MUSIC - Ain't talkin about love by Van Halen

Williams Arena - still standing Memorial Stadium - demolished University aquatic center is now on the site Mariucci Arena - still standing

Just across the Mississippi River from downtown Minneapolis is the sprawling campus of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Located at the corner of University Ave. SE and Oak St. SE is the Williams arena. The arena was opened in 1928 and was dedicated as the University of Minnesota field house. Williams Arena has a unique touch to it. The court is raised about 2 feet above the floor surface. That means the teams' benches, and officials tables are actually below the court. The building was remodeled in 1950 and renamed in honor of longtime U of M football coach, Dr. Henry Williams. The building was then divided into two separate buildings, with the basketball arena at the East end, and the hockey arena at the West side. Following the 1992 season, Williams arena began a 2 year rehab. New locker rooms, weight rooms, training room and meeting rooms were completed. Also, the Williams arena club was added to the third floor. The club seats 200 and can overlook the basketball court. In 1997, 21 barn type lofts were added above the second deck. Williams arena is now 80 years old, but shows no signs of slowing down. The arena has a barn like quality with a huge hint of a gym feel. It is the way college sports should be.

At the West end of Williams arena is the sports pavilion. Up until 1993, it was known as Mariucci arena, and the home for Golden Gopher hockey. After the NEW Mariucci arena was completed, hockey moved across the street. The arena was remodeled and renamed in 1994. It is now home to the U of M volleyball teams as well as the gymnastics teams of both the men and women. It was quickly recognized as one of the finest facilities in the country. It has also become the home for the powerful U of M wrestling teams. So for the price of one building, you now have two arenas under one roof. Very unusual indeed, but it really works well for the University.

Just to the south of Williams arena and directly across University Avenue was the site of the old Memorial stadium. It was the home for golden gopher football for 57 years. The stadium, affectionately known as the BRICK HOUSE, was opened on October 14, 1924, when the Gophers defeated North Dakota 14-0. The stadium was a haven for football hungry fans on crisp fall afternoons. The U of M had a decision to make. The new Metrodome was opening in 1981, and the university had to decide between refurbishing the old stadium or moving downtown. Unfortunately, they moved downtown. The final hurrah for the Gophers football team happened at the last home game in 1981. On November 21, 1981, the Gophers defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 35-31 to cap a 57 year run at the brick house. The stadium was also the track facility for the U of M. In 1969, due to a conflict with the Minnesota Twins at Metropolitan stadium, the Minnesota Vikings had a home game at the brick house. On October 5th of that year, the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 19-7 at memorial stadium. After the final game in 1982, the brick house lay dormant for 10 years before it was finally demolished in 1992. The university aquatic center, home of the swimming and diving teams, now sits on the site. On a footnote, in 2006 the Minnesota State legislature passed a bill for a new stadium on campus. The new stadium (to be known as TCF bank stadium) will open in 2009 and is being built across the street from both Williams arena and Mariucci. It is just a couple of blocks east from where the old brick house stood.

Finally we come to the state of the art Mariucci arena. The arena is directly across the street on the North side of Williams arena. Opened in 1993, it has been the wonderful home for many successful golden gopher hockey teams. The women's hockey team has called this arena home from 1997 thru 2002 before moving into a smaller on campus venue called Ridder arena. The ice surface at Mariucci is Olympic size, measuring 100 feet by 200 feet. The arena has hosted the women's frozen four twice, first being in 2001 and the last time in 2006. In 2007, Sports Illustrated on campus named Mariucci one of the top 10 venues in all of college sports. It was the only hockey arena to make the list.

The University of Minnesota has a taste of the old and a taste of the new in venues. They have a rich tradition of sporting excellence. I just wish they would have saved the old brick house for football. It would have been perfect.