Extra Innings
A source familiar with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
Association told Sports Headliners this week that Carleton,
Macalester and St. Olaf have decided to remain members of the MIAC. There
had been a self examination by the three schools earlier this year to
determine whether another conference might be more suitable. The source
said increased travel time and expense were major factors in the
decision to remain in the MIAC where all 13 members are Minnesota
schools.
Saint John’s football coach John Gagliardi deservedly receives a
lot of attention including for his longevity, 56 seasons coaching the
Johnnies. But basketball coach Jim Smith, now in his 45th
season with the Johnnies, has a long resume, too. Saint John’s, 3-0,
and St. Thomas, 4-0, are the only unbeaten teams so far in MIAC
conference games. Smith became the winningest coach in Minnesota
collegiate basketball history seven years ago.
Here’s more than a hat trick of personal
info on the Wild’s Mikko Koivu who
leads the team in scoring with 30 points on 10 goals and 20 assists. Koivu’s favorite hobbies are
soccer and badminton, but tennis great Roger Federer is his
favorite athlete and the person he most wants to meet. Downtown
Minneapolis is Koivu’s favorite thing about Minnesota and 20.21 his
preferred restaurant. First job was scooping ice cream in an ice cream
shop.
Koivu is ninth among forwards in voting
for the Western Conference All-Star team with over 135,000 votes. That
spot would earn him a place on the roster for the January 25 All-Star game in
Montreal. Fans can vote by texting the last name of the player they
wish to vote for to 81812, and also at
www.fanballoting.nhl.com.
If the Twins fulfill speculation that the outfield rotation will consist
of Denard Span (18 stolen bases last season), Carlos Gomez (33),
Delmon Young (14) and Michael Cuddyer (five in 71 games),
plus infielders Nick Punto (15) and Alexi Casilla (seven),
the team may well increase its 2008 total of 102 stolen bases next
season. Speed and stolen bases received attention in major league
baseball last season. World Series champion Philadelphia stole 136
bases during the regular season, third best in the National League.
Tampa Bay, the World Series loser, led the American League with 142
stolen bases. The Twins were fourth in the A.L. and figure to improve
their totals as young players Span, Gomez, Young and Casilla gain
experience and more playing time.
The Twins announced yesterday that they
have agreed to a two-year contract for Punto with a club option for
2011. “Nick has been an important part of the Twins success for the past
five years,” said Bill Smith, senior vice president/general
manager Bill Smith. “He provides great defense up the middle and brings
leadership and energy to our lineup.”
The Big Ten Conference will send two schools
(co-champs Penn State and Ohio State) to BCS games for the eighth time
in the 11-year history of the system and the sixth time in the last
seven seasons. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has
qualified 19 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. The
SEC ranks second with 17 BCS bids followed by the Big 12 (16), Pac-10
(13), ACC (11) and Big East (11). In January Penn State will play
against USC in the Rose Bowl, while Ohio State will be in the Fiesta
Bowl against Texas.
