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.

Excitement Missing with U Hockey

Posted on January 12, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

There’s no buzz about Gophers hockey any more. Even those who are apathetic about the program are dissatisfied.

People have reason to ask this: “What’s wrong with the Gophers?” A program that once prompted discussion about being the best in the country now isn’t even No. 1 among the state’s college hockey teams.

The Gophers haven’t been in the NCAA tournament the last two years, and before March ends it could be three. Minnesota is 9-8-3 overall, 6-6-2 in the WCHA.

Last weekend the Gophers defeated the US Under-18 team 9-0 in an exhibition game. In two exhibition games this season Minnesota has outscored opponents 15-0, having also defeated British Columbia 6-0 in October.

Those results could be included among highlights during an inconsistent season that has some lows such as the team’s recent Mariucci Classic. Minnesota’s first tournament game was a 3-2 loss to not so well known Union. The next night the Gophers finished in a 2-2 tie with Ferris State and rather than follow tournament policy using a shootout it was decided to leave the game tied.

The second half of the WCHA schedule for coach Don Lucia’s team starts Friday and Saturday night at No. 2 ranked North Dakota. Playing such a good team in perhaps the most difficult of college venues is both a challenge and an opportunity. Minnesota can make a statement against North Dakota and begin momentum toward a better post season performance than the last two years.

That would help calm the critics at home games and in the blogosphere. The former, many of whom are from older generations, tend to be less vocal but it’s not just words but empty seats that make a statement.

Lucia has one season beyond this one remaining on his contract. Criticism and empty seats are something he faces in the months to come. He has won two national championships with the Gophers, but more recent years have brought challenges including keeping elite players from going pro too soon.

That’s a problem, but like any high profile circumstances it’s up to the boss to identify the right answers.

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Worth Noting

Posted on January 12, 2011November 27, 2011 by David Shama

Finding a “hot goalie” is one of the oldest mantras in hockey, but Minnesota’s Kent Patterson will be a key to the second part of the league season. Alex Kangas, who was the starter, will probably receive playing time from Lucia but a Gophers source said he believes Patterson will continue as the regular goalie.

The source said freshman defenseman Mark Alt “is going to be a very good player” and will play in the NHL.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported earlier this week that Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and the Cardinals have started talks regarding a contract extension that would pay him $40 to 60 million. The All-Pro wide receiver’s present contract expires after next season. https://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6005077

Fitzgerald’s father, Larry Sr., who is well known around town for sportswriting and commentary, is proud of his son who after playing with a Cardinals Super Bowl team in 2009 was part of a 5-11 club last season. “I think the 2010 season was the toughest year of Larry’s career,” Fitzgerald wrote in an email to Sports Headliners. “…He’s helped change the culture of one of the NFL’s original franchises…he’s the face of the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals had four quarterbacks play in 2010, but he proved he’s one of the top players in the NFL again (with) 90 receptions, 1,137 yards, six touchdowns-facing double coverage and he blocks like a tight end in the running game. He’s only 27 years old (and) he is a winner. The youngest ever to (achieve) 600 career receptions and 8,000 yards.”

It was a year ago today that the Lynx acquired Lindsay Whalen along with the No. 2 overall selection in the 2010 WNBA Draft (Monica Wright) from Connecticut in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick (Tina Charles) and Renee Montgomery.

Although the Lynx had a disappointing 2010 record, 13-21, Whalen energized the fan base (average home attendance was 7,622, the best in years) and she produced on the court. Whalen finished second among WNBA point guards in scoring at 12.6 points per game. She was first in rebounds per game, 4.0, and third in assists per game, 5.6. She earned her third trip to the league All-Star game in 2010.

Two Minnesotans were announced as Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year winners on Monday. Bob Nielson won the Division II Coach of the Year award for leading the University of Minnesota Duluth to the school’s second national championship in three years last December. St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso won the Division III award after the Tommies earned their first conference championship in 20 years and compiled a 12-1 record.

St. Thomas senior Josh Ostrue is the 2010 winner of the Rimington Award as Division III football’s top offensive center. He also won the award in 2008. He’s the first St. Thomas football player — and first conference offensive lineman in 44 years — to be voted a three-time All-American.

A must read book for baseball fans is Jane Leavy’s “The Last Boy Mickey Mantle.” It is extraordinarily written and researched. Leavy, who also wrote an authoritative biography on Sandy Koufax, quotes baseball numbers whiz Bill James as saying Mantle at his peak years was superior to Willie Mays, “not a close or difficult decision.”

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Frazier Landed the Right Minnesota Job

Posted on January 10, 2011October 11, 2011 by David Shama

Sports Headliners believes new Vikings coach Leslie Frazier had an initial interest in the Gophers job last fall but neither he nor the University pursued each other. Frazier didn’t interview for the Gophers football opening that came about because of Tim Brewster being fired in October.

Frazier’s coaching path turns out to be a classic “All’s Well That Ends Well.” It’s documented that the 51-year-old former Vikings defensive coordinator interviewed several times in recent years for NFL head coaching openings only to be rejected. He’s a local media favorite and supporters pushed his name for the Gophers job even though he last coached college football at Illinois in 1998.

Frazier’s coaching credentials weren’t a fit for the Gophers and his chances of success with the Vikings are far better than in Dinkytown. The Gophers job is a much more difficult challenge. The Vikings position offers far greater resources including better players right now.

Frazier makes a relatively easy transition into his job at Winter Park where he already knows the players, coaches, owners and competition in the NFL. At the University he would have faced major challenges in assembling a standout staff, manipulating a mediocre roster, and mastering the recruiting game.

Frazier impressed during six weeks as interim coach and for the last several days since being named permanent coach last week. His 3-3 interim coaching record was achieved despite some of the most confounding problems in franchise history, obstacles he couldn’t control. He’s also been decisive in shaking up his staff, dismissing offensive line coaches Pat Morris and Jim Hueber, and quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers.

Those changes indicate less than satisfaction with the offensive line’s past performances. The shakeup is an indication of the Vikings making the running game a priority.

The team might open next season without a big play quarterback. Certainly the roster is without one now, and there’s this runner on the team named Adrian Peterson. He’s been in the league for four years, won an NFL rushing title and never had less than 1,000 yards in one season. Yet there’s a nagging notion the team brain trust has at times not made the most of his once in a generation talents.

It’s possible Frazier will sort of make this Peterson’s offense in 2011. Peterson turns 26 in March and is young enough to carry the ball more than his 18.9 carries per game average last season. He could have his best season statistically in 2011 trying to carry a team that has talent but needs upgrades at the offensive line, wide receiver and secondary positions. Oh, yes, quarterback, too.

At a news conference last week Frazier described Peterson as the “No. 1 running back” in the NFL. “…We want to be a run-first team and be able to set up things off our run game,” Frazier said.

A few months ago the Vikings were focused around former coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre. Now the focus is Frazier and Peterson, and a goal to “deliver what our fans and this organization deserves, a world championship,” according to the coach.

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