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.

Worth Noting

Posted on March 14, 2012March 14, 2012 by David Shama

Head scratcher: the University of Washington won the Pac-12 regular season championship with a 14-4 record and didn’t receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament. When was the last time a champion from a conference like the Pac-12, Big Ten or ACC was excluded?

“I think if a team wins a major conference they’ve gotta be in the field of 68,” former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher said. “You know the game that knocked them out? South Dakota State went out there and beat them at Washington by about 20 points. (92-73). Ever since South Dakota State whipped them in the nonconference everybody just gave up on Washington. …”

There was speculation last summer about how effectively Timberwolves general manager David Kahn and new coach Rick Adelman would work together. “As far as I can see, it’s just excellent,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor told Sports Headliners. “There’s a good line of communication.”

Wolves forward Derrick Williams, 20, said there’s been no rookie wall for him and he’s “playing better than earlier in the season.” In two of his last three games Williams has scored 19 and 22 points (season average 8.8).

The NBA trade deadline is tomorrow. It seems obvious the Wolves want to move forward Michael Beasley but can’t find the right deal. Under Adelman, Beasley is no longer a starter and he’s seen his minutes reduced.

The Gophers, who play an opening National Invitation Tournament game in Philadelphia against LaSalle tonight on ESPN2, won the NIT in 1998 only to later have the title taken away because of the basketball program’s academic scandal. The Gophers also won the NIT in 1993. Minnesota is 18-11 in the tourney, the oldest in college basketball.

The St. Thomas women’s basketball team includes Carolyn Dienhart, a 5-6 senior guard, who is the daughter of former Gophers athletic director Mark Dienhart and now executive vice president and chief administrative officer at St. Thomas. The Tommies are in the Division III Final Four for the first time in 12 years and play Illinois Wesleyan on Friday in Holland, Michigan.

Hamline outfielder Andy King was the NCAA Division III Hitter off the Week last week. In four games against Wisconsin-Stout and Edgewood, he had nine hits in 12 at bats. The right-handed hitting senior from Fort Myers, Florida scored five runs and drove in 11 with four singles, a double, two triples and two home runs for a 1.667 slugging percentage.

NFL.com, SportingNews.com, Cbssports.com, Scouts. Inc. (ESPN.com) and SI.com all have the Vikings using the No. 3 pick in the first round of next month’s NFL draft to take USC left tackle Matt Kalil.

University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler told WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle audience on Sunday he doesn’t plan to cut the school’s 25 intercollegiate sports to save money, but instead wants to improve athletic budgets by increasing overall revenues.

Star Tribune columnist and WCCO Radio personality Sid Hartman will be 92 tomorrow, March 15.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill said his players are reading the book Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance written by former Gophers quarterback and Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy.

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Taylor Not Labeling Love Superstar

Posted on March 12, 2012March 12, 2012 by David Shama

Kevin Love, the Wolves’ fourth year All-Star forward, ranks fourth in NBA scoring average at 25.6 points per game and second in rebounding at 13.8, but team owner Glen Taylor isn’t ready to label him a superstar.

“No, I don’t think you want to give a person the title of a superstar until you put in a little more time and stuff like this,” Taylor said. “Star is appropriate. His scoring and rebounding is exceptional.”

Taylor’s view is players earn the superstar label by leading their teams in the playoffs. The Wolves have yet to make the playoffs in the 23-year-old Love’s first four NBA seasons, although Minnesota is a possibility this spring.

Taylor also believes potential superstars need supporting talent for them to reach their full potential. “The important thing is can I, David Kahn (general manager) and coach (Rick Adelman) surround him (Love) with players to elevate the player to that level?”

Love’s improvement has been dramatic. He averaged 11.1, 14 and 20.2 points per game his first three seasons. His rebounding averages were 9.1, 11.2 and 15.2.

Love has made a favorable reputation off the court, too, involving himself with community work including his coat drive for the needy. He’s a media favorite because of his intelligence, personality and temperament.

Earlier this season Love signed a four-year contract reportedly worth about $60 million. In Love’s last three games he’s scored 99 points and grabbed 49 rebounds.

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Worth Noting

Posted on March 12, 2012March 12, 2012 by David Shama

Deolis Guerra was the youngest player acquired by the Twins in the 2008 trade sending Cy Young pitcher Johan Santana to the Mets for four prospects including Guerra and outfielder Carlos Gomez. Now Guerra, a 22-year-old, 6-5, 245-pound right-handed pitcher is the last remaining Twins property from that unproductive trade.

Guerra gave up four hits and five runs in one inning in his spring training relief debut last Monday. He followed that appearance with a better outing on Friday, pitching one inning and giving up no hits. Twins minor league executive Jim Rantz told Sports Headliners he believes Guerra will make the big league club some day, but will start this season in Triple-A Rochester.

