Adam Thielen, Glen Taylor boost Minnesota State Mankato’s $60M stadium complex plan

Big names are backing Minnesota State University, Mankato’s campaign for a $60 million project to replace its aging Blakeslee Stadium, the grass field where the Vikings held training camp for five decades.

The school has already raised $30 million for the new stadium complex, which includes a residence hall and other amenities. Administrators hope to raise the rest from alumni and businesses over the next two years, university President Edward Inch said.

Billionaire Glen Taylor and another Minnesota State, Mankato alum, Vikings star Adam Thielen, are listed as major donors.

While football and soccer games will be played at the stadium, the university also plans to host concerts there.

The proposed complex would include a residence hall and a plaza for a farmers market, as well as a renovated track and field facility and walking trails, Inch said.

“This is a place where students will thrive, families will gather, and a region will grow stronger together,” Inch said as he announced the project Wednesday.

The announcement comes as Minnesota State Mankato and higher education institutions across the country struggle financially. In August, Mankato administrators rankled some faculty and students by announcing cuts to academic programs, including a plan to lay off seven tenured professors.

“Thirty million dollars could give our professors the job security they need, our students the programs they paid for and our community the campus it deserves,” said Mankato senior Cole Koets, 22.

“A new stadium, at this challenging time for staff and students, is almost ludicrously insulting to suggest.”

The aging Blakeslee Stadium has steep steps and lacks handicap-accessible bathrooms, and the new complex is something the university has long wanted.

In recognition of lead financial support from Taylor and his wife, the venue will be named the Becky and Glen Taylor Community Stadium, and the playing surface called the Taylor Family Field, the university said in a statement.

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The stadium’s front gate will be named for the Thielen Foundation. Thielen, who founded the organization with his wife, Caitlin, rose from a Division II standout at the university to become an NFL all-pro wide receiver.

The stadium’s secondary entrance will be named for Mankato-based ISG, which previously worked on a redesign of the university’s hockey training facility and upgrades to the women’s soccer field and stadium.

The university expects to break ground in late fall 2027 on the first phase of the project, which has been dubbed “Future State.” The school aims to open the stadium in 2029.

Plans call for a 6,500-seat venue for the school’s football and soccer teams, with the capacity to expand to 12,000 for concerts and other events.

The university hopes a renovated track and field facility would allow it to host high-level collegiate conference and NCAA championship meets, as well as bid for the Minnesota State High School League track and field championships. The renovations would include permanent seating for 3,000.

Replacing the football stadium has been seen as a lower priority than projects at other campuses, Mankato-area state Sen. Nick Frentz said Wednesday.

“The difference between this project and previous efforts is the significant private partnerships that have developed coming together to get this done,” Frentz said. “It’s also a larger scope than previous projects.”

The announcement of the stadium project comes as the university faces financial difficulties.

Minnesota State Mankato has been cutting courses, raising tuition, eliminating some off-site locations and offering early retirements.

While the current budget is “balanced” with these cuts, the university still faces costs such as inflation and benefits outpacing state funding, said David Hood, university provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Inch said in a statement that the stadium project will generate new revenue streams and increase the school’s visibility.

“The proposed $60 million project is being funded entirely through private donations, and none of those dollars could have been redirected to academic programs or operational budgets,” he said.

A consulting firm cited by the university estimates the project will bring in $28 million over the next 30 years. But economists and other critics say consultant studies on stadium projects often overestimate the true financial impact and can include money that would likely already be spent in the community.

Minnesota State Mankato’s football team is ranked 14th in national Division II polling. The Mavericks have made 10 trips to the NCAA tournament under head coach Todd Hoffner and have reached the national semifinals five times. They advanced to the championship game in 2014 and 2019.