The Gophers announced Thursday that they'll have three spring practice sessions open to the public, including their April 15 spring game at TCF Stadium. The two other open practice sessions are March 28 and April 4.

Many college football programs around the country close all spring practices to the public until their respective spring games.

Former coach Jerry Kill kept all 15 spring practices open to the public during his first four years at Minnesota, and all but two of them were open in his fifth year. Former Gophers coach Tracy Claeys opened seven of 15 spring practices last year.

Under Fleck, the Gophers will hold two closed-door practices next week – Tuesday and Thursday – and then pause for spring break, which runs March 13-17.

Beginning March 21, the Gophers will practice each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They'll hold their 15th and final practice on April 17, two days after the spring game.