P.J. FLECK – Page 74 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Results Mixed on U Season Tickets

Posted on July 2, 2018July 2, 2018 by David Shama

It looks like Golden Gopher ticket buyers are excited about new women’s basketball coach Lindsay Whalen, but not as much with football’s P.J. Fleck.

Back in January of 2017 athletic director Mark Coyle hired Fleck to upgrade football recruiting and compete for Big Ten championships. After 18 months the 37-year-old Fleck has improved the recruiting, according to experts who rank major college programs. The winning? Minnesota’s record was 2-7 in Fleck’s first Big Ten season and no one is predicting a big year in 2018. However, Fleck boosters, and there are many, believe the Gophers will be competing for West Division and Big Ten titles in a few years.

The University of Minnesota Athletic Department reports that as of June 21 public season football ticket sales totals have declined from 2017. The number of accounts on June 21 of this year was 6,031 and the total number of tickets was 20,673. That compared with June 21, 2017 totals of 6,457 and 21,418.

How did the Gophers do in total football public season tickets last year? They sold 22,131 public season tickets.

Public season ticket prices for football begin at $249, compared to the least expensive price of $310 a year ago. The DQ Club season ticket price has been reduced by $300.

Mark Coyle (photo courtesy of Minnesota Athletic Communications)

Although Whalen, 37, had no previous coaching experience and is still playing for the WNBA Minnesota Lynx, her hiring is one of the most popular moves the Gophers have made in a long time. Whalen, a Hutchinson, Minnesota native, was a legendary player for the U. An Athletic Department spokesman told Sports Headliners when Coyle is out speaking and mentions Whalen’s name, the audience bursts into applause.

As of June 21, the Gophers had 803 public season ticket accounts for women’s basketball with 2,038 tickets sold. Those totals are major increases since June 21, 2017 when the figures were 480 accounts and 1,295 tickets.

Last season the total number of public season tickets sold was 1,338. Although there has been an $8 increase per season ticket, the Gophers are on track to easily exceed last season’s total.

Gopher women’s basketball has mostly been mediocre since the Whalen era ended in 2004. Her hire, though, has created expectations of not only winning championships, but perhaps even making the program financially profitable for the first time in U history.

Consider Whalen’s resume. She was the first three-time All-American in program history, a three-time All-Big Ten selection and three times made Academic All-Big. She led the Gophers to their only Final Four in program history in 2004. Her jersey, No. 13, hangs in the rafters of Williams Arena. She is also a four-time WNBA champion with the Lynx and is playing in her 14th WNBA season.

Despite a disheartening season in 2017-2018, public season ticket sales for Minnesota men’s basketball remain stable. As of June 21, there were 2,118 accounts and 6,256 public season tickets sold, compared with totals of 2,256 and 6,255 a year prior.

The Gophers sold 7,174 public season men’s basketball tickets for the 2017-2018 season.

Minnesota entered last season coming off an 11-7 Big Ten record and a first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2013. Preseason predictions last fall had the Gophers as a nationally ranked team and contender for the conference title, but things collapsed in January with Reggie Lynch’s suspension and Amir Coffey’s injury. Minnesota finished with a 4-14 league record, barely avoiding last place in the league standings.

However, there is optimism about the 2018-19 season because coach Richard Pitino appears to have enough personnel to compete for an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. Forwards Jordan Murphy and Coffey will be on most everyone’s list of candidates for preseason All-Big Ten teams. Other experienced players who can contribute return, and the incoming freshmen class of all Minnesotans appeals to U fans. Another factor motivating repeat season ticket buyers is they don’t like the idea of giving up seating priority at historic Williams Arena.

In addition to Whalen, Coyle made another high profile hire earlier this year when he named Bob Motzko head men’s hockey coach. Motzko, 57, made a name for himself leading the St. Cloud program for 13 seasons including a Frozen Four appearance in 2013.

