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TCF Bank Stadium
'This is the Taj Mahal'
They turned left and headed down the ramp toward the field.
The first sight was the enormous scoreboard more than a football field away. Then, in succession: the bright green field with maroon end zones; the stands rising up on either side. Then, to the west, the University of Minnesota campus and downtown Minneapolis.
Ezell Jones, John Williams and Jim Carter walked slowly, craning their necks, taking in the University of Minnesota's brand-new TCF Bank Stadium from the ground floor. They were not shocked. But awe?
"Fantastic," Jones said.
"Beautiful," Carter murmured.
"Really, really something," Williams said, moments after executing a three-point stance on the brightly-dyed FieldTurf surface.
These folks are not easily impressed.
Read more...
This one's for U
When university officials brainstormed about what its new stadium should look like, a vision emerged: A mix of past and future, a look evoking a traditional college setting, a homage to its home state. They succeeded on all counts.
More from this series:
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Demand to expand
The popularity of Big Ten football is reflected in the stadiums around the conference, including three that seat more than 100,000. -
Weather watchers
The Gophers have turned into amateur meteorologists, studying how conditions affect play in their new stadium. -
There's more than football in the new stadium's future
From the marching band to intramural sports to graduation ceremonies, TCF Bank Stadium will be used on days other than Saturdays. -
Not that bad
Temperature at kickoff time for 2008 home games: -
Sid Hartman: If Gophers don't win games, stadium will lose its luster
Fans will come when the place is new. But unless the team can succeed on the field, the building won't be enough to draw crowds down the road. -
Even the rivals like the U's new home
Though they've yet to see TCF Bank Stadium in person, players and coaches in the Big Ten offered a big thumbs-up to the venue change. -
Bundle up
Here are five Gophers games at Memorial Stadium greatly influenced by the weather: -
Home Sweet Home
HOME SWEET HOME -
12 Gophers games to remember
Built: 1924 • In use: 1924-1981 • Record at Memorial: 226-91-14 • Overall record (home and away): 300-212-25 • Big Ten record at Memorial: 128-62-11 -
A timeline for TCF Bank Stadium
A TIMELINE FOR TCF BANK STADIUM -
Suds and grub, for starters hed
Dinkytown and Stadium Village are the places to be for football fans to wet their whistle before Gophers games. A guide to eating and drinking on game day. -
It's showtime
There will be plenty of pomp to go along with the circumstance when the Gophers christen their new football home. From an F-16 flyover, to tailgating galore, to the team's victory walk, college football pageantry will be on display. -
Stadium will lift U revenue, but booze ban cuts the gain
The U expected an annual revenue boost of $2.5 million from TCF Bank Stadium. However, going alcohol-free could trim $1 million from the total. -
Weather, or not
The Gophers are singing the praises of how TCF Bank Stadium will help recruiting, just as the program did with its 1982 move indoors. The reality: Minnesota weather still is in play. -
Sid Hartman: If Gophers don't win games, stadium will lose its luster
Fans will come when the place is new. But unless the team can succeed on the field, the building won't be enough to draw crowds down the road. -
So, you want to tailgate?
Opportunities will be very limited for those without a season parking pass in a university lot designated for tailgating. -
TCF Bank Stadium concession menu
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