NCAA – Page 92 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Tommies Hoops: Big Time Potential

Posted on August 6, 2020August 6, 2020 by David Shama

Transitioning from Division III, the University of St. Thomas takes its 22-sports program into Division I competition in a year. Tommies men’s basketball has the long-term potential to become the first money-making program in the athletic department, and perhaps one day emerge as a high profile national team.

School athletics director Phil Esten was asked about the program eventually earning that kind of success. Maybe in 10 years? “I certainly think that we’re going to make progress toward that,” Esten told Sports Headliners.

Right now the Tommies are at the starting line. For the first five years, men’s basketball and the other UST sports aren’t eligible to participate in NCAA Tournaments. Men’s basketball and most of the other UST sports will compete in the Summit League. The initial goal is for the basketball team to soon hold its own in a mid-major conference that includes four schools from the Dakotas. “I think we can be a very competitive basketball team (in the future),” said Esten, who has been a high level athletics administrator at Minnesota, California and Penn State.

In men’s basketball the Tommies can target the quality recruiting base in the Twin Cities area. “There’s a lot of very deep and rich talent in the state of Minnesota,” Esten acknowledged.

The Gophers have been the state’s only Division I program in the past but Minnesotans will now have a second choice to compete at the NCAA’s top level while staying close to home. “There’s plenty of talent I think for St. Thomas to be able to recruit a couple (standouts) every single year,” said Esten who believes preps in Wisconsin and Illinois could also be prime targets.

Former University of Minnesota Big Ten championship coach Jim Dutcher has been impressed with the quality talent within the state. “…Some of the players that Minnesota may hesitate on, they (the Tommies) may be able to get in the door,” Dutcher told Sports Headliners.

St. Thomas will make the transition to Division I led by coach John Tauer. The Tommies have been a national power in Division III under Tauer, and won the 2016 NCAA championship. A Tommie alum, he has a passion for the school, and has built a strong relationship with Minnesota high school coaches. He will be expanding his staff to better compete at the Division I level, according to Esten.

Esten said already “we’ve had some pretty interesting conversations” from prominent men’s and women’s basketball schools about scheduling St. Thomas teams in the near future. While some schools may look at the initial Tommies teams as easy opponents and want St. Thomas only for their home games, Esten said a couple of programs have expressed interest in coming to the Twin Cities for games, too.

Motivation to travel here includes exposure to the state’s recruiting talent, but Esten said there is also a willingness to help UST successfully start its men’s or women’s programs. While Esten wants most basketball games played on campus in the school’s 2,000 seat arena, he is willing to consider an attractive matchup in a much larger venue in either Minneapolis or St. Paul.

No doubt such a game would attract a portion of UST’s 110,000 alumni, a large percentage of who live in the Twin Cities. Those Tommies alums are expected to support St. Thomas in greater numbers than in the past for various sports. The spectator turnout for UST home games will also benefit from the approximately 40,000 people in the Twin Cities who are alums of various Summit League schools.

The Tommies wouldn’t schedule a showcase basketball game at a Target Center or Xcel Energy Center without believing it would be a money-maker. The men’s and women’s programs could eventually become competitive enough to spark conversation about building an on-campus arena, perhaps seating 8,000 to 10,000 spectators. Esten is a proponent of playing in on-campus facilities. In the meantime, the Tommies men’s basketball program may soon receive six-figure paydays by agreeing to play at the home arenas of Division I powers from conferences like the Big Ten and ACC.

The school leadership compares UST with other well-known urban Catholic universities. With factors such as geographic location, endowments, curricula, graduation rates, and job placements, administrators say St. Thomas is similar to schools like Creighton, Dayton, Marquette, Villanova and others. Those schools, of course, have great basketball legacies including national titles. Three of the four (Dayton not included) are members of the prominent Big East Conference where a former St. Thomas insider told Sports Headliners he thinks the Tommies could land 10 years or more down the road.

