The Vikings open their training camp practice schedule on Friday, July 31 and fan information is available at www.vikings.com.
It’s likely that Favre has talked with Vikings’ kicker Ryan Longwell about the personnel here and the city. The two are good friends from Packers days. Favre enjoys golf, and rumors that he will live in Eden Prairie’s Bearpath make sense.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Tiger Woods rents a home in Bearpath when he’s here for the 91st PGA Championship next month at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
Stub & Herb’s will have a beer garden that can accommodate over 800 patrons on Gophers football Saturdays. The well-known campus bar and restaurant is hoping to have the beer garden open for all seven home games, plus the Saturday, August 22 scrimmage at TCF Bank Stadium open to season ticket holders only.
Glen Mason, the former Gophers football coach, will be on the Big Ten Network again this fall providing color commentary on games. This year he will also be appearing on a Thursday night Big Ten Network show with Gerry DiNardo.
Five MIAC players from the conference have been named The Sporting News or Lindy’s preseason All-Americans. St. Thomas senior center Josh Ostrue is recognized by both publications. Saint John’s senior defensive lineman Nick Gunderson made The Sporting News selections. Gustavus senior safety Joe Welch, Carleton junior offensive tackle Brad Eckelmann and Saint John’s senior linebacker Ryan Wimmer were honored by Lindy’s.
Bill Fitch, the former Gophers basketball coach is 77, and his mother is 98. Until a few years ago she still hid Easter eggs for him to find. “He loved it,” John Bell Wilson said. The former Gophers basketball manager remains a close friend of Fitch.
While Portland’s Monty Williams is only 37, and an obscure assistant coach, he’s known as a teacher. The Wolves, who will be counting on young players who need instruction, reportedly have interest in Williams as their next coach.