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University of Minnesota Athletics
A Big Day For Golden Gopher Football
9/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
On Saturday, Sept. 30, big events will focus on University of Minnesota football -- past, present and future. The ceremonial groundbreaking for the new on-campus football stadium, set to open in the fall of 2009, will take place at 2 p.m. at the stadium site on the corner of Oak and Fourth Streets S.E., Minneapolis. The program will include remarks by U of M President Robert Bruininks, Athletics Director Joel Maturi, head football coach Glen Mason and Back to Campus campaign co-chairs Nancy and John Lindahl, along with appearances by Goldy Gopher and the U of M Spirit Squad.
The groundbreaking will be preceded by another special event designed to symbolize the return of football to campus. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., hundreds of university supporters and celebrities will partake in the Gopher Football Relay and transport a football from the Metrodome, through the U campus, and all the way to the site of the new stadium.
Former Gopher football coach Murray Warmath will kick off the relay outside of the Metrodome’s Gate C on 11th Street, Minneapolis, and other official ball carriers will walk the ball a short distance before handing it off to the next carrier. In the final leg of the relay, Bruininks will carry the football to the future site of TCF Bank Stadium -- just in time for the groundbreaking -- with the Minnesota Marching Band playing the Rouser. The relay will take place rain or shine.
There will be three “watching stations” for the public--on the west end of the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge (outside of Anderson Hall, 257 19th Ave. S.E.), Northrop Mall and the Gateway Plaza outside of the McNamara Alumni Center, Minneapolis.
“Every Minnesotan, from Albert Lea to International Falls and from Winona to Warroad, is encouraged to join us,” says Margaret Sughrue Carlson, CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. “We’re asking people to wear maroon and gold and to cheer on the celebrity ball carriers as they make their way to the stadium site.”
“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,” adds Maturi.
But that’s hardly the end of the football festivities. At 7 p.m. the action returns to the Metrodome when the Golden Gophers host the Michigan Wolverines in the annual battle for the Little Brown Jug. The Gophers are currently in possession of the coveted traveling jug, having upset Michigan in Ann Arbor last year 23-20 in a game for the ages. Before last year, Minnesota had only beaten Michigan twice since 1967 (in 1977 and 1986). The Gophers are hoping to keep the Little Brown Jug for a second straight year for the first time since 1963.
Shuttle buses will be available after the relay to transport fans to the Metrodome who are attending the Minnesota-Michigan game.
The groundbreaking will be preceded by another special event designed to symbolize the return of football to campus. Beginning at 12:30 p.m., hundreds of university supporters and celebrities will partake in the Gopher Football Relay and transport a football from the Metrodome, through the U campus, and all the way to the site of the new stadium.
Former Gopher football coach Murray Warmath will kick off the relay outside of the Metrodome’s Gate C on 11th Street, Minneapolis, and other official ball carriers will walk the ball a short distance before handing it off to the next carrier. In the final leg of the relay, Bruininks will carry the football to the future site of TCF Bank Stadium -- just in time for the groundbreaking -- with the Minnesota Marching Band playing the Rouser. The relay will take place rain or shine.
There will be three “watching stations” for the public--on the west end of the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge (outside of Anderson Hall, 257 19th Ave. S.E.), Northrop Mall and the Gateway Plaza outside of the McNamara Alumni Center, Minneapolis.
“Every Minnesotan, from Albert Lea to International Falls and from Winona to Warroad, is encouraged to join us,” says Margaret Sughrue Carlson, CEO of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. “We’re asking people to wear maroon and gold and to cheer on the celebrity ball carriers as they make their way to the stadium site.”
“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,” adds Maturi.
But that’s hardly the end of the football festivities. At 7 p.m. the action returns to the Metrodome when the Golden Gophers host the Michigan Wolverines in the annual battle for the Little Brown Jug. The Gophers are currently in possession of the coveted traveling jug, having upset Michigan in Ann Arbor last year 23-20 in a game for the ages. Before last year, Minnesota had only beaten Michigan twice since 1967 (in 1977 and 1986). The Gophers are hoping to keep the Little Brown Jug for a second straight year for the first time since 1963.
Shuttle buses will be available after the relay to transport fans to the Metrodome who are attending the Minnesota-Michigan game.
Gopher Football at the Pav
Wednesday, March 11
Film Room: Anthony Smith
Tuesday, March 10
Winter Agility Testing
Wednesday, March 04
Gopher Football at the Barn
Wednesday, February 18