The University of Minnesota football team will host F.A.M.I.L.Y. Day on Saturday, Aug. 6, at Huntington Bank Stadium. The popular event is free to the public and coincides with Minnesota’s 2 p.m. open practice at the stadium.
In addition to an open practice, the event will include a Fan Zone in the West Plaza, which will include inflatables, yard games, photo stations and fun for all family members.
Minnesota will also host its annual diaper drive as part of F.A.M.I.L.Y. Day and fans are encouraged to bring disposable diapers and wipes. Those diapers and wipes will then be donated to the Diaper Bank of Minnesota, which provides diapers and wipes to families in need through partner agencies in the Twin Cities.
Fans can bring a six-pack of diapers or a box of 96 diapers, as every diaper donated will help a baby. Fans can also bring diapers that their little ones have grown out of, as the diaper bank will repackage them. One in three Minnesota families struggle to afford enough diapers for their babies. Diapers cost about $1,000 a year for the first three years of a child’s life. Gopher fans have donated more than 100,000 diapers since the team’s annual drive started in 2017.
Fans are also encouraged to bring a decorated oar to F.A.M.I.L.Y. Day. These customized oars will be added to the inside of Huntington Bank Stadium as they adorn the tunnel that connects the Gopher locker room to the field. These inspirational oars are the final images the Gophers see before taking the field and serve as a way to connect the community and state with Gopher football.
Collection of diapers and oars will be located on the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza, which is close to where fans will enter the stadium through Gate E.
Parking is available in nearby daily-fee lots around the stadium. Fans will enter Huntington Bank Stadium through Gate E, which is near the southwest corner near the team shop.
(info and photos courtesy of Gopher Sports)