The quickly mustered brigade dispatched to help clear snow from TCF Bank Stadium's stands ahead of Saturday's Minnesota Gophers football game vs. Ohio State was so efficient Thursday that the remaining scheduled shifts were canceled.
Shoveling began Wednesday after the Monday-Tuesday snowfall and was intended to last until Friday, but U football spokesman Paul Rovnak declared mission accomplished as of Thursday afternoon.
The U had put a call out for shovelers, offering them $10 per hour. Seems the call was answered with quality as well as quantity.
Now that the open-air stadium is snow-free, the U is turning its attention to keeping the fans as comfortable as possible in what is forecast to be subfreezing conditions.
Fans arriving at the stadium will receive hand warmers, Rovnak said. Also, the concession stands are being well stocked with warm drinks and heaters will be placed at student tailgate lots, he added.
Rovnak cautioned fans that security concerns require that all blankets, hats and gloves being brought in must be carried and not packed away in already prohibited bags or backpacks. Fans cannot bring hot beverages, beverage containers, chair backs or umbrellas, he added.
Paul Walsh
