Greetings,

Thanks to your help, an on campus Gopher football stadium is now becoming a reality and we want you to celebrate with us by bringing Gopher football back to campus – literally!

As one of our most active advocates, the University of Minnesota invites you to be a part of a historic Gopher Football Relay on Saturday, September 30, 2006 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Hundreds of U of M supporters will bring football back to campus by handing off a football from the Metrodome, through the University campus and to the future site of TCF Bank Stadium^TM.  As an official “Ball Carrier”, you will be assigned a location along the route where you will receive the ball from another ball carrier, walk it a short distance, and hand it off to the next carrier. You will then have the opportunity to follow the procession to the site of the future TCF Bank Stadium for a groundbreaking celebration to begin immediately after the relay.

This historic groundbreaking celebration will take place at the site of the new home of Gopher football – the Gopher parking lot on Oak St and 4^th St. The groundbreaking will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will include a performance by the University of Minnesota Marching Band and appearances by the University of Minnesota Spirit Squad and Goldy Gopher. Join us for all the fun and festivities!

This is an invitation-only opportunity to be a Ball Carrier and space is limited to the FIRST 150 PEOPLE TO RESPOND!  Reserve your opportunity to help bring Gopher football back to campus! Please RSVP by September 20^th to Emily Johnston at (612) 625-8739 or john5091@umn.edu. Upon reserving your place you will receive more details including registration, location, and schedule information. Only those who RSVP will be able to participate in the Football Relay. The groundbreaking celebration is open to the public.

Be a part of history and join us on Saturday, September 30^th! Go Gophers!