The Missouri Tigers broke open last week’s Citrus Bowl game against the Golden Gophers and in turn, broke the hearts of many faithful fans who watched it on TV and made the trek to Orlando to see the game in person.

 

Two of those “trekkers” were current Becker resident and business CEO Gary “Shooter” Fredrickson and  19997 Becker High School graduate Heidi Fredrickson — now living in Blaine.

 

Also attending the game were Duwane and Susan Snyder and their son and daugther-in-law.

 

The Fredricksons met up with their long-time friends and colleagues in Don McLean, his son Michael and daughter Megan, who live in the state of Florida. Don and Shooter are graduates of the University of North Dakota and played semi-pro football together.

 

Heidi bought the tickets and treated her father and friends after hearing Shooter say he’d love to go see the Gophers should they get selected to play in a New Year’s Day bowl game. Minnesota had not played in a significant bowl game since 1962.

 

“He mentioned it and when the Gophers got in, I went to the U of M website and purchased tickets to the game,” said Heidi. “My dad was so excited.”

 

The tickets Heidi bought just happened to be right on the 50 yard line, up towards the top of the stadium’s seating arrangement.

 

“The site line was perfect and we could see the plays happening before they occurred,” she said. “It was exciting to see so many Minnesota fans there in their maroon and gold.”

 

The Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium just went through a major renovation and currently seats 65,000 people.

 

The Fredricksons and McLeans were pumped for this unique experience in which #25 Minnesota was making their 16th bowl appearance while #16 Missouri was making their 31st. Unfortunately for the Fredricksons and McLeans — as well as the thousands of Gophers fans at the stadium and those watching it on TV, the Gophers lost the game 33-17.

 

“The final score was not what we wanted, but overall the trip was great fun,” said Heidi.

 

One of the highlights for the Fredricksons was when they arrived a few days early and went and visited Shooter’s aunt, Marion, who is 95 years old. Heidi and Shooter spent the afternoon reminiscing about the family and viewing old-time photos from her picture albums.

 

“That was memorable and will be something I’ll always remember and treasure from this trip,” said Heidi.

 

Shooter, a former Dallas Cowboy and Winnipeg Blue Bombers tight end from the early 70s, has long been a supporter of football in Minnesota, especially the Gophers and of course, the Bulldogs from Becker.

 

“When I moved up here to Becker in 1977, I met Dwight Lundeen at the club and showed him a thing or two on the racquet ball court as we got to know each other,” said Shooter. “But since then, he’s been a better player and I just can’t think of a better man to have coaching these kids here in Becker.”

 

Shooter has been working in the lumber business for 42 years, with the last 31 spent at Country Lumber. Heidi has worked in politics and spent four years in Washington D.C. before returning to Minnesota to work as VP for Accounts at Public Affairs Company in Minneapolis. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from the University of Minnesota – Morris.

 

“What Heidi did by getting us tickets and making all the arrangements was something I’ll always think highly of,” said Shooter. The whole time we were there was fantastic from the great seats to the marching bands to the national anthem to the flyover. The final score was not what we hoped for but the rest was pretty great.”

 

Local Attorney Duwane Snyder and his wife Susan—  along with their son, Jeffrey and daughter-in-law, Angie — also made the trek to Orlando for the game and came away with lasting memories.

 

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve had,” said Duwane. “The whole area down there was terrific and there was so much to do.”

 

The Snyders joined in on the Gopher tailgate party before the game and enjoyed the plethora of food and the marching band. After picking up a game program, they headed to their seats on the plaza level near the corner of one of the end zones.

 

“We just happen to be seated about five seats away from Maxx Williams’ parents and everyone around them kept chanting, ‘one more year, one more year,’” said Duwane. “It was so much fun.”

 

The Snyders said that if the Gophers ever get the chance to go to another major bowl game, they’ll be sure and go along for the ride.

 

“Other than the outcome, it was everything we had hoped it would be,” he said. “If they go again, we’ll be there to support them!”