It was three years ago (August 11, 2003) that Herb Brooks, 66, was killed in an auto accident. He was a friend for many years. In 1980, shortly after he had coached the “Miracle on Ice” win over the Soviet Union, I asked him to speak at the banquet for the Minnesota high school all-star football players. Even though Brooks was in demand and commanding large speaker fees, he wouldn’t accept any payment for being the featured speaker at the banquet.
Dark Star talking about Red McCombs’ conservative spending while owning the Vikings. “Red McCombs was not the greatest owner who ever lived. He was one of the great car dealers of all time.”
Here’s a prediction the Packers will have the NFL defensive newcomer of the year in former Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk. Whether you like the “cheeseheads” or not, you have to admire Hawk’s ability to cover the field and deliver a blow. The Packers ranked seventh in total defense in the league last season but with ace defensive coordinator Jim Bates gone the guess here is that the performance slips. And don’t think a lot of Packer fans are happy to see erratic Brett Favre return at quarterback, preferring to see the legend retire and a replacement developed.
Bill Lester, executive director of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, wasn’t interested in applying for the new position supervising the Twins baseball stadium. His passion is multipurpose facilities such as the Metrodome and the executive director position of the Minnesota Ballpark Authority is initially only for three years.
Condolences to KFAN talk show host and Canterbury Park announcer Paul Allen on the recent passing of his mother Shirley Smith.
Geoff Young, the new Gopher men’s tennis coach, is the son-in-law of Coldwell Banker Burnet president Robin Peterson. Her daughter Dana is married to Geoff and they were the women’s and men’s tennis coaches at Denver University. Peterson’s son Derek, playing for Apple Valley High School, lost in the Class AA state tennis finals last spring.
Bob Knight, the Texas Tech basketball coach, while in town for a fund-raiser this week, said on WCCO Radio that Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman is the best ever at what he does.