TCF BANK STADIUM: BRINGING GAME DAY BACK TO CAMPUS
B E C KY M O H N
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• 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
FRATERNITY ROW
FRATERNITY ROW
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
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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• Many security costs were left to fraternities• Other departments incurred costs • Fencing each week• Cups• Parking• Alumni events• Recoup losses
COSTS
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
Questions?
Rah!