Author: David Shama

The Gophers have sold 2,000 and 1,000 new football and basketball season tickets, according to Jason LaFrenz, director of marketing and ticket sales for University athletics.

Basketball insiders say the Gophers’ Tubby Smith is one of the best X’s and O’s coaches in the country. 

A family rivalry missed:  If the Vikings had selected quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame he could have competed twice per season against his brother-in-law, linebacker A.J. Hawk of the Packers. 

Twins pitcher Joe Nathan talking about last season when he was 7-0 with a career best 1.58 ERA:  “Last year I think I did a really good job of using all three pitches (slider, fast ball and curve).  That was kind of what kept me from being predictable.  And you don’t ever want to be predictable when you’re on the mound.   The more pitches you are comfortable with out there, the better.” 

Legendary St. John’s coach John Gagliardi, 80, just finished teaching his annual Theory of Football course to 53 students and is focusing on 2008 recruiting.  He was a speaker at the recent Minnesota State High School League’s athletic directors conference.    

The United States Handball Association National 4-Wall Championship starts today and goes through May 6 at the University of Minnesota Rec Center.  Hundreds of participants from America and other countries will participate.  More information is available at www.ushandball.org.

Although some fans may be disappointed with tomorrow’s Viking draft pick in the first round, vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman told Sports Headliners yesterday he won’t be.  Six teams will draft ahead of the Vikings and Spielman said there are eight players of special interest. 

Could he be even a little disappointed with the player who falls to the Vikings at No. 7.  “No, never be disappointed,” he answered. 

With eight favored candidates and picking at No. 7, Spielman said it’s “mathematically impossible” he won’t like his draft choice.  Of course, he’s not saying who the elite eight are but here’s a guess:  quarterback JaMarcus Russell of LSU, offensive tackle Joe Thomas of Wisconsin, quarterback Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, wide receiver Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech, defensive end Gaines Adams of Clemson, defensive tackle Amobi Okoye of Louisville, running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma and safety LaRon Landry of LSU.  That order, by the way, is how Sports Illustrated sees the draft developing through the first eight picks. 

Many fans want to see the Vikings draft a show biz talent.  That translates into an entertaining quarterback, running back or wide receiver.  Spielman made it clear the Vikings won’t use box office appeal to figure out who to pick.  He said there’s so much criteria including “17 alerts” (the Vikings would take the player with the least liabilities) that separating players to draft, even those who seem highly comparable, is a matter of process.  

“You have to focus internally (on) what’s best for the football team,” Spielman said. “A lot of times it may not be the most popular decision but you know in your heart of hearts that’s the right thing.  . . . .” 

While Spielman talks about the future, he’s not dismissing the prospect of the Vikings being a good football team in 2007.   “There’s a lot in place here,” he said.  “We need to get some offensive weapons, which we’re putting together. …Everybody says we need a pass rusher (at defensive end) but we’ll see how Erasmus (James) comes off his knee injury.   

“Fred Smoot is gone.  We just need another corner.  We were able to sign Mike Doss as a safety to come in and compete, but we’re getting a little older at safety so that doesn’t preclude us from taking (LaRon) Landry.  I just think the process keeps going and even after this process (the draft) we’re going to continue.   You know we picked up (safety) Dwight Smith last year in June.  We’ll pick up guys. …”

Although the Gophers have recently lost freshman Erik Johnson to St. Louis and also seem likely to lose  freshman Kyle Okposo and junior Alex Goligoski to the NHL before next season, the team still could be “special” in 2008, according to Glen Sonmor.  The former Gophers and North Stars coach suggests it’s usually beneficial for younger collegians to stay in school.  They can benefit from more playing time than rookies often earn in the NHL, plus more college experience and success can provide extra confidence once they reach the pro level. 

Sonmor, who follows the Gopher program closely as the team’s color commentator on WCCO Radio, thought all three players might have committed to the pros by now.  Goligoski, a defenseman, was a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2004. Okposo, a forward, was a first round pick of the New York Islanders last year. 

The Gophers were ranked No. 1 in college hockey much of last season, won the WCHA championship and almost made the Frozen Final Four.  Most of last season’s roster returns for coach Don Lucia.  “The Gophers will be very good anyway, but if both of those young men (Goligoski and Okposo) come back, they would really be ready for a great season,” Sonmor told Sports Headliners. 

The team winning the national championship isn’t necessarily the best.  The 2007 national champion Michigan State Spartans are an example.  A number of factors can come together to determine the champion and Minnesota figures to have a chance almost every year. 

“It’s a great program,” Sonmor said.  “They’ve got some outstanding young men coming in (to join the returnees).    All you can be is really one of the elite teams that has a chance to be in the regionals at the end.  Then get a good selection of opponents, avoid injuries and have your goal keeper playing really well, and then you’ve got a good chance.  The Gophers will definitely be one of those teams but with Goligoski and Okposo they’d be much more so. …” 

Sonmor said the Gophers could have the best goalie in the nation next season in sophomore Jeff Frazee.  “He will be one of the real key ingredients in the Gophers becoming an elite team with a good chance at the national championship,” Sonmor said.   

Sonmor likes Frazee’s ability to play to the competition and mentions his success not only with the Gophers but also in international games.  “I think he’s really coming into his own,” Sonmor said.