Stadiums – Page 26 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Gophers Fleck Eyes Stadium Expansion

Posted on April 2, 2017April 2, 2017 by David Shama

You have to give P.J. Fleck credit for ambition and vision. The new Gophers football coach hasn’t even completed the team’s spring practice schedule, but last Friday night he was talking about expanding the seating capacity of TCF Bank Stadium.

The dynamic 36-year-old arrived in Minneapolis January 6 after four years as head coach at Western Michigan, and he started pointing the program toward eventual Big Ten and (yes) even national championships. On Friday evening he stood in front of a packed room at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park and spoke about creating a lot more ticket buyers at TCF Bank Stadium.

“You see, we have 55,000 seats in our stadium, but my plan already three years down the road is to expand it to 85,000,” Fleck told an audience of high school and youth football coaches.

Fleck wants to grow his program’s budget and referenced a “certain rival” who has $40 million more in budget than the Gophers. How to catch up?

“(Add) 30,000 more seats,” Fleck said. “But to be able to do that we have to connect people who don’t even like football.”

At the Minnesota Football Coaches Clinic Fleck didn’t talk Xs and Os. Instead the message was often about “culture,” or connecting with people inside and outside his program. He hinted at aggressive marketing efforts for Gophers football coming this spring and summer.

Part of the messaging will be to convince the public, even those who don’t care much about football, that the Gophers enrich the quality of life in the state with what they do both on and off the field (think community service)—and are worthy of support including on Saturday afternoons at TCF Bank Stadium. “Our program is about two things. Serving and giving. That’s it,” Fleck told the audience.

When speaking about budgets, Fleck didn’t say who that “certain rival” is but it could likely be Wisconsin. The Badgers draw sellout crowds of more than 80,000 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. There is no doubt behind the scenes Fleck is taking dead aim on the Badgers who turned around their program in both results and support in the 1990s. Wisconsin has won 13 consecutive games against Minnesota.

Fleck, who years ago started a bucket list that included becoming a Big Ten coach, is full of energy and ideas. He concedes his dynamo style and lofty ambitions aren’t for all, but some authorities think Fleck deserves a place among America’s most promising young coaches.

“I’ve got a good feeling about him taking this job,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe told the coaches Friday night at the clinic, which is an annual project of the Minnesota Football Coaches Association. Cutcliffe is 62 and old enough to be Fleck’s dad, but he knows the young coach’s story at Western Michigan where in four years he took the Broncos from 1-11 to 13-1, and built a fan base never seen before in Kalamazoo.

Fleck received a standing ovation when he stepped to the podium Friday night and then he reached out to his audience. His talking points included praise for the work of the state’s prep coaches. He acknowledged there are many resources to make Gophers football elite but said, “…If we didn’t have the (quality) high school coaches we have in the state of Minnesota, I would not have taken the job. I recruited this area. I remember it vividly.”

Fleck referred to himself as a young “schmuck” when he was recruiting as a member of the Northern Illinois staff and Minnetonka High School coach Dave Nelson showed him the kindness of inviting him into the Nelson home. That made a lasting impression on Fleck and he acknowledged Nelson, the MFCA Hall of Fame coach who was seated in the audience.

Many coaches in attendance at the DoubleTree are admirers of former Gophers head coach Jerry Kill. “Jerry Kill saved my career,” Fleck said. “I was let go when (Northern Illinois head coach) Joe Novak retired. Jerry Kill retained me. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jerry Kill.”

Worth Noting

MFCA executive director Ron Stolski said there were over 1,700 attendees at the clinic—the ninth consecutive year attendance has increased.

Totino-Grace’s Jeff Ferguson was recognized as the MFCA’s Man of the Year. His Eagles won the 6A state title last year. In 15 seasons as head coach of the Eagles his record is 173-21, with eight state titles in classes 4A, 5A and 6A.

Clinic speakers included North Dakota State head coach Chris Klieman and several assistants. Bison defensive coordinator Matt Entz told Sports Headliners that 40 percent of the NDSU players are Minnesotans.

Stolski will speak at the Bison spring football clinic on Friday. The Brainerd coach’s talk is titled “A Coach’s Journey: Lessons Learned in Six Decades on the Field.”

