It’s not quite Husker game day just yet — but ESPN plans to be in the neighborhood gathering Big Red-related footage on campus nonetheless.
Specifically, the worldwide sports network is aiming to produce a short story on UNL Campus Recreation’s new Bike Valet program, which was launched on Aug. 31. Football fans who ride their bikes to campus on game days can store their bikes for free in Cook Pavilion, just east of Memorial Stadium.
Christopher Dulak, assistant director of marketing and communications for Campus Recreation, said ESPN cameras would film during a block of time — roughly 11 a.m. to noon Friday (Sept. 13). Ultimately, the short segment is expected to be shown during the ESPN on ABC broadcast of the Huskers’ football game against UCLA on Saturday (Sept. 14).
For a chance to participate in the filming, students, staff, faculty and interested cyclists should wear red for the shoot and bring along their bike to Cook Pavilion, Dulak said.
The valet service is free, though free-will donations are accepted and will be put toward on-campus bike pumps and work stations. On game days this fall, the valet service is open two hours before kickoff — that’s 9 a.m. this week, biking Husker fans — and will remain open for an hour of the end of the game.
The goal of the program is to help alleviate heavy game-day traffic while providing a safe, secure and convenient location for bicyclists to store their bikes. For their safety, Bike Valet patrons are encouraged to use bike routes that avoid heavy traffic. These routes can be found on the Bike Valet website, http://bike.unl.edu/bikevalet.
UNL was recently awarded the Silver Bicycle Friendly University designation by the League of American Bicyclists and the new Bike Valet service is part of UNL’s ongoing efforts to welcome and encourage bicycle commuters and cycling enthusiasts. For more information on Game Day Bike Valet, visit the website or call the UNL Bike Shop at 402-472-4777.
“We hope this exposure will help everyone learn about this service and take advantage of it this fall,” Dulak said.