Because of the pandemic the total St. Thomas sports program has one more uncertain year of competition in the MIAC before it exits to Division I. The COVID-19 virus already has caused MIAC decision makers to move the football season to spring. The UST football schedule had included a November 7 date at U.S. Bank Stadium against St. John’s to be hosted by the Johnnies.

Esten believes in normal times the game might attract at least a near capacity crowd at the Vikings’ home stadium. Tommies-Johnnies is a legacy rivalry that a few years ago set an all-time record for attendance at a D-III game, with an announced crowd of 37,355 at Target Field. That record has since been broken, but with U.S. Bank Stadium’s football capacity of nearly 69,000, a UST-St. John’s game would have the potential to set a Division III record (perhaps never to be broken).

Whether there is a game in 2021 or not, the end appears near for the nationally publicized football rivalry. UST will be a FCS Division I program competing in the Pioneer Football League in the fall of 2021. Esten couldn’t think of a game matching a Division I program against a Division III team, referring to it as “very rare.”

By transitioning to Division I the Tommies are expected to grow their subsidized athletics budget by three or four times. The initial budgets perhaps will be $21 million to $25 million. The school, though, is firmly behind the transition, citing multiple benefits ranging from competing in sports at the Division I level to extending the UST brand across the region and country.

In retrospect did the MIAC do the Tommies a favor by unexpectedly asking UST to leave the conference because of the school’s dominance in athletics? Esten said no, referring to the disappointment of the surprising news and the ending of 100 years of association with the conference. “It was really sad,” he said.

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U Football Season May Need “Hail Mary”

Posted on July 16, 2020July 17, 2020 by David Shama

University of Minnesota Board of Regents member Michael Hsu is a supporter of college football but he is becoming skeptical the Golden Gophers will have a 2020 season.

Hsu told Sports Headliners this morning he has no inside information from the U about a 2020 football season, but he observes the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in America, and also what the leaders of college football are saying. The Ivy League has cancelled its fall football season and may play in the spring. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have announced if there is a season, their schools will play conference opponents only.

The three other Power Five conferences (ACC, Big 12 and SEC) haven’t been as definitive about their football schedules, saying decisions are coming later this month. Then, too, Hsu looks at football heavyweight Notre Dame where school begins in early August and he wonders what ultimate decision school leaders will make there, including for students. The Fighting Irish have already lost prestigious games on their football schedule with the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers and the Pac-12’s USC Trojans.

Other teams around the country have lost nonconference games previously scheduled against Big Ten teams. These include schools that thrive on the large financial payouts for playing in Big Ten stadiums. “It just doesn’t look good. It’s a desperate time for football,” Hsu said.

Instead of a 12-game schedule, the Gophers and other Big Ten teams may play nine or 10 games each. Perhaps fewer. Options could include limiting Big Ten teams to games against rivals from their own division, West and East. That would mean six total games for the Gophers and others.

There could be no season for Minnesota and other schools. With all the confusion, that’s why Hsu analyzes the situation and says, “To put it in football terms, it may be time to call the Hail Mary pass.”

Normally, the Gophers would be starting formal practices in a couple of weeks, with the first game in early September. But ultimately the decision to play will presumably be directed by the Minnesota Health Department and governor Tim Walz, a former championship high school football coach.

Initially if state and U authorities won’t okay playing games (or even practice), then a schedule gets moved further into the fall—if it even happens at all. Hsu looks at the landscape here and across the country and recognizes state and local authorities could well come up with different decisions about approving football at their universities. Such a mish-mash of thinking will complicate the coordination of schedules. He looks at the COVID-19 numbers including deaths and wonders how much support there will be for football and other fall sports. “The numbers are against us,” he said.

For strategic planning the difficulty with the pandemic is it’s all new and leaders, including academics and athletic departments, are trying to find best practices. Trying to keep people safe, while recognizing the value of activities like college football that have so many benefits to participants and followers—plus irreplaceable revenues to fund much of the total sports programs at major universities like Minnesota.

