During the 2014 MLB All-Star Game at Target Field, Gophers football coach Jerry Kill sat next to Dean Johnson.
"I could have just as well left the baseball game," said Johnson, chairman of the University's Board of Regents, "because the entire time Jerry Kill was talking about this facility."
Johnson was one of many speakers during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the $166 million Athletes Village on Friday to mention the impact Kill had on the project. He worked tirelessly to raise money and advocate for the new training and academic facility, Kill suddenly resigned on Wednesday.
About a minute into Friday's presentation, interim athletics director Beth Goetz was the first to mention Kill, who left the job he had held since 2011 so he could manage his epilepsy.