Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Turkey of the Year? Make Room for the Ducky Award

Posted on November 26, 2024November 26, 2024 by David Shama

Up here in the Bold North, when it comes to Thanksgiving, we’re a step ahead of the nation. Yes, we too gorge on turkey and watching football on television. But we’re unique because Minnesota is the top turkey producing state and…we’ve got Patrick Reusse’s Turkey of the Year column entertaining us every Thanksgiving.

The veteran scribe has been serving up a Turkey of the Year since 1978 when he was opining for the Pioneer Press. Since 1988 he has been bestowing the dubious honor as a favorite columnist for the Star Tribune.

I’ll guarantee there are throngs of Minnesotans who have been gossiping for days now in anticipation of who will be Reusse’s 2024 selection. An early favorite could be Joe Pohlad from the Twins. Joe’s grandfather, the late Carl Pohlad, is the only two-time winner on Reusse’s turkey list.

I sat next to the Turkey selection committee chair last month at a Timberwolves game. Reusse didn’t let out any clues about this year, retaining the policy of clandestine operations that keeps us on edge leading up to Thanksgiving morning. We conversed on various subjects, and he dazzled (as usual) with his recall about the local sports landscape.

It occurred to me awhile ago that there could be another annual award that Minnesotans might eagerly devour during Thanksgiving week.

So, let’s be honest.

The Turkey of the Year is someone, or some organization, that has screwed up. Here at Sports Headliners we’ve decided to go in a different direction.

I am pleased to announce the annual Sports Headliners Ducky Award. This honor will be bestowed on a Minnesota sports figure who is doing “just ducky.” To be considered by the Ducky committee this person has to be going through a delightful period in his or her career. The highest criteria will be someone we can look at and declare that life is pretty peachy keen.

The committee consists only of positive thinking devotees. We begin each meeting by reading out loud several paragraphs from a Norman Vincent Peale or Dale Carnegie classic. At one meeting the chairman (yours truly) went to the blackboard and drew up John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Committee homework assignments include listening to Tony Robbins talks and reading Harvey Mackay books.

Our research to determine the winner of the Ducky Award has been arduous but the chairman insists on a certain amount of frivolity. We laughed our way through the Marx brother’s movie Duck Soup, and younger committee members were astonished to see a film in black and white. Bedlam prevailed for a few moments until order was restored.

To keep things loose at the meetings I may offer a Dick Jonckowski joke. Here’s one:

A teacher asked where Jesus was born.

A student raised his hand and said, “Philly.”

Nope, said the teacher.

The same student then guessed “Pittsburgh.”

No, said the teacher who then told the class it was Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

The persistent student replied: “I knew it was in Pennsylvania.”

The duck tasting part of our meetings has been another committee pleaser. Our mouths have been watering from a steady diet of Duck a l’orange, classic Duck confit and smoked Duck breasts. At this Friday’s banquet feast honoring the award winner we’re serving Peking Duck and advising members to wear XXL gear.

On Monday we settled on the finalists and then chose the winner. The committee debated about issuing a news release to the media, but the chair insisted the world should first learn about the finalists and winner via Sports Headliners. (As I type this, I see Lester Holt’s name coming up on my phone. I am certain he wants to go national with the Ducky news as the lead story tonight on NBC).

No way.

So, the finalists are…

Karl-Anthony Towns photo courtesy of Minnesota Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns. We liked to pile on KAT when he played for the Timberwolves. Critics howled about his silly fouls, carping at the officials and lack of production in playoff games. After nine seasons in the Mini Apple, KAT is purring in the Big Apple with the Knicks where he is averaging 26.3 points and 12.6 points per game. He is playing at an All-NBA level, and no doubt is a Spike Lee favorite at Madison Square Garden. The Wolves are struggling on defense and miss the 7-footer’s presence on both ends of the court. Things are pretty ducky for the New Jersey born KAT.

Kirill Kaprizov. The 27-year-old superstar forward is No. 1 in the hearts of Wild fans and No. 2 in the NHL in points scored this fall with 34. His 13 goals trail only five other NHL players. The 2021 NHL Rookie of the Year has been a fan favorite from the beginning, including his first game when he became the first player in league history to score three points in his debut. Things are ducky with the team, too. The Wild, 13-4-4, has surprised the skeptics who before the season considered Minnesota to be on the bubble for the playoffs.

