Sports Headliners has learned the football Gophers and Northern Illinois have a verbal agreement for the Huskies to play in Minneapolis on August 30, 2008. A signed contract is expected soon. That will be Minnesota’s opening game and completes the 2008 schedule. Other non-conference games will be at Bowling Green, and home against Montana State and Florida Atlantic.
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, an NHL fan, is picking Buffalo and Detroit to play for the Stanley Cup.
Wayne Kostroski, co-owner of Minneapolis area restaurants Tejas and Bar Abilene, reports that the 2007 Taste of the NFL raised $550,000 for hunger- related charities. Kostroski, who volunteers his time as executive director of Taste of the NFL, said the mega annual Super Bowl party is the “only lasting legacy” to the Super Bowl held in Minneapolis in 1992. The event began here and has now raised $6.6 million for organizations such as food banks. Called a “party with a purpose,” the 2007 event in south Florida had a record attendance of 3,000 people who enjoyed food from restaurants representing each NFL city.
Sports enthusiast Tim Murray, co-owner of Murray’s restaurant, will be married on April 21 to Mary Foster, a Minneapolis banker. The two have known each other since grade school in Golden Valley. The couple will honeymoon in Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas.
Kickoffs will be from the 30 yard line this season in Division I college football. Kickoffs were from the 35 yard line last year but will be pushed back five yards to create more returns.
Concordia College sophomore pitcher Jill Reinert, from Watertown, Minnesota, struck out 20 batters in Concordia’s 6-3, 12-inning win over Bethel on Friday. That set a school record for most strikeouts in a single game. The MIAC named Reinert its Softball Pitcher of the Week.