Got my second tour of the TCF Bank Stadium yesterday. Because you can never have too many photos of the place, here's a link to my Facebook photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2755651&id=13912879&l=c7647485a4

Also, here are some tidbits I picked up during our two-hour tour:

- The scoreboard fan was humming like crazy the whole time I was there, trying to keep the thing cool on a hot day. Loud, but will likely go unnoticed once people/music/other noise fill the stadium on game days.
- "National Championships" and "Big Ten Championships" lettering is up on the facade of the upper deck.
- The brick along the facade on the lower level is nearly complete. Pads will cover the brick in the end zones. Unfortunate, but necessary.
- Most of the black gates on the plaza will likely not be open for entry before the game. Fans will be directed to the main gates with stairs leading to the concourse.
- The Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza looks quite nice and they certainly got their $10 worth with very prominent signage/waterfall.
- Goldy's Locker Room will probably open next week.
- The folks in charge of signage/art in the stadium have done a tremendous job. They left no stone unturned in prettying up bare walls. Some examples include: archived newspaper covers in the press box, photos of media in the press box, archived game program covers on the suite level, old and new photos of campus in the indoor club room, signage/photos of all U teams in the concourse, and a walking timeline of Gopher football greats in the concourse.
- The locker room continues to astound. New are photos of notable alumni on the facade above the lockers.
- Work is currently being done on the M Club Room and Training Table room. Look like they'll be done well before Sept. 12.
- Recruiting Room will have jerseys of Gophers in the NFL lining the walls, as well as a brushed aluminum state of Minnesota on the wall.
- There is a timeline (with photos) of all-time Gopher coaches just outside the coaches locker room.
- There is a timeline of Gopher football outside the locker room and recruiting room.
- There are Insignia flat panel TVs EVERYWHERE. Best Buy donated a ton of those things.
- The view from the President's Suite is incredible.
- They will be installing signage along the fencing on the top of the upper deck for Gopher bowl appearances.
- Just about everyone has their own locker room (officials, chain gang, Goldy, spirit squad, etc.).

The relatively big news out of Dinkytown this week is centered on U of M President Bob Bruininks' decision to make the new TCF Bank Stadium a dry venue for all fans during football games. Fans, donors and many others are rightfully fired up over this decision, but the vitriol aimed at Bruininks and Athletic Director Joel Maturi is misguided.

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