PLAYED4THEUTHE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MINNESOTA FOOTBALL ALUMNI volume 1 • issue 1

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Honorary Captains • Billy Bye • 2009 Captains • Ed Olson Sr. Story • Alumni Party • TCF Bank Stadium • Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex Update • Letterman Information

HONORARY CAPTAINS

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“U” Announces 10 Honorary CaptainsFormer Gophers head coaches Murray Warmath and Bernie Bierman will serve as the honorary coaches for the first game at TCF Bank Stadium on Sept. 12 while Bronko Nagurski, Bruce Smith, Paul Giel, Bobby Bell, Billy Bye, Bud Grant, Bob McNamara and Sandy Stephens will serve as honorary captains. Warmath coached the Gophers for 17 seasons from 1954-71 – a tenure highlighted by a National Championship in 1960. Additionally, Warmath led the Gophers to two Big Ten Championships (1960, 1967) and was named National Coach of the Year after leading the Gophers to a Rose Bowl victory in 1961. Warmath, who came to Minnesota after two years as head coach at Mississippi State, ended his career with a 97-84-10 overall record and was 87-78-7 with the Gophers. Bell was a three-year letter winner at Minne-sota from 1960-62. He began his college career as a member of the 1960 National Championship team and followed that season with two All-America nods in 1961 and 1962. Bell was also the 1962 recipient of the Outland Trophy – given to the nation’s best lineman. Bell played 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and played in the final six AFL All-Star Games as well as the first three AFC-NFC Pro Bowls. He has been enshrined in both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The Bobby Bell Award is annually awarded to Minnesota’s most outstanding special teams player.

Grant earned an impressive nine letters at Minne-sota including four with the Gophers football team from 1946-49. Grant was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in football and was named Minnesota’s Most Valuable Player following his senior season. Grant won two NBA Championships with the Minneapolis Lakers in his first and only two years of professional basketball before moving on to a career in professional football. In 1967, Grant was named head coach of the Minnesota Viking where he would spend 15 seasons (1967-83, 1985). Grant led the Vikings to the 1969 NFL Championship and NFC titles in 1973, 1974 and 1976. The Vikings made four Super Bowl appearances under Grant, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1994. McNamara earned four letters with the Gophers football team from 1951-54 and earned All-America honors his senior year while serving as team captain. The halfback was also named All-Big Ten First

Team following the 1954 season – the same year he was honored as Minnesota’s Most Valuable Player. His 1,179 career yards are ranked No. 33 all-time in the Gophers record book.

Stephens was a three-year letter

winner with Minnesota from 1959-61 and played quarterback on the 1960 National Championship team. As a senior in 1961, Stephens finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy after playing quar-terback, safety, punter and kick returner. That same year, Stephens became the first black quarterback to be named All-American while also being named the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player. He led Minnesota in total offense and scoring in all three of his years with the team and even led the Gophers in intercep-tions during his senior year. Stephens passed away in 2000 – his No. 15 jersey was given an honorary retirement by the Gophers later that year. Bierman coached Minnesota to five national championships and six Big Ten Championships in a 16-year span. After leading Tulane to three consecutive Southern conference titles, Bierman came to Minnesota in 1932 and proceeded to lead the Gophers to a 93-35-6 (.716) record until retiring

from coaching in 1950. Bierman’s Minnesota teams won three-straight national titles from 1934-36 and back-to-back national championships in 1940 and 1941. He also took a hiatus from coaching to serve during World War II. The Laguna Hills (Cal.) native was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955. Bernie Bierman passed away in 1977. Giel was a standout back for the Gophers from 1951-1953 when he rushed for 2,188 yards and passed for another, 1,922. He was honored as the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player in his final two years at Minnesota and finished second behind Notre Dame’s John Lattner for the 1953 Heisman Trophy. The Winona (Minn.) native was a 1975 inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame. His No. 10 jersey has been retired by the Gophers. Giel served as Minnesota’s Director of Athletics from 1971-1988. Paul Giel passed away in 2002. Smith is the only Heisman Trophy winner in Minnesota history – winning the prestigious award in 1941. The halfback from Faribault (Minn.) played for the Gophers from 1939-1941 and was an integral part of a Gophers program that won back-to-back national championships in 1940 and 1941. Smith served as an Air Force fighter pilot during World War II and later played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams. Smith was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1972, and his No. 54 jersey was the first number retired by Minnesota in 1977. Bruce Smith passed away in 1967. Nagurski is considered one of the best, if not the best, college football player of all time. He is the

