Nov 21, 2008 6:11 pm US/Central
Fans Fear Loss Of Old Traditions In New Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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In the coming months, the public will get a chance to give input into game day traditions.
CBS
Saturday night, the Gopher football team plays its last game in the Metrodome. Next September, they kick off the season outside in the new TCF Bank Stadium on campus.
Many fans are anticipating the pre and post-game activities surrounding the stadium.
But some well-loved traditions from the old Memorial Stadium days may have to change.
It was a fan favorite before every Gopher home game at Memorial Stadium.
"The electricity in the air the band going down singing and everybody singing and partying having a great time, that's my memory of Gopher football," said season ticket holder Spence Peterson.
The band marching down University Avenue, then into the football field. But that may not happen now.
"It proves to be an enormous logistical challenge because of where the parking ramps are and how you access the stadium," said U of M Public Relations Director Dan Wolters.
And with no traffic allowed on Washington Avenue when the light rail is built, University is the main route to the stadium.
Closing it for the band may be impossible.
"The band not being there, we're going to miss part of the fun of the enthusiasm," said U of M Alumni Chester Wolf.
"That's the whole college experience. If they don't allow that to happen, I think that's a huge mistake," said Peterson.
It's just one issue being discussed by a stadium advisory committee. Another is tailgating.
"We're just trying to figure out how that works. There's not a lot of open-surface parking lots right near the stadium, so that proves a bit of a challenge," said Wolters.
Grassy lawn spaces like the one near the alumni center could be designated as a party spot.
Northrop Mall may become a kid-friendly area where families can gather alcohol free.
The committee is also considering a plan to give those with the most Gopher points the closest parking spots.
The game day campus experience is still a work in process.
In the coming months, the public will get a chance to give input into game day traditions.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Mike Max's News & Notes
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