Snow Gopher

With lots of snow in Minnesota, Goldy couldn't wait to go out and make a Snow Angel just as soon as he finished shoveling all the snow. He made about 80 so far and is starting to get cold and tired. Here is one of the better Snow Angels he made. The only thing more fun than making Snow Angels is ice skating, sledding, and catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Actually Leading the Band

Here is Goldy the Gopher really and actually getting ready to lead the University of Minnesota Marching Band in the Minnesota Rouser. The Gophers played in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas in December of 2003. They played the Oregon Ducks and won, 31 to 30 if I remember correctly. This was the night before the game at one of the fan rally events. What an honor for Goldy!

Leader of the Band

It was a great Marching Band Concert in Rochester last night. The Taylor Arena of Mayo Civic Center had more people than I have seen at a Marching Band Concert yet! The age range was from about 6 months old to probably 86 years old. There was a long line of people waiting to get in before the doors even opened. Keeping the crowd amused and amazed before the concert was the star (some would claim), Goldy Gopher. Here in this photo we see a talented and subdued Goldy directing the band. Granted, the band had not actually come in yet, but Goldy still enjoyed himself and the crowd enjoyed the humor of the moment.

Goldy was in fine form tonight. He looks like he has lost a little weight since last time the Marching Band visited Rochester. He is paying more attention to his appearance, making a bold fashion statement with a pleasing maroon and gold uniform and a sweat band on his forehead. And of course, not to worry, he did spin his head to the delight of everyone there, but especially the kids.

Sponsors of the concert tonight were Associated Banks, Charter Communications, Davies Printing, Mayo Civic Center, McDonalds, U of M Alumni, and University of Minnesota Rochester. Cold Stone Creamery supplied buckets for donations for people wishing to donate to band scholarships as they left the arena. I hope I haven't forgotten anyone since the concert was free to attend, thanks to these sponsors. Also, not to be forgotten is Mayor Ardell Brede, who keeps calling the Marching Band and inviting them to come play in Rochester.

It was a wonderful concert. The music was great, of course. But also enjoyable was watching the enthusiasm of the members of the band. When they were playing, they were moving. You'd think the tubas weighed as little as the flutes for all the swinging and rocking going on.

I think it must be Goldy Gopher who inspires them to such great, ummm ... greatness.

Marching to Rochester

I have it on good authority that the University of Minnesota Marching Band is heading on down to Rochester for their Indoor Concert. Probably they will go on buses rather than actually march all the way down there. The Concert will be at Mayo Civic Center Taylor Arena on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concert starts at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are FREE and available at all Rochester Area Associated Banks and at University of Minnesota Rochester on 3rd floor.

Perhaps Goldy will even show up there. It seems if there is maroon and gold somewhere, Goldy is sure to be there also.

This Is So Cool

The new Freshman class helps the University of Minnesota Marching Band form a giant "M" on the field of the new TCF Bank Stadium.

Sorry, the link is now out of date (2011), but I will look for it when I have time and put it up here again if I find it.

Go take a look here.

Fans Forever

I couldn't resist snapping a quick photo of these two fans while they were posing for a picture. I don't know them, but I think it is quite clear they are huge fans. Probably they bought these shirts at Goldy's Locker Room, a gift shop to buy any and all things gold and maroon. This was taken at the Open House on October 4 at TCF Bank Stadium. I doubt that I will ever have the chance to be standing on the field close to the goal posts again, so this sort of proves that I was there. It also proves that they were there!

"The Bank"

This photo shows "The Bank" from the 11th floor of an apartment building near the U of M. Until you drive by or visit the stadium, you don't realize how big it is!

There was a nice article in the Strib Sunday by Radhika C. Mohan: Design and planning make 'The Bank' a winner. I would agree. The new TCF Bank Stadium is great. It's very clean, spacious, and should be an asset to the U and to the state of Minnesota.

TCF Bank Stadium

Today was Bank Stadium Tour and University Open House at the University of Minnesota. It started at 1:00 p.m. and was scheduled to go until 4:00 p.m. We got there right on time at 1:00 which was good because there was a long line. It did move along quite quickly,but by the time we left there was a really long line that was moving more slowly. I sure hope everyone got a chance to get inside and go on the tour.

I'll be posting photos (when they will upload) and short posts about the photos. Sometimes the photos won't upload at first, so check back again and you'll probably find the photos in a day or so. The tour was part of the kick-off events for Homecoming 2009. To find out about the Parade, Competitions, Royalty, History and more, click on this University of Minnesota Homecoming link.

New Stadium

The Minnesota Gophers played their first ever game in the new on-campus TCF Bank Stadium tonight. And they won 20-13 in an exciting game. There was a lot of maroon and gold in the stands and lots more enthusiasm. Check out GopherSports.com for everything you could possibly want to know about those wonderful Gophers.

The photo shows a plaque at the TCF Bank Stadium, or "The Bank" as it is also called, commemorating the first game ever played there.

First Photo of Goldy

Here is my first photo of Goldy on this blog. This was taken at the Minnesota State Fair during the Parade in the afternoon. He is surprised and probably even somewhat flattered to see that I have a smaller version of Goldy Gopher with me at the Fair.

In the background you can see the Tuba section of the Marching Band plus coming up right behind Goldy are the saxophones.

Disappearing Blog

My blog was up then it disappeared and now today it is back again. Hopefully it will stay so that I can post my photos of Goldy. Also appearing in these pages will be other University of Minnesota related photos and information.

Goldy the Gopher

Goldy the Gopher is the best mascot. That is not opinion, it is actual fact.