Metrodome Roof Collapsing
Surprisingly on-topic to some you, but with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (henceforth confusingly named UM on a UM blog) playing home games in the Metrodome for the next season or two, the collapse of the Metrodome's roof does have some tangential impact on Michigan sports.
The roof is held up by air pressure and with all the snow, the roof failed and the teflon tore. So how does this affect the baseball team? While UM is working on securing funding to repair the old on campus field, but it hasn't been secured, nor is the on campus field necessarily the best thing for the Gophers.
By playing in the dome, UM and several of the schools from the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin area also play college baseball in the stadium, sometimes around the clock.
With the collapse of the roof, the Vikings will obviously throw a lot of money at getting it fixed, but I have to think that they also use this as a lobbying token for a new stadium, as stadium that may or may not include the option for indoor baseball.
Losing the chance to host the Dairy Queen Classic, UM's February/March tournament was one of the Big Ten's few opportunities to host bigger name opponents early in the year. While there is no doubt the inbalance of Southern powers over the North, this tournament was one of the few bright spots that could be in jeopardy.
Michigan doesn't play at Minnesota this upcoming season, but I can't imagine that the Vikings don't get the roof fixed by May.
/michigan-baseball-spin-on-everything
December 12th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
Looks like that Giants flight getting diverted to KC yesterday was a true blessing in disguise. Can you imagine the chaos if that had happened with the place filling up with fans and stadium employees?
The place would've looked like the entrance of Best Buys at 6:00am on Black Friday.
December 12th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
Rumors are the NFL is leaning towards playing the game at Ford Field, since the Giants traveled with zero cold weather gear. What a thrill that a real NFL game may take place in Detroit!
December 12th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
Especially for the sake of our fantasy leagues.
December 12th, 2010 at 10:47 AM ^
NFL Network and ESPN are both reporting that there's a possibility that the game gets moved to Ford Field. TCF Stadium seems unlikely because the temperatures are expected to drop to -10 degrees and the Giants don't have their cold weather gear. So they'll most likely move it to some domed stadium. In the area that leaves Indy, St. Louis, and Detroit. They're also reporting that FOX expects to cover the game (not sure how they worked out the deal with ESPN), and Detroit is the only one of the three with FOX equipment currently there. That was their rationale. I for one would be at the game if it happened in Detroit.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
I thought I read that only the Minneapolis and NYC regions will get the game over the air. All Sunday Ticket package holders will also be able to see the game.
December 12th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^
because ESPN has the Monday Night contract and already has a game scheduled. Most likely a local broadcast channel will carry the game locally for those without cable. NFL website shows the change of venue, but no change shown yet on (my) local on-line TV listings.
December 12th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
in the 80's when the Silverdome collapsed. I believe it helped the Pistons find a way out, and on to The Palace.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
The original silver-like roof was built of Teflon-coated fiberglass panels, and supported by air pressure inside the stadium. Although the roof has always been white in color as viewed with the naked eye, the stadium obtained the name "Silverdome" due to a silver-like reflection caused by the sun, mainly noticed from the sky.[20] The roof was replaced by a new canvas fabric reinforced by steel girders after a strong snowstorm on March 4, 1985 caused structural damage to the old roof. Because of the damage, the Detroit Pistons played the remainder of the 1984–85 season at Joe Louis Arena.[21] The accident, and the delay in repairs, partially prompted the Pistons moving three seasons later 4 miles (6 km) north to their new, privately owned, 20,000-seat sports arena, The Palace of Auburn Hills.
I never had heard about the silverdome roof collapsing before, that is really fascinating from an engineering perspective.
December 12th, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^
the Metrodome, but the damage was much more widespread and severe, especially to the roof which was almost a total failure. Ice and snow fell on seats and destroyed some of the concrete sturcture in one corner as well..
December 12th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^
Wasn't Favre questionable for the game today? If so, does this help him keep his streak alive? Sorry, I only pay attention to the Lions, so I don't know too much about other teams.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
It was reported by ESPN that Brett Favre said he wouldn't have been able to play if the game was today. Who knows if the extra day+ will give him enough time to heal enough.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:41 AM ^
As the (misspelled) screen-name suggests I have mixed feelings about this. Farve started every football game I watched when I was a child. Literally every one. As I recall, there have been some bye-weeks that kept this alive too.
