1. Minnesota Vikings Holiday Lights Sweater, $60

Be festive while cheering on the Minnesota Vikings with the Holiday Lights Sweater Long Sleeve. The shirt is cotton to keep you comfortable and cool during the festivities. It features a sweater design with the Vikings logo front and center. The shirt comes in purple, with sizes ranging from small to 3XL. 

Check Out: 5 Best Sports Streaming Services to Give as Gifts

2. Minnesota Vikings 30 oz Tumbler, $34.99

Tailgate in style with the Vikings 30-ounce Tumbler, repping the logo on a purple cup. The cup size will fit most cup holders, so you’re ready for game day. Plus, the leakproof lid will keep you dry all four quarters. The best part about this tumbler is the double wall insulation, ensuring cold and hot drinks stay that way for hours. 

3. Justin Jefferson Nike Player Game Jersey, $129.99

Transform into a die-hard Vikings fan with an official Justin Jefferson Nike Jersey. You can get a customizable version of this jersey, too, or pick from a variety of other players’ names. Each jersey is made with 100% polyester and can be bought in bigger sizes to wear over sweatshirts for colder games. If it’s warm, two side mesh side panels allow for airflow to keep you comfortable no matter the weather. 

4. Minnesota Vikings Iconic Collection Fade Out Pullover Hoodie, $64.99

One of the most prized gifts for Vikings fans is a sweatshirt, perfect for football weather all season long. The Vikings Fade Out Pullover Hoodie is 70% cotton and 30% polyester. It is recommended to buy a bigger size as the product runs small. The soft fabric and bold graphics are a great way to represent your team at the stadium or home. 

5. Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings Field Star Bobblehead, $65 Preorder

Elevate your man cave with the Justin Jefferson Bobblehead, wearing the signature purple gameday uniform. The handcrafted and hand-painted bobblehead stands eight inches tall, running through real turf to reach the endzone. Jefferson’s name is printed on the stand alongside the Vikings logo, so everyone knows what team you’re rooting for. 

6. NFL Unisex-Adult Plush Throw, $45

Snuggle up for gameday with the NFL Adult Plush Throw, covered in Vikings colors, their signature logo, and the text “property of Minnesota Vikings football.” The blanket measures 60 by 70 inches and is made from a super-soft Sherpa material to make those cold game days a little warmer. 

7. Minnesota Vikings Heather Team Stripe Lined Pom Beanie, $30

Warm up in Minnesota’s colder temperatures with the Heather Team Stripe Beanie. Along with a purple heather pattern, the hat features a color block stripe and the Vikings logo front and center. The beanie is acrylic, making it perfectly comfortable for the regular and postseason. 

8. Minnesota Vikings Fanatics Unisex Elements Iconic T-Shirt, $54.99

Embrace your Vikings fandom all year round with the Elements Iconic T-Shirt. The dark purple tee has a screen-printed Vikings logo on the front and “Vikings” on the back, so everyone will know your favorite NFL team. The colors are muted so you can wear this tee every day. The fabric is 100% cotton, keeping you comfortable and cool wherever you go. 

Why Vikings Fans Will Love These Gift Ideas

Vikings fans want to show their team pride, so they can display these items in their house or dress to impress on gameday. From hats to bobbleheads and jerseys, there is no end to repping your Vikings. Plus, these items offer a range of prices for any budget whether you’re doing Secret Santa, stocking stuffers, or just a thoughtful present. Make sure to keep an eye out for sales on some of these items as the holiday season gets closer. 

FAQs

In a historic move, the University of St. Thomas has been granted a waiver, allowing them to jump straight from Division III to Division I, for their athletics programs. The NCAA approved the motion, today, granting St. Thomas the ability to make such a jump.

“Today, we received long-awaited news from the @NCAA that St. Thomas has been approved to begin reclassification to Division I athletics.” –President Julie Sullivan https://t.co/OIrvT0mtAs

— University of St. Thomas (@UofStThomasMN) July 15, 2020

Today, we received long-awaited news from the NCAA that St. Thomas has been approved to begin reclassification to Division I athletics. This announcement paves the way for our St. Thomas student-athletes, coaches, fans and community to build Minnesota’s first private D-I collegiate athletics program and just the second D-I program in the state.

St. Thomas is the first university that has been approved to transition directly to D-I from D-III in the modern history of the NCAA. This approval recognizes St. Thomas’ growing reputation and academic and athletic success and will help us expand our mission and impact beyond Minnesota.

St Thomas President – Julie H. Sullivan

Unprecedented Jump

Prior to this unprecedented jump by St. Thomas, schools had to go through a years-long process to just go up one division. St. Thomas was struck by extenuating circumstances, however.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that St. Thomas was near unanimously kicked from their current conference back in 2019 because other member schools of the MIAC didn’t like how often they were winning. They cited a competitive imbalance, stating that St. Thomas’ 10,000+ students wasn’t comparable to fractions of that at other schools in the league.

With the MIAC forcing them to leave the conference by the 2021-22 school year. Leaving little time for one of Minnesota’s premier athletic programs to find a new home.

Thankfully, the NCAA recognized the tricky situation St. Thomas was in and granted them the waiver to jump up. That’s after the vote was delayed for months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW LEAGUES FOR THE TOMMIES

As for what is next, St. Thomas had a few options regarding their conference landing sports. It’s a very tricky situation for everyone involved and some sports are yet to be announced, including men’s hockey.

Outside of football and women’s hockey, the Tommies have accepted an invitation to join the Summit League. This is a smart move, for their first steps into a more competitive atmosphere.

St. Thomas will join the Pioneer League for football (their most dominant sport) and the WCHA for women’s hockey.

? St. Thomas receives @NCAA waiver to join The Summit League in 2021-22 ?

The Tommies will be the league’s 10th member#ReachTheSummit | #RollToms

?️: https://t.co/wPICO7ctWz pic.twitter.com/2Y1iLFjjRT

— The Summit League (@thesummitleague) July 15, 2020

The PFL welcomes @TommieAthletics to the league in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣.#FCS https://t.co/3Kj3blYzCh

— Pioneer Football (@PFLNews) July 15, 2020

“St. Thomas brings the full package – an excellent academic reputation, experienced leadership, a massive alumni network and a winning culture. With their values-based mission and status as Minnesota’s largest private university, we know the Tommies will represent the Summit League well and we’re proud to welcome them.”

Tom Douple, Summit League Commissioner

“The Tommies were one of the NCAA’s most successful football programs at any level over the past decade and they live their university mission off the field, which makes them an outstanding institutional fit for us. We are thrilled to expand to the Twin Cities, and proud to welcome a program with a track record for graduating players, winning conference titles and playoff games, and serving its community.”

Patty Viverito, Pioneer Football League Commissioner

SO LONG TYRANNY

While it is awful St. Thomas is losing storied histories and rivalries, their dominance was never in question.

According to their press release, they have

• 15 NCAA team championships since 1982.
• 21 different sports with top-five national team finishes
• The only NCAA school to have at least one team championship in baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball.

In football alone, the Tommies have gone 108-16 since 2010, including six years of undefeated conference play. Some of the scores during those seasons could be seen as “wallopings”: 76-7, 62-0, and 73-14… just to list a few.

It will be interesting to follow how St. Thomas performs in their new leagues, starting in 2021-22. Whatever happens, I am sure they are glad to be out of the grips of the tyrannical MIAC clutches and they should be proud of such a historic jump.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan