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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Gophers Host Youth Day at The Bank
4/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
It was a busy day at TCF Bank Stadium for the Golden Gophers. Following an intense, nearly two-hour scrimmage Saturday afternoon, the Gopher coaches and players turned right around and hosted the Second Annual Brew's Crew Youth Day.
More than 500 kids from grades two through eight were in attendance. The event is just another example of the commitment to young people of head coach Tim Brewster and everyone involved in his program.
"How exciting is this?" Brewster said standing on the field at TCF Bank Stadium, surrounded by children taking part in drills with his team. "To have 500 young kids, boys and girls from the Twin Cities out here in TCF Bank Stadium on a beautiful afternoon is just a lot of fun. It brings a great deal of pleasure to me to see the fun that they're having."
Attendees at Brew's Crew Youth Day were treated to a tour of TCF Bank Stadium. Then, following the Gophers' practice session, they were invited on to the FieldTurf surface of The Bank for individual instruction from the Gopher players. After going through a circuit of stations, which covered virtually every facet of football, the youngsters had a few minutes to seek out autographs from their favorite Gopher players and coaches. Finally, they heard a message from Coach Brewster to wrap up the day.
Minnesota players always enjoy spending time with children. In fact, it means so much for senior quarterback Adam Weber that he signed nearly every last autograph that he could. Coaches, stadium security personnel and other Gopher administrators repeatedly reminded Weber that the autograph session was coming to a close. He had every excuse to stop signing and head back to the locker room, but he continued to sign anyway.
"I remember when I was a kid coming up here for Gopher practices," Weber said. "It's a neat opportunity to have and it's something I don't take lightly. It's just a pleasure."
Gopher running back Duane Bennett had a huge smile on his face, after working with the youngsters.
"This is great motivation," Bennett said. "You realize that your role in society is bigger than what it might appear. Kids look up to you. So just to have a chance to give back and see the kids come out and be amongst the players, I just think it's a great thing."
-Andy Seeley
