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.

No ‘Chance’ McDonald to Drop U

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 by David Shama

Gophers coach Jerry Kill received a rare four-star commitment (ESPN.com) late last week when All-State Hopkins High School wide receiver Andre McDonald announced he will sign a national letter of intent with Minnesota on Wednesday. McDonald committed to the Gophers last year, but then changed his pledge to Vanderbilt in the fall.

Will he switch again in the next 48 hours? “I don’t think there’s any chance of that,” said John DenHartog, Hopkins coach. “I think he’s excited about the decision. Minnesota is the best place for him. He can help the program.”

DenHartog said McDonald gave up Vanderbilt this winter after the wide receivers’ coach left to join a new coaching staff at Illinois. Chris Beatty then recruited McDonald aggressively as did Iowa.

The Gophers are neither deep in bodies or talent at wide receiver. McDonald is about 6-3 and 205 pounds, and was a dangerous receiver in high school. “He’s got some unique skills,” DenHartog told Sports Headliners. “He can be a difference maker. He can make moves in tight spaces and make people miss and turn in big gains.”

DenHartog said McDonald “has unlimited potential” but that Kill didn’t promise a starting job. “Andre knows he’s going to have to work hard,” DenHartog said.

The Hopkins coach has been impressed with the forthrightness and caring of Kill. He also likes the longevity Kill and his staff have with one another. DenHartog is optimistic about the downtrodden Gophers program.

“If anyone (a coach) is going to do it, I believe he’s the one,” DenHartog said. “His intensity and honesty are really refreshing. The majority of time people are trying to sell a dream but coach Kill, he’s going to be forthright and the kids appreciate that.”

McDonald is playing in the International Bowl in Austin, Texas on Wednesday night. He’s expected to sign his paper work committing to the Gophers that day.

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Twins Goal Remains World Series

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 by David Shama

The Twins lost 99 games last season and were unable to repeat as Central Division winners, but club president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners the franchise isn’t deflated about the news 2011 division champ Detroit has acquired slugger Prince Fielder. He also said his organization goes into each season with the goal of winning the World Series.

Baseball talk was prevalent over the weekend with fans attending the three-day TwinsFest at the Metrodome. In a few weeks the Twins open spring training in Fort Myers with only a few changes from the 2011 roster.

The Twins were World Series champions in 1987 and 1991. When will they win another a World Series? “We’re working hard. We’re trying,” St. Peter said. “That’s obviously the goal every year. …We do believe there’s still a core group of players (on the 2012 roster) that can contribute to a world championship.

“Our job as an organization is to continue to try to build on that base and to continue to acquire through all means—whether it means through the draft, whether it be free agency, whether it be trade—incremental players who are winners. At the end of the day that’s the road that we’re on and we feel good about that.”

The Twins won division titles in 2009 and 2010, but the Tigers were champions last year with a 95-67 record compared with Minnesota’s 63-99. In 2010 the Twins were 94-68. That record and season gives St. Peter optimism.

“I think it’s important to remember that the starting (pitching) rotation we’ll go to spring training with—mainly (Carl) Pavano, (Francisco) Liriano, (Scott) Baker and (Nick) Blackburn—those were the same guys that were the starters for us in 2010 when we won 94 games and a division championship. We believe in those guys. We think they all can contribute to a very successful season. …We’re looking for bounce back years from those guys.”

St. Peter said he wasn’t discouraged by news the Tigers signed Fielder last week for a reported $214 million. Fielder hit 38 home runs and drove in 120 runs for Milwaukee last year.

“…Hey, you respect the teams in your division, obviously,” St. Peter said. “We’ve been battling the Tigers for a decade. We’ve come out most of the time in this division. They’re the defending champs so they’re gonna defend.

“They had a significant loss in Victor Martinez and now they’ve replaced that bat with Prince. We tend to focus more on the Twins and what we can do. As long as our guys are healthy and we play at the level that we’re capable of playing, we like our chances to play and contend in this division, and that includes the Tigers. …”

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Worth Noting

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 by David Shama

Twins president Dave St. Peter said the organization is hopeful major league baseball will decide in the “next couple months” to award the 2014 All-Star game to Minneapolis.

Camilo Pascual, who was the Twins first ever 20 game winner and ranks second all-time in shutouts, will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony July 14 at Target Field.

Twins manager Tom Kelly had 1,140 wins, ranking No. 1 in franchise history and No. 43 in major league baseball. He will become the seventh person in Twins history to have his number retired on September 8 as part of a pregame ceremony at Target Field.

Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith described Saturday’s 77-72 overtime win against Illinois as a victory Minnesota “desperately” needed. The win gave the Gophers a 4-5 Big Ten record and a win against a former top 25 team.

“We want Tyus!” That was the chant on Saturday night from the Minnesota student section encouraging Apple Valley High School sophomore point guard Tyus Jones to become a Gopher. Jones watched the game from near the Minnesota bench.

Mike Markuson, a 1982 Hamline graduate, is the new offensive line coach at Wisconsin. A Farmington, Minnesota native, Markuson was a defensive tackle for the Pipers. His coaching stops include Mississippi where he’s been the last five years (co-offensive coordinator).

Former Gophers golfer and New York Times best selling author Harvey Mackay shares advice from his UM golf coach in “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World.” Les Bolstad told Mackay to approach every shot on the golf course as if it were his last. “Therefore, it better be my best,” Bolstad instructed.

United States Tennis Association Northern Section Hall of Famer Nick Pappas died last week. Funeral services are today starting at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. South in Minneapolis.

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