Troy Dannen’s plans for Memorial Stadium are businesslike. Some fans may take it personally

Or those people at the very top of the south stadium.

Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen has put the brakes on the entire $450 million Memorial Stadium renovation project.

Dannen is taking a more intentional approach to creating a better place for Husker fans to watch their favorite team. It seems like a good move.

There is a lot to do in the football cathedral, which celebrates its 101st anniversary this year. Dannen starts with the east and west stands. He starts with the money.

That’s fine. And no surprise. Athletic directors raise money. That’s what they do. That’s what they were hired for.

And in Dannen’s case, this is a historic time. During his time at NU, he will likely be the first Nebraska AD to budget $20 million for revenue sharing for athletes.

The people on the east and west sides have the best seats in the house. Many of them pay a lot for the view. Those people should expect better seats – chair backs – for their money. A wider seat. More comfort.

And they’re going to pay more money for those seats. That is, the people sitting there. If you currently have a season ticket in those routes and don’t want to pay the freight, I’m sure Dannen will be happy to find someone willing to pay for it, and then you can move north and south.

There will be some disgruntled Huskers about this, but this is business, not personal. And frankly, Memorial Stadium has too often gone unused as a revenue source.

It’s time to change that. Dannen will do it. And there’s no better time than a renovation to do it.

I’m assuming the other parts of the east and west will be upgraded, with better restrooms and food options and things athletic directors call “facilities.”

Speaking of chair backs, they usually come with cup holders. Speaking of cup holders: Dannen reportedly has a plan to fill some of them with cups of beer.

Alcohol at Memorial Stadium has always seemed inevitable. But now the timing is right, as athletic directors from power conferences need to find revenue sources to make up for the $20 million that will soon go to athletes.

For this you can thank the NCAA, which completely botched the NIL adjustment and caused a huge lawsuit, which in turn led to (some) athletes getting a steady paycheck very quickly.

This is a smart move by Dannen, but it cannot be the end of improvements to Memorial Stadium.

Don’t forget the students.

Nebraska students need their own section. A better section. A section where they can be heard and have an impact on the game.

There is a student section – including a spot for the Nebraska marching band – in the east stands. That’s where chair rails and their price tags will likely appear.

This just arrived: most students are not yet ready to become donors.

I’ve banged this drum before and I’ll do it again: You better take care of tomorrow’s donors today. Don’t give them a reason to stay home. Give them a reason to go to the games and keep coming.

Winning does that. Winning a lot takes care of many things.

But treat the students like they are important – they are – with a section close to the field where they can create an illegal procedure or miss a field goal on the part of Colorado or Wisconsin.

South Stadium seems like a good place for all the students to hang out, with all the cool “amenities”, etc. Go around the Big Ten – Ohio State and Wisconsin come to mind – and you’ll see the crazies in the end zone having a good time have time and a big impact.

Let’s not forget South Stadium, period. After this season it won’t happen anymore. But it is in desperate need of an upgrade, from the ramps and toilets to the interior structure itself. Take some of that Big Ten money and create an escalator for the loyal fans who have been climbing those ramps and stairs for years.

I’m partial to those Husker fans. My wife grew up going to the Nebraska games while her father walked to row 96 in Section 16A. I’ve been there a few times. It’s not an easy walk.

But the view is spectacular. Those are still good seats.

Memorial Stadium is a gem. Are us gemstone. It always needs to be revised and upgraded. You won’t get a new stadium. This is the one we have. Let’s take care of it.

Dannen appears to have a good feeling and plan for that.

Just don’t forget the little people who grow up to be big people.