I've read a few recent stories about the good will our beloved Coach Jerry Kill has extended his maroon and gold faithful. I have my only story about how this great man bestowed a gift unto my wife and I. I'll start by saying that any great organization is lead from the top down by a leader whose values extend to those beneath him or her. In this case, Coach Kill, his coordinators, assistant coaches, football supports staff, etc.. The following few adjectives are but a few that describe coach and his staff well: blue collar, hard working, honest, intelligent, loyal, and intense. I've witnessed these traits firsthand on numerous occasions on game days, practices, meetings, football functions, and date night with Jerry and Rebecca. One to my story..
In planning my wedding, I wanted to do something different that represented our Minnesota side, especially since we were getting married in Michigan. I decided to design our save the date cards as Go-pher the date. My new Michigan in-laws needed to get a good taste of what was to come their way (we were moving to Michigan too). I noticed a photo op with Goldy in one of the Gary Tinsley auctions and called up my buddy Dan O'Brien in the football office, then the director of operations for the football team, to see if we could get a few pictures taken with Goldy at the practice facility or if the stars aligned, at TCF Bank stadium. Within a day, he responded that we could make some dates work at TCF. I bid on, and won the Goldy auction and within a week had a date set at TCF Bank Stadium for our Goldy photoshoot. We had the entire stadium to ourselves during the shoot, and had just enough time to get over to the practice facility. Kyle Gergely in the equipment room borrowed us a football to toss around with Goldy on the outdoor practice field, and we stopped up to the football office and Goldy arranged a photo with Jerry and Rebecca who were leaving for the day with their daughters. The staff then took offered to out the Bell for us to take our picture with. Our one hour shoot last lasted nearly two hours without one complaint from Goldy, who kept extending our time with him, the entire football staff went out of their way time and time again to make our experience an amazing one.
The entire culture of this football team is incredible, from Coach, down to the players. If you've ever had a chance to talk to the staff or team you'll notice how polite and helpful these people are and I can't say enough how proud I am to be a U of M alum, and supporter of our football team. I'm pumped for next season with Coach Kill at the helm, and the future of this team with his leadership going into the future. Go Gophers!
In planning my wedding, I wanted to do something different that represented our Minnesota side, especially since we were getting married in Michigan. I decided to design our save the date cards as Go-pher the date. My new Michigan in-laws needed to get a good taste of what was to come their way (we were moving to Michigan too). I noticed a photo op with Goldy in one of the Gary Tinsley auctions and called up my buddy Dan O'Brien in the football office, then the director of operations for the football team, to see if we could get a few pictures taken with Goldy at the practice facility or if the stars aligned, at TCF Bank stadium. Within a day, he responded that we could make some dates work at TCF. I bid on, and won the Goldy auction and within a week had a date set at TCF Bank Stadium for our Goldy photoshoot. We had the entire stadium to ourselves during the shoot, and had just enough time to get over to the practice facility. Kyle Gergely in the equipment room borrowed us a football to toss around with Goldy on the outdoor practice field, and we stopped up to the football office and Goldy arranged a photo with Jerry and Rebecca who were leaving for the day with their daughters. The staff then took offered to out the Bell for us to take our picture with. Our one hour shoot last lasted nearly two hours without one complaint from Goldy, who kept extending our time with him, the entire football staff went out of their way time and time again to make our experience an amazing one.
The entire culture of this football team is incredible, from Coach, down to the players. If you've ever had a chance to talk to the staff or team you'll notice how polite and helpful these people are and I can't say enough how proud I am to be a U of M alum, and supporter of our football team. I'm pumped for next season with Coach Kill at the helm, and the future of this team with his leadership going into the future. Go Gophers!
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