Author: David Shama

Passionate football fans, the Wilfs want a Super Bowl team.  Although the state legislature didn’t put a stadium plan to a vote this year, the franchise appears closer to a new venue than at any time during the last 10 years.

The plan the Wilfs continue to support is building a stadium in Arden Hills.  The Vikings would welcome a special legislative session this year to pass an Arden Hills bill.

Vikings executive Lester Bagley, who has been involved with the stadium issue for years, told Sports Headliners the Vikings are “100 percent committed” to the Arden Hills plan that would have Ramsey County, the state and Vikings contributing to build a facility expected to cost about $1 billion.

“We’re adamant and optimistic we’re going to get it done,” he said.

Bagley declined to predict whether a special session will be called to address the stadium issue before 2011 ends, saying a decision is up to political leaders.  He reminded, though, that the franchise’s  Metrodome lease expires after this season, and also said that delaying approval of a stadium will cost about $53 million more because of inflation.

Specifics of a deal between the Vikings, county and state are so close to being finalized that Bagley said remaining details could be “ironed out in a few hours.”

Based on sources Sports Headliners hears from, St. Paul backers are worried the stadium may be built in Minneapolis, likely the Farmers Market site.  Minneapolis stadium supporters believe Arden Hills is clearly in the stadium derby lead.

Either the Arden Hills or Farmers Market sites will allow the Vikings to continue to play in the Metrodome until a new stadium is built.  The third option of building on the Metrodome site would force the Vikings to play at TCF Bank Stadium for a few seasons.  That is not a temporary transition the franchise ownership would welcome because the club will generate less revenue at the Gophers stadium than playing at the dome.

Pulley said the two best high school seniors next season will be Hopkins point guard Siyani Chambers and Benilde-St. Margaret’s Isaiah Zierden, a two-guard who Pulley believes ranks with the best prep shooters in America.  He said both are “mid-major” college prospects who could excel in the right programs.

Maya Moore of the Lynx has been named WNBA Rookie of the Month for July.  She led all rookies in scoring at 13 points per game.  Teammate Seimone Augustus is the Western Conference Player of the Month after averaging 19 points per game in July.

New Britain relief pitcher Tyler Robertson is the Twins Minor League Player of the Week.  Last week he was 1-0 with one save while pitching five innings, allowing no runs and striking out seven.

Twins reliever Glen Perkins has allowed just one earned run in his last 18 appearances.  He is 3-0 with a 0.59 ERA in 15.1 innings.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier surprised fans today by cutting left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson on new teammate and quarterback Donovan McNabb: “I’ve been able to play with Donovan a couple times in the Pro Bowl. I’ve been around him enough to know that he’s a great leader, full of energy.”

Former Viking and now KFAN radio host Mike Morris is the new strength and conditioning coach for athletic teams at Concordia, St. Paul.

St. Thomas wide receiver Fritz Waldvogel and tackle Chad Vandergriff, along with Bethel guard Mitch Elliot, have been named to the first team North offense for the D3 Senior Classic preseason All-American team.  St. Olaf running back Leon Clark was named to the North second offense while on the second North defensive team are Gustavus safety Brad Kruckeberg and Carleton linebacker Mark Scoglund.  Players, including those who were listed as honorable mention preseason All-Americans, are eligible for invitations to the December 10 D3 Senior Classic in Salem, Virginia, a post season all-star game for Division III players.

St. Thomas football coach Glenn Caruso will speak at a C.O.R.E.S luncheon on Thursday, November 10.  Twins curator Clyde Doepner is the speaker on Thursday, September 8.  C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.

Former Pioneer Press sportswriter Gregg Wong emailed about the Men’s Doubles Fundraiser on Tuesday, August 16 at Minikahda Club.  Proceeds go to Saint Paul Urban Tennis, a nonprofit organization annually offering tennis and life skills to more than 4,000 youth.  Additional information is available from the SPUT office, 651-222-2879.