End of a fantastic week in Minneapolis
Waiting for flight home so thought I'd write a few words to sum up what has been a holiday of a lifetime. Not sure the best way to do it as so much I could write but here goes...
10 Things I have learnt about Minnesota (Gophers in particular)
1. Gophers fans are just the best. The atmosphere at the game was exhilarating; we sat quite low down and close to the student section (section 138) and the place was rocking. We have been made to feel so welcome during the visit by everyone we have met. If we were members of the Royal family we wouldn't have felt any more special that you have made us feel. Massive thanks to Gopherlady for letting us join her tailgate, to Vic for accompanying us to the High School game last, to all the fans and members of staff, in whatever capacity, that took time to talk to us and especially to the Gopherholers for all their kind words and advice.
2. Our team is improving. I can only make a direct (live) comparison between the UNLV road game last year and the home game this but IMHO there were good signs. Last year I thought the offense was nervy all game - this year I thought we settled down just before halftime and did what we needed to do in the second half. I think Big Shed is a nailed on day one draft pick and was impressed with new additions on defense (thought Wilson and Murray had v.solid games). I think our secondary will keep us in with a chance in most games we play this season. If the kicking can be more consistent, special teams play can be really strong. Overall I feel there is now more big play potential across the team and this will help us to find ways to win games that last year we would have lost.
3. The Twin cities is a fantastic place to visit. We enjoyed our cruise down the Mississippi and walk around Minnehaha falls. We engaged in some local customs (Jucy Lucy's are really tasty) and visited some great places to eat (Al's and really enjoyed Buffalo Wild Wings near stadium too). We did a stadium tour at the Metrodome and visited Mall of America.
4. Baseball is perhaps an acquired taste if you don't know what is going on. I enjoyed our visit to watch the Twins - very impressed with Target field. Compared to the Gopher Football game though, the atmosphere wasn't the same and for two clueless Englishmen we were left thinking, " for goodness sake, swing for those strikes" when the Twins were batting. Undoubtedly it is a case of easier said than done and I imagine the pitches are either super fast or move a lot in the air. Just got a bit frustrated with lack of hits I suppose. Baseball fans, please don't take this personally, I am not a great fan of Cricket either - I just prefer contact sports.
5. America invests a lot (and quite rightly too) in youth sports. I thought the facilities at the U were superb (although I recognise there is a desire for them to be even better) and was very impressed with the high profile nature of the High School game I attended (DeLaSalle). I really hope our British Government can learn from your example. Without going off on too much of a rant, I work in education and know, even in a recession, how much money our Government wastes on ineffective strategies to engage disaffected young people. If we viewed and invested in the diverity of school sports like you do we would make many of our young people feel so much more valued by their communities.
6. Crazy Golf can be dangerous. Someone posted on here my tweet about my son hitting his shot at MofA off a pipe and over the balcony on the 4th floor. I was so nervous looking over the edge and was sure I was going to see a poor old granny laid unconscious on the floor or something. Thankfully all turned out well as the ball just bounced off some visiting Iowa fans (it didn't hit anyone!)
7. The Gopher media teams work really hard. As a novice fan I am a bit self conscious about the attention but since posting on Gopherhole I have had a fair bit of contact from the media teams interested in my visit. Although I personally don't think my story is that special and you regular diehards deserve much more credit than I ever will, I agreed to do whatever I could to help. My reasoning for this is based around the fact that all fans do what they can to help the program. I'm not there as often as I should be to scream and shout on opponents third downs but if my story can raise a bit of publicity or even (ultimate dream) appeal to a potential recruit in some small way (ie Gophers have international fan base) then I'm doing my bit. The Gophersports team followed us around on Gameday with a camera and I got an insight into the long hours they and the Gopher Report team put in. Top blokes and thank you for arranging our tour around the Bierman building.
8. There are more international Gopher fans out there! Noticed zinc's post yesterday about visiting for the Nebraska game and went on the NFLUK college football forum before I posted here, another half dozen at least already present. Planning a few things and open to ideas on how us 'Global Gophers' could link up a bit more. Ideas hatching...
9. The best time to flip a commitment is on an official visit. One week ago my son was an Oregon Ducks fan. He is now sat next to me in Maroon wearing a 'Jerrysota' tee shirt!
10. We need to come back. If I didn't have Gold fever already I have certainly got it now. On the cultural side of things, we played it very safe, only walking or using light rail - sticking to campus and downtown areas mostly. Next year (for home opener) I will try and bring wife and daughter also and hopefully spend the first part of the week on a lake. In terms of the football, absolutely brilliant, superb, magnificent experience...I have 12 months to perfect my rouser.
Thank you all again for such a wonderful time.
SkiUMah