Fall semester classes start September 8 at Minnesota. Hsu said the plan is for classroom and virtual classes. The former demands the buy-in of professors to be comfortable in such an environment. Things are planned but things can change.

With football, Hsu hopes there will be some form of a season. He knows U leaders in the athletic department and school administration are looking at options, considering plans, crunching numbers. But as of now the regents don’t know the specifics.

“We haven’t heard boo about anything,” Hsu said.

Worth Noting

A college athletics authority told Sports Headliners yesterday morning he expected an announcement this week from the NCAA approving the University of St. Thomas request to participate in Division I sports starting with the 2021-2022 school year. Yesterday afternoon school officials formally acknowledged the approval, with the Tommies joining the Gophers as a second Division I program in the state of Minnesota.

No definitive word on the transition was given last month when the NCAA met. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, believes St. Thomas was asked to complete paperwork that is now in place.

The approval clears the way for the Tommies to join The Summit League for most sports, plus the Pioneer Football League and the Women’s League of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The St. Thomas men’s hockey program is yet to be aligned with a conference.

“St. Thomas brings the full package—an excellent academic reputation, experienced leadership, a massive alumni network and a winning culture,” Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple said in a news release. “With their values-based mission and status as Minnesota’s largest private university, we know the Tommies will represent The Summit League well and we’re proud to welcome them.”

It will be a new operations experience for the Twins and other MLB clubs when travel begins next week. Teams will try to control the COVID risk with charter flights and precautions regarding meals. Players will be advised to avoid bars and restaurants.

Sidelined for the season because of their age and the COVID risk are two Twins coaches, Bill Evers, 66, and Bob McClure, 68.

Among protocols MLB has in place to minimize the risk of spreading the virus in stadiums is no spitting will be allowed, nor can managers or players argue face-to-face with umpires.

Word is NHL and NCAA hockey players could be wearing new face shields this year to provide optimal protection from the virus.

Dean Evason, who had his status changed from interim to full-time Minnesota Wild head coach this week, has a two-year contract extension, but with compensation not announced. With no NHL head coaching experience he could be among the league’s lowest paid coaches, perhaps at $750,000 annually.

The Minneapolis-based Twin Cities Dunkers and St. Paul-based Capital Club, who both feature prominent sports speakers throughout the year, are using Zoom for member programs during the pandemic. The Dunkers heard from Twins front office leaders Tuesday, and St. Paul Saints owner Mike Veeck talks to Capital Club members July 30. The Dunkers will hear from 3M Open boss Hollis Cavner next Wednesday.

Also going virtual is this year’s Taste Fore The Tour to raise money for Bloomington-based food shelf VEAP—Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People. All event proceeds go to VEAP including from the impressive online silent auction now in place. Organizers point out $120 can feed a family of four for a month. More at Tasteforethetour.com.

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Potential Twins Rosario Trade Logical

Posted on June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 by David Shama

With the Minnesota Twins training this week for their 60-game schedule that begins in late July, it would be surprising if the front office isn’t thinking about trading left fielder Eddie Rosario for pitching help. “The wheels” are likely turning, a veteran baseball observer told Sports Headliners.

He said Rosario’s age, productive past and minimal contract, combined with high potential replacement candidates from Minnesota’s farm system, point toward the five-year veteran clearly being the most likely Twin who could be traded this summer. Rosario, who turns 29 in September, had a career season in 2019 in home runs (32) and RBI (109, sixth best in the American League).

While Rosario is in his peak years and has impressive traditional stats like a .279 lifetime batting average in the majors, other metrics are less desirable such as chasing pitches outside of the strike zone. At times observers have also questioned his hustle and fielding.

Rosario is in the final season of his contract and in 2020 is paid $7,750,000 per Spotrac.com. That’s not a lot by MLB standards for a hitter of his quality. A new deal might pay him a not so costly $13 million in 2021. That’s attractive to teams who could be looking for one more solid bat in the race for the 2020 playoffs and success in the postseason.