only athlete ever to be named All-American at two different positions (at tackle and fullback in 1929). From 1927-29, Nagurski led the Gophers to an 18-4-2 record and a Big Ten championship in 1927. Nagurski spent several years playing for the Chicago Bears and helped the team to two NFL Champion-ships. Nagurski was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame. College football’s Defensive Player of the Year trophy is named in his honor. Bronko Nagurski passed away in 1990.

Billy Bye (1927-2009)The Minnesota football brotherhood lost one of its most prominent members on June 12 when Billy Bye

tragically passed away at the age of 81. After serving in the Navy, Bye enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where he was a four-year letter winner between 1946 and 1949. He earned the team’s most valuable player award following the 1946 season when he re-corded 467 rushing yards. Bye again led Minnesota in rushing in 1947 with a

team-high 433 yards. With 20 career touchdowns, Bye ranks 10th in school history while his 1,784 career yards place him 18th on the all-time list.

Following graduation, Bye had a brief career in the Canadian Football League before returning to Minnesota to teach and coach. Along with positions in Detroit Lakes and Minnetonka, Bye coached at Edina, where he led the team to an undefeated sea-son in 1960 and was named the Minnesota Football Coach of the Year. Bye also worked as a broadcaster for WCCO radio, served on advisory committees for six Minnesota governors and five University of Minnesota presidents, and worked for the Minnesota Vikings. Family and Friends share thoughts on Billy Bye:

“Billy would commonly say, and I quote: ‘During my adult life, almost everything good that’s happened to me can somehow be linked to my attending the University of Minnesota,’ “ – Jim Bye, Billy’s son

“Billy meant so much to all Gophers. He was clearly a great player. But he was an even better person. His dedication to the U of M was unique and I could not be more proud that he was selected to be one of the honorary captains for the inaugural game at TCF Bank Stadium this fall. It is a tremendous loss and Billy will be greatly missed.” – Gophers coach Tim Brewster

“I never knew—nor ever heard—of anybody who didn’t like Billy Bye… Billy went through life picking up friends the way most people casually shake hands with people at a dinner party or reception. Except in Billy’s case it wasn’t ever just a hand-shake. Billy embraced people and put them in a special pocket near his heart.” – D.J. Leary

HONORARY CAPTAINS CONT. & BILLY BYE

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2009 GOPHER CAPTAINS

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Get to Know the 2009 Minnesota Captains

There is an expression that says pride stands for “personal responsibility in demanding excellence.” That seems to be the case for Minnesota’s captains this year. On a team filled with dedication and leadership on both sides of the ball, it wasn’t an easy vote for the team this year, so much so that six players were honored with the title of captain this season instead of the traditional four. Adam Weber and receiver Eric Decker will return for their second year as captains of the Gophers offense while the Minnesota defense will be led by defensive tackle Garrett Brown, defensive tackle Eric Small and linebackers Lee Campbell and Simoni Lawrence. “I could not be more pleased with the selections the team made with these six young men,” Minnesota coach Tim Brewster said. “These guys exemplify what it means to be a captain and have displayed true leadership with both their actions and their words.”

