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.

U Coordinator: ‘Don’t Blow Anybody Off’

Posted on September 16, 2011October 9, 2011 by David Shama

No doubt the Gophers football team would love a mulligan for last Saturday’s disappointing showing against New Mexico State. Minnesota was a three touchdown favorite against the Aggies, a program with no bowl appearances since 1960 and a combined 5-20 record during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Gophers lost 28-21 in a game that looked like it could be the easiest on the 12 game schedule. Maybe the Aggies will turn out to be one of the surprise teams in college football but for now 1-1 New Mexico State has plenty to prove, just like Minnesota. Tomorrow the Gophers will be favored to win again but this time by only about a field goal playing against Miami (Ohio), a team that ranks with the favorites in the MAC to win the championship.

The Gophers didn’t look motivated against the Aggies and Minnesota defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys said players can be affected by what the outside world thinks about opponents. Did the Gophers not take the Aggies as seriously as they should have?

“I think it’s a struggle every week in college football now,” Claeys said. “With all the media and everything, I think kids compare scores. I think they try to make up their mind before the game is played. I believe that.

“So we harp all the time: It’s not who you play, it’s how you play. You got to go through that process every week. Everybody has scholarships so everybody has some decent players. You can’t blow anybody off.

“We’ve been in that situation, playing underdog on the road. The longer that game goes, the more confidence you get out of it. I don’t think there’s any question, that’s a part of learning how to win. You got to go through that process to prepare yourself no matter who you play or what the score was last week.

“So that’s all part of changing the culture (at Minnesota) and learning how to win. But, yeah, I think there’s a good possibility that’s what happened.”

Gophers’ linebacker Mike Rallis, though, said he and his teammates didn’t take the Aggies “lightly” or fail to prepare, but acknowledged Minnesota needs to play better. “We knew they were very capable of coming in and beating us. But we need to come out and play up to our abilities right from the start,” Rallis said.

The Gophers bandwagon hit a big pothole in the road last Saturday. A hope-filled offseason led by new coach Jerry Kill and the promise stirred by only a 19-17 loss to nationally ranked USC in the opener had almost everyone in town convinced the Gophers would win big against the Aggies.

Instead it looks like hold your breath mode tomorrow against a RedHawks team that was impressive in its opening game two weeks ago, losing 17-6 at Missouri. Miami hasn’t played since and the extra time to prepare for a game is a positive not found every month on a team’s college football schedule.

The RedHawks, like other teams in the MAC, have a roster filled with players that were passed over by Big Ten schools. It’s not a new motivation, but the RedHawks wouldn’t mind proving tomorrow that they can beat a Big Ten team.

Looking at the New Mexico State-Minnesota film all week won’t hurt the RedHawks confidence.

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Worth Noting

Posted on September 16, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

It will be Bruce Smith Day tomorrow for the Gophers game at TCF Bank Stadium. A bust by Faribault artist Ivan Whillock immortalizing Smith, a Faribault native and the only Gopher ever to win the Heisman Trophy, will soon be on permanent display in the Hall of Fame at the stadium. The bust will be presented by Bruce Krinke and other Smith admirers to University president Eric Kaler and athletic director Joel Maturi between the first and second quarters. Smith trading cards will be given out to fans and the bust will be on display near the stadium plaza before the game.

The Gophers-Miami (Ohio) game tomorrow afternoon will be telecast by the Big Ten Network and the broadcast crew will include former Minnesota coach Glen Mason.

North St. Paul mayor Mike Kuehn told Sports Headliners he supports a referendum in Ramsey County regarding the proposed Vikings Stadium in Arden Hills. He said “several cities” in Ramsey County, including his, have seen their councils approve resolutions opposing the use of a half cent sales tax increase to help fund a facility on the Twin Cities Army Ammunition site.

Kuehn said the resolution passed in North St. Paul recognized the Vikings as a community asset and stated no preference for stadium location but objected to the county being a partner dedicating a half cent sales tax increase. Kuehn said the sales tax percentage increase is too large and the county and his city have too many other pressing needs.

Ted Mondale, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission chair, will be the First Friday speaker on October 7 at the University of St. Thomas. The commission and Metropolitan Council are expected to issue a report in October about the feasibility of the proposed stadium in Arden Hills.

The Bucs team that plays the Vikings at Mall of America Field on Sunday lost 27-20 to Detroit in the opening regular season game for both teams. Sports Illustrated predicted in its September 5 issue the Bucs will finish behind the Saints and Falcons but ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South.

