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Business Journals
01-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Powering Minneapolis icons: Cordia's energy innovations at U.S. Bank Stadium and Augsburg University
In a city known for its dynamic seasons, iconic skylines, and deep community roots, infrastructure is the invisible thread keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. At Cordia, we take great pride in being a part of that critical foundation — delivering reliable, efficient energy services to the institutions that make Minneapolis thrive. Two recent milestones underscore our continued investment in the city's future: our long-standing relationship with U.S. Bank Stadium and a renewed partnership with Augsburg University. A legacy of support for U.S. Bank Stadium U.S. Bank Stadium isn't just a premier sports and entertainment venue —it's a symbol of Minneapolis' forward-looking spirit. Since opening its doors in 2016 on the former site of the Metrodome, the stadium has hosted the Super Bowl, Final Four, and countless concerts, becoming a national showcase of what a modern facility can be. What many may not know is that Cordia has supported this site for decades, going back to the original Metrodome. When plans began to emerge for a new stadium, we saw it as an opportunity not just to continue our service, but to innovate and expand our infrastructure to meet the future needs of the facility. As part of a multi-year planning and engineering process, Cordia executed an agreement to provide U.S. Bank Stadium with both steam and chilled water service from our downtown energy system. To ensure peak reliability and performance, we installed a new, dedicated 24-inch chilled water line that feeds directly into the stadium. This line, along with dedicated booster pumps and a complete reconfiguration of the piping within our main plant, represented a significant investment in custom engineering and construction. The result is a highly efficient, resilient energy delivery system that supports everything from climate control for fans to optimal field conditions for athletes. It's a behind-the-scenes solution with very visible results. Renewing a community bond with Augsburg University Our work with Augsburg University is another proud chapter in Cordia's Minneapolis story. In late 2023, we renewed our energy partnership with the university — a relationship that has sustained for more than two decades. But this wasn't just a renewal; it was a reinvestment in the university's campus and the surrounding community. As part of this renewed agreement, Cordia purchased the university's existing steam line, assuming responsibility for its operation and long-term reliability. We recognized immediately that parts of the infrastructure were aging and required thoughtful, coordinated upgrades. But the situation also presented a unique challenge. Adjacent to Augsburg's campus is M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, a critical facility with round-the-clock operations and emergency care. We routed a new path for the replacement steam line — primarily to minimize piping in the public street for cost reasons — and coordinated construction carefully to avoid disruptions. This wasn't your typical infrastructure project. With an active emergency room entrance just feet from our construction zone, coordination and communication were paramount. Our teams collaborated daily with hospital and university staff, managing traffic, minimizing disruption, and adjusting schedules in real time to meet the needs of patients, students, and faculty alike. The result was a seamless installation that improved energy reliability without impacting access to essential services. Investing in Minneapolis' resilient future These two projects — at U.S. Bank Stadium and Augsburg University — are powerful examples of how Cordia's infrastructure investments aren't just about pipes and pumps; they're about partnerships. Our goal is to be more than an energy provider — we aim to be a trusted collaborator, designing systems that meet today's needs while preparing for tomorrow's challenges. Energy infrastructure in urban environments requires precision, patience, and a deep commitment to the community. Whether we're installing a 24-inch chilled water line beneath downtown streets or coordinating construction next to a hospital emergency entrance, our work is always guided by a focus on safety, sustainability, and service. Minneapolis continues to grow and evolve, and Cordia is proud to be growing with it. From powering iconic stadiums to supporting world-class education and healthcare institutions, we're honored to play a role in building a resilient, efficient, and connected city. As we look to the future, our mission remains clear: deliver energy solutions that empower communities — and do it with care, excellence, and partnership. Cordia is a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Cordia serves over 700 customers with heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the U.S. Cordia is committed to driving change toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future and empowering people and communities to reach their full potential. Learn more at Jacob Graff is a distinguished leader in the thermal and distributed energy infrastructure sector, currently serving as the regional president of the North and West for Cordia. With a wealth of expertise in orchestrating sales and operations of multiple thermal district energy systems, Graff is renowned for his strategic vision and operational prowess.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
How women's flag football is rapidly growing on college campuses across the US
Augustana University and Concordia University, St. Paul players compete during a women's college flag football game, April 7, 2025, in St. Paul. Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Flag football's popularity is surging among women and girls across the United States, with Augustana University and six other NCAA schools launching club teams this spring through a $140,000 support from the Minnesota Vikings . The sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has further boosted participation, leading to expansion at high school and collegiate levels, with over 42,000 girls playing nationwide in sanctioned programs during the 2023-24 school year. At Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Kiley Coyne, an assistant director of admission for the music department and women's tackle football player, took on coaching duties for the new team. "I remember saying, 'I just need 10.' If we can have an offense and a defense, let's go," Coyne said. "Now we have 23 people who've gone out for it." The NFL has been actively supporting the sport's growth, recognizing its accessibility for female athletes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Susan Boyle Is Now so Thin and Looks Beautiful! Undo "I think one of the beauties of flag football is how accessible it is," said Stephanie Kwok, the league's vice president of flag football. "It's adding to the opportunities for girls to play sports." The collegiate league includes five institutions in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin, with teams gathering for multiple games at the same site on three Saturdays this month. Brooklyn Sturm, a freshman at Augustana, found a new athletic pursuit in flag football after playing volleyball, basketball, and softball in high school. "I thought I needed to focus on academics, but when I got here it felt like a part of me was missing," said Sturm. "If we had this opportunity in high school, I probably would've taken it." The sport's growth extends beyond collegiate levels, with 14 states now sanctioning girls' flag football and approximately half a million girls ages 6 to 17 participating in organized play. More than 100 higher-education institutions now offer women's flag football as a varsity or club sport, with the NAIA beginning sanctioned competition in 2021. At Augsburg University in Minneapolis, the program has attracted women new to organized sports. "Why am I doing this? It's for those women who've never worn a uniform, who've never been part of the school spirit of being part of a team," said Melissa Lee, an associate athletic director and team coach at Augsburg University. "What's their token answer? We played powderpuff at homecoming our junior and senior year," said Lee, who recruited 24 women at the school of about 2,400 undergrads. "That was all it took for me. I said, 'You're on the team.'" Flag football rules differ significantly from tackle football, featuring smaller fields and 5-on-5 play. Teams have four downs to cross midfield and another four to score, with special rules for rushing the passer and running plays near the goal line. Plans for next season include expanding to 7-on-7 play and potentially doubling the league's size. "I just love taking new opportunities," Sturm said, recalling her family's reaction. "Now that they know I'm getting back into it, they're like, 'This is you. This is what you're supposed to do.'" The NCAA has recommended women's flag football be designated an emerging sport, with at least 20 more teams expected to start in 2026. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
