Golden Gophers – Page 257 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Does U Need to End Thursday Games?

Posted on August 26, 2016August 26, 2016 by David Shama

The opinion here is the Gophers need to fix their problem of opening their home football schedule on Thursday nights.

Next Thursday evening the Gophers play Oregon State at TCF Bank Stadium while less than two miles away the Vikings host the Rams in the second football game ever in the $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium. While it’s only an NFL exhibition game, your average Minnesota elementary school sports fan knows the Vikings are much more popular than the Gophers.

And it’s not just the Vikings the Gophers will compete against for attention next Thursday evening. The Twins will play the White Sox downtown that night—just a long walk from U.S. Bank Stadium. The St. Paul Saints also have a home game, and Canterbury Park hosts its usual Thursday night racing. High school football teams also begin their seasons. The topper among attractions next Thursday is the eighth day of the Minnesota State Fair. Attendance for the day and evening combined might be a number approaching half the population of St. Paul.

“Nobody will be at home that night,” a friend and Gophers football season ticket holder said to me this week.

My friend will be at the Gophers game but others who might normally attend or watch on TV won’t. U athletic department officials will likely announce a crowd of 40,000 to 45,000 in 50,800 seat TCF Bank Stadium. Could it be a record low attendance in the stadium that opened in 2009? The smallest announced crowd to watch a game at the Bank is 41,062 for the Purdue game in 2012.

The last three years the Gophers have also opened their seasons at home on Thursday evenings. The last two years the Vikings played on those dates but their games were on the road—providing TV competition but not entertaining football fans a couple of miles from the U campus.

With a promising Gophers team and playing a potential national championship team, Minnesota drew a TCF Bank Stadium record crowd of 54,147 for its opener last year against TCU. This year the Gophers are down a reported 10 to 20 percent in non-student season ticket sales. There is a public wait-and-see attitude about new coach Tracy Claeys and the team. It’s a similar situation to 2013 when the Gophers were coming off a 2-6 season and drew an announced attendance of 44,217 for a game against UNLV. The Vikings played that same night in the Metrodome.

The Gophers are scheduled to play future Thursday night games at home in late August of 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Vikings will also be playing on all of those Thursday evenings.

How do we know?

The NFL mandates all teams must play their fourth games of the exhibition season on a Thursday, 10 days prior to the beginning of the regular season. Those Thursdays usually come in late August, or this year September 1. The league schedules each franchise’s first three preseason games. Teams are told who they will play and where for the first three games. The fourth game and opponent are determined by each franchise. Teams play two home preseason games and two on the road. If the Vikings have been told by the NFL that two of their first three games are on the road, they will schedule the fourth game at home—up against the Gophers.

The Vikings aren’t changing their scheduling. The Twins, with 81 home dates each year, may also be playing at Target Field on future Thursday nights. The Saints, Canterbury Park and high school football are lesser entertainment rivals for the Gophers at the box office and provide no TV competition.

The Gophers and State Fair authorities made an agreement before TCF Bank Stadium opened, which resulted in all these Thursday night games. The agreement runs through June 30, 2022, and it states that any Gophers home game prior to Labor Day will be played on a Thursday evening. A U spokesman said he isn’t aware of any discussion to change the agreement.

The reason for the agreement is that during the State Fair drivers can park their cars for free on the University’s Minneapolis campus and ride free buses to the fairgrounds in nearby Falcon Heights. The Gophers usually play their home schedule on Saturdays but because of larger fair-going crowds on the weekends, U officials agreed to switch their games to Thursday evenings to better accommodate fair customers.

The existing agreement inconveniences fewer fair-goers but it’s not a winning policy for the Gophers. Fans have to fight rush-hour traffic to attend Thursday night games. Next Thursday those who choose light-rail will likely find cars jammed to the max with everyday commuters, plus Gophers, Vikings, Twins and Saints fans. Fans at home have to make viewing choices between the Vikings and Twins games that start about 7 p.m. and the Gophers game at 8 p.m. Then, too, fans and companies with season tickets and suites for both the Vikings and Gophers face an obvious conflict with the two teams playing at the same time.

