Author: David Shama

While the new TCF Bank Stadium is being completed for the 2009 opening season, there’s another aspect of the game day experience drawing the attention of school officials.  Tailgating is synonymous with outdoor football and the University is in the process of deciding where fans can gather and what policies they will adhere to.

Options for tailgating locations could include both surface parking lots and ramps, Phil Esten said last week.  He’s an associate athletics director for the Gophers and he told Sports Headliners that tailgating will receive a “thoughtful and collaborative process” before information is made public.

For certain, though, is a commitment by the University to ensure a safe, family like atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium.  This community and others, whether college or pro cities, has too often experienced unruly behavior from a minority of fans.  Cursing, taunting, physical violence and other misdeeds, often fueled by alcohol, can make a miserable game day experience for other fans, or keep families with young children from attending.

Esten said the University hasn’t made a decision yet on alcohol being allowed in either the stadium (including suites) or the tailgate areas.   “Well, right now it’s a conversation we are having on campus as far as alcohol availability from a consumption, or serving, standpoint,” he said.  “Nothing has been decided yet.  Again, it’s something that’s highly collaborative.  It involves many constituencies on campus and it’s a process we’ll go through and ultimately decide what’s best for the overall university and what’s best for the game day atmosphere.”

Except for Minnesota, the Big Ten Conference schools play their football games outdoors and Esten said the Gophers can learn from other athletic departments including Ohio State where there have been past problems.  “We’ve visited a lot of campuses and a lot of people do it really, really well, and one of the reasons I mentioned Ohio State is because they’ve come a long way in the last four or five years,” he said. “There was a time when…there was a lot of public safety issues on and around campus when particularly Michigan came to town.   And they’ve done a lot of education and awareness with their fans and students to help remedy that and I think they’ve got a great controlled fan-friendly atmosphere for tailgating on and around campus right now.

“And Purdue as well.  We’ll visit Purdue in a couple of weeks and have an opportunity to experience what they do on campus, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about Purdue. …”

With a new stadium coming that will be the envy of many schools, the Gophers’ athletic department is determined to add a tailgate and total game day atmosphere to make Saturdays special on campus.

 Think you’re good at college football trivia?  Try this one: there have been two native Minnesotans who have won the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s best receiver.

Neither of the Minnesotans played for the Gophers but that will change if wide receiver Eric Decker can win the award this season or next.  The junior from Cold Spring, Minnesota leads the nation in receptions with 59 and also yards, 782.  He has five of the team’s nine touchdown receptions and has accounted for almost 50 percent of the Gophers’ passing yardage.

Gopher coach Tim Brewster has been saying for awhile now that the 6-foot-2 Decker, who runs precise runs, physically battles defenders and has outstanding hands, is one of America’s premier receivers.  “I can’t imagine that there’s anyone who does more for his team,” Brewster told Sports Headliners.

Although Decker was outstanding last season, making 67 receptions to set a single season school record, he wasn’t on the 25 player 2008 pre-season Biletnikoff watch list.  Playing for a 1-11 team isn’t the kind of stuff that makes for strong resume building.

But now Decker seems like he’s better than ever and the Gophers are 6-1 on the season, 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference.  The weekly polls are showing interest in including Minnesota among the nation’s top 25 teams.  That will help the Decker cause, even though his candidacy has a late start.

And what about those other Minnesotans?  Larry Fitzgerald, who attended Holy Angels High School, won the Biletnikoff playing at Pittsburgh in 2003.  Marcus Harris, a Brooklyn Center High School player, won the award in 1995 while starring for Wyoming.

Decker may write a little history of his own.

Decker is not the only Gopher receiving notice.  Senior end Willie VanDeSteeg was named the Walter Camp Foundation national defensive player of the week for his performance against Illinois last Saturday.  He’s also been named co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the week along with defensive end Aaron Maybin of Penn State.  VanDeSteeg had five tackles, including one that set up a touchdown, and broke up a pass play that resulted in a key fourth quarter interception.  He also had three sacks against Illinois.

VanDeSteeg was bothered by a broken bone in his right wrist last season after being named second team all-Big Ten his sophomore year when he tied for the conference lead in sacks with seven.  “He has such a sense of pride in himself and he was so disappointed last season,” Brewster said.   He also said VanDeSteeg, 6-4, 256, can play in the NFL and has drawn interest from scouts.

Marcus Sherels, the Gopher cornerback who missed the Illinois game with a right shoulder injury, is expected back for the Purdue game on October 25.  The Gophers have a bye on the schedule this week and it’s most welcome with all the “nicks” the team has, Brewster said.  Players will be given some time off during the week and coaches will be nationally recruiting this weekend, Brewster said.

The Vikings have tickets available for all five remaining home games, Steve LaCroix reported via e-mail.  The Vikings vice president of sales and marketing wrote that some games still have $30 tickets.  Tickets can be purchased via www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 651-989-5151.  Fans may also visit the tickets section at www.vikings.com for additional information.

Season two of the Tubby Smith era of Gopher basketball begins with “Tubby’s Tipoff” at Williams Arena on Friday.  Doors open for the free event beginning at 8:30 p.m. and activities will include a three-point shooting contest, slam dunk competition and scrimmage.

The Twins announced on Monday the installation of a Target Field Webcam located on the roof of the Ford Centre, directly across Fifth Street from the new ballpark opening in 2010.  Fans can view construction progress from a new, closer angle looking directly into the field of the ballpark, www.twinsbaseball.com.

Pat Neshek writes on his web site that he continues to make progress in rehabbing his right elbow after pitching in only 15 games last season.   He expects to be in Florida until November.

There are eight former Gopher players on NHL season opening rosters including Minnesota’s leading scorer from last year, Blake Wheeler, now a rookie with Boston. Phil Kessel is beginning his third season in Boston. Kyle Okposo, who played in Minnesota’s first 18 games of 2007-08 before departing for the New York Islanders, is back with New York.  Alex Goligoski is in his second season with Pittsburgh.

Keith Ballard is with Florida after playing his first three seasons with Phoenix.  Thomas Vanek is back with Buffalo for a fourth year following his 2007-08 season when he had 36 goals and 28 assists for 64 points in 82 games.  Paul Martin is in his fifth season with New Jersey and Jordan Leopold his third with Colorado. A ninth former Gopher, Erik Johnson, played in 69 games as a rookie with St. Louis last season, but will miss the 2008-09 season with a knee injury.