Gjallarhorn has become a fan favorite at Augie hockey games
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Saturday is Syttende Mai, a celebration of Norway's Independence Day.
Augustana University is showcasing some of its Norwegian heritage with a new display in the lobby of the Midco Hockey Arena and it's become a fan favorite.
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This Gjallarhorn was on display above the crowds at Augustana University's Midco Arena when it first opened last year.
It was donated by Ace Hardware owner and Augie alum, Kevin Nyberg.
'We found this Gjallarhorn at a music store in Minneapolis. The creator of this Gjallarhorn is the one who also created the Minnesota Vikings Gjallarhorn that's hanging in US Bank Stadium,' Nyberg said.
But they got to thinking.
'The purpose of the Gjallarhorn was so fans and students could embrace it,' Nyberg said.
So they built a small replica of a Viking ship to display it on.
Dean Versteeg is one of the builders.
'It's about a one-half scale of the Snooky, a Norwegian Warship, so initially it would have been about 20 feet long, this one is just short of 10 feet long,' Versteeg said.
Mark Berdahl, another Augie alum, also had a hand in it.
'It was my workshop where we made it, so we put on our best Nordic hats on and tried to figure out what they would have done and try to keep all the modern stuff out of it,' Berdahl said.
Hockey fans and others now get to take pictures with the Gjallarhorn.
'It's fun to come to the games and watch people stand behind it and get pictures taken and make all the gestures and lots of smiles on their faces,' Berdahl said.
The Gjallarhorn is not just for display, it actually works, listen, but they don't let fans do that,
In all it took a few months to build.
'One thing that's amazing about it, is there are no screws or bolts holding this Viking ship together and as a hardware guy, I like nuts and bolts and there's not one in there,' Nyberg said.
But now fans know the nuts and bolts and the history behind this Gjallarhorn.
The Augustana Vikings hockey season gets underway on October 10th against Minnesota Duluth.
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