University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Parents Fund and Build "The Gopher Family Grill"
10/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 19, 2011
Since head women's soccer coach Mikki Denney Wright took over the program in 2004, she instilled a close nit group between players, coaches, parents, alumni and fans to form what she and many others refer to as the Gopher Soccer Family.
"The Gopher Soccer Family is one of the greatest soccer communities in the country," said head coach Mikki Denney Wright. "Our players and staff understand how lucky we are to have such a supportive group of families surrounding our program."
This passionate group is second to none when it comes to supporting the team and one another, and the Gopher Soccer Family showed its true support when Scott Strahota, father of senior Tamara Strahota, and other Gopher parents and family members took charge in building a covered pavilion on the grounds of Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium. This structure would become known as "The Gopher Family Grill".
After getting the blue prints approved by the University of Minnesota facilities department, Scott didn't waste time getting the job started as he and a number of fellow parents and family members assisted in the construction, which began on August 26 while the team was on their road swing through California.
"The project began as a 6x12-foot cement slab, a built-in grill, and a roof covering an area just big enough to cook and serve food," said Scott Strahota, father of senior captain Tamara. "It soon became a 16-foot gazebo, and then ultimately a pavilion with a 600-square foot paver patio. The final design was influenced by the growing number of tailgate attendees along with the players need for shelter when it rains."
For the entire weekend, the Gopher Soccer Family worked long days leveling the ground, setting bricks and drilling in posts. By the end of the weekend, the only things left to accomplish were to attach a roof and install a permanent grill along with a cement counter top for the structure, which were finished in the weeks to follow.
Since completion, "The Gopher Family Grill" has served as a daily shelter for the team through all weather conditions. The Gopher Soccer family has also put it to good use as they use it for a tailgating area before matches.
"Coach Mikki has a very strong philosophy of building a soccer family here in Minnesota," added Scott Strahota. "It shows in her recruiting efforts, in how the players sign autographs after matches, and in how she includes players' families in the whole experience. As such, we decided to name the pavilion "The Gopher Family Grill" to reflect this theme for all of the current and future members of our soccer family."
"The Gopher Family Grill" was named and dedicated on October 2 following the Golden Gophers' match versus Penn State. The dedication was capped off with a postgame grill out attended by over 100 member of the Gopher Soccer Family.
"This patio project was developed, funded and built completely by our Gopher Soccer Family, and it is an incredible addition to the facility. It is the perfect location for tailgating, but also for our players before training. We are grateful for the gift and for all the Gopher Soccer Family has done for our program."
