Author: David Shama

Tim Brewster wants to eventually be remembered as a national championship and hall of fame coach.  The Gopher coach talked to Sports Headliners earlier this week about his goals and determination.  Although his first head coaching job has started with a 1-4 record, including 0-2 in the Big Ten Conference, and despite critics who think he’s too positive and enthusiastic in his speech, Brewster said he won’t be modifying his public or private approach.

“I am always going to be me, that is a (glass) half full guy,” Brewster said. “A guy who is unbelievably excited about the opportunity he has.  And irregardless of what anybody thinks, I am going to believe every second of every day, that we’re going to make the Gophers special again.”

Brewster, 46, waited a long time to become a head coach on the collegiate or pro levels.  Following years of serving the Mack Browns, Marty Schottenheimers and Mike Shanahans, his intensity is in overload mode to prove himself.  “I am not interested in going to a bowl game,” Brewster said.  “I am interested in winning a national championship.  I am not interested in being a football coach.  I want to go down as one of the great coaches of all time.  That’s my mindset and it always will be.”

The interview focused on why and how Brewster became and remains so optimistic about life.  He said his outlook has always been upbeat and he talked about his divorced mother who raised two sons while creating a positive home environment.  Despite the divorce, Brewster’s father was part of his life, too, and a role model.  Al Brewster, who was on the sidelines last Saturday night watching his son coach against Ohio State, is now 70 years old but works six days a week in a shipping warehouse.  “Every time I feel sorry for myself I think about my dad who works 12 hours a day, six days a week,” Brewster said. “And he’s 70 years old and he’s had cancer.”

Brewster was asked about negative thoughts that may go through his mind.  “I am always thinking of not the problem but the solution,” he answered.  “We all have problems that are presented to us but a lot of people dwell on the problem itself and I don’t.  I am immediately thinking about the solution and how to fix it. …When in the face of the storm, in the face of adversity, I think about leadership. I think about (how) everybody is watching me to see how I am going to respond, to see how I am going to act. And they’re going to feed off me and so I always want to handle things the right way.  Particularly now in the position I am in.”

For Brewster, happiness is going to work every day.  “I love football,” he said.  “I loved playing (the) game and then the opportunity to get into coaching.  To me, my dream in life was to be a head football coach.  Everything I’ve ever done has been wrapped up with my goal and intention of being a head football coach. And then to be the head football coach at a place like the University of Minnesota, such a storied football program, such tremendous tradition and history (six national titles, 18 Big Ten championships).  I feel such a responsibility to the state of Minnesota and to all Minnesotans to make this place, make this program, special again.  I mean each and every day I am going to drive myself and drive our football team and those around me to make this a special program again. …”

The Gopher hockey team officially begins practice at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning and coach Don Lucia’s players will start working toward what they hope will be a third consecutive WCHA championship.  Junior goalie Jeff Frazee may be a difference maker in pursuing that objective.

Lucia said last season there were six senior goalies in the 12 team WCHA including Minnesota’s Kellen Briggs who shared time with Frazee.  Having a potential high impact returnee like Frazee is an asset for the Gophers who lack experience and depth among their defensemen.

Last season Frazee ranked first in the WCHA in winning percentage (.806), ninth in goals against average (2.35) and 11^th in save percentage (.903).  Former Gopher coach Glen Sonmor, now the color commentator on the team’s radio broadcasts, thinks Frazee could be among college hockey’s best goalies this season.

Earlier this week Lucia talked about his three goalies, Frazee, freshman Alex Kangas and senior Brent Solei.  “Jeff Frazee comes in as (the) No. 1 guy,” Lucia said.  “Alex Kangas had a very good junior career and Brett Solei has looked very good in practice.  He may be the hardest working guy we have on our team so I think this year he deserves an opportunity to at least get some time in there as well. …I don’t determine who plays, the goalies will. …

“I thought he (Frazee) had a very good year last year. …One of the things is you look at Jeff and his whole career…he usually plays best in the big games. ….He played very well for us and was the winning goalie in…the championship game of the WCHA Final Five. …I think we’ll be in very good hands there.”

The Gophers have been picked to finish second in the WCHA for 2007-08, according to the Grand Forks Herald’s annual preseason coaches’ poll. The Gophers received three of the 10 first-place votes while WCHA favorite North Dakota received the other votes.  North Dakota’s Ryan Duncan was named the Preseason WCHA Player of the Year, and Kyle Turris of Wisconsin was selected as the league’s Preseason Rookie of the Year. Minnesota sophomore Kyle Okposo also received a vote for WCHA Preseason Player of the Year.

Don Lucia’s Gopher hockey roster is made up of all Minnesotans but that is based on need, he said.  In the past there have been players from outside the state and will be again.

The Timberwolves rank last in espn.com’s NBA power rankings.  The Spurs are No. 1 and Celtics No. 2.

Lou Nanne reports first week book sales of over 2,500 for Minnesota North Stars: History And Memories With Lou Nanne.  The former North Stars executive and player said he has 33 future book signings.  A portion of proceeds from the book will benefit USA Hockey and also the Glen Sonmor scholarship at the University of Minnesota. The book, with Nanne and local author Bob Showers, is a celebration of the Minnesota North Stars’ 40^th anniversary.

Sporting News describes Cleveland’s C.C. Sabathia as a “big game pitcher,” and refers to his 5-1 record this past season against rivals Johan Santana of the Twins and Justin Verlander of the Tigers.

If the Cubs make it to the World Series, stubhub.com is offering tickets at Wrigley Field costing up to $75,000.

Interesting stats: among the storylines of tomorrow’s Minnesota-Indiana football game in Bloomington will be sacks.  The Hoosiers lead the country in total sacks with 27.  The Gophers have given up only three sacks in 209 passing attempts, ranking first in the Big Ten Conference and fifth nationally.  Since 2002 the Gophers have finished either first or second in the conference in fewest sacks allowed.

Adrian Peterson was recognized earlier this week by the NFL as the Offensive Rookie of the Month for September.  He leads the NFC with 383 rushing yards. Peterson has averaged 137.2 yards per game from scrimmage with 549 combined rushing and receiving yards. In four games he tied Chuck Foreman’s Viking rookie record for 100 yard rushing games (three).

Two Concordia College seniors have been chosen by the MIAC as its men’s and women’s soccer athletes of the week. Midfielder Matt Klein scored the game-winning goal in Concordia’s historic victory over Saint Mary’s on Saturday. Klein’s goal in the second half against the Cardinals helped the Cobbers end a 35-game conference winless streak – a streak that dated back to October 25, 2003 and totaled 3,200 playing minutes and 1,433 calendar days.   Forward Rachel Lewis scored both the game-winning goals in Concordia’s 2-1 win over St. Kate’s and 3-0 victory over Saint Mary’s last week. She has been a major factor in the team’s four-game conference winning streak that has helped the Cobbers to second place in the MIAC standings. Through games of last weekend Lewis had five goals for 10 points and was tied for the MIAC lead in game-winning goals.