The clinic’s keynote speaker will be Jon Gruden, the former NFL head coach and now an ESPN football analyst.

The Twins announced this afternoon they have placed left-handed pitcher Glen Perkins on the 60-day disabled list with a left posterior shoulder strain. They have also selected the contract of catcher Chris Gimenez and optioned first baseman Kennys Vargas to Triple-A Rochester. Minnesota’s roster is now set at 25 with 13 pitchers, two catchers, five infielders and five outfielders.

Rick Stelmaszek, the longest tenured coach in Twins history with 32 seasons through 2002, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at tomorrow’s Twins regular season opener at Target Field. Minneapolis rapper Dessa will sing the National Anthem, accompanied by a brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra.

World War II vet Henry “Hank” Langevin, 94, will raise the American Flag. He was born in St. Paul in 1922 and enlisted in the Army in 1941. He trained for two years to be a paratrooper and later as a glider. He fought in the Battle of Sicily and the Battle of the Bulge.

An online story in last Thursday’s Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that per the Westgate and Station Casino sports books, the Twins’ odds of winning the World Series are 100-1, with only four other MLB clubs facing longer odds. The Twins’ predicted win total is 74.

A week ago today the Gophers basketball team held its season-ending banquet on the floor of Williams Arena for the first time ever. “It was absolutely fabulous,” said former Gopher Al Nuness who attended. “I can’t figure out why we never had it there before. Everybody was just mesmerized.”

Minnesota native and Kings coach Dave Joerger talking about the Timberwolves who haven’t made the playoffs since 2004: “I think the future is very, very bright. This is a team that will be in the playoffs next year. …Nothing but the best is in front of them.”

Comments Welcome

Super Bowl Security Puts Mpls. on Alert

Posted on February 3, 2017February 3, 2017 by David Shama

A notes column heavy with Super Bowl information:

A sports industry friend from Minneapolis was in Houston earlier this week. He was stunned by the security in place for Sunday’s Super Bowl and the events preceding the big game. The city blocks near NRG Stadium and other facilities related to the Super Bowl are so guarded it prompted the friend to say he has never seen such a security lockdown.

“It’s crazy. It’s almost like not welcoming,” he said. “I don’t even know how to get to stuff (places).”

From “eyes in the sky” technology to bomb-sniffing dogs, all kinds of security is being used by public and private agencies to watch for suspicious characters and activities in Houston. No doubt it will be a similar scene in Minneapolis next year when the Super Bowl and its companion events come to town.

It’s expected that the area surrounding U.S. Bank Stadium will be under “Big Brother’s” watch starting about two weeks before the February 4, 2018 game. A challenge for Minneapolis security planners is that the city’s light rail system runs right by the stadium and presumably will be operational.

Super Bowl related events are expected to take place at other sites in Minnesota including the Nicollet Mall for outdoor activities and at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I am told full planning for 2018 by the NFL doesn’t start until April of this year.

Minneapolis native Prince, who died last year, would have been an obvious choice to headline the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown. Prince’s acclaimed performance during halftime of the 2007 Super Bowl in Florida is among the most remembered entertainment ever at the big game.

Minneapolis first hosted the Super Bowl in 1992. At that time Minneapolis became the second northern city in NFL history to host the event, which began in 1967.

Minnesota connections with Sunday’s game include Patriots receiver Michael Floyd who could become the third Cretin-Derham Hall alum to play for a Super Bowl winning team, according to a Tuesday Pioneer Press story by Chris Tomasson. Center Matt Birk and offensive tackle Ryan Harris won Super Bowls playing for the Ravens and Broncos, Tomasson reported.

It’s not certain whether the 27-year-old Floyd will see action Sunday. He was released by the Cardinals in December and picked up by the Patriots who were aware of his late season incident with alcohol. He has played minimally in four games with the Patriots, catching five passes including one touchdown reception.

Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill is now the offensive coordinator at Rutgers and he told Sports Headliners six Scarlet Knight alums are on the Patriots roster but he will be rooting for the Falcons on Sunday. That’s because two of his players as Gophers coach are key contributors to the Falcon defense.

Defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman, a Minneapolis Washburn alum, is a player Kill refers to as a ”freak of nature” because of his imposing size and skills. The former Gophers All-American, 6-6, 318-pounds, was drafted by the Falcons in 2014 after a personal and football life filled with obstacles. As a child Hageman was neglected and he also struggled with academics, and although he matured with the Gophers it’s probably fair to say he still needs more consistency on and off the field.

De’Vondre Campbell, a 6-3, 234-pound linebacker who the Falcons drafted in 2016, was recruited by Kill out of Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. “He is a kid that comes from a lower income family,” Kill said. “He worked hard. He went to Hutchinson because of adcadmics and got good grades. I always knew his best days were ahead of him.”

Kill said he will be “pulling for my guys” on Sunday and takes satisfaction in knowing Hageman and Campbell are late developers. “They will keep getting better,” Kill said.

This week ESPN Insider ranked every Falcons and Patriots player starting with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at No. 1. Hageman ranked No. 48, Campbell No. 74 and Floyd No. 82 out of 106 players.

Eden Prairie native and former Viking Carter Bykowski is on the Falcon practice squad as an offensive tackle.

It was about 40 years ago that the Vikings played in their last Super Bowl. The Vikings lost 32-14 to the Raiders on January 9, 1977 in front of 103,438 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The game was the Vikings’ third Super Bowl in four years and all were losses under head coach Bud Grant who also lost to the Chiefs in the 1970 game.

Ex-Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton had a good line as re-quoted in Ross Bernstein’s book Sixty Years & Sixty Heroes: “What we’re trying to do is run through all the American Football League clubs to see if there’s one we can beat. …”

Former Gophers basketball coach Jim Dutcher talking about the current 3-6 Minnesota team that has lost five consecutive Big Ten games and now faces mediocre opponents against Illinois tomorrow and Iowa February 8, and then lowly Rutgers February 11: “They can’t have any hiccups.”

The Gophers hockey team, 6-2 in the Big Ten, has only league games remaining on the schedule. Minnesota is tied for first with Wisconsin in the Big Ten, just ahead of the 5-2-1 Penn State team that plays the Gophers tonight and tomorrow night at Mariucci Arena. The Nittany Lions men’s hockey program started in 2010 and like the Gophers is nationally ranked.

Minnesota is 27-5-2 all-time in home games against Big Ten opponents. This is the fourth season of Big Ten hockey.

Gary Trent Jr., who played for Apple Valley until this school year, is among those elite senior prep players who have been invited to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago March 29. Trent, now at Prolific Prep in Napa, California, will play for Duke next fall.

WCCO Radio newsman Al Schoch is in his sixth school year of public address announcing for University of St. Thomas football, volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball.

Comments Welcome

No Need to Panic over Peterson Injury

Posted on September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 by David Shama

Adrian Peterson’s right knee injury and possible absence for future games seems unlikely to derail the Vikings’ goal of winning a second consecutive NFC North Division championship.

Adrian Peterson (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Peterson had to leave last night’s Vikings-Packers game because of what has been diagnosed as a torn meniscus. Head coach Mike Zimmer said this afternoon more evaluation about Peterson is ahead including determining whether he can practice this week and if he will miss games next Sunday and beyond.

The Vikings won a 17-14 game over their primary division rival with Peterson rushing for only 19 yards. The Vikings, now 2-0, won their opening game against the Titans with Peterson rushing for 31 yards. Defenses have been crowding the line of scrimmage and while runs have been mostly unsuccessful, sometimes Peterson’s presence creates opportunities for the passing game.

In today’s NFL emphasizing pass defenders, quarterbacks and receivers, even future Hall of Famer runners like the 31-year-old Peterson can see their importance lessened. The Vikings probably have at least four players more vital to winning another division title and advancing in the playoffs than Peterson.

Those players are defensive end Everson Griffen, safety Harrison Smith, quarterback Sam Bradford and wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Griffen, Smith and Diggs were known as high impact players going into last night’s game, while Bradford, in his first game for the Vikings since being acquired earlier this month from the Eagles, joined the group.

Bradford held his ground in the pocket and was impressive completing passes, including what looked like low percentage touchdown throws to Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph. His passing may have been the most eye-catching by a Vikings quarterback since Brett Favre was here several years ago.

