While fans won’t be able to consume alcoholic beverages at Gophers games in TCF Bank Stadium, there are nearby options. In addition to Stadium Village bars, the public is welcome at the McNamara Alumni Center where starting three hours before game time free admission entitles fans to buy food and beverages. More at https://www.minnesotaalumni.org/s/1118/content.aspx?sid=1118&gid=1&pgid=719&cid=1846&ecid=1846&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=885.
In designated surface lots, the University is allowing tailgating before and after games. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted, according to https://stadium.gophersports.com/prk_tailgating.html.
Official kickoff time for the historic TCF Bank Stadium opener on Saturday is 6:02 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. at the stadium’s student entrance.
During the pre-game ceremonies, the Air Force Falcon and a bald eagle from the University of Minnesota Raptor Center will be on the field. As Air Force takes the field, a video tribute honoring the U.S. armed forces and featuring the Air Force, will be seen on the video boards. Following the National Anthem, four F-16 fighter jets will perform a fly-over.
Nine Gopher legends will serve as honorary captains, while former head coach Murray Warmath, 96, will be the honorary coach. The honorary captains: Bernie Bierman (represented by James Bierman); Bobby Bell; Billy Bye (represented by Julianne Bye); Paul Giel (represented by Paul Giel Jr.); Bud Grant; Bob McNamara; Bronko Nagurski (represented by a family member); Bruce Smith (represented by son Bruce Smith); and Sandy Stephens (represented by Ray Stephens). Also, legendary Minnesota broadcaster Ray Christensen will call the first Gopher offensive series of the second half.
More than 400 former Gopher players will be in attendance at Saturday’s game. They will have a picnic at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex from 1 to 3 p.m. They will be on the field prior to the game and honored as the Gophers leave the field following pre-game warm-ups.
Twins general manager Bill Smith said on his KSTP Radio show last Sunday that the team hopes to take batting practice at Target Field this season. The Twins will play exhibition games against St. Louis on April 2 and 3 for their first games in the new stadium.
Smith also said the franchise is “excited” about shortstop Trevor Plouffe’s future but declined to be specific about how he might fit into the team’s plans for next year. Plouffe, a first round draft choice in 2004, has been playing at AAA Rochester where he’s hit .260 and made 26 errors in 118 games. The Twins must make an off-season decision on whether to try to retain 34-year-old free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Vikings coach Brad Childress on whether Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels is going to be his No. 2 quarterback for Sunday’s opener in Cleveland: “We will probably end up declaring that probably an hour and a half before the game.”
The Vikings are promoting kickoff parties tonight (Thursday) at area Buffalo Wild Wings with appearances by team players. Among the locations and players are Chanhassen (Bernard Berrian), Lakeville (E.J. Henderson), Savage (Ben Leber) and Eagan (Tyrell Johnson). All appearances are from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m. there will be a Vikings’ kickoff event at Peavey Plaza downtown that includes live music, free food, and appearances by cheerleaders and team alumni.
Marty Nanne, the son of former North Stars executive Lou Nanne, has been named a part-time scout for the Wild. The younger Nanne has previous scouting experience with the Florida Panthers. He will focus on high school, college and USHL games.
Eden Prairie’s Chad Rau signed an amateur tryout contract with the Wild last week when he became a late addition to the team’s roster for the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan this week. Rau is the only Minnesotan on the team and the Wild will retain his NHL rights until October 1.
The Wild will partially open its first two days of training camp to the public. Fans can attend free scrimmages on Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center.
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