648 people set in Barcelona, Spain for a Championship League. Tickets were originally selling for $25 for adults and $5 for students but were racking up to 400+ dollars on resale sites due to the high demand. The doubleheader games were held at four o’clock between UNK and Wayne State and the seven o’clock game against the Huskers and Mavs with a follow-up concert from country singer Scotty McCreery.
“Being at the game was a once in a lifetime experience,” senior Kaelin Pribyl said. “The atmosphere was truly electric and I could not stop smiling the entire time. The little girl version of me would be unable to comprehend the number of people attending a women’s game. It made me emotional while I was watching the tribute videos of the players and other college coaches on the big screens.”
Playing volleyball all of their lives, both Pribyl and senior Coryn Riedel can attest to how astounding the crowd truly was. The impressive attendance for the game was incredibly impactful for both the sport of volleyball and women’s sports in general.
“I think the large crowd really shows how the support and investment in Women’s sports has grown throughout the years,” Riedel said. “When the team walked out of the tunnel everyone stood up and cheered loudly for them. It really shows how many people in Nebraska care about volleyball and the legacy that has been created through Nebraska’s program.”
The previous record for a women’s sporting event in America was an attendance of 90,185 people in 1990 at a USA vs. China in the Women’s World Cup. The world itself was shocked at the number of people at Memorial Stadium. It gives a true example that if women’s sports were given the opportunities of larger platforms, fans would deliver if given the chance. This support and publicity is just the start of paving more benefits and opportunities for women’s sports in the years to come.
“The videos played throughout the game and the celebrations after, brought a new perspective on how many people this game is going to affect,” Pribyl said. “Every time a new video played, I would look around and see all of the little volleyball players just in awe of the fact that that could be them someday. I saw a younger version of me in them, which made me emotional due to how life-changing this singular event could be for Women’s sports forever.”
After the Huskers beat the Mavs in a 3-0 sweep, the celebrations for the game itself were like no other. Fireworks went off everywhere, drone footage was being shown on the big screen, music blaring, planes flying over the stadium and so much more.
“It was such a surreal experience being a part of that crowd,” junior Chloe Teter said. “The introduction of the players, the tunnel walk and the drone show after the game were truly amazing. The environment was like no other.”
After a great Husker win, people everywhere have a newfound hope for little girls and the next generation. Along with celebrations, many left with a new respect for Women’s sports and their capability to bring people from all over when given the chance.