There’s no doubt the Gophers could maximize revenues from ticket sales, concessions, parking and perhaps other sources if they were playing Oregon State on Friday night or Saturday afternoon next week.

It’s highly unusual for the NCAA to allow teams to start their seasons before the primary kickoff to college football which begins on Thursdays and continues into the weekend—so the Gophers probably can’t look at Wednesdays in the years ahead. Switching to a Friday night goes up against high school football but out of scheduling necessity the Gophers did that with success at the Metrodome.

Friday night or Saturday openers for the Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium in future years make sense. If U officials tell fair officials they need relief from the competition of Thursday nights it would be a smart move. Fair-goers can find their way to Falcon Heights without free parking on the U campus—even on a Saturday. It’s a safe bet the fair would survive and continue to set record annual attendance.

It should be documented, too, that Gophers fans park free at the State Fair and ride free buses to U football games after Labor Day. That’s been beneficial for fans and the U athletic department.

Worth Noting

When entering TCF Bank Stadium next Thursday fans will be screened with a hand-held metal detector. This is a new security procedure for Gophers games and a best practice at other venues drawing large crowds. The hand-held device was used for Vikings games at TCF Bank Stadium the past two seasons.

Fans can ask new athletic director Mark Coyle about scheduling and other topics at the State Fair. He will be at the fair’s University of Minnesota Building at 3:30 p.m. next Tuesday. The building is located at the corner of Dan Patch and Underwood.

The Lynx, with the WNBA’s second-best record at 21-4, resume play tonight after the long Olympics break. The Lynx had four players on the gold medal winning U.S. team, and those additional minutes of travel, practices and games in Brazil are a concern. Lynx owner Glen Taylor said coach Cheryl Reeve has monitored WNBA game minutes for Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, and Lindsay Whalen.

Time management for the Lynx’s four Olympians this season has been a priority. “She (Reeve) has come down like eight minutes a game (per player),” Taylor said.

Taylor, who also owns the Timberwolves, has spoken this summer to 40-year-old future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. Will Garnett retire or return for another season with the Wolves? “I have no new news,” Taylor said. “He hasn’t indicated to me if he’s made a decision or not.”

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Vikings Win Likely in Stadium Opener

Posted on August 24, 2016August 24, 2016 by David Shama

No guarantees but Vikings fans are likely to see their team win its debut game in U.S. Bank Stadium next Sunday.

The Vikings will play their first ever game in the new $1.1 billion domed facility Sunday afternoon against the Chargers. It will be the third exhibition game of the season for both teams. The 2-0 Vikings are 10-1 in preseason games dating back to 2014, the best record in the 32-team NFL the last three years. During the same period the Chargers are 5-5 including 1-1 this season.

Former Vikings defensive lineman Bob Lurtsema, who is close to his old team, credits defense and third-year coach Mike Zimmer for Minnesota’s dominant exhibition record. “Defense, defense, defense,” Lurtsema told Sports Headliners. “Defense is always ahead of the offense at this time of the season anyway, and that’s why you see so many low scoring games. …But he (Zimmer) has that defense playing so well together, so quickly in preseason, I think that’s the main reason for his record.”

The Vikings have given up 16 points or more only three times during their 11 preseason games in the Zimmer era. Six times opponents have scored 12 points or less against Zimmer’s teams. This preseason the Vikings have defeated the Bengals, 17-16, and Seahawks, 18-11.

The Vikings gave up the second fewest points in the National Football Conference last year when they won their first division title since 2009. Minnesota’s 302 points allowed was second only to the Seahawks’ 272.

Zimmer has impressed Lurtsema and many others with his coaching. His defensive teachings were well documented with the Bengals where he was defensive coordinator before coming to Minneapolis. As a head coach he has his imprint on the defense but he also has shaped the entire team with his no-nonsense, direct approach with all players. He doesn’t tolerate lack of effort and mental mistakes.

Lurtsema attends practices and sees a team attitude he likes. He gives Zimmer and his staff a lot of credit for what he observes in the 2016 Vikings. He raves about Zimmer and likens him to his former coach Bud Grant who led the Vikings to four Super Bowls.

