The final Warrior Gameday Experience of the Fall semester was held on Nov. 15, 2025. The warmer weather meant students at Winona State University and community members all had the opportunity to see the Warriors one last time this year.
Warrior Gameday Experiences, which have been held since August of 2017, occur two hours before every home game for the Warriors. Located on Johnson Street between the Integrated Wellness Center (IWC) and DuFresne Performing Arts Center (DPAC), the experience lets community members and students gather together in support of the Warriors.
Local businesses, food trucks and student groups line the street selling things and having games for attendees to play. There is also normally an inflatable bouncy house that both children and adults can enjoy.
This being the last Warrior Gameday Experience of the year meant there were less booths and one less inflatable than normal. However, the smaller vendor turnout did not dampen the energy. Friends, family, community members and students lined the street regardless. Several groups parked in the IWC lot were tailgating before the game kicked off.
For two years, Winona State was rated number one in Minnesota for their gameday atmosphere, according to BigGameBoomer on X.
At 11:10 a.m., what some consider the highlight of the experience, the Warrior Walk began. On their way to the stadium, the Warriors walk down Johnson Street to receive cheers and support from all the attendees.
Jolene Wiegel, whose son plays for the Warriors, has attended every home game for the last four years. Her favorite part of every gameday experience is the Warrior Walk.
As they walk down the street, the players often give out high fives to the attendees. Exchanging hugs, helmet taps and chest bumps is also a common sight. As they get closer to the tunnel leading to the field, the crowd gives them a warm welcome.
Even after the warriors have done their walk, there is no shortage of activities.
“The vendors and all the groups that come out and have things going on, it’s something to do while you’re waiting for the game to start,” Wiegel said.
Gameday experiences are also no longer exclusive to football. This semester, there was a gameday experience for Winona State’s celebration of 50 years of women’s sports. Next semester they will be held for basketball home games as well.
Tracy Hale, the director of alumni engagement, is a part of the group that makes Warrior Gameday Experiences happen. Since 2017, when they began, Warrior Gameday Experiences have expanded exponentially.
“Homecoming was our very largest one we’ve had in 8 years. We went from end-to-end on the street. We had 11 food trucks, 2 inflatables, 45 different vendors and student groups attending. It was huge and the biggest we’ve ever had with thousands of people,” said Hale.
While the colder temperatures in the Spring semester may mean a different turnout for the gameday experiences, the people running it and the people attending are sure to bring good energy to all Warrior home games.
