Gopher football season ticket holders eager to learn where their seats will be located in TCF Bank Stadium will soon be receiving details of the new Gopher Points system in the mail. The new system for determining seating, recently unveiled by Intercollegiate Athletics, will reward Gopher football season ticket holders for financial generosity, loyalty and their ties to the U, including lifetime membership in the Alumni Association. With the establishment of the new Gopher Points system, Minnesota joins nine other schools in the Big Ten that use a priority points system to determine football seating. Michigan State University is the only school that does not use a priority points system.

Minnesota’s points system is unique in that it awards more points to graduates and letterwinners in all sports than any other point system in the conference. It also rewards academic giving to the University as well as giving to athletics at a greater level than any other Big Ten institution.

The Gopher Points system will be introduced to season ticket holders in a detailed brochure that will be mailed beginning in late May. Along with the brochure, season ticket holders will also receive their current point totals. It is important to note that seat allocations will not be made until after December 31, 2008, the date on which all point totals will be final. Between now and then, season ticket holders will have the opportunity to increase their point totals.

The Gophers will make their official return to campus on September 12, 2009, against the Air Force Academy.

For questions about Gopher Points, contact Gopher Points customer service at 612-624-8080 or go to gopherpoints.umn.edu.