“To be able to compete at the highest level, which is ultimately what we want to do in addition to preparing these young men and women for life after Nebraska, you can’t do that unless we have the great fan support that we have,” NU senior deputy athletic director for external relations Garrett Klassy said. “Quite honestly, during these times, you always know it, but you realize that our business model is based on peoples’ passion and peoples’ disposable income.

“We’re in a very fortunate spot that we have great fans that have great passion and they want to consume our events in person. It makes all the difference in the world. We can’t do what we do without the fans and what they give back and contribute to our entity.”

At Nebraska, donations are made to the NU Foundation and earmarked from there. Given the amount used for operations in 2019 was relatively small and has been consistently shrinking in recent years, it's clear Nebraska is able to cover its operations in other ways, freeing fundraising efforts to go toward projects such as the football facility, the air fleet and others.