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will be trying for his third consecutive regular season game with one interception and one sack.

The attendance of 114,804 in Ann Arbor last Saturday for the Michigan-Notre Dame game was the largest crowd ever to watch a college or professional game. After two weeks Big Ten home games have attracted more than 1.4 million fans, but Illinois followers don’t seem too excited about coach Ron Zook’s 30-45 career record in Champaign. Illinois has drawn home crowds of 45,154 and 42,212 in its first two games.

Don’t think the Big Ten hasn’t been hurt by the demise of Michigan and Ohio State. The conference has four teams in the A.P. top 25 including league newcomer Nebraska. The highest ranked team is Wisconsin at No. 7, followed by No. 10 Nebraska, No. 15 Michigan State and No. 17 Ohio State.

Hopkins coach John DenHartog said via email that his much recruited wide receiver Andre McDonald has better speed and strength after “hard training” in the offseason. “Andre has made himself into the best blocking WR on our team,” DenHartog wrote.

The Lynx open the Western Conference playoffs tonight against San Antonio at Target Center and not only is there optimism about winning a WNBA championship this fall but the future beyond could see more titles. The Lynx produced a league best 27-7 record and standout players are 30 or younger. Included are Rebekkah Brunson, No. 3 in league rebounding, and Lindsay Whalen, the WNBA’s assist leader, who are both 29, and the league’s best rookie, Maya Moore, 22. Seimone Augustus, 27, was eighth in the WNBA with a scoring average of 16.2 during the regular season.

The Klas family, dedicated for decades to helping people with developmental and learning disabilities, holds its women’s charity golf tournament on Monday. The Tapemark Charity Women’s Golf Event at Southview Country Club is open to all women amateur golfers.

Five St. Thomas teams came into the week ranked nationally in Division III polls. Football is ranked fourth and in the top 10 for the 20th consecutive poll. Volleyball is seventh and has been ranked in 72 of the last 73 polls. Women’s soccer is ranked No. 21, men’s cross country No. 30 and women’s cross country No. 34. St. Thomas is the only Division III school with nationally ranked and unbeaten teams in both football and volleyball.

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Adelman ‘Gets the Most Out of Nothing’

Posted on September 14, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Bill Fitch, a top 10 all-time NBA coach in wins, told Sports Headliners new Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman “gets the most out of nothing.”

Fitch lives in Houston where in retirement he watched Adelman coach the Houston Rockets for four seasons. He also coached against Adelman when Adelman had jobs with other NBA teams years ago.

“I think it’s a good hire,” Fitch said. “You hired for what you need there. You got what you don’t have − experience, stability, very good with people. He’s a good coach. His teams share the ball and hustle on defense.

“The teams he’s had down here have over achieved with the material he was given. He had no center with Yao (Ming) going down (injured). There were a lot of trades. He had a general manager that played potential too much. You don’t win with nine potentials. Winning is now.”

Adelman and the Rockets parted with one another after last season. His record in Houston was 193-135, a .588 winning percentage and the best in franchise history. It’s widely accepted by NBA authorities, including Fitch, that Adelman didn’t always have much talent to work with in Houston. That has also sometimes been his reputation at other places he’s coached during a 20 year career in the league.

Fitch said part of Adelman’s success is attributable to hiring exceptional assistant coaches. It wouldn’t surprise Fitch if Adelman’s staff in Minneapolis includes former NBA center Jack Sikma who worked for Adelman in Houston.

Adelman is the type of coach who could have been hired in recent years by even the league’s glamour franchises like Boston and the L.A. Lakers, according to Fitch who approves of Adelman’s demeanor. “He doesn’t get too high or too low,” Fitch said.

Fitch, who won a world championship with the Celtics in 1981 and once coached the Gophers, said Adelman didn’t have a say in personnel decisions in Houston. “I would think he would have some assurances on personnel in taking the (Timberwolves) job,” Fitch said.

Adelman, 65, has known Kevin Love since the Wolves star forward was in high school and Fitch said that relationship can’t hurt in keeping Love here long term. He said Adelman excels at teaching big men and isn’t a coach who “makes waves.”

“He (Love) won’t leave because of Adelman, and Adelman can be a reason to stay,” Fitch said.

Fitch has 944 career wins and ranks ninth on the league’s all-time win list. Adelman moved ahead of Fitch at the end of last season and has 945 wins, ranking eighth all-time.

After Adelman tied him last season at 944, Fitch sent a congratulatory note teasing him to get his own number.

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