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3/24/2006 12:00 PMThrough the ups and downs of the stadium debates, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) stands by its initial commitment to the Gopher football stadium. The UMAA contributed $1 million towards the on-campus stadium, along with $500,000 in scholarships that was in turn matched by the University and resulted in a $1 million contribution toward the University scholarships. The first to publicly take a position to bring Gopher football back to campus, the first to financially contribute to the on-campus stadium, the UMAA continues to be a strong leader for this initiative.
At the University of Minnesota Alumni Association national board meeting on March 11, 2006, the key alumni leaders unanimously passed a resolution supporting legislative funding for an on-campus stadium:
“The University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) calls on the Minnesota Legislature to pass a bill in the 2006 session that provides the state’s share of the cost of a new on-campus Gopher football stadium. We call on our legislators to join us in supporting the university’s proposal that 60 percent of the funds be raised by the University and 40 percent contributed by the state. This makes it possible to build community spirit while preserving the University’s focus on academic excellence.
The UMAA made the first contribution to the new stadium -- $1 million in 2003 –and looks forward to a fall 2009 inaugural game. This legislation has broad and deep support among UMAA’s 55,500 members and the 226,000 alumni living in Minnesota. A vote for the stadium is a vote for a great university and for the tens of thousands of Minnesota Gopher fans who will once again enjoy Gopher football where it belongs - on campus.”
The proposed 50,000-seat open-air stadium will be located on the University’s Huron Avenue parking complex and would allow for future expansion to an 80,000-seat stadium if needed. This stadium can be built for $248 million and 60 percent would be funded by the University’s private donations and corporate sponsorships and 40 percent would be funded by the state. TCF Bank has already agreed to pay $35 million for naming rights to the stadium. The stadium would bring the pride and excitement of game day back to campus for students, alumni, faculty, staff and all Gopher fans.