ERIC DECKER #7SENIOR • WIDE RECEIVER • COLD SPRING, MN

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AS A GOLDEN GOPHER?“My favorite memory as a Golden Gopher is the morning/summer workouts over the past four seasons. It might sound crazy, but it is the time where camaraderie is formed and trust is earned among one another. Winning games is fun, but building a winning team is my truest enjoyment.”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?“Personally, I have been proud of graduating in four years while competing in football and baseball. Being able to balance school, sports, and a social life has been a challenge, but good lessons learned.”

DECKER FILE:• Second season serving as a captain. • A pre-season All-America and Biletnikoff Award candidate.• Has reset Minnesota’s single-season receptions record in each of the past two seasons and is on pace to become the Gophers all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. • Earned first team All-Big Ten and honorable mention All-American honors in 2008.

GARRETT BROWN #99SENIOR • DEFENSIVE TACKLE • NEW HAVEN, CT

WHY ARE YOU PROUD TO PLAY AT THE “U”?“The tradition that has been built here over the years is very important to me. To be able to be a part of this university’s football history is truly an honor. There is a long tradition of hard-nosed football at the “U”. Being a part of that makes me proud to be a Golden Gopher.”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?“I am proud of the fact that I have only been playing football since I was a sophomore in high school. I am very proud of how much I have learned and the ways in which I have progressed over the years. I just want to continue this journey and be the best player I can be.”

BROWN FILE:• Experienced defensive tackle is a big presence in the middle of the Gophers’ defensive line. • Has 19 career starts including 16 straight coming into the 2009 season.• Recorded 34 tackles last season including seven for a loss.

LEE CAMPBELL #30SENIOR • LINEBACKER • NAPLES, FL

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A CAPTAIN ON THIS TEAM?“It’s an extreme honor and privilege to join the many great captains before me. It means taking the responsibility to push my teammates and myself to win a championship and display good character on and off the field.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PLAYING IN TCF BANK STADIUM THIS YEAR?“I feel extremely excited to be a part of the first year of bringing Gophers football back to campus. TCF Bank Stadium is such an extraordinary venue, and I am counting down the days until opening kickoff.”

CAMPBELL FILE:• Minnesota’s most experienced defensive player with 23 starts over the last two seasons. • Led the team with 80 tackles in 2008 after moving from defensive end to linebacker in spring practice.• 131 career tackles including 11.5 for a loss with six sacks.

2009 GOPHER CAPTAINS

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SIMONI LAWRENCE #21SENIOR • LINEBACKER • UPPER DARBY, PA

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AS A GOLDEN GOPHER?“Definitely going to Illinois and beating them (in 2008). It was a fun game – I got to score my second touchdown of the season.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A CAPTAIN ON THIS TEAM?“It means a lot to me that my team trusts me – especially the defense. That they’re able to lean on me and do what I do – try to keep competing and make everybody tough.”

LAWRENCE FILE:• Versatile, impact player that appeared in all 13 games (five starts) in 2008 – his first year with the program. • Showed excellent coverage skills as well as an ability to stop the run. Also returned one interception and one fumble recovery for touchdowns.• Collected 66 tackles over the 2008 campaign and was second on the team in tackles for a loss with 10.5, including four sacks.

ADAM WEBER #8JUNIOR • QUARTERBACK • SHOREVIEW, MN

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?“I’m proud to play at the same university my dad (Bob; 1974-77) played at, and be a part of the same brotherhood he was also a part of.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AS A GOLDEN GOPHER?“Beating Illinois last year at their stadium for their homecoming. It was a beautiful fall day, and the Gophers had a great turn out of fans who cheered throughout the entire game. After the game, the team stayed out and cheered with our fans.”

WEBER FILE:• Second season serving as a captain. • Ranks No. 2 all-time at Minnesota in career pass completions (513), No. 4 in passing yards (5,656) and passing touchdowns (39) and No. 5 in total offense (6,506).• Has started 25-straight games coming into the 2009 season and has thrown a touch down pass in 21 of those games.

