TCF Stadium looking in game shape

The Gophers' new football stadium is looking close to game-shape.

By MICHAEL RAND, Star Tribune

Last update: June 18, 2009 - 9:30 AM

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It seems a guy can't fall out of bed these days without taking a tour of a fancy new under-construction Twin Cities stadium. You call it a charmed life, but really it's all about public service. The real fun will be had when the metro area has events in Xcel Energy Center, Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium.

Having already checked out Target Field a couple of months ago, we jumped at the chance to have a look-see at the Gophers football team's new home, which is now less than three months away from Game 1 of many. Here are some observations, updates and information:

• The construction was described as 95 percent done by Garry Bowman, head of athletic communications at the U of M. Frankly, it looked even further along than that. The turf is in. The field lines and end zones are painted. The seats, except for lingering construction dust, look ready to go.

• Recent developments: Equipment used by game officials (yard markers, etc.) was ordered earlier this week; goal posts were installed Friday; furniture for head coach Tim Brewster's office arrived Thursday. Scattered couches and chairs in several areas -- including one large room that will be used solely for entertaining recruits -- still had plastic covering on them from recent deliveries.

• Oohs and aahs: Standing on the field and looking up at the scoreboard/video board was impressive , but the exclamation point is the Gophers locker room. Touted as the largest football locker room -- college or pro -- in the country, it is a sight to behold. From endpoint to endpoint, the football-shaped room is 60 yards long and ringed with gorgeous wood lockers. It will look even better once the flat-screen TVs are installed.

• Sightlines: The view from the 50-yard line at the highest point in the stadium felt pretty close to the field.

• Seating: The maroon seats from end zone to end zone have chair backs. The rest are bench-style. While all games are sold out via season-ticket sales, savvy fans should note a small number of tickets are likely to become available for specific games. Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State are good candidates to not use their full 2,000 tickets allotted to visiting teams.

• What's next? The band is expected to move gear into the stadium around July 4, and football players will start bringing in equipment around July 20. Some early practices and scrimmages will be held on the field. And, of course, the place opens for real Sept. 12 when the Gophers play host to Air Force.

MICHAEL RAND

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