Motzko’s hiring, though, hasn’t so far been enough to prevent a slide in public season ticket sales. As of June 21, total accounts were 1,636, with 4,644 tickets sold. That compares with figures of 1,900 and 5,352 as of June 21, 2017. The Gophers sold 5,502 public season tickets for the 2017-2018 season.

A $100 decrease in pricing in one seating zone at 3M Arena at Mariucci has been offered to incentivize public season ticket buyers.

With an overall record of 19-17 last season, the Gophers didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Fan apathy was alarming with large numbers of seats empty in the arena. The record and disinterest were painful for a program long billed as “Pride on Ice.”

Although the renewal periods for existing basketball, football and hockey public season ticket holders closed in May, the totals reported here will increase with new buyers. Sales of new season tickets will continue into the beginning of the seasons in each of the four programs.

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Twins President Remains Upbeat

Posted on June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 by David Shama

A Tuesday notes column including the Twins, Vikings, Gophers and Wild.

The Twins won two of three games against the Central Division leading Indians last weekend after demoting 2017 American League All-Star Miguel Sanó to Single-A Fort Meyers on Thursday. Dispatching the underperforming Sano for hitting and conditioning rehab to Florida doesn’t mean club president Dave St. Peter is down on his club. Sanó has played in 37 games for the Twins this season, hitting .203 (30-for-148) with nine doubles, seven home runs, 27 RBI, 14 walks and 66 strikeouts.

Center fielder Byron Buxton’s performance has been a disappointment, too. Like Sano, he has been injured and his stats are not impressive, either. Buxton has played in just 28 games, hitting .156 with no home runs and four RBI.

Buxton and Sano were counted on before the season to be leaders of the now struggling Twins offense. St. Peter told Sports Headliners this morning that the two young players have “tremendous potential” and he remains optimistic about them. “I can assure you we’re not giving up on them,” he said.

Minnesota’s record is 31-37 and the Twins are 5.5 games back of the Indians who they don’t play again for several weeks. Their last remaining meetings against the Indians come in late July and August—a total of three series.

The Twins need to be at their best for a three-game series against the Red Sox that starts tonight at Target Field. Minnesota has struggled for years against baseball’s better teams. The Red Sox, 49-24, are co-leaders of the competitive East Division and play the Twins for the first time this season, while planning to use three starters who are a combined 22-11.

Chris Sale, 6-4, is scheduled to start tonight, followed by David Price, 8-3, and Rick Porcello, 8-4. The Twins will counter with Jose Berrios, 7-5, Lance Lynn, 4-5, and Kyle Gibson, 2-4.

Minnesota’s starting pitching has been a team strength. “We have more consistent good starting pitching than we’ve seen here in a long, long time,” said St. Peter who is hopeful of the Twins earning their way into the postseason.

The Twins are 3-10 this season against East Division teams. The co-leading Yankees, 47-22, swept a four-game series against Minnesota in New York earlier this year.

The Vikings’ 2018 offense could be exciting, and not only because of new quarterback Kirk Cousins and holdovers like Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. It’s anticipated the schemes and playcalling of new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo will be impressive.

“He’s got a lot of creative things under his belt,” Vikings offensive lineman Nick Easton told Sports Headliners. “He likes to keep a defense on edge, (and) never let them get a beat on what we’re doing. I think it’s going to really pay off for us.”

DeFilippo’s coaching resume includes the 2007 season working for Lane Kiffin when the Bloomington, Minnesota native was head coach of the Oakland Raiders at age 31.

Brandon Zylstra, the 2017 Canadian Football League All-Star wide receiver from Spicer, Minnesota, impressed the Vikings this spring. DeFilippo gave the impression last week that the 6-2, 215- pound 25 year old could make the final roster.

“…He’s a big, strong guy,” DeFilippo said. “People are going to have a hard time getting up in his face and pressing him. He has tremendous hands. He’s smart. He’s one of the guys that can line up anywhere, (and) we could put him at any position. We’re very fortunate he’s on our football team.”