Bob Motzko. When a coach tells the public he has a darn good team it’s usually not bluster. Minnesota men’s hockey coach Bob Motzko doesn’t deal in hype, so best to take him at his word that the Gophers are deep and talented. He is in his seventh season at Minnesota after leading the St. Cloud State program for 13. A national championship has so far eluded Motzko with results that include Minnesota’s painful overtime loss to Quinnipiac in the 2023 Frozen Four title game. The Gophers are off to a 12-2 overall start, 6-0 in the Big Ten. Ranked among the best teams in the nation, the feeling here is Motzko and the Gophers are overdue for an NCAA crown. If they do that in the spring, Motzko will be positioned to win the 2025 Ducky.

Gable Steveson. The NCAA and Olympic wrestling champion announced earlier this month he will use a final season of eligibility to again compete for the Golden Gophers. “First I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for their time, their effort and their persistence with me to push me to the man I am today,” the Minnesota native said in his comeback video. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”

With Steveson’s debut last Friday and Sunday (he scored dominant wins over his heavyweight foes), the Gophers earned their first consecutive team shutouts since 1997-1998 with victories over North Dakota State and Campbell. It could be a peachy season on the mat for Steveson and the undefeated Gophers.

And the winner is.

Kevin O’Connell image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell. Smiling KOC embodies what the Ducky Award is all about. Great disposition. Good results. Wouldn’t surprise our researchers if KOC was in those Gerber baby commercials years ago, with his face beaming into the camera and on the jar. In his third season as Vikings head coach, O’Connell has made a national reputation for creating a much-praised working environment for his players. They laud his leadership and support while also noting the boss enforces accountability.

In O’Connell’s first season as coach the surprising 13-4 Vikings reflected the poise of their new leader. They were an amazing 11-4 in one score victories, an NFL record. The Vikings are 9-2 this season, again surprising forecasters who had them winning around six games.

And things remain calm in Skol Country. As recently as Sunday Minnesota went into overtime in Chicago but defeated the Bears 30-27. A smilin’ KOC watched from the sidelines.

So that’s it, folks. The banquet will be at Hurley’s Hanging Gardens up Nordeastway. It’s sold out. BTW, if the Gophers surprise and beat Wisconsin earlier in the day on Friday, the duck feast will make way for Badger stew.

How ducky would that be?

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Underdog Gophers with One Big Edge on No. 4 PSU

Posted on November 21, 2024November 21, 2024 by David Shama

Temperatures will be in the 30s when the Golden Gophers play their final home game of the season Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium against No. 4 ranked Penn State. The cold fact is the Nittany Lions are expected to win by at least 12 points.

Minnesota’s record is 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Big Ten games. PSU is 9-1 and 6-1.

The Nittany Lions roster is stacked with stud players, and it shows in their team statistics. PSU ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense per game, No. 3 in defense.

Minnesota is No. 14 and No. 5 in the 18-team Big Ten.

If you’re a Gopher fan looking for optimism while anticipating what could be a dreary November day for both weather and results on the field, then consider one factor where Minnesota has an edge. The Gophers are coming off a bye week and the benefits that offers.

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer offered a perspective on not having played a game since the November 9 loss to Rutgers on the road. “Playing Big Ten football is no joke. I think anybody can see that; where your body is getting worn down week in and week out. … (With the bye) getting in the weight room. Getting in the treatment room, spending as much time with your body as you can. But also, just decompressing for a second.”

Brosmer, playing his first and only season for the Gophers after transferring from FCS New Hampshire, has been a head-turner for the program. His 67.1 completion percentage is on track to set single season and career records for Minnesota. With a passer grade of 86.5 from Pro Football Focus, he ranks No. 11 among FBS quarterbacks.

Darius Taylor photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Another playmaker Minnesota will count on Saturday attempting to pull off a huge upset is running back Darius Taylor. His numbers include ranking third in the Big Ten in total touchdowns with 11. An elite runner out of the backfield and pass receiver in space, he ranks sixth in Big Ten all-purpose yards per game with 109.33 and points, 7.3.

Taylor has not been 100 percent physically in recent games. Brosmer was asked how his teammate looked during the schedule bye. “He’s moving great. He’s a healthy Darius. I am excited to see him run Saturday.”

The other benefit of the bye week is coaches have the opportunity to self-evaluate and extra time to prepare for the opponent. Regarding the former, Gophers offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. said: “(Opportunity to)…look at what we need to improve on. I think we achieved that.”

The Gophers had a bye in the schedule after an October 12 win at UCLA. Two weeks later playing at home, Minnesota took it to Maryland with an impressive 48-23 victory over the Terps. The 25-point margin of victory is the largest for Minnesota in Big Ten play this season.

Penn State has had two byes, with the first coming only two games into the season. The second was between October 12 and 26. Since then the Nittany Lions have played four consecutive games including a rugged 13-10 loss to No. 2 ranked Ohio State.

Conclusion? The Gophers should be the better rested, healthier and more prepared team.

