Gophers spring game closed to public while rivals press on.

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Gophers cancel Spring Game again while rivals don't - GopherHole.com

Follow Noel on Twitter –> @N0ELTHOMPSON For the third time in four years, the Minnesota Gophers football spring game will not be open to the public and will be held inside. The game is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. in the Gophers indoor practice facility at the Athletes Village. Along with...
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For the third time in four years, the Minnesota Gophers football spring game will not be open to the public and will be held inside. The game is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. in the Gophers indoor practice facility at the Athletes Village. Along with the game at Huntington Back Stadium, the Gophers were going to have a diaper drive and their annual oar collection. Both of those have been postponed to a later date in training camp. In a statement, head coach P.J. Fleck mentioned ongoing rain, inclement weather, and the scoreboard being under construction as reasons to move the game inside. Fans can watch the game on the Big Ten Network and on the radio.

What is the forecast for the spring game?

As of Thursday, April 20th, the high on Saturday is supposed to be around 40 degrees, with a 21% chance of rain, according to The Weather Channel. It does appear that it will be a little windy, as the forecast says to expect 16mph out of the northwest.

It won't be the most beautiful spring day if Saturday turns out like what is forecasted to be. But you never truly know what you are going to get this time of year in Minnesota. It could snow inches one day and then turn into 80 degrees the next. Even looking at the weather records for April, the record high is 101 degrees, and the record low is negative 22. Both of those records happened in consecutive years, 1979 and 1980.



Minnesota weather is incredibly consistent at being inconsistent. It's not a problem that is simply going to go away anytime soon. The question is whether or not the university or the football program will adapt to it. While other programs are making their spring game into a fan festival, Gopher fans haven't been able to attend three of the last four spring games due to weather and the pandemic. Wisconsin is expecting over 20,000 fans to attend their spring game titled "The Launch" this Saturday. The Badgers will also have discounted concessions along with giveaways for fans. Bucky's locker room will have a clearance sale on the sidewalk outside the stadium. The high in Madison this Saturday is forecasted to be 44 degrees with a 17% chance of rain and 14 mph winds out of the northwest. Pretty similar conditions to Minneapolis. Sure, you can say the excitement of a new coach at Camp Randall is the reason why so many fans will be attending this weekend, but the reality is that the spring game is an opportunity for fans to get involved and buy into the football program. It's also a great opportunity for the program to build its fan base, as the spring game and its festivities are fun and cheap.

Programs across the nation are investing more in their spring games. It's become an event that accomplishes a lot for any program in one day. Players get to play in front of a crowd, fans get an up-close look at the upcoming team, the public gets involved in causes the team supports, it can be an effective or unique way to recruit, and it can be a fun family event that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It really is a bummer that Minnesota decided to move their spring game inside and close it to the public. It's time for the program to get creative and figure out how to create a great "Spring Game Day" atmosphere for Minnesota fans. Creativity is not a problem with this current coaching staff; P.J. Fleck and his staff have shown to be creative in almost every other area when it comes to football operations. Could U.S. Bank Stadium be a possible hosting site? It sure would cost a lot, wouldn't be on campus, and every seat definitely wouldn't be filled, but you have to admit that it would be pretty cool.





Either way, Minnesota's weather isn't going away, and neither is the spring game. The new scoreboard under construction is not a big deal either. As someone reminded me on Twitter, the weather isn't stopping the Gophers softball team this weekend as they face off against Iowa.

If our rivals, Wisconsin and Iowa, are keeping their events outside in similar weather this weekend, I think we should at least try and do the same.
 




If US Bank was available for free it might be worth it but I don't see the big deal in not being able to have fans at a glorified practice. Obviously best case scenario you can host it at TCF bank and make it for the fans some but if mother nature doesn't cooperate it isn't worth going to any extreme lengths just to make sure some fans can be there.

Outside of delaying the start of spring practices in order to try and have it end when the weather is better there is not a whole lot you can do.
 


I like PJ a lot but I don’t like this decision. Make it seem like the biggest thing going despite the weather.
 

gopherbadgerman said:
I like PJ a lot but I don’t like this decision. Make it seem like the biggest thing going despite the weather.
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Just a guess on my part but my assumption here is that Fleck values having a quality practice and protecting the players over creating some kind of spectacle for the fans. So if the weather is going to be bad he would rather move indoors and get the practice in as opposed to staying outside in the elements to try and entertain the fans.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Just a guess on my part but my assumption here is that Fleck values having a quality practice and protecting the players over creating some kind of spectacle for the fans. So if the weather is going to be bad he would rather move indoors and get the practice in as opposed to staying outside in the elements to try and entertain the fans.
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If that’s PJ’s rationale it’s unfortunate. He’s already had 19 practices — it’s going to be a little cold, so what. It’s the pattern here he clearly just does not value giving the fans the experience that almost all of our competitors have surrounding a spring game. Generally, it’s our first chance to get a look at last year’s red shirts, and the early enrollees and I think a good chunk of our fans miss not having the event.
 

