Author: David Shama

Phil Esten, associate athletics director for the Gophers, told Sports Headliners that if the Vikings play at TCF Bank Stadium the issue of selling alcohol at the facility will need to be discussed.  “If it does come to that fact we would have to sit down and talk about it,” he said.

There’s no doubt that Vikings decision makers will ask to play at the University’s new facility if the Metrodome is unavailable in future years.  Owner Zygi Wilf and others want to see a new domed stadium constructed on the existing Metrodome site, meaning that for a couple of years the Vikings will need a home at the University.

Because there are about 14,000 fewer seats at TCF compared to the dome, the Vikings will lose ticket revenues.  The absence of income from the sale of alcohol would further diminish revenues.  Metrodome executive director Bill Lester said the Vikings receive about $1 million annually from food and beverage sales, but didn’t have a figure for the franchise’s share of alcohol revenues.

The University does have a liquor license with the city and permission could be given to sell alcohol at Vikings games but athletics director Joel Maturi said the issue goes beyond that.  The University and surrounding community have been told in the past that no more than 12 events attracting crowds of 15,000 or greater will be held annually in TCF Bank Stadium, Maturi added.  Still, public pressure will likely be such that the University will allow the Vikings to play at the stadium

Meanwhile, the University Board of Regents approved president Bob Bruininks recommendation yesterday to not make alcohol available in TCF Bank Stadium for Gophers games and other athletic events.  The original intent was to provide alcohol in stadium premium seating areas (as done in the suites at the basketball and hockey arenas) but the state legislature and governor recently enacted legislation directing that alcohol be available to all fans or none.

TCF Bank club seating and other premium ticket purchasers had been told for some time that they could purchase alcohol at games and Esten said the University feels “bad” about what’s developed.  “It’s not what we want, but it’s the hand we’ve been dealt,” he said.

Maturi said an announcement is expected later this week describing options that premium purchasers now have because of new developments.  He said reaction has been at “both extremes” including those who are upset about not being able to entertain with alcohol.

Given the alternative of a “dry” facility, or making alcohol available to everyone including students of drinking age, Esten said the decision was easy for the University.  The rationale to be socially responsible in a “culture” that promotes binge and under age college drinking is a high priority, Esten said.

Eight other Big Ten schools provide alcohol in premium seating areas.  Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota don’t, according to Esten.  He also said Cincinnati and Syracuse are the only schools with on-campus stadiums that sell alcohol throughout their facilities.

Esten said fans who have access to pre-purchased parking in designated tailgating surface parking lots will be able to consume alcohol.  There will be about 9,000 parking spaces on the East Campus (nearest the stadium) and they will be available only by advance purchase.  Other football parking will be available on the West Bank Campus, St. Paul Campus and at the State Fairgrounds.

Former Gophers basketball coach Jim Dutcher watches hundreds of college games each year and he was asked about several players who will be headline makers in tonight’s NBA draft, including 7-3 Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet.  It’s a draft deep in point guards, a Timberwolves’ need, but it’s possible Thabeet, the best center prospect, could be available when Minnesota uses its fifth or sixth picks in the first round.

“If Thabeet falls to five I would take him,”  Dutcher said.  “You can pressure more on the perimeter with him back there to block shots.”

Thabeet has only been playing basketball for about seven years, is a project offensively and has a so-so reputation for intensity, but his shot blocking and rebounding are probably unique among prospects in this draft.  He fills a need for the Timberwolves who have used power forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love at center.

Dutcher’s view on point guards in this draft will surprise people.  He likes national champion North Carolina’s Ty Lawson, describing him as a “true point guard” for his many skills.

Among guards, Lawson’s name is usually mentioned after Spain’s Ricky Rubio,  Memphis’ Tyreke Evans, Italy’s Brandon Jennings, UCLA’s Jrue Holiday, Syracuse’s Jonny Flynn, Davidson’s Stephen Curry, Duke’s Gerald Henderson and others.  “Of those guys, if it was me, I would take Ty Lawson,” Dutcher said. “…I like guys who come out of good programs.”

Among the qualities Dutcher admires about Lawson is his ability to involve teammates in the offense and not turn the ball over.  Regarding the best player available in the draft, Dutcher agrees with just about everyone that it’s Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin.

Jake Mauer told Sports Headliners on Tuesday that grandson Joe’s cold, which has been bothering him for “two weeks,” still persists and has “slowed” him down.  Mauer has seen his average drop from .413 to .394 in the last 10 games.

A Wall Street Journal blog,  https://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2009/06/19/the-count-joe-mauers-pursuit-of-ted-williams/, speculates that Mauer has a one in 50 chance of hitting .400 this season.  The Braves’ Chipper Jones was hitting .420 last June and finished the season at .364.  Ted Williams was the last .400 hitter at .406 in 1941.  Also amazing is that the legendary Red Sox hitter batted .388 in 1957 when he was 39 years old and slow afoot.  If Williams, who played minor league baseball in Minneapolis, could have beaten out some infield hits he would have batted .400 in 1957.

Jake has been predicting a .400 season for Joe.  “I think he’s gonna get (it), if not this year, next year for sure,” Jake said.

Mauer is on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated. It’s the second time he’s been an SI cover boy.

The Twins and Mauer open a three game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis tomorrow night.  Busch Stadium will also be the site of next month’s All-Star game. Jake said Joe will be spending over $1,500 per person to bring 17 family members to the All-Star game where he figures to be the American League’s starting catcher.

Collective heads are probably shaking across the country with the surprising news that former Northwestern coach Kevin O’Neill has been hired to replace Tim Floyd as USC basketball coach.  “This guy is amazing,” said Jim Dutcher, former Gophers coach. “He keeps getting jobs and there’s nothing to support it.”

O’Neill has a 171-180 record with head jobs at Marquette, Tennessee, Northwestern and Arizona (interim coach in 2007-2008).  He also coached the Toronto Raptors in the NBA for one season, finishing with a 33-49 record.

Dutcher said that when O’Neill, who is known for a temper and colorful vocabulary, was coaching at Arizona as the interim replacement to Lute Olson the two weren’t speaking.

Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi had surgery recently on his left Achilles and is on crutches.  He won’t be able to jog for another four weeks or so.

Don Lucia’s Gopher hockey team will play its first game since 2000 at Target Center next year.  The Gophers-Wisconsin game on March 5 will be played at the downtown facility because of a scheduling conflict at Mariucci Arena.

The Gophers’ Jordan Schroeder, who led all college freshmen in scoring last year, is expected to return to school even though he could be a high pick in tomorrow night’s NHL Entry Draft.

The Gophers, who are possible contenders for the national championship, open their schedule next fall with eight consecutive WCHA games.