NFL owners voted earlier this month to host Super Bowl LII at the new Vikings stadium in 2018, a stone’s throw away from the University of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Daily Editorial Board endorsed the Vikings’ Super Bowl bid in January, and we’re glad our professional football team was successful. The game, along with other events coming to campus and Minneapolis, will pair well with our city’s growth and development.

To take advantage of the spotlight, campus and local leaders can’t spurn the opportunity to prepare and champion the University and Minneapolis.

Target Field is hosting the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July. Earlier this year, the NCAA announced that Minneapolis is a finalist to host one of the 2017-2020 Final Fours for college basketball, which it would host in the new Vikings stadium. 

With so many high-profile events, Meet Minneapolis, the city’s convention and tourism bureau, plans for 2014 to be its busiest year since 2000.

While the Vikings and Minneapolis prepare for national spotlight on the new stadium, let’s not forget the team will play at TCF Bank Stadium until the new stadium opens in 2016. Sports fans across the state will have their eyes on our campus. When high-profile events come to the Twin Cities, we shouldn’t rule out their impact on the University either.

We can see the type of spirit Minneapolis needs in Mayor Betsy Hodges. In her State of the City Address, Hodges called on residents to brag about Minneapolis and even created a bragging week in mid-July. We should be proud of our city and our campus. Let’s not allow these events to slow Minneapolis’ growth.