The winner of Saturday’s game will take home the Governor’s Victory Bell. It’s the most recent of Minnesota’s rivalry trophies having begun in 1993 with the initiative of Pennsylvania acting governor Mark Singel and Minnesota’s Arne Carlson. The latter has long been a Gopher football fan and first followed the program back in its glory days long ago.

The Gophers have four active trophy games including Floyd of Rosedale with Iowa, the Little Brown Jug, Michigan; and Paul Bunyan’s Axe, Wisconsin. That’s more than any other college football program in the country.

Minnesota, which claims seven national titles, has a glorious past with its many successes and rivalries. The Gophers hope to add a chapter Saturday and say “bye, bye” to the Nittany Lions.

PERICH, OTHR U ATHLETES CONNECT ON NIL WITH EX-GOPHER

KLN Family Brands is a Minnesota-based company now developing ties with University of Minnesota athletes including freshman football star Koi Perich. The company has Name, Image and Likeness deals with Perich, and women’s basketball player Mara Braun, gymnast Mya Hooten and baseball player Noah Rooney.

KLN’s CEO is former Golden Gopher baseball outfielder Charlie Nelson who set the school record for career stolen bases with 93 about 30 years ago. “I am a Gopher. Always will be,” Nelson said in expressing his passion for the University of Minnesota.

Nelson’s company is making an initial entry into NIL partnerships, with work led by Patrick Klinger’s Agile Marketing company in St. Paul. The athletes promote KLN products but there’s more to it than that. They learn about giving back to community causes, something that is a core value at KLN. The way Nelson phrases it is “trying to create a philanthropic mindset.”

“It’s been a nice thing thus far,” Nelson said about working with the four athletes. “It’s small deals but I think it means something to them, and it means something to us.”

Perich is a Big Ten leader in interceptions and punt returns, and he has earned national recognition early in his career as first-year player. He is promoting KLN’s NutriSource Pet Foods and the “B.A.R.K. Buddies” Facility Dog Program at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. He visited the hospital Monday where he interacted with patients and learned more about the program that uses trained facility dogs to help calm children during their hospital stays.

Braun has endorsed KLN’s Spot Dog Training facility in Rockford. Among the services is training dogs to go home with military vets and enhance their well-being.

In addition to NutriSource, Gopher athletes are endorsing two other KLN consumer brands: Sweet Chaos Popcorn and Wiley Wallaby Licorice. “They’re all excited to represent us,” Nelson said about the athletes. “I think they appreciate that we’re giving back to organizations like Masonic.”

Perich is the headliner among the four athletes because of his performance and the notoriety of football. His deal with KLN, which includes using social media for promotion, goes until February 1 but could extend further.

“Honestly, I think it’s kind of a little bit of see how it goes,” Nelson said. “But so far, so good. He seems like a good young man, and he’s embraced our initiatives, and that’s a big part of it for us.”

What also could be on the horizon for KLN is hooking up with students at the U who aren’t athletes. Nelson is interested in exploring other young people and their endeavors. “We don’t think NIL deals should only be specific to student-athletes,” he said.

It doesn’t take long for a listener to understand Nelson cares about people in a variety of ways including providing quality products and creating jobs. He’s proud that NutriSource buys ingredients from local farmers and growers. And that the NutriSource product focuses on providing all-important gut health to the dogs and cats who consume it. NutriSource is made in Perham while canned wet pet food, along with treats for dogs and cats, is produced in Delano.

Nelson played for legendary baseball coach John Anderson who retired earlier this year. At Perham High School he participated in baseball, basketball, football, and track and field. “I had a busy letterman’s jacket,” he quipped.

Nelson said he had some “growing up” to do after he arrived at the U. He credited Anderson for being a major influence on him.

That contributed to his loyalty to Gopher baseball, other sports at the U and how he feels about the state. “Minnesota will always be home,’” he said.

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Garcia Big Ten Scoring Title? U Teammates May Hold Key

Posted on November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 by David Shama

The Golden Gophers’ Dawson Garcia enters tonight’s home game averaging 25.5 points per game for his 3-1 team. His average through four games is the Big Ten’s best.

Garcia, a senior, plays for a team that has struggled to score points and may do so all season. The 6-foot-11 center-power forward has scored 102 of Minnesota’s 158 points this season. The next closest scorer to him is guard Lu’Cye Patterson with 34.

Dawson Garcia photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

If the Savage, Minnesota native from Prior Lake High School wins the league scoring title after the 2025 season he will be the first Gopher to do so since Kris Humphries in 2024. Humphries, a high school All-American at Hopkins High School, led the Big Ten in both scoring at 21 points per game and rebounds, 9.5 (stats are league games only). He was the first freshman in league history to accomplish that.