PJ has to keep his triple, double secret new offense away from the prying eyes of his new hot-shot coaching rivals who have been planning to send Iranian spy drones over the game.
 



Gopherchase said:
If that’s PJ’s rationale it’s unfortunate. He’s already had 19 practices — it’s going to be a little cold, so what. It’s the pattern here he clearly just does not value giving the fans the experience that almost all of our competitors have surrounding a spring game. Generally, it’s our first chance to get a look at last year’s red shirts, and the early enrollees and I think a good chunk of our fans miss not having the event.
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Realistically how many fans do you think would attend the practice when the temp is 33 with the wind making it feel like 23? Parents aren't bringing their kids to that so outside of some die hards you are going to have a really small crowd.

US bank has been suggested but outside of the cost of using it, there is a decent chance it isn't even configured for football right now.

It sucks, but if the weather is going to be bad the right call is to cancel the fan portion and just hold the practice inside.
 

Plato said:
PJ has to keep his triple, double secret new offense away from the prying eyes of his new hot-shot coaching rivals who have been planning to send Iranian spy drones over the game.
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Seems like a lot of trouble to go through on their part when they could just watch it on BTN instead. Guess those new hot shot coaches aren't real bright.
 

Gophergrandpa said:
As T.S. Eliot said, April is the cruelest month. Hold the Spring Game in US Bank Stadium. Make it happen for a few years. Guaranteed turnout regardless of Mother Nature. See whether (and weather) fans like it.
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I assume there is a cost to doing so and the AD is not willing to pay it.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Seems like a lot of trouble to go through on their part when they could just watch it on BTN instead. Guess those new hot shot coaches aren't real bright.
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That was a brilliant smack-down. Well done, sir!

To loosely paraphrase W. C. Fields (and several others), "Never give a Badger an even break".
 



There would have been what maybe 1,000 fans there Saturday? It's going to be miserable with gusts up to 30 mph. You're not getting much done in those conditions.

It's going to be warmer and less windy in Madison that day.
 

US Bank Stadium would be cool but as mentioned the cost might be pretty high as they'd have to change it back to a football field just for the spring game.
 


GophersInIowa said:
There would have been what maybe 1,000 fans there Saturday? It's going to be miserable with gusts up to 30 mph. You're not getting much done in those conditions.

It's going to be warmer and less windy in Madison that day.
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Weather in Madison is pretty similar to Minneapolis.


Again, I’m not saying it’s going to be a great day weather wise. Just bummed that another spring game is closed for fans to see in person.
 

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NoelarBear said:
Weather in Madison is pretty similar to Minneapolis.


Again, I’m not saying it’s going to be a great day weather wise. Just bummed that another spring game is closed for fans to see in person.
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The windchill will be 24 vs. 33 at the time they each start. The Badgers are not even doing an actual game supposedly.

I get that it sucks but we don't draw much for fans anyways so I'd rather they actually get something out of the game.

If we ever get to a point where we might draw 15-20K to these games, it might be worth it to do it at US Bank.
 



MNVCGUY said:
Realistically how many fans do you think would attend the practice when the temp is 33 with the wind making it feel like 23? Parents aren't bringing their kids to that so outside of some die hards you are going to have a really small crowd.

US bank has been suggested but outside of the cost of using it, there is a decent chance it isn't even configured for football right now.

It sucks, but if the weather is going to be bad the right call is to cancel the fan portion and just hold the practice inside.
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I wasn't going to go and I very rarely miss real games.
 

Apologies on the headline. You’re right, the game itself is not canceled. My mistake there. Just submitted it to be edited.
 


perspective - based on my research and help from other posters, it looks like the Spring Game was played outdoors for at least 10 consecutive years from 2009 to 2018.

then, 3 of the last 4 Spring Games that were held took place indoors. (no game 2020).

you can say Fleck is conservative, or call it bad luck.

I call it April in MN. I spent 24 years covering HS sports in MN. I can remember attending HS baseball games in April wearing a t-shirt, and I can remember attending games in full winter gear.

If the forecast was for sunny and mid-50's, you can bet the game would be outdoors.

Hey, my brother is a HS Track coach. His varsity team has only had one meet this year - all the rest have been postponed or cancelled due to weather. It sucks, but you can't control the weather.
 

