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TCF Bank Stadium: Bringing Game day back to Campus. Becky Mohn. History. Northrop Field Memorial Field Metrodome TCF Bank Stadium. Northrop Field 1899-1923. Memorial Stadium 1924-1992. Metrodome 1993-2008. TCF BANK Stadium-2009. TCF Bank Stadium. Proposed in 2000 Completed in 2009
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TCF Bank Stadium: Bringing Game day back to Campus Becky Mohn
History • Northrop Field • Memorial Field • Metrodome • TCF Bank Stadium
TCF Bank Stadium • Proposed in 2000 • Completed in 2009 • Costs $303 Million • Located near University Avenue SE
Tailgating at the U • Metrodome had built in tailgate lots • New research corridor by stadium limited future space for tailgating • Have it from the beginning or not at all • Committee members came from universities with robust game day culture • Football not a priority • Coaches want party atmosphere
Fraternities on University Avenue • Several Fraternities located nearby stadium • 50,000 Fans on game Saturdays • Uncertain about it should look like • Want to attract alumni and families • Tailgate Committee looked to fraternities • Fraternities needed their own plan and the Interfraternal Council (IFC) needed a policy
Stadium Committee • Established to cover all the details surrounding new stadium • Creating an intentional game day experience • Made up of faculty, staff, alumni, students, and Greek students
Research • Tailgating and steering committee • Travelled to different universities • Consulting stakeholders • Student brain storming • Alumni and undergraduate consultation • Push back from neighborhoods
Impact on Strategic Plan • University desire to be a top research institution • Research Corridor • New Fraternity and Sorority Life Strategic Plan released in 2010 • Does not mention stadium or safety • Desire to build community
Decision • Create a welcoming environment on Golden Gopher Game Days • Visibly dry on game day • Fencing • Attract the ‘right’ alumni • Keep guests safe • Conservative Visibly Dry Policy
Costs • Manysecurity costs were left to fraternities • Other departments incurred costs • Fencing each week • Cups • Parking • Alumni events • Recoup losses
Implications • Among largest media markets • Jobs created • Duties shifted • TCF Bank not selling out tickets • Loosening of policies • Large undertaking for facilities, police, and parking
Leadership • Public and internal leadership • Jerry Rinehart, Vice Provost and Dean of Students • Lynn Holleran • Office of Student Affairs • Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life • Presidents of Interfraternal Council and Panhellenic Council • Chapter Leaders • Fab Four
Lessons Learned • Unique opportunities • Planning takes a long time • Communication • Student lead decisions • Intentionality goes a long way