Athlon magazine includes North Dakota State safety Robbie Grimsley, from Hutchinson, Minnesota, on its first-team FCS All-American defense.

Athlonsports.com believes the “Big Ten might have the best collection of head coaches among Power 5 leagues for the 2018 season.” Predictably, Ohio State’s Urban Meyer leads the list. Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck is No. 10 in the 14-team Big Ten and ranked ahead of Maryland’s D.J. Durkin, Rutgers’ Chris Ash, Indiana’s Tom Allen and Illinois’ Lovie Smith (No. 14).

Steven Lassan’s June 12 story for Athlon.com praises Fleck’s recruiting success and he writes the second-year Gopher coach has Minnesota “trending in the right direction.”

Vic Viramontes, the Gopher quarterback who recently transferred back to junior college to become a linebacker, has 19,600 followers on Twitter.

Bobby Bell, who turned 78 on Sunday, is arguably the most legendary former Golden Gophers football player still alive. Bell was a two-time All-American defensive tackle and won the 1962 Outland Trophy. From 1960-1962 he was a major reason why the Gophers had a 22-6-1 record with two Rose Bowl appearances and one Big Ten title. The 6-4, 228-pound Bell was a high school quarterback and so athletic he could have played any of several positions for coach Murray Warmath.

When I was involved with Minnesota North Stars marketing years ago I worked with general manager Jack Ferreria. He was one of the most professional front office people I have ever known. He joined the Wild earlier this month as an assistant general manager.

Ferreria, 74, coached new Wild GM Paul Fenton when he was an amateur player. Fenton later was on the San Jose Sharks roster when Ferreria was the team’s general manager.

Fired Wild GM Chuck Fletcher may keep his Minneapolis suburban residence for awhile. Fletcher’s son will be entering his senior year of high school later this summer.

Minneapolis-based Jostens might produce the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup rings. Jostens has a history of rings with Stanley Cup winners and also produced the rings for the 2018 Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

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No Price too High for Football Mags

Posted on June 17, 2018June 17, 2018 by David Shama

I have been reading preseason college football magazines for longer than I care to remember. I am always excited about their arrival in stores, although it seems like a lot of the same storylines surface annually. Hint to Goldy Gopher: no Big Ten titles since 1967.

Years ago the magazines hit the newsstands in August but now the preseason publications arrive a few weeks before the official start of summer. Maybe you spend a spring weekend breaking your back in the garden but I dedicate a few days devouring college football news from coast-to-coast. I’ve been doing it since Saturday’s heroes posed for covers wearing helmets without facemasks.

These days the magazines hit town and deliver “sticker shock.” I bought three magazines and swallowed hard when the cashier said the total was over $31. I do confess to only paying $13 after using a Barnes & Noble gift card, and receiving a loyalty discount from the retailer.

I am not sure you want to hear me complain about the cost. Certain things are best kept private, which reminds me of the “wisdom” of former Golden Gopher football coach Lou Holtz. He advises those who complain about aches and pain to think twice before sharing their woes with others. Holtz says 90 percent of those you complain to really don’t care, while the other 10 percent are happy you’re hurting!

The three magazines—the Athlon and Lindy’s Big Ten preview publications, and Athlon’s national outlook magazine—are not doing celebratory backflips over the Golden Gophers who were 2-7 in Big Ten games last season and have some attributes missing on their resume including no experience at the quarterback position.

The publications aren’t holding back their concerns about Minnesota. “It doesn’t make any difference how fast you row the boat if it has holes in it. And this boat has many leaks,” writes Lindy’s.

Both Athlon and Lindy’s see Minnesota as the sixth best team in the Big Ten’s seven-team West Division. Athlon predicts the Gophers’ overall record will be 6-6 and 3-6 in Big Ten games. For the postseason Athlon says Minnesota will play in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against North Texas.

