Helium Shortage Puts Crimp in Nebraska Cornhuskers Balloon Celebration
By Jason McIntyre
"There will be one last game for the balloons — Nebraska’s season-opener against Southern Mississippi on Sept. 1 — but instead of the usual 4,000 to 5,000 balloons, there will be half that amount. The athletic department does have ideas to preserve the tradition, however. They have about eight tanks left that will inflate 2,000 to 2,500 balloons for the first game. The average tall tank, like the ones you see at a grocery store, will fill 300 to 350 balloons. It takes about 15 to 20 tanks per game. After the season opener, NU’s plan is to hold back one tank of helium for the remaining six games and then come up with a way to symbolize the balloon tradition for the rest of the season."
The Cornhuskers, ranked 18th in our poll, are seeking ideas on how to preserve the tradition, so if you’ve got one, submit it.
Previously: College Football Top 25: Nebraska Cornhuskers, No. 18
Previously: College Football Top 25: Notre Dame Fighting Irish, No. 19