Guerra had a 5.59 ERA in 37 games pitching for Double-A New Britain last season. What impressed, though, was after moving from a starting role to relief pitching he had a 1.29 ERA in August.

Rantz likes Guerra’s potential as a middle and late inning relief pitcher, commenting that the Venezuelan native paces himself better in relief than starting. “He’s more consistent out of the (bull)pen,” Rantz said.

Rantz also said Twins minor league players — those who aren’t at the big league camp — reported to spring training last week. Included are much talked about prospects Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario. Rantz said Sano, a 6-foot-3 slugging third baseman, reported to camp weighing 243 pounds and had “no fat.” Rosario is being converted from the outfield to second base. Both players will play for Class-A Beloit this season.

Although he’s 36 years old, the Twins will again expect starting right-hander Carl Pavano to throw a lot of innings. The last two seasons he’s pitched 221 and 222 innings. The past two years he ranks fifth in the major leagues for most complete games, 10.

University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler told WCCO Radio’s Sports Huddle audience yesterday he will wait to consult with the soon to be hired new athletic director before deciding on a contract extension for Gophers coach Tubby Smith.

Gophers coach Jerry Kill spoke to the C.O.R.E.S. group last week, addressing several subjects including social media. Not surprisingly, the 50-year-old Gophers coach isn’t a fan. “We have forgotten how to communicate face-to-face,” he said.

Without thinking about the consequences, information is posted on Facebook that could cost a person a college scholarship or a job, Kill said. “People put things on Facebook you can’t believe.”

The Gophers open spring practice on March 22 after a winter of conditioning and weight training. Players who don’t adhere to the coach’s rules can find themselves wearing the infamous brown t-shirts. On one side the message is: “I let my teammates down.” The other side: “Minnesota Loafers.”

Kill said the Gophers are a work in progress including behavior, noting he still has “kids that don’t know right or wrong.” The right attitude on the field is also a goal. “We don’t have hard working, fight back people yet,” he said.

The Gophers’ second-year coach is seeking community support. While speaking to groups he’s likely to bring up names like Nike’s Phil Knight whose financial help boosted Oregon athletics.

Kill and his staff are involved with the March 29-31 Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic led by the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. Association executive director Ron Stolski said registrations are on a record pace but still being accepted. The clinic’s primary site will be the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park and more information is available at mnfootballclinic.com.

On Friday night March 30 former Gopher and now University of Houston head coach Tony Levine will be the headline speaker. Kill will also talk that evening. St. Thomas head coach Glenn Caruso will receive the Tom Mahoney Man of the Year Award from the MFCA. Caruso coached the Tommies to a 13-0 record last year before losing a playoff game that would have sent his team to the Division III national championship game.

The Gophers held their Pro Day for NFL scouts last week and it’s popular opinion no Gopher senior will be drafted next month. Free agent signees could include defensive lineman Anthony Jacobs, tight end Eric Lair and wide receiver Da’Jon McKnight.

The Vikings will miss guard Steve Hutchinson’s leadership just as they did in 2009 when center Matt Birk went to Baltimore. The Vikings released Hutchinson, an 11-year veteran, on Saturday.

Ricky Rubio’s mother was in town, visiting from Spain, when the Timberwolves point guard tore the ACL in his left knee on Friday night.

Dick Jonckowski, the popular emcee and Gophers basketball-baseball public address announcer, spoke at the MainStreet Lodge last week where former Minneapolis Lakers and Gophers coach John Kundla is a resident.

Justin Kloos from Lakeville South High School is the recipient of the 28^th Annual Mr. Hockey Award, given to the outstanding senior boys prep player in the state, according to an announcement made yesterday by the Minnesota Minutemen. Michael Bitzer of Moorhead High is the The Frank Brimsek Award winner as the top senior goaltender. Ken Pauly (Benilde-St. Margaret’s School) and Bruce Plante (Hermantown High School) received The John Mariucci Award given to the Class AA and Class A high school coaches of the year. Bart Larson (Edina East/West High Schools) received The Cliff Thompson Award as “Old Timer Coach” of the year.

Minnesota North Stars Night will be Thursday, March 29 when the Wild play Florida at Xcel Energy Center. Over 30 North Stars alums are scheduled to participate in activities throughout the evening. The next night the Wild will host an “Evening with the Stars” event at 317 Rice Park. Fans will interact with alumni expected to include Neal Broten, Jack Carlson, Brad Maxwell, J.P. Parise, Tom Reid and Gordie Roberts. More information on the North Stars promotions is available at wild.com/northstars.

Newsman Bruce Hagevik’s last day with WCCO Radio is Wednesday. He’s been with the station for nearly 40 years.

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