The Indian Center's board of directors permanently banned alcohol on its grounds Monday night after a wild football tailgate party in September ended in more than a dozen arrests and sparked outrage.
The 4-3 decision comes one month after a near riot before the Sept. 20 Nebraska-Miami football game.
In their discussion Monday, board members weighed the nonprofit center's already tight finances against its reputation and native values.
Football game parking on the grounds at 1100 Military Road brought in more than $68,000 in revenue last season.
"As native people, I don't think we're supposed to be drinking around the powwow grounds and the fireplace," board member Georgiana Lee said.
"I don't think that that's right -- period."
Board member-elect Gerald Pond agreed.
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"There is no Indian tribe in this nation that promotes alcohol use and abuse," Pond said.
"None."
Board member Wayne Svoboda, who voted against the ban, decried the actions of the tailgaters from that day.
"The irresponsible actions of a group of drunken, mostly white people, will result in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars that would have benefited the Native American community," Svoboda, who is white, said just before the vote.
Svoboda had earlier proposed the center allow alcohol but crack down on walk-ins.
The center had previously charged $5 for guests to walk in to the tailgate area, and board members said Monday they knew many of those walk-ins were minors tailgating at the center because it was a "safe haven."
Svoboda also suggested the Indian Center beef up its security, expanding from two uniformed officers to as many as 10, in addition to center staff patrolling the grounds.
Lincoln police officers issued 27 tickets that day for violations ranging from minors in possession to assault on a police officer after partiers hurled beer cans and bottles at three buses before kicking, denting and rocking them.
In response, the Indian Center banned drugs and alcohol and prohibited walk-ins in the tailgate area for the Illinois game on Sept. 27.
That day, the Indian Center saw its parking profits dip from the usual $10,000 per game to just over $1,500, officials said.
"We may never get up to 700 to 800 cars again," board member Myron Long Soldier said.
Center officials are trying to build a new, $12 million, 46,000-square-foot building and renovate the current headquarters.
Nebraska's home football game Saturday morning against Rutgers will be the second test of an alcohol-free tailgate area.
"Our reputation is on the line," board treasurer Kim Kuhle said.
Last week, the board held a public forum at which all 11 people who showed up said they opposed the center continuing to allow alcohol on its grounds during football tailgates.
Citing the response to the forum, board members like Earl Pilcher Jr., expressed concern that fundraising efforts to replace the expected drop in future parking revenue may fall flat.
Several worried that flea markets or Indian taco sales wouldn't draw enough people to be financially worthwhile.
The board plans to discuss funding issues at its November meeting.
Right before the vote, Indian Center Executive Director Clyde Tyndall offered reassurance.
"We'll make it," Tyndall said. "That's all I can tell ya. We'll make it somehow."