Last weekend the Golden Gophers christened the new TCF Bank Stadium in their home opener against Air Force and we were there to witness it in all its glory. From the moment we stepped off the campus bus, you could feel the electricity of excited fans teaming through Stadium Village (“now with stadium” as one t-shirt noted). Sure, campus buzzes a bit before and after games at Mariucci and Williams Arena, but it’s the dead of winter and being outside isn’t fun. September 12th was a different story. It was nearly 80 degrees and campus was drenched in a sea of maroon and gold. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before on the U of M capmus. Literally, tens of thousands of fans strolling about campus drinking beer, tailgating and reveling in the joy that is Big Ten football on a Saturday afternoon. Of course, this is a regular occurrence in every other Big Ten college town, but for nearly 30 years Gopher fans were relegated to the sterile and unispired confines of the Metrodome, replete with conditioned air and flourescent lighting. We weren’t at all sad to say goodbye to the Metrodome and hello to fresh air and sunshine.
Gopher fans making their way into TCF Bank Stadium
Veteran's tribute near the entrance
Shot from the endzone
Our third row seats. Nice!
"Gambling is illegal at Bushwood sir, and I never slice"
M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A
The student section was packed and rockin'
That looks like FUN! Nice pictures.