Zimmer, of course, doesn’t even have a playoff win yet as a head coach but Lurtsema wouldn’t trade him for any NFL boss including those who have won Super Bowls. “Nope, and that took me almost a millionth of a second to answer that,” Lurtsema said when asked about trading Zimmer.

Worth Noting

This morning at Winter Park Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who missed last week’s preseason game with a shoulder problem, declined to say when it developed. He also didn’t comment on whether he can physically perform today as normal. The third-year quarterback said he never had arm problems while playing in college and high school.

Harrison Smith, who might be the best safety in the NFL, isn’t the only celebrity in his family. His aunt, Elaine Hendrix, is an actress who has appeared in such productions as Friends, NCIS and The Parent Trap.

Former Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder seems certain to see a lot of playing time for the 49ers when they play at home against the Packers Friday night. The 28-year-old Ponder was impressive last week in leading the 49ers to a win over the Broncos, only days after being signed to a one-year contract and not knowing if he had an NFL future. Ponder’s wife, Sam Ponder, will join Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit as ESPN’s lead commenting team on college football telecasts this season.

Ron Vander Kelen, who died last week in Edina, is remembered by older football fans in this state. As undrafted NFL free agent, he played mostly as a reserve quarterback for the Vikings from 1963-1967. At Wisconsin he helped the Badgers to the 1962 Big Ten title after they defeated the Gophers in a controversial game costing Minnesota the championship. Vander Kelen, a native of Green Bay, was the Chicago Tribune’s 1962 Big Ten MVP.

The football Gophers need a breakout player at wide receiver and they may get a huge surprise. Tyler Johnson, 6-2, 185-pounds, was a quarterback and defensive back at Minneapolis North but he’s made a big impression catching footballs in August practices.

“Done a tremendous job,” said Gophers coach Tracy Claeys. “I mean, for a true freshman, it’s unbelievable. Really is, just because you’re talking about a kid who played every sport in high school, including baseball, AAU basketball, (and) hadn’t had much time in the weight room. If we wouldn’t bring in freshmen in June he probably wouldn’t have a chance because of the strength thing, but he’s added some strength, and he’s gained some weight.

“I do think that the AAU basketball has given him a mentality of competing against older kids. …It didn’t faze him to get out there and go against older kids. Tremendous hands, and he can jump and come up with the ball. He’ll definitely be a part of what we’re doing this fall.”

C.O.R.E.S. will have former Gophers athletics director Joel Maturi as its speaker Thursday, September 8 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, 1114 American Blvd. Maturi was AD from 2002-2012 and during that time student-athletes improved in the classroom while teams won five national championships and more than 40 conference titles. He was a finalist for the National Athletic Director of the Year Award in 2009. C.O.R.E.S. reservations and more information are available by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net.

St. John’s head football coach Gary Fasching will speak to the C.O.R.E.S. group Thursday, November 10. C.O.R.E.S. is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Oswaldo Arcia, the former Twins outfielder who joined the Rays earlier this season, was signed off waivers by the Marlins earlier this week. With the Rays he hit .259 with two home runs and seven RBI in 54 at bats. His numbers earlier this season for Minnesota were .214 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 103 at bats.

The Gophers volleyball team is picked for second in the Big Ten behind Nebraska. The conference announced the results yesterday of a coaches poll which also voted Gophers Hannah Tapp, Paige Tapp and Samantha Seliger-Swenson preseason All-Big Ten.

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UM News Near on Coach J Robinson?

Posted on August 22, 2016August 22, 2016 by David Shama

Here is what I know—or think I know—about news-making Gophers coaches J Robinson and Don Lucia, and major changes coming in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Sources tell Sports Headliners the University of Minnesota may make an announcement tomorrow regarding Robinson, the suspended head wrestling coach. The University has been investigating Robinson this summer over how he handled allegations his wrestlers used and sold the drug Xanax.

Speculation is Robinson, 69, will not be allowed to return for a 31st season as Gophers wrestling coach. A source reported Robinson and the University are trying to reach a financial settlement, but recently were far apart in determining a final compensation amount—more than $500,000.

