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Hello, I'm University of Minnesota President Bob Bruininks, and it's my great pleasure
to welcome you back to another exciting academic year
on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota.
Along with the state of Minnesota, about 2,500 people helped us build this magnificent
facility, TCF Bank Stadium.
But they did much more; they contributed about 70 million dollars to student scholarships
and academic priorities of the University of Minnesota.
We're bringing Gopher football back to the University
of Minnesota campus where it rightfully belongs.
Let's take a look around.
For the first time in nearly 30 years,
Golden Gopher football is heading back to campus in TCF Bank Stadium.
A facility that is truly, Minnesota's stadium.
"It's Minnesotan, because we remember Memorial Stadium, we have the brick, we have the arches,
we have the horseshoe in the open end and we have what really is Minnesotan."
Athletics Director Joel Maturi will be there with 50,000 other Gopher fans on September 12th,
2009 for the first ever kick off in TCF Bank Stadium.
And while Gopher football will be a big part of what happens on the field,
the new stadium will be home to countless other aspects of campus life.
"Kinesiology classes, intramural and rec sports will use this on a daily basis."
And the students in those classes,
clubs and programs can't wait to get their feet on the turf.
"I'm with the Minnesota LaCrosse, women's lacrosse team,
so I'll be using the stadium for practices."
"As an employee of the Rec Sports, I am going to be managing the day to day sports.
We're gonna be running soccer and flag football here at the stadium."
"My coach, she started crying when she heard that we are gonna be able to practice here.
This is gonna be huge for our club."
Club sports like LaCrosse and intramural sports like soccer and football will be moving
from muddy fields on the outskirts of campus, to one of the best college stadiums in the country.
"We're at Bierman Fields, over on the northern part of campus.
Older fields, no grass, dirt, older venues, so this is a nice change of pace."
Student committees were formed in the years leading up to the stadium's opening to assure
that everyone has a chance to use the facility,
even if they never see a football game from the stands.
"I honestly think that this stadium will change the culture on campus.
More of a community feel, I think more spirit for the University of Minnesota and just pride
that people take in having this great facility and, you know, wearing the maroon and gold."
The stadium will also be home to the Pride of Minnesota, the University's marching band.
For decades, the band had been operating out of the Northrop basement.
Now, they have a 20,000 square foot facility in TCF Bank Stadium.
"And they really are what differentiate professional sports
and collegiate sports, our band.
And we're glad that they can be here housed permanently."
So what if you're not a student, a parent of a student, or a football fan?
That doesn't mean you won't be using TCF Bank Stadium sometime in the near future.
"In 2016, if Chicago were to get the Olympics, there will be Olympic soccer games played here.
And you know what?
We're working on an outdoor hockey game and I know that excites Minnesotans as well.
So a lot of events and activities will take place here at TCF Bank Stadium."
Long before the stadium opened, it was already making an impact as "Minnesota's Stadium."
"Very few people are ever going to be able to say that they were able to build the stadium
and then come and watch their favorite team play."
Tom Wierenga is a plumber who worked on TCF Bank Stadium.
Part of an enormous, almost entirely Minnesota-based work force
that built the new home of the Gophers.
"Most of the companies and the people that worked on the stadium are from the state
of Minnesota and you know, to us that's important."
In tough economic times, the stadium meant work for people like Wierenga.
"I was actually able to buy a house, because I was able to stay employed for the time.
To be honest, I don't know if I'd be able to buy a house.
I don't mean to be that serious, but honest to God, that's it."
The project took place thanks to the hard work of Minnesotans, University officials
and the generosity of Gopher supporters everywhere.
"We've honored and recognized all of the 87 counties that are on the outside
of this building and we did that, because everyone's contributed to it.
We exceeded our goal of raising $86 million and in this challenging time, that's quite a feat
and quite an accomplishment and I'm thankful to, certainly TCF Bank,
thankful to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux, thankful the many veterans and others
and our donors who have made this a reality."
A reality that is "Minnesota's Stadium."
Fall is an exciting time at the University of Minnesota;
it's the beginning of a new academic year.
I've been at the University of Minnesota for forty years, and this feeling never gets old.
Welcome back to the fall semester of the University of Minnesota,
and we all hope to see you cheering the Gophers on to victory in TCF Bank Stadium.