Opening Night Set for Oct. 4 in the Railyard

The tipoff of the 2024-25 season moves to the streets, as Opening Night presented by SCHEELS will take place on Friday, Oct. 4.

This interactive, fan-friendly event will take place on Canopy Street between R and Q Streets, as the street next to the Railyard near Pinnacle Bank Arena will be closed for the event. The event starts at 7 p.m. includes both the Husker men’s and women’s programs and is free to the public.

Opening Night will feature introductions of both Husker teams, remarks from Head Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Amy Williams and selected players, contests with players and fans and much more. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.

“Opening Night is an event our players look forward to because it’s a chance to show their personality and have some fun with our fans,” Hoiberg said.  “Moving it to the Railyard should create a fun environment and allow for more fan interaction with both our basketball programs and kick off what should be a fun Homecoming weekend on campus.”

“We are so excited for the upcoming season, and we can’t wait to see all the Husker fans in the Haymarket," Williams said. "It should be a great atmosphere as part of the University’s Homecoming weekend and a fun event for everyone.”

Both Husker teams come off NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023-24 and have many of their key returnees back this season. 

The Husker men return seven letterwinners, including three starters, from a team that went 23-11 and reached the NCAA Tournament for Big Ten Coach of the Year Fred Hoiberg.  NU is led by the senior duo of Brice Williams (13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Juwan Gary (11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg) while adding the services of seven Division I transfers to the lineup. 

The Husker women are coming off a 23-12 season which included a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament for Coach Amy Williams. The Husker women are led by All-Big Ten center Alexis Markowski (15.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and reigning Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year Natalie Potts (10.2 ppg, 5.5rpg) The Huskers also welcome a strong class of newcomers led by two-time Nebraska High School Player-of-the-Year Britt Prince.

Season tickets for both programs are available by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or calling the Nebraska Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 8-BIGRED or 402-472-3111. 

2024-25 Opening Night Presented by SCHEELS
Date:        Friday, Oct. 4
Time:        7 p.m.
Location:    Canopy Street (between R and Q Streets)
Cost:        Free
Note: In case of inclement weather, the event will not be rescheduled