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.

Notes Plus

Posted on February 25, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

New Gophers coach Jerry Kill has made a positive impression since being hired in December, winning praise from high school coaches, business leaders and media.

Kill and his staff will participate in the Minnesota Football Clinic, March 31-April 2. The clinic is a partnership between the Minnesota Football Coaches Association and the Gophers. More clinic information is available on the association’s website.

Kill lost a recruiter with a national reputation this week when running backs coach Thomas Hammock left for Wisconsin.

Coach Jacques Lemaire’s New Jersey Devils have won eight straight games, the longest win streak in the NHL. No word on whether the former Wild head coach, 65, will return to lead the Devils next season.

The Wild has no games tomorrow and Sunday, the only two-game break during a busy 17 day period. The Wild is on national TV Monday with a Versus game against Chicago at Xcel Energy Center.

As of yesterday morning Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom’s 1.23 goals against average and .955 save percentage were the best in the NHL since the All-Star break (late January) among goalies with more than one start.

The NHL trade deadline is Monday afternoon, 2 p.m. our time.

Michigan senior Whitney Taney, the former Edina prep champion, won her third career Big Ten Athlete of the Week tennis award earlier this month.

Timberwolves center Darko Milicic ranks third in the NBA in blocked shots per game, 2.2.

Timberwolves president Chris Wright is the honorary chairperson for Minnesota FoodShare’s 2011 March Campaign. Each March, Minnesota FoodShare conducts a drive to raise more than half the food distributed annually through 300 food shelves across the state.

Gustavus head men’s basketball coach Mark Hanson became the 65th coach in NCAA Division III history to reach 400 wins when the Gusties defeated Saint Mary’s last Saturday. After a win over St. Olaf this week, his all-time record is 401-176. He is the 31st active coach to achieve 400 wins. It’s believed that Hanson is the 14th fastest coach to reach 400 victories in Division III history. He is the sixth MIAC coach to earn 400 wins.

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Plenty to Ponder on Local Sports Scene

Posted on February 22, 2011October 10, 2011 by David Shama

Questions and other thoughts while taking a week off from the Sports Headliners assignment:

Flying on an airplane at 30,000 feet during a three hour flight I wonder why the person seated ahead of me is among the few passengers not keeping his seat back in the upright position. Not that it’s uncomfortable for me, or makes unfolding a newspaper impossible.

Do you have any idea how painful it is to be struggling through a Minnesota blizzard 24 hours after strolling on a Florida beach in 80 degree weather?

At least we can look forward to watching baseball and golf on TV including my spring favorite, the Masters from Augusta National Golf Club.

Too bad Minnesotan Tim Herron’s professional golf career hasn’t been even more successful. He’s a good guy and a marketer’s dream with a name like “Lumpy.”

Charles Barkley’s golf swing defies description.

Is anyone else offended when historic Williams Arena is referred to as “The Barn?”

I miss Tim Russert, the straightforward, highly principled host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” who died unexpectedly from a heart attack in 2008. His 2004 book Big Russ and Me is a classic manual on family and career values.

Russert writes that his home town of Buffalo once had so much snow a federal state of emergency was in effect and mail service stopped for days.

What present would you buy for a certain local sportswriter who turns 91 next month?

How come local sports radio hosts are so cynical?

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Remember ‘The Eye Opener’ and ‘Green Bushers’?

Posted on February 22, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf might have made one heck of a smart move by offering Packers personnel guru Ted Thompson so much money he becomes the highest paid executive in professional sports. Thompson recently signed a contract extension with Green Bay and received a raise.

With Thompson’s talent hunting savvy and young stars like quarterback Aaron Rodgers and linebacker Clay Matthews III, NFC North teams including the Vikings look mismatched against the Green Gang in Green Bay.

Too bad Don Riley, the ex-sports columnist for the Pioneer Press, is long retired from writing his column, “The Eye Opener.” He loved to needle “the Green Bushers,” but the “Eye” is closed.

Wonder if Adrian Peterson plans to be at mini-camp in June if the date coincides with another Adrian Peterson Day in Palestine, Texas?

Do you think Brett Favre still has a cell phone?

How about an exhibition basketball game with proceeds helping to reduce the federal budget? Here’s the matchup: Barack Obama & Pals versus the Tea Party All-Stars. I can guarantee the outcome won’t be predetermined.

Don’t be surprised if the NBA contracts a couple of its teams. Would you want to own clubs in towns like Memphis and New Orleans? Those are cities with small economic engines and high crime rates.

Minneapolis won’t be contracted. Too big of a market and it is the type of white collar town the NBA needs. It doesn’t hurt that Wolves owner Glen Taylor is popular with the league power guys.

When will I stop missing former Wild star Marian Gaborik? When he retires from hockey. His medical file just gets thicker with reports this week of a concussion.

Gimmick lovers want to see hockey games decided by three-on-three matchups. NHL purists are gagging.

What will Don Lucia be doing a year from now?

Glen Sonmor is the friendliest hockey guy I ever met. Congratulations on his retirements from scouting and broadcasting.

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