Minnesota’s minor league system has two hyped left field candidates to replace Rosario, if not this season, then perhaps next. Alex Kirilloff, a former first round draft choice in 2016, was ranked the 32nd best prospect in baseball by MLB.com earlier this year. Trevor Larnach, a first round selection in 2018, is also one of the most valued prospects in the Twins’ system. Both are left-handed hitters like Rosario.

In the short term, the Twins have other options in replacing Rosario. In parts of two seasons Jake Cave has impressed in the outfield and been okay with his hitting. Multi-positional veteran Marwin Gonzalez, who in 425 bats last year for the Twins drove in 55 runs, plays in the infield and outfield.

Minnesota’s 40-man roster announced earlier this week has just four left-handed pitchers. Devin Smeltzer and Rich Hill have MLB resumes both starting and relieving, while Taylor Rogers and Lewis Thorpe are bullpen specialists. The imbalance between left-handed and right-handed pitchers (four versus 18) could certainly figure into analysis for a Rosario trade.

Twins front office executives Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have multiple options in offering the attractive Rosario as trade bait. They might acquire an established pitcher of value in return for Rosario, with possibly a minor league prospect included, too. The Minnesota farm system isn’t deep in quality pitching prospects and another option could be asking for two of the better minor league pitchers from a rival franchise.

The organization certainly has incentive to further strengthen the roster of a team that won 101 games last season and added one of baseball’s best sluggers this winter in Josh Donaldson. Twins president Dave St. Peter has stated the 2020 World Series is the club’s goal.

Worth Noting

Hope the University of Minnesota takes the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the school’s last national championship football team, the 1960 Golden Gophers.

It was welcome news for Bloomington, Minnesota native Lane Kiffin yesterday when he heard about Mississippi’s decision to remove the Confederate battle symbol from the state flag. Kiffin is the first-year head coach of the SEC’s Mississippi Rebels.

Minnehaha’s Chet Holmgren, per some authorities the No. 1 prep basketball player in the national class of 2021, lists his top seven college possibilities as Georgetown, Gonzaga, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Ohio State. If things follow the norm, Minnesota and Big Ten rivals Michigan and Ohio State won’t land the athletic 7-foot Holmgren whose father, David, was a Gopher reserve from 1984-1988.

Minnesota’s elite preps usually haven’t chosen the Gophers for several years now, with Amir Coffey and Daniel Oturu being exceptions. Dawson Garcia, Matthew Hurt, Tyus and Tre Jones, Gary Trent Jr. and Kerwin Walton are among star players who decided to play elsewhere, but not for Big Ten programs. (Wisconsin is the outlier here attracting both quality and role players from Minnesota for decades, but with the Holmgren family background it’s difficult to see Chet becoming a Badger).

With Minnesota coach Richard Pitino on the hot seat, it’s probable rival recruiters will suggest it should be an easy choice to play at their programs where the future leadership is more certain.

Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph will for a second straight year be the ambassador for the 3M Open. The second-year PGA tournament will be July 23-26 at TPC Twin Cities and played without spectators. Today Rudolph will be at 3M headquarters in Maplewood helping with a tourney associated food drive.

When the Minnesota Wild play in the rescheduled Stanley Cup playoffs this summer, it will be interesting to see the development of forward Kevin Fiala who was dazzling opponents when the COVID-19 pandemic closed the NHL regular season in March. Fiala looks like a breakout star playing for interim head coach Dean Evason, whose experiences together date back to the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL.

Fiala was inconsistent in production and attitude with the Admirals. Evason, who coached the minor league Admirals for six seasons, saw a player with potential needing to mature. Fiala tied his NHL career high of 23 goals last season. In the last five games he had seven points including four goals.

Wally Langfellow, publisher of Minnesota Score magazine and also heard on Score Radio, is running for mayor of Robbinsdale. Langfellow has been covering sports in the Twin Cities since 1982.

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