Over the past few years, Gopher fans have seen how critical fundraising is for the football program. Without the generosity of many individuals and families, TCF Bank Stadium would have never come to fruition. But TCF Bank Stadium is not the only need for the football program, nor are the needs complete with the new stadium in place. That’s where the Goal Line Club (GLC) has been and will continue to be an important piece of the fundraising strategy for the football program.

The GLC focuses its fundraising on the day-to-day needs of the football program that are not met by the general athletic department budget. This includes upgrading video technology for the team, enhancements around the Gibson/Nagurski complex, and other projects deemed a necessity by the coaching staff.

With excitement at an all-time high around the Gopher program, the GLC has a great opportunity to grow as it capitalizes on the increased interest in the team. GopherHole.com recently caught up with the GLC President Jake Murphy to learn about the club’s activities around the opening of TCF Bank Stadium, upcoming giving priorities and more.

GH: For those that don't know, what exactly does the Goal Line Club do to support the football program?

JM: We support the football program in a number of ways. A primary focus is raising funds through member dues, golf tournaments, and other activities which then provide the program with tools and resources the coaching staff considers vital but aren’t able to be included in the budget provided by the athletic department. We also volunteer a considerable amount of time and energy putting on events that don’t generate considerable revenue but are designed to generate excitement amongst the fan base or otherwise promote the best game in town, Golden Gopher football.

GH: What kind of impact did the GLC have for fundraising for the new stadium?

JM: Very little. A great many of our members made individual donations for the stadium but as a club our fundraising efforts are laser-focused on the day to day needs of the football program as identified by Coach Brewster. Even after the opening of TCF Bank Stadium a number of those needs will still require resources generated by the Goal Line Club. The new stadium is going to be an extremely enjoyable thing for Gopher football fans and should definitely help the athletic department financially, but we’re concerned that fans will think the stadium will automatically provide Coach Brewster with all the resources he’d ever want, and be less motivated to join the GLC and make other contributions directly to the football program. It would be nice if the football budget was overflowing due to the new stadium but that is most definitely not the case. It appears our coaching staff will need the help of the Goal Line Club just as much in 2009 and 2010 as they did in 2007 and 2008.

GH: Will the GLC sell TCF Bank-GLC merchandise on the website?

JM: Yes. We’ve got some really nice stadium bag/blankets left from the Minneapolis and Alexandria golf tournaments and those are available for purchase in our online store at goallineclub.com right now. We’re working on some other exciting things in this regard as well, stay tuned to Gopherhole for more info as they become available.

GH: Have you seen an increase in GLC membership as the stadium has approached?

JM: We’ve added quite a few new members this summer but we still need some more to hit our goals, our busy season for new members is between now and the opening game. We need every season ticker holder to consider a membership in the club. It is also very important that all our members from last year who haven’t renewed yet do so in the next few weeks, even if they only do the $50 level after having done a higher level in years past, it is important we keep them on the member roll for 2009. With the new membership levels and the loss of parking revenue we need to get to 1000 members to get done what we want to for the program, we’re at about 700 now.

GH: Are you planning on any special events around the opening of the new stadium?

JM: We’re had a practice party before the scrimmage on August 22nd in our new tailgate location and will have a luncheon with Coach Brew in the DQ Club Room on September 11th before the opener the next day.

GH: Once the dust has settled and the excitement wears off, what will the lasting impact be of the stadium?

JM: Unless the sun burns out unexpectedly, the ability to watch Gopher football played outside and on campus will always be a great thing. How great is up to all of us as Gopher football fans, supporting the team through thick and thin and bringing a lot of energy to the stadium every Saturday.

GH: What are the giving priorities from the GLC to the football program?

JM: That is determined by the coaching staff in conjunction with the GLC Board of Directors. Our giving priorities tend to center around providing the kind of first class amenities and facilities required to recruit quality student athletes from across the country to Minnesota. If you’re in the Gibson/Nagurski football building and see something that looks really nice, there’s a good chance it wouldn’t be there without the GLC. The XOS recruiting software and digital video system we funded has lent a big hand in the very successful recruiting classes the last two years. The Sears Trophy replica commemorating the 1960 National Championship is a recent GLC-funded addition and something that visitors to the complex definitely notice. It’s nice to have something in our facility that Wisconsin and Iowa can’t buy for theirs. Our current challenge is funding new seats for the team meeting room and upgraded video capabilities for the player’s lounge. Each new member helps achieve this goal.

GH: What is the situation with tailgating parking and GLC membership?

JM: The GLC is out of the parking business for 2009, with the concerns about the legality of tailgating in off-campus lots and the club also wanting to support the University’s parking/tailgating program it just didn’t make sense for this season. We’ll be busy enough with our GLC Tailgate Party which will take place on the South apron/plaza of Williams Arena(where the TV trucks park for BB games), which should be a great spot very close to the stadium. Unlike our events at the Dome, GLC membership will be needed to attend, each household would only need one membership. There won’t be any parking at this location, members will park elsewhere and then walk/shuttle over to Williams.



Tomorrow's article: GopherHole will preview the 2009 Gopher Special Teams Unit

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