Thursday, June 25, 2009

TCF Bank Stadium will be Dry

After discussions and debating on the University Board of Regents a decision has been reached that this fall when the Gophers celebrate the new TCF Bank Stadium, the celebration will not include alcohol. In a 10-2 vote on Wednesday, the Board of Regents decided to ban alcohol in the stadium.

State lawmakers had given the University the choice to either sell alcohol in all of the stadium or none or it, a decision that put the U in a tough place. They had hoped to sell alcohol in premium select-seats, like the luxury boxes on the upper level. Although these seats only make up 5% of the fans, the revenue would have accounted for half of the money earned on a game day. The Associated Press estimated that the Gophers will loose $1 million a season in revenue because of the ban on booze.

Fans have had mixed reactions to this announcement, with students being on one extreme and alumni who do not appreciate rowdy 21 year-olds on the other. This Gopher Girl wishes a happy medium could have been found but even without the drinks TCF Stadium is going to rock...

Friday, June 19, 2009

Minnesota Wild hire Former Gopher Hockey star Todd Richards

Another cheer for Gopher Hockey. One of our own made it big in the NHL – as the new HEAD COACH of the Minnesota Wild – talk about a hometown dream. Todd Richards was named the new head coach for the NHL Minnesota Wild. Richards grew up in Crystal, Minnesota and played college hockey for my beloved Minnesota Golden Gophers.

I am looking forward to see what Todd Richards can do for the Minnesota Wild team. It already feels good to know that we will have a Gopher behind the bench in the “State of Hockey.”

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Gopher Baseball Player Joins Minnesota Twins

Gophers second baseman Derek McCallum signed with our very own Minnesota Twins. The Twins selected Derek McCallum in the fourth round of last week's Major League Baseball draft.
The Twins did not make a big flashy announcement and McCallum didn't reveal his signing bonus when the press asked him, but it is believed to be more than $200,000 thus ending his Minnesota college career.

Derek McCallum said:

"It was a tough decision, but the situation, with the round, and the Twins, was kind of what I hoped for. I had an awesome three years at the U. What an experience, a great coaching staff, I couldn't have asked for more."

Welcome to the Majors Derek McCallum, Welcome to living out the dream with the Minnesota Twins – hope to see you at Target Field in the future.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Eric Decker Eric Decker Eric Decker

It seems Eric Decker is all over the place these days! He got drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the MLB Entry draft this week (which is a mute point since he has NFL dreams) and he did a big Q&A interview with the Star Tribune. Here are some snippets. (my comments in parenthesis)

Q. Do you know at this point where your professional future lies (or where your personal hot bod will lie/lay)?

A. I don't. But my consistent message has been that I want to come back and play football in the fall (duh, new on-campus stadium is going to be magical), and have a summer to work out and prepare for the football season. After that, we'll see where my options lie (I wish they would stop saying lie) and which path I want to take.

Q. Will you play another season with the Gophers baseball team next spring (if he plays, I am pretty sure the Gophers will win the Big Ten next year)?

A. It's a possibility, but I don't know how likely it is. It's always there. After the football season we'll see what my options are (he must have other hopes).

Q. That sounds like if you have the type of football season you want, you'll be at the NFL combine, preparing for the draft (oh, Decker in purple sounds delicious)?

A. That's a possibility. But like I said, I'm keeping my options open (pick Gopher Gal, pick Gopher Gal!).

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Williams Arena Floor FOR SALE

I just read this on the Gophers web site:

Williams Arena Floor - "Own a Piece of History"
For the first time since 1928, the original floor at Williams Arena is being replaced and Golden Gopher basketball fans will have the opportunity to purchase a piece of that history.
FULL details will follow within the next two weeks. Three different sized pieces will be available ranging in price from $45.00, $99.00 and $250.00.
Photos and descriptions of the three pieces will also be available soon. Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball versions of the Williams Arena floor will be available.
A PERFECT Father's Day gift!

***I KNEW IT*** I am so happy. I HAVE TO get a piece of that floor!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Gopher Gal misses Gopher Football

Oh geez – I missed last week on my Gophers blog, but I didn’t have any breaking news that I felt the need to express. Sorry loyal Gopher blog readers!


I miss Gopher Football! The only recent Gopher Football news that I deem remotely important is that the Big Ten Conference has announced kickoff times for a few of the 2009 Gopher Football games including:


Minnesota’s home opener against Air Force Falcons on September 12 will kick off at 6 p.m. – I don’t love late start times for college football – it just feels wrong, but on opening day I am guessing they are going to squeeze in all kinds of pre-game activities to keep fans at the new stadium from dawn to dusk.

Golden Gophers’ Homecoming contest against Purdue will begin at 11 a.m. on October 10th.

The Gophers Halloween game on October 31st against Michigan State is set to begin at 7 p.m. – what?!?!? Why would they plan a late game on Halloween? They better have some great trick or treating at TCF Bank Stadium! How will I convince my kids to go to or even watch a football game on TV as opposed to collecting candy on one of their favorite nights of the year??!?

What would you like to see more of on this blog?