ERIC SMALL #98SENIOR • DEFENSIVE TACKLE • NAPERVILLE, IL

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?“I am proud that after a long journey, I finally made one of my dreams come true by playing football in the Big Ten and especially at the University of Minnesota. Also, I am so proud of my parents that have done everything they can to support me in every way possible.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PLAYING IN TCF BANK STADIUM THIS YEAR?“Playing in TCF Bank Stadium is something I will remember forever. The stadium itself is unbelievable and the things we are going to accomplish in that stadium will make it that much better.”

SMALL FILE:• Hard-nosed defensive tackle who has been a mainstay in the Gophers’ defensive line rotation. • 131 career tackles including 11.5 for a loss with six sacks.

ED OLSON SR. STORY

Keeping the TraditionPride and passion are quite possibly the best words to describe how Ed Olson feels about two things – his family and Minnesota football. Although both have gone hand in hand since Olson graduated from the U in 1982, this year will take the relationship to a new level as Olson’s oldest son Eddie joins the team as a freshman offensive tackle. It could have been growing up with a Gophers shrine in the family basement or it could have been the dozens of Saturday trips downtown to watch the team his dad once captained. However it happened, some of Ed Sr.’s love for the U rubbed off on Eddie. And when coach Tim Brewster called with an offer to play for Minnesota, there was no doubt that the U was where Eddie Olson wanted to play college ball. “He didn’t come here because his dad was a captain; he came here because he wanted to be here. He came here because he deserved it. He set his goal a long time ago,” Ed Sr. said. Like his dad, Eddie Olson will also have a chance to break in a new stadium this year. After playing the final years in Memorial Stadium, Ed Sr. captained the Gophers in their inaugural season at the Metrodome. Now his son is expected to compete for a starting job as a true freshman when the team returns to campus at TCF Bank Stadium this fall. “(TCF Bank Stadium) is unbelievable. First class all the way…It’s kind of ironic to relive this whole thing – all the hype of moving into a new stadium,” Ed Sr. said. “I have fond memories of the Metrodome because it was my senior year, and

it was a great place to play. Do I think the Dome is a great spot? It can’t hold a candle to TCF Bank Stadium.” Ed Sr. also joked about being sore after his first meeting with Brewster, considering the two first met during Olson’s senior season in a game that Brewster – then a tight end for Illinois – and the Illini handed the Gophers their first loss of the season with a 42-24 win. “I remember that because they beat us. We were favored to win, and they came back and beat us in the fourth quarter,” Olson said adding later that as a coach, Brewster “is doing a phenomenal job.” With the new stadium and a dedicated coaching staff that balances in-state and national recruiting, Olson said he likes the direction Minnesota football is headed. Two years ago, the Gophers landed only one of the state’s top-five players. This year, the program picked up five of the Minnesota’s top six including Eddie Olson. Ed. Sr. can see why the program is suddenly so appealing to all recruits – not just Minnesotans. “Obviously, I’m a little biased, but I’ve been to other school and seen other facilities. I don’t know why a kid would want to leave here. Our facilities are second to none. Our coaches are phenomenal. They’re good people, and they’re going to take great care of you. The education opportunities here are endless – they take a backseat to no one,” Ed Olson Sr. said. “I guess I’m a Gopher through and through, and I bleed Maroon and Gold, but I don’t know why anyone would what to go anywhere else.”

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ALUMNI PARTY

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Calling All Former Gophers!

Calling all former Gophers back to a pre-game celebration party at 7 Ultra Lounge on the corner of 7th and Hennepin (downtown Minneapolis) hosted by former Gopher Lee Hutton. Please come enjoy the company of former players and celebrate on September 11, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.We would like to get a head count for those attending, so please R.S.V.P to lee@lommen.com. Guests are welcome, and valet parking is available.

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TCF BANK STADIUM

The Time is Now!

The wait is over. No more trips downtown on Saturdays. No more reminiscing about playing on campus. No more blue seats. Join the entire Gopher Nation as it celebrates the opening of TCF Bank Stadium on Sept. 12 against Air Force. Be a part of history as Minnesota football returns to campus for the first time in over a quarter century in a brand new, state-of-the-art stadium. The Bank is ready and waiting. Are You?

