The Life Inside
Beyond the battles of game day, Memorial Stadium bustled with activity throughout the decades. Ground-breaking research was conducted by renowned faculty members Dr. Ancel Keys (in the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene) and Dr. Jean Piccard (on stratospheric balloon flight). People from Minnesota and beyond filled the stands for signature events: new graduates donned their caps and gowns for commencement ceremonies, the state’s 100th birthday was honored, elephants and singers transformed the field for a production of “Aida,” and Shriners from far and wide came together for the 1934 Shrine Imperial Council Session, all within the Brickhouse’s storied walls. Legendary University golf coach Les Bolstad gave lessons inside the Stadium, and men's and women's track and field teams practiced and ran meets at the Brickhouse, including the 1927 women’s Field Day.