(GopherSports.com) — The University of Minnesota football team will hold its annual Spring Game presented by St. Jude Medical Foundation on Saturday, April 15 at TCF Bank Stadium. The game, which is free to attend, will start at 12 p.m. and is expected to last around two hours.
The Gold, Maroon, Ski-U-Mah and Victory parking lots ($4) will open at 9 a.m. for fans to tailgate. Parking is also available at 9 a.m. in Lot 33, Lot 37, Minnesota, Gateway, Gopher, University Avenue Ramp, Oak Street Ramp and the 4th Street Ramp. Parking in surface lots (excluding Gopher) costs $4, while parking in the Gopher Lot, Oak Street Ramp, and 4th Street Ramp is $6. Parking in the University Avenue Ramp will cost $8.
The free Gopher Fan Zone will open at 10 a.m. on the Gopher Lot Promenade (southeast side of the stadium near Gate E) and will feature complimentary food (while supplies last) courtesy of St. Jude Medical Foundation, live music and a children’s egg hunt at 11 a.m.
Gate A (this will be the only gate used to enter the stadium) will open at 11 a.m. for fans and general admission seating will be available on the North side of the lower bowl (sections 101-129) and in the West Plaza (sections 146-152).
Student-athletes will sign autographs for fans for 30 minutes at the conclusion of the game. The stadium’s bag and wanding policy will be enforced for the spring game, although footballs, helmets and other small autograph items will be permitted. Complimentary posters will also be available for fans to use to collect autographs.
Coach Fleck has also invited fans to bring an oar to the spring game, as he and the football team begin to integrate their Row The Boat mantra into the local community. Fleck asks that fans sign their oar and drop them off at Gate A at TCF Bank Stadium. Donated oars will then be used to make a prominent display surrounding the football team.
Schedule of Events:
9:00 a.m. – Parking lots open. Ski-U-Mah, Victory, Gold and Maroon are available for tailgating
10:00 a.m. – Free Gopher Fan Zone and complimentary food from St. Jude Medical Foundation opens on Gopher Lot Promenade
11:00 a.m. – Egg hunt on Gopher Lot Promenade // Gate A (will be the only gate used) opens to TCF Bank Stadium
12:00 p.m. – Spring Game
2-2:30 p.m. (approximately) – Player autographs
6:30 p.m. – Game airs on delay on Big Ten Network
MNN Sports Director Mike Grimm talked with Gopher star running back Rodney Smith about spring practice:
Rodney Smith scores a touchdown (photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)