highwayman
Knows Less Than Coaching Staff
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2009
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We were honored to attend the Alumni Association reception in Phoenix last night. The alumni were introduced to the new President, Joan T. A. Gabel. Aside from the usual platitudes, I must say I was impressed by her unabashed support for the football program and the sports program in general. She described football as the "gateway" to the University. She said that she has had so many people that walk up to her and say "I can't believe you guys beat Auburn! What a great team you have!" Gabel said it is often followed by "I didn't know you guys were so prominent in anti-rejection drugs," or something directly coming from ads during the games. Coming from an SEC school, she said that she knows that football gets you noticed. The average fan is not an alumni. Sports are how the majority of people connect to a school. As of this spring, the University system will have 600,000 alumni all-time.
She's the real deal.
Also enjoyed John and Nancy Lindahl's introduction of Gabel. Nancy mentioned the football team and the victory over Auburn not once, not twice, not three times, but four times in a five minute presentation. Yes, that's the same John and Nancy Lindahl that paid for that gate that you walk through on Saturday. Her father was a prof at the U and she's been going to games for 70 years.
Finally, we had a 20 minute conversation with Regent Steve Swiggum and his wife. Swiggum was one of the huge driving forces in getting TCF Bank Stadium through the legislature and to the Governor's pen. An honor to meet him.
A great night put on by the Alumni Association.
She's the real deal.
Also enjoyed John and Nancy Lindahl's introduction of Gabel. Nancy mentioned the football team and the victory over Auburn not once, not twice, not three times, but four times in a five minute presentation. Yes, that's the same John and Nancy Lindahl that paid for that gate that you walk through on Saturday. Her father was a prof at the U and she's been going to games for 70 years.
Finally, we had a 20 minute conversation with Regent Steve Swiggum and his wife. Swiggum was one of the huge driving forces in getting TCF Bank Stadium through the legislature and to the Governor's pen. An honor to meet him.
A great night put on by the Alumni Association.
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