When I was a graduate assistant, my office overlooked Memorial Stadium. Having the stadium back on campus has the potential to create a much stronger connection for students to the University and its emotional importance - the way I used to feel when I looked out my window in Cooke Hall.
Dr. Thomas P. Jandris, Ph.D. '78

As a band alumnus, this was everyone's dream that finally is becoming a reality. I can't wait for the opportunity to watch the band march where they belong and have a space of their own. It was a proud tradition that was taken away from campus for many reasons and everyone should always remember that traditions are bigger than we ever will be.
Rachelle Price, B.S. '07

I look forward to the exciting feeling of total immersion in the entire game day experience that I used to feel as a student attending games at Memorial Stadium. The Metrodome was OK but it never felt like home to me.
Jeff Andrews, B.S. '65

I am astonished at the waste of money and the lack of foresight shown back in the 80's when there was a football stadium on campus. I would also like to see the seats sold for what they are worth. Take the entire cost of the stadium and divide it by the number of games a year multiplied by the number of seats in the stadium. What is this number? $1000 a seat per game? All that money and the state of Minnesota doesn't even want to "play together" with the pro team. Athletics just leads to a bunch of whiners. I must say this is one issue that has detracted from the pride I have in the U of MN.
Matt Evans, B.S. '89

I'm very excited about Golden Gopher football returning to campus where it rightfully belongs. I recall many joyous Saturday afternoons at Memorial Stadium basking in the sunny fall weather as our Gophers gave their all for the Maroon and Gold. The Golden Gopher band marching into the stadium, tail-gating with friends before the game, basking in the crisp fall air, viewing Frat houses on Homecoming, these memories are still very fresh in my mind even though I graduated 40 years ago! The "Brick House," the Band, and the bonding with fellow alumni and students -- priceless! I am looking forward to rekindling vivid memories of past Golden Gopher Gridiron Greatness this fall as our team rightfully returns to campus to continue its legacy. Go Golden Gophers!
Greg Moon, B.A. '69, MBA '72, M.Ed. '00

The return of Gopher football to campus is very important to me. It will impact the university and alumni community in ways that we will only be able to appreciate after the move happens.
Dan Lugo, J.D. '94

College sports should always be on campus. Moving to the dome and abandoning Memorial Stadium was extremely short sighted and I felt so at the time. Moving forward, I hope an on-campus stadium will improve the support for the team and help propel the team to a higher level of performance.
jthompson@bioenergy.com
Jeff Thompson, M.S. '78, MBA '03

About time! My wife is a (Michigan State) Spartan and going to their home games is a great experience!
Michael C. Anderson, B.A. '73

I liked the dome. I think the new stadium is wonderful, but I still think a dome is a good idea. I no longer think it is fun to freeze or get drenched while watching a game.
Dennis Debe, B.S. '74

Always thought they should have refurbished Memorial Stadium. I'm very, very, VERY happy to have a new, on campus stadium. I only regret the name of the stadium. I thought they should have kept the Memorial Stadium name to have a connection with the University's past and those veterans who served from all wars. I don't like a commercial name for it. So, if they wanted to name it and sell the naming rights, they should have insisted the name be non-commercial. I'll be sure to go to games, but will probably not buy season tickets....at least at first.
Thomas Beauchane, BSB '85

There is no better Saturday than one in the fall spent enjoying a day of Gopher football. The return to campus means not just an afternoon spent downtown but a full day to reconnect with alumni, to grow the roots of fraternity that we share as graduates of the University of Minnesota.
William Peterson, B.A. '05

The Metrodome wasn't that far off of campus so this whole 'coming back to campus' seems silly and wasn't a good argument to build the stadium. The money spent could have been helped more by offering scholarships to low-income students. I'm only giving money to my former program at the U since I don't want my money supporting non-essential items such as stadiums.
Michael Hammond, M.A. '04

I hope that Gopher Football returning to campus will inspire future and current generations of U students to have as much pride as I do being affiliated with the University of Minnesota. I cheered for the University of Minnesota throughout my college career, and going to away games I can honestly say there is nothing quite like seeing an entire stadium filled with people wearing their school colors. I can't wait to see the finished stadium, and I can't wait to go to a game and see nothing but the color maroon and color.
Olivia Juntunen, B.M.E '08

I have had no interest Gopher football since it left the old stadium. However, I think the money spent on the new stadium is excessive. The new stadium does not provide students with a college football experience, rather it provides a venue for people with wealth. Students have the least attractive seats, wealthy patrons and corporations can access the amenities of the stadium while students cannot. Other universities like Wisconsin, Penn State, Tennessee, and Michigan have students as their primary focus at the football games. The new U of MN stadium has been built solely for the purpose of generating revenue and keeping an expensive football program from generating too much red ink. Expectations? Absolutely none!
Phil Gerlach, '78

Reinvigorating the University as a community that takes pride in what their campus has to offer. I've heard stories from my older family members that attended games on campus, and when I was attending the U for my undergrad we had to leave campus to go to the dome. I'm so happy to be a returning student completing my Masters and now I will be able to tell my own stories of attending games on campus.
Heidi (Wolf) Mankey, B.S. '00