24 SKI-U-MAH
assion is defined as feeling strong about something and barely being get tired of going to games,” Nancy said. “But that wasn’t the case because we’ve beable to control emotion, and that is exactly the word you would use come more passionate about the University and Gopher Athletics every single day.” Nancy wasn’t always sure that this love for Gopher Athletics would carry on as to describe what John and Nancy Lindahl feel for Gopher Athletics. Both grew up in Minnesota and attended the university but neither she and John made a pact when they first got married. The deal was that for every John nor Nancy represented the Maroon and Gold on the playing five Gopher games Nancy attended with John, he would go to one symphony with field. They grew up cheering from the stands and developing a con- Nancy. That agreement was made 45-years ago and is somenection second to none, which has left them forever what still intact, but both feel that Gopher Athletics may cherishing the University of Minnesota. “I feel that the average season have the advantage, even though John has now become “I don’t think there was ever a doubt in my mind or ticket holder is just as important as a fan of the symphony and will attend willingly now. my parents’ minds that I would go to Minnesota,” said As the years passed, the Lindahls were very active Nancy Lindahl. “Not only did my parents work at the someone who can donate a major U, but my father also was a football and basketball sea- gift because at the end of the day all across campus as they volunteered their time and son ticket holder. So I remember going to games when they are both supporting the stu- money to various departments and boards, but despite all the much appreciated efforts they put in, it wasn’t I was five-years old and falling in love with the univerdent-athletes, the program and the until the late 1990’s that the Lindahls truly put the Unisity. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.” versity’s wants and needs above their own. Having a quality education from a standout univer- university.”– JOHN LINDAHL “We attended a fundraising event for the McNamara sity like Minnesota was only part of the reason why Alumni Center, and Dale Olseth really encouraged John going to school there was the best thing to happen to Nancy because midway through her time at the U, she met her future husband. John and I to step out of the box and give a six-figure donation, which was a big deal bewas similar to Nancy in many ways because he too knew Minnesota was where he cause we had never done anything like that before,” Nancy recalled about their first major gift to the University. “We ended up doing it, and we walked away feeling so wanted to be. “My mom graduated from the U of M and then ran the Child Development good because we had given our capital to something that was bigger than us and Study at the University hospital,” said John. “Then my dad ran a small tire shop on something that we truly believed in. I would say it was a magic moment for us becampus. So I was able to go to class during the day and then work at my dad’s shop.” cause it changed our view on our philanthropy.” The gracious donation to the construction of the McNamara Alumni Center was Even though both were highly active on campus, especially in their Greek life, it not the end as it catapulted the Lindhals into becoming co-chairs of the TCF Bank took two years for their paths to cross at a fraternity and sorority exchange. “I don’t think either one of us really wanted to go to the exchange, but we did Stadium campaign. “[Former University President] Bob Bruininks approached us one night and anyway,” said John. “I remember walking around collecting bets on the big boxing match that was on TV that night, when I ran into Nancy. We hit it off, and I ended said that they were going to bring the football stadium back to campus,” said John. “We were thrilled, and then he asked if we would be co-chairs for the campaign. We up walking her home that night. I have seen her every day since then.” The couple’s love grew for one another, but there was a third party that lingered were puzzled at why we were approached. Neither one of us were athletes, but we looked at one another and thought this would be a great opportunity for us to work deep in each of their hearts…Gopher sports. together. And most importantly, it was a chance to put the football stadium back on campus where it belongs.” “It was also an excellent time for us to put John’s for-profit knowledge and my not-for-profit skills together to get this accomplished because it was all about marketing and relationships,” added Nancy. “We felt that we could reach out and attract other Minnesotans that felt as passionate about Gopher Athletics as we did and still do.” When asked what their favorite aspect of the stadium is, Nancy takes pride in having all the county names circle the outside of TCF because she doesn’t feel the stadium would have been built without all the help and support from Minnesotans all over the state. John is just happy to bring the stadium back to campus, where he states it should be. Since it opened in 2009, he feels that a sense of pride has returned to campus but expects that to grow in the coming years. That passion and drive the Lindahls had in fundraising for TCF Bank Stadium has not diminished but blossomed into something bigger. They have continued to give to the university and improve various facilities on campus and in the athletic world, including a large donation to the new Siebert Field. When asked about what differentiates them, as major gift donors, from the common Minnesota fan, they both waved off the notion that they are John and Nancy Lindahl pictured with Steph Brandt (soccer), the 2013 recipient of their endowed scholarship. entitled to anything more than that fan. “It takes a lot of people to build a nation, and we can’t do it without “The two years that we were on campus together as a couple, we rarely missed everyone chipping in,” explained John. “There are three types of people: doers, donors and door openers. I feel that the average season ticket holder is just as imhockey, basketball or football games,” stated Nancy. “We would park cars at my dad’s shop before games,” added John. “Nancy would portant as someone who can donate a major gift because at the end of the day they stand out front wearing her gold boots and wave cars in, while I collected one dollar are both supporting the student-athletes, the program and the university.” “You can’t make a difference unless you are there,” Nancy added. “We want to a car. We would make $30-40 a night, which was a lot since tuition was around $100 encourage people to give. We never expected to get to this point in our life where a quarter, and then we would make our way into the games.” Their days as parking attendants passed, and the two graduated from college and we would be this tied to Minnesota Athletics. It is a great time to be a Gopher, and entered the working world. But their passion and devotion to Gopher athletics did we need believers. The urgency is right now because we are building the future today in our student-athletes, so we need to show our support.” not change as they continued to regularly attend games. “I remember when I was a teacher; a co-worker told me that we would eventually
P
Cory Hall is an assistant athletic communications director at the University of Minnesota. PHOTO: CRAIG LASSIG