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TCF BANK STADIUM

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Several Renovations Made to Football ComplexWhile TCF Bank Stadium is the most obvious new project around campus, the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex also has undergone several renovations this year including a remodeled players’ lounge, a new wall dedicated to Gophers that have gone on to the NFL and glassed-in display cases inside the Minnesota locker room for some of the most prolific Gophers. The players’ lounge features two large sitting areas with leather furniture surrounding massive television screens – all for the relaxation of the players in between class, meetings and practice.

Video game systems, a ping-pong table and a maroon Brunswick pool table also add to the relaxing atmosphere of the lounge. 20 jerseys surround the players’ lounge – 18 of those represent

current Gophers and their NFL team while Tony Dungy is permanently honored with a jersey. The 20th and final jersey looks towards the future and asks players “Who’s Next?” The NFL tribute honors all Gophers that have gone on to professional football and reminds current players of both the program’s storied history and the benefits hard work and determination may bring them. A helmet for each team adorns the tribute, which runs along the entrance to the players’ locker room, while each Gophers player is listed under the team he was drafted to. Minnesota has had players drafted by every team in the NFL except the Buffalo Bills. Additional tributes on the NFL wall include a board for Gophers players drafted by former teams as well as a tribute for Minnesota’s six members of the NFL Hall of Fame (Bronko Nagurski, Carl Eller, Leo Nomellini, Charlie Sanders, Bobby Bell and Bud Grant). A flat-screen television is included in the tribute and will show highlights from Gophers that have made their way to professional football. Inside the players’ locker room sits another tribute to former players at Minnesota. Glassed-in

lockers showcase eight former Gophers who achieved individual success during their college football careers and instill similar spirit among the current crop of players. Members of the Gophers football tradition honored in the tribute are: Minnesota’s sole Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith, 1960 Outland Trophy winner Tom Brown, 1962 Outland Trophy recipient and member of the College Football Hall of Fame Bobby Bell,

1999 Jim Thorpe Award winner Tyrone Carter, 2006 John Mackey Award recipient Matt Spaeth, College Football Hall of Famer and former Minnesota Director of Athletics Paul Giel, NCAA Legend Sandy Stephens and Nagurski – the namesake for the award given annually to the top defensive player in college football and a starter on Sports Illustrated’s All-Century Team. In addition to the three major renovations already completed at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex this year, a glass display case for Minnesota’s four rivalry trophies will be installed later this year along the reception area walls.

GIBSON-NAGURSKI FOOTBALL COMPLEX UPDATE

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LETTERMAN INFORMATION

Free Exclusive Membership

Attention all lettermen! Please visit Played4theU.com and sign up for a free membership available only to former

Gophers football players. Played4theU.com was built to provide a place for all past letter winners to connect online.

To gain access to the special “Lettermen Only” section where you can connect with other former players, please go to

Played4theU.com to register. This step is necessary to gain access to exclusive news and upcoming events. Also visit

Play4Brew.com for up to the minute coverage of the 2009 Gophers football season. For assistance, please contact

Jordan Heighway at heigh006@umn.edu or call (612) 624-9740. Go Gophers!

DATE OPPONENT TIME TELEVISION

Sept. 5 at Syracuse 11 a.m. ESPN2Sept. 12 Air Force 6 p.m. Big Ten NetworkSept. 19 California 11 a.m. ESPN or ESPN2Sept. 26 at Northwestern TBA TBAOct. 3 Wisconsin TBA TBAOct. 10 Purdue (Homecoming) 11 a.m. TBAOct. 17 at Penn State 2:30 p.m. ABCOct. 24 at Ohio State 11 a.m. TBAOct. 31 Michigan State 7 p.m. Big Ten NetworkNov. 7 Illinois TBA TBANov. 14 South Dakota State TBA TBANov. 21 at Iowa TBA TBA

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