Other Gophers who have won conference scoring titles dating back to 1948 are: Tom Kondla, Quincy Lewis, and Mychal Thompson (twice), per Sports-reference.com.

Will Garcia join the list? Probably not, according to a former major college basketball coach who spoke with Sports Headliners on condition of anonymity.

“It’s going to be hard. He’s going to face a double, triple team every game.”

The former coach is implying if Garcia’s teammates can consistently make shots and cause foes to pay for double and triple teaming Minnesota’s star, it’s a lot more likely Garcia can win the league scoring title (based on regular season conference and nonconference games).

The source is certainly an admirer of Garcia who averaged 17.6 points and 6.7 rebounds last season. Garcia was second-team All-Big Ten as selected by the media and is now on national watch lists for postseason awards.

“He’s really a great player,” the former college head and assistant coach said. “He’s worth the price of admission.”

Garcia, listed at 234 pounds, is averaging a team-best 7.3 rebounds. He is unselfish and a good passer. He can score inside and out, including a pro range three-point shot. He’s making an impressive 57.1 percent of his threes.

“He’s (going to be) a pro player,” said the source. “He absolutely has NBA potential.”

Garcia’s mobility with and without the basketball fits the flexibility of today’s NBA that emphasizes position-less players who can handle the ball. A question about his pro future potential might be development of his lower body strength.

The Gophers have a rebuilt roster after a breakthrough 9-11 Big Ten record in 2023-2024 that followed two last place conference finishes under head coach Ben Johnson. Garcia is one of only two returning starters and Minnesota is a popular choice to finish near the bottom of the league standings.

“It’s going to be a struggle,” the former coach said about the team’s season outlook.

Minnesota plays its fourth nonconference game tonight against 3-2 Cleveland State. The Gophers, averaging a modest 64.5 points per game against so-so competition, are fortunate to have Garcia who initially spurned his hometown team coming out of high school and played at both Marquette and North Carolina.

With Name, Image and Likeness money reportedly involved, the Gophers lost two of their better starters via the transfer portal after last season. Point guard Elijah Hawkins is at Texas Tech and center Pharrel Payne plays for Texas A&M.

It’s believed Garcia is making six-figures via NIL at Minnesota, but he could have commanded more if not for his loyalty to the Gophers and his family.

Worth Noting

Hawkins has played in two of four games at Texas Tech, average 8.5 points per game and has a total of 16 assists. Another Red Raiders guard is Hopkins alum Kerwin Walton who started his college career at North Carolina. He made 47.8 percent of his three-point shots last season.

Payne’s playing time in four games has ranged between 17 and 24 minutes. He is averaging 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds in 82 total minutes.

Another transfer from last year’s team, forward Joshua Ola-Joseph who was a key reserve, is averaging 11.3 minutes in four games at Cal. He is 0-6 on three-point shots and is averaging 4.5 points per game and 2.5 rebounds.

Great news for the University of Minnesota football and volleyball programs, per Derek Burns from Dinkytown Athletes, the official Name, Image and Likeness collective of Gopher athletics. DA recently concluded its “million-dollar match campaign” with Mark Pearson’s Twin Cities-based financial services company, Nepsis.

“We did hit our number and went over slightly,” Burns told Sports Headliners Monday. Nepsis matched dollar for dollar donations, new memberships or upgraded memberships to DA through November 10.

While the DA president didn’t specify a dollar total, he said this was the most successful campaign ever for the collective which officially launched in September of 2022. DA will now target a similar campaign for February and March to benefit athletes in winter sports.

Funding success is pivotal, Burns said, when Gopher programs approach the time they and other schools across the country compete for athletes in the transfer portal. Within a few weeks, for example, football and volleyball players will be making decisions on whether to enter the transfer portal and, if so, where to go. NIL resources will also be timely for retention of athletes.

The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, who is second among NHL players in points with 31, makes $9 million. Although he is playing at a league MVP level, his contract value doesn’t rank in the league’s top 30 highest paid players.

Kaprizov and goalie Filip Gustavsson, whose 2.08 goals against average is best in the league, are unrestricted free agents after the 2025-2026 season. Gustavsson is playing with a $4.1 million deal this season and next. Kaprizov’s contract remains at $9 million next season.

The Lions defeated the Jaguars 52-6 last Sunday, after the Vikings beat the Jags, 12-7 the week prior. The 9-1 Lions, who lead the 7-2 Vikings in the race to win the NFC North, have scored 35 points or more three times in their first 10 games. The only other clubs to do that since the late 1960s are the 1969 Vikings and 1973 Falcons.

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