In June both Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis declined to file charges that Gophers wrestlers used and sold the anti-anxiety drug, and that Robinson covered up the alleged activity. The University’s investigation of Robinson has been going on since at least May and he was placed on paid leave June 1.

Robinson is one of the legendary coaches in U history. He has coached the Gophers to three national championships, and has a long list of Big Ten team and individual champions, and All-Americans. He made the Gophers a regional and national power while also impacting the lives of his wrestlers and the thousands of youth attending his summer camps.

A former University employee talked about an encounter a few years ago with a stranger he met while travelling for the athletic department. “Saved my life,” the stranger said about Robinson. “I went to coach’s camp. He changed my attitude. He changed my approach to life. He saved my life—tell him that I owe him a lot.”

A former U.S. Army ranger who served in Vietnam, Robinson is known for his philosophies about life. His experiences have been shaped not only by the military and coaching but also his own successful amateur wrestling career when he won national championships. He is also regarded as one of America’s better Olympic wrestlers of the 20th century. …

Although an announcement has been anticipated for awhile, there has been nothing made public about Lucia and the University agreeing to a new contract. There were media reports last month of an alleged two-year extension providing the Gophers men’s hockey coach security through the 2019 season.

It could be that both sides, including legal representatives, are still finalizing paperwork for signatures. It’s not unusual for U athletic department contracts to move through a process taking months for finalization. The contracts are detailed—and key provisions and wording can require sorting out and consensus.

Lucia’s present deal with the Gophers ends next year. Without a contract extension, he is at a disadvantage in recruiting, with other schools able to tell prospects the Gophers don’t know who the coach will be in the fall of 2017 and beyond.

Lucia has been Minnesota’s head coach since 1999. In his early years at Minnesota he knew Mark Coyle who worked in marketing for the athletic department. Coyle, who became athletic director last spring, is regarded as supportive of Lucia.

The Gophers didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament last season but did win the Big Ten Conference championship. Minnesota has made program history by winning consecutive regular season league titles the last five years, with two championships in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the last three in the Big Ten including 2016.

The move in 2013 to the six-team hockey startup Big Ten from the history-rich WCHA hasn’t been received well by many Gophers hockey fans. There’s been a lack of excitement about the program in recent years, with empty seats at Mariucci Arena characterizing some of the apathy. Fans who are critical of the program point to last season’s un-Gopher-like 20-17 overall record and no national championship since 2003.

Lucia, who had a young team last season, has coached Minnesota to national titles in 2002 and 2003. The Gophers’ all-time winningest coach, Lucia told Sports Headliners last March he planned to continue indefinitely at Minnesota: “Yeah, I would like to come back,” said Lucia who had head coaching jobs at Alaska Fairbanks and Colorado College before coming to Minnesota. “This is my 29th year as a head coach and I will be 58 this summer, but I still love what I do.”

Lucia turned 58 last Saturday. …

The innovative WCHA expects to make changes for next season involving overtimes, points awarded and its nets. Announcement about the changes for men’s regular season games is expected as soon as this week.

Sports Headliners has learned that next season games tied after regulation and the NCAA-mandated five-minute 5-on-5 overtime period will advance to a second five-minute overtime period of 3-on-3 play. If games are still tied, they will be settled in a sudden death shootout (each team receives a minimum of one shot).

A WCHA regular season game will be worth three points in the standings next season. Games decided in regulation and in 5-on-5 overtimes will award three points to the winning team (two points last season). Games decided in 3-on-3 overtimes and shootouts will award two points to the winning team and one to the losing.

WCHA arenas will use 40-inch goal frames on the nets for next season after using 44-inch frames in the past. The 40-inch model is consistent with that used by the National Hockey League. The WCHA’s intent with the change is to open space on the ice for skaters and make games more entertaining.

The WCHA, with league offices in Edina, starts its 65th year of competition next season. The 10-team Division 1 conference consists of schools ranging from Alaska to Alabama, and includes Bemidji State and Minnesota State. The men’s commissioner is Bill Robertson whose career experiences include leadership positions with the Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Timberwolves and Anaheim Angels.

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