EVANSVILLE — An Evansville native has been up close and personal to many of the biggest moments in Minnesota Vikings history.
Bryan Harper, a Reitz and University of Southern Indiana graduate, has worked in the organization for over two decades and is the Vice President of Content and Production. He’s witnessed the Minneapolis Miracle and Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen set franchise records. He’s also traveled with the Vikings to London, including earlier this season against the New York Jets, and saw the largest comeback in NFL history take place against his hometown team, the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts play the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium this weekend on Sunday Night Football. The Vikings are one of the NFC’s best teams while the Colts trail the Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South. There’s also an Evansville connection on the other side of the field: Harrison graduate Joey Elliott is the Colts’ assistant director of pro scouting.
“We love night games and what we can do in our building to kind of create that home-field advantage,” Harper said. “When I was growing up, the Colts were my favorite team. So it’s a little weird (that) deep down I have that affinity for the Colts, but of course, my team is the Vikings now. So I’m rooting for them 100% of the way.”
Harper knew for a long time he wanted to work in sports. He grew up an avid basketball fan, worked with former USI basketball coach Bruce Pearl and had aspirations of working for the Indiana Pacers out of college.
His first job after graduation was with the Columbus Dispatch as an account executive. He then moved on as an account executive for the Columbus Crew and later worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates and NASCAR. He was also a premium seats sales executive with the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Vikings.
“Things happen for a reason and they work out certain ways,” Harper said. “When I got to the NFL, I experienced the feeling of a gameday and how popular that sport is. I kind of fell in love with it and knew that’s where I wanted to be. Working in team sports, it just has a little extra that you don’t get anywhere else.”
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Harper’s favorite memories with the Vikings are endless. He was instrumental in the building of U.S. Bank Stadium and the TCO Performance Center and implemented multiple gameday traditions, including the Skol chant, Gjallarhorn and Viktor the Viking.
More importantly, Harper cherishes the relationships he’s maintained.
He oversees the Vikings Entertainment Network, where television, radio, website and in-stadium programming fall under the umbrella of the team’s entertainment initiatives. With VEN, Harper has worked closely with Paul Allen, the Vikings’ play-by-play announcer since 2002, as well as a multitude of personnel, athletes and coaches.
“Relationships are everything,” Harper said. “Whenever my time is done, that’s what I’m going to miss the most is the people. We’ve been blessed with some amazing folks here in Minnesota that’s on the business and football side. Those are relationships that will last for the rest of my life.”
It’s an honor for Harper to represent Evansville on a national level as he’s attended multiple Super Bowls over the last several years. He enjoys seeing Brandon Gaudin and Dr. Lee Kneer, who went to Harrison and North, respectively, with the Atlanta Braves. Scott Studwell, who is in the Vikings’ Ring of Honor, also went to Harrison.
“(Minnesota) is my home now, but I’m always from Indiana and a Hoosier,” Harper said. “I think it’s great to show people that you can go other places and do great things. (There’s) a lot of pride in Evansville.”