University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Dedicates Athletics Hall of Fame
9/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota Athletics hosted the grand opening of the T. Denny Sanford Athletics Hall of Fame at TCF Bank Stadium Friday night with a dedication and open house that featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony by Director of Athletics Joel Maturi, University President Robert Bruininks, and the guest of honor himself, T. Denny Sanford.
The occasion marked the completion of construction on the Hall of Fame, which for the first time gives Golden Gopher fans one space dedicated to the history and tradition of University of Minnesota Athletics.
"T. Denny Sanford was instrumental in helping begin our effort to bring football back to campus and tonight we celebrate the final piece of that dream coming together," Maturi said. "T. Denny will appropriately be remembered for his passion for the Gophers, his love of this university, and his generosity that made this wonderful space possible."
Sanford, the largest individual contributor to TCF Bank Stadium, said he was proud to have been able to help make the Hall of Fame possible and was pleased with the job the athletics department did with both the design and construction of the space.
"This is truly a historic day for the University of Minnesota and Gopher Athletics," said Bruininks. "It not only marks the opening of the T. Denny Sanford Hall of Fame, but this is also the final leg of a year-long journey for Gopher fans and for the State of Minnesota. We had this dream to bring Gopher football back to campus, a dream that Denny embraced with enthusiasm. And I want to thank you on behalf of the entire university community for your extraordinary commitment to the university's future."
The Hall of Fame is located on the Southwest corner of TCF Bank Stadium between Goldy's Locker Room and the Stadium Ticket Office. Fans can access the Hall of Fame through the John & Nancy Lindahl Premium Entrance (Benton County). Admission is free.
The Hall of Fame honors the teams, student-athletes and coaches that have made Minnesota's Athletics program one of the nation's best. With more than 5,000-square foot space, the Hall of Fame includes exhibits for all of the 25 Gopher Sports and features dramatic imagery, artifacts and interactive kiosks. Visitors will also hear a soundscape of some of the greatest radio calls from Minnesota's play-by-play voices throughout the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame will be open to the public Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning Sept. 13 and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The Hall of Fame will be closed on Sundays.
During home football games, including this Saturday's opener, the Hall of Fame will be open only to ticketed individuals beginning two hours before kickoff.
T. Denny Sanford Minnesota Athletics Hall of Fame Quick Facts
6,000,000 - Commitment in dollars from philanthropist and 1958 alum T. Denny Sanford toward the construction of TCF Bank Stadium, including funding for the Hall of Fame. It is the largest individual commitment made toward the TCF Bank Stadium project.
1,800,000 - Cost to construct, design and furnish the Hall of Fame in dollars.
5,000+ - The size of the Hall of Fame is more than 5,000 square feet.
150+ - Number of individuals who contributed artifacts to be exhibited in the Hall of Fame.
25 - Gopher sports represented in the Hall of Fame. All 25 current varsity sports have a display.
19 - Glass display cases in the Hall of Fame.
13 - Length of the audio loop soundscape of classic Gopher radio calls played inside the Hall of Fame.
6 - Months of construction to complete the Hall of Fame.
2 - Interactive, searchable kiosks, which include biographical information on all members of the Hall.
HALL OF FAME NOTES
-A wall at the entrance includes "M" Club Hall of Fame inductee plaques representing every member of the hall.
-The Hall of Fame includes a historical timeline of Golden Gopher Athletics on the southeast wall.
-The Hall of Fame includes the original Williams arena center court.
-Completion of construction on the Hall of Fame marks the first time that Golden Gopher fans will have one space dedicated to the history and tradition of University of Minnesota Athletics.
-Admission to the Hall of Fame is free. The Hall of Fame is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The Hall of Fame is also open on football game days to ticketed individuals.
-TCF Bank Stadium was opened prior to the 2009 football season at a cost of $288.5 million.
