To complete a project of the magnitude of TCF Bank Stadium, it takes the contributions of many, and few individuals played as integral of a role as Dave Mona. From using his extensive PR and marketing skills, to his fundraising prowess, to his endless network of contacts, to his unmatched love for Gopher sports, Mona played a critical role in many areas to making the TCF Bank Stadium dream a reality.

GopherHole.com first interviewed Mona in 2008 about his book "Beyond the Sports Huddle" where he hinted that Ray Christensen may join the broadcast booth for part of the Air Force game. With TCF Bank Stadium just a matter of weeks away from opening, GopherHole.com catches up with Mona again to discuss the dream that is now a reality, the significance for the program and what it means to have the legendary “Ray” in the radio booth.


GH: You were instrumental in the stadium fundraising and pretty much the entire process, was there ever a time a few years back where you questioned if it would ever become a reality?

DM: Not once we started fundraising. The day that TCF Bank said “yes”, there was no doubt we were on our way. Once I went to the hearings and saw how warmly received the Gophers, I was optimistic.

GH: Is there anything that you wish the U would have done differently with the construction or the amenities?

DM: Having been in there quite a bit, I am just so thrilled. No, I think it’s a very impressive job that’s been done. I wouldn’t change a thing.

GH: What will the on-campus stadium mean for the program and the University campus overall?

DM: Starting with the university, the student experience has suffered so much since 1982. Since I started traveling with the team, I didn’t realize how much our fans were missing. For students it will have a life time impact of memories from home football Saturdays that will never leave them. For the University it will pay off long term and will not have to suffer lost generations who feel distanced after they leave school. The total impact that the stadium will have is immeasurable.

GH: What will fans be most surprised about the new stadium?

DM: How really nice it is. I think despite everything that has been written there is still some skepticism about what can be done for under $300 million and people will be blown away when they see it.

GH: As a radio broadcaster, what does the new stadium offer that the Dome did not?

DM: From a radio standpoint the Dome was a good place to broadcast. What was lacking obviously was the atmosphere. We had no home field for 27 years. Heck the Iowa fans took down our goalposts. There was never a feeling that we were defending a home field. That will change. From a broadcaster that will come through in our calls as the 4th quarter will be there like never before. Here is an amazing stat – the Gophers played 40 games in the Dome against ranked teams and we were 5-35. Against top 10 teams we were 0-15. The devastating losses are over as is the dead atmosphere.

GH: What part of the Air Force game are you most looking forward to, and do you ever wish in a game like that that you could sit in the stands and enjoy the experience as a fan?

DM: Part of it is that I wish I didn’t have to be somewhat impartial. We obviously have a Gopher bias in our call, but we are still impartial and that will be hard. I think when the team comes out with the honorary captains are on the field, the fly-over happens and then to have Ray sitting next to us I will have a tear in my eye.

GH: What was Ray Christensen's reaction at the opportunity to participate in calling a series in the second half?

DM: I hinted at this the last time we did an interview together. I saw Ray and Romona a few months back and I went up to them at dinner and asked if he would call an opening Gopher series and he was touched by it. And his reply was “I’ll have to think about that” and his wife Ramona jumped in and said “He’ll do it!” He was very gracious and proper in his acceptance. It means a lot to have him come back. His voice defines decades of Gopher games for countless fans.

We are going to try to get the delay out of the broadcast so that people listening to the game in the stands will be able to hear it real time. It will be a big deal for a lot of people and more than anyone it will mean so much to Ray.

GH: Who will score the first TD at TCF Bank Stadium?

DM: Adam Weber with a QB sneak up the middle.

GH: What will the Gophers 2009 record be?

DM: 8-5 with the 8th win coming in a bowl game.

GH: Fast forward 10 years....what will the success in the first 10 years in TCF Bank Stadium look like? - more mid-tier bowls, finally a Rose Bowl?, etc.

DM: I am getting older so I have to have us get to a Rose Bowl. I need to feel that. I would be disappointed if we didn’t have a Rose Bowl and maybe three J1 bowls and in the other years we would be in middle tier bowls. I think that is a fair set of expectations.



Tomorrow's article: GopherHole talks to local media members about their thoughts on how TCF Bank Stadium will impact the Gopher program.

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