Stadium Blog

The Gophers athletic director since 2002 is now in position to see through his biggest project to date: bringing the school's football team back to campus.

September 22, 2006
StarTribune
Jeff Shelman

The initial to-do list was a daunting one when Joel Maturi was hired as the University of Minnesota athletics director.

The Chisholm native arrived from Miami (Ohio) in the summer of 2002 just in time to oversee the merger of the previously separate and fiercely independent men's and women's departments; he inherited a department that was millions of dollars in debt and on the verge of eliminating three sports teams; and he was going to lead a department that was still negatively impacted by an academic fraud scandal in the men's basketball program.

A little more than four years later, most of those problems have been solved. The separate athletic departments -- groups that didn't always like, or trust, each other -- have become one; the athletic department is fiscally in the black; and there has been only one significant NCAA rules violation, in men's tennis.

In addition, ground will soon be broken on TCF Bank Stadium and the Gophers football team will return to campus in the fall of 2009.

For the full text of this article, go to http://www.startribune.com/512/story/693683.html

Posted by Emily Johnston at 8:25 AM | Permalink

Patriotic visuals suggested for U's future football field

September 21, 2006
Pioneer Press
Kevin McCahill

Eighty-two years ago, in the crisp air of autumn, the University of Minnesota dedicated a new Memorial Stadium to the fallen soldiers of World War I. It was a tribute as well as a campus landmark.

Now, as the school prepares to build a new stadium, a group of veterans wants to make sure this football field also honors Minnesota's veterans. Still in the design process, ideas thrown around for a stadium memorial include rows of flags, plaques dedicated to each of the military branches, an eternal flame and a "walk of honor."

"They gave the ultimate sacrifice. I think we can't forget them," said Stan Kowalski, who served in the Navy in World War II. The state junior vice commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kowalski was a fullback and linebacker on the 1948-49 Gopher teams before going on to a professional wrestling career.

For decades, the Gophers played in Memorial Stadium, which picked up the nickname the "Brick House" for its sturdy brick exterior. But in 1982, the team moved into the Metrodome. Memorial Stadium was demolished in 1992.

Gophers fans were delighted when state lawmakers agreed earlier this year to bring the color and traditions of fall Saturdays back to campus. A $35 million naming-rights deal means the new facility will be called TCF Bank Stadium. The deal was critical to getting the $248 million project approved.

"I've got nothing against TCF, but it's a memorial stadium, too," said the 80-year-old Kowalski.

Campus leaders have been sensitive to the issue, said Linda Thrane, vice president of university relations. A committee of veterans, alumni and school officials has been organized to recommend ways to honor those who served. Kowalski is a member, as is Thrane, who is a co-chair.

"We want (a memorial) to be visible," Thrane said. "We want to create a sense of place for Minnesotans who have served their country. We want to be part of the tradition."

To read the full text of this article, go to http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/15567949.htm

Posted by Emily Johnston at 12:50 PM | Permalink

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (9/8/2006) -- The University of Minnesota is holding an historic Gopher Football Relay on Saturday, Sept. 30, to celebrate Gopher football's return to campus in fall 2009.

"An on-campus Gopher football stadium is now becoming a reality and we want our friends and fans to celebrate with us by bringing Gopher football back to campus - literally," said U of M athletics director Joel Maturi.

Hundreds of U of M supporters will bring football back to campus by relaying a football from the Metrodome, through the university campus and to the future site of TCF Bank Stadium at the corner of Oak Street S.E. and Fourth Street S.E., Minneapolis. Official "ball carriers" will be assigned a location along the route where they will receive a hand off from another ball carrier, walk it a short distance and give it to the next carrier. The relay will begin at 12:30 p.m. and be followed by a stadium groundbreaking celebration at 2 p.m. Afterward, shuttle buses to the Metrodome will be available for fans who plan to attend the Gopher game against Michigan.

The public is encouraged to wear maroon and gold and to bring their spirit and Gopher pride to cheer on the celebrity ball carriers as they make their way to the stadium site. The event will take place rain or shine.

TCF Bank Stadium will have an open-air horseshoe design with a capacity of 50,000, including general seats as well as an array of club and suite seats. The stadium will complement the campus environment, have a collegiate look and feel, create two landscaped plazas and accommodate other uses. The design allows for maximum flexibility, including potential expansion to 80,000 seats.

The stadium cost is estimated at $248 million, which includes site preparation, district improvements and the stadium itself, with funding coming from private and corporate contributions, as well from the state of Minnesota.

For more information on the new on-campus Gopher football stadium, see www.umn.edu/stadium.

Posted by Amy Reasoner at 10:51 AM | Permalink