December 12th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^
to help buy ohio state one of these domes to play under.....
December 12th, 2010 at 11:34 AM ^
they should practice there everyday in the winter too
December 12th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
This has happened before and they can fix it pretty fast, though not in time for this game. Maybe its time to re-think that stadium before someone ends up getting hurt. So far they have been fortunate to not have anything happen while the place was full.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
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December 12th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
That is hilarious.
Does the City of Minneapolis ever have the foresight to anticipate problems before they occur?!?
December 12th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
What do you think they should have done? Build a backup stadium in case of freak occurrences?
December 12th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
wow! There's not even any accumulation here. But it is fricken freezen. -5 C yesterday.
December 12th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
really? I have like 5 foot drifts against my house!
December 12th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
The Gophers don't play in the Metrodome anymore. They built an outdoor stadium last year.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^
I think he's talking baseball.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
Good call. I'm an idiot.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:16 AM ^
More importantly, am I ok to start Sidney RIce in Fantasy Football this week? We talkin' 'bout playoffs.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
The universe is a Farve fan and does not want to see his streak broken.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^
LA Vikings, anyone?
December 12th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
I think Minnesota screwed up by not doming TCF Stadium when they built it. Football should be played out of doors, but if you're going to build a big stadium you should set it up so you can use it for more than just a few home games in the fall. Maybe stick a retractable roof on it like Lucas Oil in Indy.
Also since the Twins are looking at getting their own stadium, and would have no reason to dome it since their season ends in Nov, Minny baseball better hope a NFL Team sticks around and is willing to arrange it so the stadium can be configured for baseball.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:42 AM ^
Twins already have their own stadium. Golden Gophers were the first team to play in it. Set the high mark for attendance at a college baseball game last year. It's an open air stadium and had some problems with snow late in the season.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
FYI, the Twins opened Target Field this past season.
December 12th, 2010 at 2:06 PM ^
The whole point of TCF Bank Stadium was to be outside (and on campus). Gopher fans hated being in a dome.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
I see a potentially lucrative duct tape marketing opportunity this morning.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
It means that for the second time in its existence, there may be a professional football game there.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^
When was the first?
December 12th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^
I'm going to assume Super Bowl XL. But that was a truly boring football game in my opinion.
December 12th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^
According to NFL Network that the game will be played at Ford Field Monday night at 7:20 ET. This coming from the Mara family to the Giants team. No word on ticket sales yet.
December 12th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^
Mother Naure can only postpone the pain that's awaiting Favre. Go Big Blue!
December 12th, 2010 at 1:20 PM ^
I'm with you on this. Favre is going to gimp out there against that pass rush on a fast track - could be ugly
December 12th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
And as the intro they showed an indoor Metrodome HD video of snow coming into the roof and the roof starting to sag. Either it was a mock-up or they decided not to stay to show the full collapse.
December 12th, 2010 at 1:11 PM ^
Just heard they were giving away at least some tickets to the Giant-Vikings game free - first come, first served
December 12th, 2010 at 2:42 PM ^
Someone is going to lose a lot of money. I imagine they will have to give refunds to ticket holders in Minneapolis.
December 12th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
Yup. And they don't want to compound the problem by having a game played in an empty stadium...so come and get em.
December 12th, 2010 at 1:18 PM ^
All the damn Gophers.
December 12th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
That is crazy. Good find on the video.
December 12th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
If I didn't know any better, I'd have assumed that was CGI special effects.
December 12th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^
i was thinking the exact same thing
December 12th, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^
someone/something is getting the heck out of dodge going up the side line close to the seats. Wow.
December 13th, 2010 at 1:13 AM ^
I hadn't even noticed that the first half-dozen times I watched. I can't even imagine being in there and all of a sudden hearing the roof groaning and watching it sink down. That'd be terrifying enough without the snow suddenly pouring through in an avalanche where the roof failed.