Rodney Smith (photo courtesy of Minnesota athletic communications)

Lindy’s ranks the Gophers running backs (because of Rodney Smith) No. 6 in the 14-team Big Ten. The linebackers are ranked No. 7. Minnesota lands at No. 12 in the quarterbacks, receivers, offensive line and specialists categories. The defensive line is No. 11 and the secondary No. 13.

I know my readers like good news so let me intervene here with a thought to boost morale. The schedule could allow the Gophers—whose strength figures to be on defense—to start fast. Nonconference games (all at home) against New Mexico State, Fresno State and Miami (Ohio) should provide a 3-0 start. Then comes the Big Ten opener at Maryland and the Terps are trying to rebuild just like Goldy.

A 4-0 start is possible before the Gophers host Iowa on October 6. Minnesota may not reclaim the pig but at least should go into the game with confidence, a winning early season record and the incentive of playing in front of what almost for sure will be the largest home crowd of the year.

After that the schedule is mostly formidable, and at times nasty. Even Tony Robbins would struggle to find a silver lining in road mismatches at Ohio State and Wisconsin. Tony, though, could point to potentially winnable games including against lowly Illinois. Another smiley thought is Minnesota avoids three of the Big Ten East’s beasts with Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State not on the schedule.

If the Gophers are to achieve a winning season they will need many breakout performances from individual players, particularly on offense. The list starts with redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan at football’s most important position, quarterback. He’s an unknown, just like four-star freshman wide receiver Rashod Bateman who can give the offense a big lift if he is as effective as hyped. Senior tackle Donnell Greene’s name is mentioned as a potential NFL Draft choice and he could be a difference maker on an offensive line that is suspect.

Minnesota has a short list of highly regarded players the magazines include on their second and third team All-Big Ten selections. Running back Smith (already referenced above) made Lindys’ second team. Athlon placed Smith on its second team offense as an all-purpose player, and also made four Gophers third team selections on either defense or offense: linebacker Thomas Barber, defensive end Carter Coughlin, wide receiver Tyler Johnson, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. If those five can be even better than anticipated, Minnesota increases its chances for a surprise season.

It’s interesting that all of the players except Smith are from the state of Minnesota. Also included on preseason Big Ten honor teams are two other Minnesota natives, and they both played high school football at Eden Prairie. Linebacker Ryan Connelly is one of nationally ranked Wisconsin’s best players, while wide receiver and kickoff returner J.D. Spielman is a constant scoring threat for Nebraska.

Gophers’ second-year coach P.J. Fleck can’t fix his boat with only players from the state of Minnesota but better recruiting in Minnesota and Wisconsin is a must. FCS powerhouse North Dakota State has built its program mostly with Upper Midwest players including a boatload from Minnesota and Wisconsin. As for the Badgers, they have taken over the Big Ten’s West Division and become a national playoff contender with a formula that includes a thundering herd of offensive linemen—mostly from the state of Wisconsin.

Like it or not, expect to hear more in 2018 from Fleck about his culture and process in building his program after last year’s 5-7 record that followed a 9-4 in 2016. The 37-year-old, who was 1-11 his first year coaching at Western Michigan and 8-5 in his second, usually has plenty to say as Athlon noted in an anonymous quote from a coach at another school.

“I know P.J. Fleck rubs some people the wrong way with that rah-rah stuff, but it’s genuine,” the coach said. “He’s a positive energy, positive thoughts guy.”

That quote was among the first words I read after I bought my magazines. In the days ahead I will read the publications cover-to-cover including the (yawn) anticipated national successes of the Alabamas, Clemsons, Georgias, Ohio States and Wisconsins. I will wince at six-time national champion Minnesota being ranked No. 73 in the country by Athlon—just behind No. 72 Arkansas State! And, yes, I will even look forward to purchasing three or four college football magazines again next year.

I better start saving up. How soon will there be a $12 college football magazine in my future?

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