Bradford’s potential continued success, of course, is huge for the Vikings because starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is out for the season. The Vikings hope that Bradford, 29, can not only perform but stay healthy with only 36-year-old reserve Shaun Hill in reserve.

Vikings defensive back Captain Munnerlyn told Sports Headliners he regards Peterson as the best runner in the league but the team expects to keep winning when it loses players. “We’re not a one-man show. It’s a team thing,” he said.

The Vikings defense has been extraordinary in two wins so far—even creating turnovers and scoring points while encouraging the notion that few other units in the NFL are better. Defensive end Brian Robison said the defense is ready to help if the Vikings are without Peterson.

“Us as a defense, we’re gonna put it on our shoulders and we’re gonna make sure that we do whatever we can do in order to put the offense in a good position,” Robison said. “Hopefully keep creating turnovers and get them in good field position. …”

Worth Noting

Bradford talking about the noisy fan support last night at U.S. Bank Stadium: “That’s one of the best atmospheres I’ve probably every played in. …They (the Packers) were having a hard time communicating. I think there were times we were having a hard time communicating because it was so loud in there.

“It’s fun when you get to play in an atmosphere like that. It’s not an every-week thing. You don’t get to play in front of crowds like that all the time, so when you do it’s really special.”

The five giant pivoting doors were open for last night’s debut regular season game at U.S. Bank Stadium because it was important to the Vikings management, according to a stadium source. The announced temperature inside the stadium at kickoff was 77 degrees, about five degrees more than if the doors were closed and the air conditioning didn’t have to contend so much with outside heat and humidity.

The Super Bowl quality halftime show that included the Minnesota Orchestra required about 200 people including support personnel. Twelve minutes was allocated for total time.

The Vikings are now 6-11 against Aaron Rodgers when he is the starting quarterback for the Packers. He has thrown 36 touchdown passes in those games.

The Packers opened the season at Jacksonville, then came to Minneapolis for last night’s game. It’s the first time since 1924 the Packers have played their first two regular season games on the road.

Right now it looks like Moritz Bohringer, the 22-year-old wide receiver from Aalen, Germany who never played college football, is probably a long shot to develop an NFL career. He is on the Vikings’ practice squad but there is no guarantee he will keep his spot, or be activated to the playing roster.

Former Vikings kicker Fred Cox will (for a fee) sign memorabilia and pose for photos on Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. His appearance is part of the two-day Saturday-Sunday Triple Crown Sports Collectibles show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Big Ten schools, including Minnesota, receive equal shares of conference TV revenues. A new TV deal is expected to give the Gophers and the other 13 schools $45 to $50 million each on an annual basis.

However, there are big differences between schools in revenues such as ticket receipts. A Big Ten source told Sports Headliners Ohio State had $45.5 million in football ticket revenues last year, while the Gophers generated $12.5 million. Ohio State’s radio rights partner pays the Buckeyes $14 million, while the Gophers receive $7.5 million.

The Korn Ferry firm working on the Twins search for an executive to lead its baseball operations is headquartered in Los Angeles but has an office in Minneapolis. A former search industry leader praised Korn Ferry in an email to Sports Headliners.

“(The) Twins have hired one of the best firms to handle the search for their top baseball job,” he wrote. “Korn Ferry is often used to find CEOs for the largest companies in the nation. …”

“A search firm brings objectivity and confidentiality to the search that other means don’t offer. Relying on referrals and contacts from the baseball fraternity misses both of those important points. Finding an exec who will manage from ‘30,000 feet’ and is not part of the baseball family may be what this franchise needs. Traditional businesses often hire outside of their industry to bring in executive management skills that are transferable.”

It is expensive to use a high profile search firm. “A typical search usually costs 30 percent of the total first year compensation (of the person hired), including a signing bonus, plus all direct related expenses,” the source wrote in his email.

Twins curator Clyde Doepner, an expert on the franchise’s memorabilia, will speak to the “Breakfast with Leroy” group Saturday at the Bloomington Knights of Columbus, 1114 American Blvd West. A breakfast buffet starting at 9 a.m. precedes Doepner’s remarks. The public is invited with more information available by contacting Pat Rickert at 612-861-3981.

Comments Welcome