A couple of months ago, Germany won the World Cup in Brazil. On Saturday, a group of 24 German students were introduced to another form of football.
They were guests of Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede at the University of Minnesota and San Diego State game played at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.
"I did this two years ago with another group of students and understand that those students said to this group. 'hope you are able to go to a football game too.'
"It's a chance to showcase part of our culture in the atmosphere of a collegiate football game.''
The students were in Rochester for two weeks as part of the Moosburg, Germany Exchange Students program. Moosburg is Rochester's partner city.
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There were 15 girls and 9 boys, all watching their first American football game.
They were introduced to the crowd during the pregame band concert outside of the stadium.
"It's an honor to entertain our guests in this manner rather than at another picnic,'' Brede said.
The Gophers beat San Diego State 24-7 to run their non-conference to 3-1.
The German students had the opportunity to see another first. The game was suspended for 63 minutes early in the fourth quarter due to lightning and rain.
By the time the game was resumed, the crowd had thinned out dramatically, including the German students.
"As it was in the fourth quarter, we all went back to our bus and headed for Rochester,'' Brede said. "The students had a very early Sunday morning flight back to Germany. It capped an exciting two-week stay in Rochester.''
