Dedicated November 4, 1899, Northrup Field was the first outdoor athletic facility at the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus. The facility was home to the Minnesota Golden Gopher Football team until Memorial Stadium was completed in 1924. The first outdoor ice rink for the Minnesota Gophers was on the far western side, where the civil engineering building is today. Named for University President Cyrus Northrop, the field was expanded in 1902. A new grandstand, 33 rows high, allowed for much larger crowds. Alfred Pillsbury organized the building of a massive brick fence, portions of which are still standing near the southwest corner of the armory. The following year Gophers hosted the Michigan Wolverines in the first Little Brown Jug game. The last game at Northrup Field was played in 1923 when Minnesota beat Iowa 20-7.
