KEARNEY, Neb. — Husker fans at Memorial Stadium and the Devaney Center will soon be able to watch the Big Red with a beer in hand. 

The Nebraska Board of Regents approved a request to allow alcohol sales at University of Nebraska sporting events without needing specific permission from the board.

Husker athletic director Troy Dannen says the vote means alcohol sales will start at football and volleyball games next fall. 

“We want to enhance the fan experience," Dannen said. "Just because we’re selling the tickets today, doesn’t mean we’ll sell the tickets tomorrow. Part of what the fan wants in the ability to have almost an in-living room experience.”

Dannen says his office has worked on the idea since alcohol sales were added to Haymarket Park in the spring. The Huskers already sell alcohol at basketball games, as does UNO at hockey games.

Money is also a factor in the decision. Dannen conservatively estimates $3-$4 million in sales over one football season.

“As we look for ways to generate revenue to fulfill maybe the obligations of the antitrust settlement, perhaps a player compensation model, you can’t raise ticket prices," Dannen said. "You need to have other ways to generate money.”

Regent Kathy Wilmot was the lone regent to vote against the measure.

“We’re overlooking the fact that these are family events, we’re setting examples, we’re putting things out there that we often say we often want to protect our children from," Wilmot said. "So, I guess, I feel like we’re a little bit selling our soul.”

Regent Jack Stark read comments from former coach and athletic director Tom Osborne before voting for the new policy.

“I am not advocating for no beer sales, as much as trying to give some perspective on what makes Nebraska a good place to watch a game for young and old," Stark said, reading from Osborne's comments. "Selling alcohol in the stadium will change things.”

Supporters cited a University of Iowa study and other data that showed that selling alcohol actually reduced binge drinking.

Dannen says details will be worked out when the Huskers select a new third-party vendor to run concessions.

“Part of the RFP with our concessions provider will be, how do we reinvent our concession stands integrating alcohol into it, but integrating other products and other things besides just the traditional fare that we have in our stands,” Dannen said.

As far as alcohol sales at other campuses, a UNK spokesman tells me there are no immediate plans to add alcohol sales. The campus is open to it and wants to engage with fans on the topic.