MNVCGUY said:
Just a guess on my part but my assumption here is that Fleck values having a quality practice and protecting the players over creating some kind of spectacle for the fans. So if the weather is going to be bad he would rather move indoors and get the practice in as opposed to staying outside in the elements to try and entertain the fans.
Click to expand...
That’s fair and I’m not saying he doesn’t have reasons for it. I’d just like to see it.
 

NoelarBear said:
gopherhole.com

Gophers cancel Spring Game again while rivals don't - GopherHole.com

Follow Noel on Twitter –> @N0ELTHOMPSON For the third time in four years, the Minnesota Gophers football spring game will not be open to the public and will be held inside. The game is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. in the Gophers indoor practice facility at the Athletes Village. Along with...
gopherhole.com gopherhole.com


For the third time in four years, the Minnesota Gophers football spring game will not be open to the public and will be held inside. The game is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. in the Gophers indoor practice facility at the Athletes Village. Along with the game at Huntington Back Stadium, the Gophers were going to have a diaper drive and their annual oar collection. Both of those have been postponed to a later date in training camp. In a statement, head coach P.J. Fleck mentioned ongoing rain, inclement weather, and the scoreboard being under construction as reasons to move the game inside. Fans can watch the game on the Big Ten Network and on the radio.

What is the forecast for the spring game?

As of Thursday, April 20th, the high on Saturday is supposed to be around 40 degrees, with a 21% chance of rain, according to The Weather Channel. It does appear that it will be a little windy, as the forecast says to expect 16mph out of the northwest.

It won't be the most beautiful spring day if Saturday turns out like what is forecasted to be. But you never truly know what you are going to get this time of year in Minnesota. It could snow inches one day and then turn into 80 degrees the next. Even looking at the weather records for April, the record high is 101 degrees, and the record low is negative 22. Both of those records happened in consecutive years, 1979 and 1980.



Minnesota weather is incredibly consistent at being inconsistent. It's not a problem that is simply going to go away anytime soon. The question is whether or not the university or the football program will adapt to it. While other programs are making their spring game into a fan festival, Gopher fans haven't been able to attend three of the last four spring games due to weather and the pandemic. Wisconsin is expecting over 20,000 fans to attend their spring game titled "The Launch" this Saturday. The Badgers will also have discounted concessions along with giveaways for fans. Bucky's locker room will have a clearance sale on the sidewalk outside the stadium. The high in Madison this Saturday is forecasted to be 44 degrees with a 17% chance of rain and 14 mph winds out of the northwest. Pretty similar conditions to Minneapolis. Sure, you can say the excitement of a new coach at Camp Randall is the reason why so many fans will be attending this weekend, but the reality is that the spring game is an opportunity for fans to get involved and buy into the football program. It's also a great opportunity for the program to build its fan base, as the spring game and its festivities are fun and cheap.

Programs across the nation are investing more in their spring games. It's become an event that accomplishes a lot for any program in one day. Players get to play in front of a crowd, fans get an up-close look at the upcoming team, the public gets involved in causes the team supports, it can be an effective or unique way to recruit, and it can be a fun family event that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It really is a bummer that Minnesota decided to move their spring game inside and close it to the public. It's time for the program to get creative and figure out how to create a great "Spring Game Day" atmosphere for Minnesota fans. Creativity is not a problem with this current coaching staff; P.J. Fleck and his staff have shown to be creative in almost every other area when it comes to football operations. Could U.S. Bank Stadium be a possible hosting site? It sure would cost a lot, wouldn't be on campus, and every seat definitely wouldn't be filled, but you have to admit that it would be pretty cool.





Either way, Minnesota's weather isn't going away, and neither is the spring game. The new scoreboard under construction is not a big deal either. As someone reminded me on Twitter, the weather isn't stopping the Gophers softball team this weekend as they face off against Iowa.

If our rivals, Wisconsin and Iowa, are keeping their events outside in similar weather this weekend, I think we should at least try and do the same.
Click to expand...

Iowa and Wisconsin are not hosting spring "games" at all. They are simply open practices where lucky Hawkeye and Badger fans get to watch their players do drills with tackling dummies and blocking sleds. Should be an absolute hoot.
 


Murray Warmath played spring games against alumni who could beat him (in fact, I think his 1960 national champions got roughed up by alumni). Play it a week or two later - do the rules allow that? Fans love a real spring game, not a scrimmage, seeing it in person. PJ should have some inkling of that.
 

Great Plains Gopher said:
Murray Warmath played spring games against alumni who could beat him (in fact, I think his 1960 national champions got roughed up by alumni). Play it a week or two later - do the rules allow that? Fans love a real spring game, not a scrimmage, seeing it in person. PJ should have some inkling of that.
Click to expand...
Things have evolved just a bit in the ensuing 60+ years...
 

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