Vikings notes from Winter Park:
Lester Bagley told Sports Headliners it wasn’t the extra cost of a retractable roof that resulted in a final decision to make the new Vikings stadium a fixed-roof facility. Estimates are a retractable roof would have added $25 to $50 million to the $975 million stadium cost but Bagley, the Vikings’ stadium drive leader for years, said the design that includes the largest pivoting glass doors in the world and other features allowing light into the facility are the right fit for this climate and gameday experience.
While Bagley didn’t offer specifics, he indicated the extra funding for a retractable roof was doable but he believes the new downtown stadium with its present design will be the “best in the NFL” when it opens in 2016. The doors will open to the outside plaza, and combined with windows and the partially transparent roof, there will be an outdoor feel to an indoor building.
With a retractable roof, the roof would be closed on many game days because of rain, snow, cold winds and temperatures. Games in late fall and early winter would almost certainly necessitate having the roof closed.
Regardless of weather, fans will have a consistent gameday experience in the climate-controlled facility. That experience will not only include natural light, but also the latest technology such as HD video boards and seating proximity to the field that will equal or surpass any facility in the NFL, according to Bagley. “We may also have a family section that could be alcohol-free,” he said.
Bagley also said the team’s September 29 regular season game in London against the Steelers will be a sellout in 84,000-seat Wembley Stadium. He expects thousands of Vikings season ticket holders to attend the game. The Vikings will send veteran defensive linemen Jared Allen and Kevin Williams to London in late July to promote the game.
Williams, who will be 34 on August 16, was asked about his future with the team after his contract ends following this season. “I would like to stay here (with the Vikings),” he said. “You always want to stay where you’re drafted at, but I know it’s a business and things happen, so just looking to having a good year and whatever happens, happens.”
He was noncommittal when asked if he will accept less money on his new contract. “We’ll see how the season goes. …”
Defensive tackle Shariff Floyd, the team’s first draft choice this year, could some day replace Williams. As the team practices this month, what advice does Williams have for Floyd?
“Pay attention. You got a lot of older guys in front of you that have done this…played the game. Soak it up. Enjoy it while you can and try to use it.”
Safety Harrison Smith had an outstanding rookie season but last year wasn’t without challenges for him. At times the demanding transition from college to pro football left him fatigued.
“I seriously thought I hit the rookie wall before the season started,” he said. “You just have to keep going and just keep working every day. There’s no way around it. You’re gonna deal with it. I am glad to kind of have that year past me.”
Worth Noting
Apple Valley’s Tyus Jones and Chicago’s Jahlil Okafor are likely to attend the same college and they have mostly similar schools under consideration, but not identical ones. This spring Jones’ mother, Debbie Jones, told Sports Headliners her son is considering Baylor, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota and Ohio State. Okafor’s schools are Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State and Ohio State.
Choosing a school outside the Big Ten could relieve hometown and home state pressure on both Jones and Okafor who are such good friends it will be a surprise if they don’t play together as freshmen in college a year from this fall. Baylor is a good guess for a “dark horse” to land the two prep basketball superstars. Baylor director of player development Jared Nuness is a distant cousin of Jones.
Angel Morales, Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano, the three Twins prospects promoted last week from Class A Fort Myers to Class AA New Britain, have now played several games for the Rock Cats. Center fielder Morales is hitting .095 in six games, second baseman Rosario is at .313 in five games and third baseman Sano is batting .067.
The Twins opened a three game series against the White Sox last night by beating Chicago 7-5. Glen Perkins earned his 17th save of the season, setting a career high after last year’s 16. The Twins have lost three of their last four series.
Brian Dozier ranks second among MLB second basemen in double plays with 51. Shortstop Pedro Florimon is third among MLB shortstops with 48 double plays. As a team the Twins lead in double plays with 81.
WCCO Radio “Sports Huddle” co-host and public relations executive Dave Mona was honored by his company, Weber Shandwick, at a Mall of America retirement party last night at the Mall of America. Among the guests was Mona’s radio co-host Sid Hartman. Mona formally retires from Weber Shandwick on July 1, although he will still do some work for the company.
The highest paid public employees in 40 of 50 states are coaches, according to a May 9 graphic by Deadspin.com. Included among the 40 states is Minnesota where Gopher football coach Jerry Kill and basketball coach Richard Pitino each reportedly earn base compensation of $1.2 million.
St. Thomas finished No. 9 nationally in the final Division III Learfield Sports Director’s Cup standings for school year 2012-2013. Other MIAC schools in the top 50 are Gustavus Adolphus at No. 36 and St. Olaf, No. 45. Concordia, Carleton and Saint John’s also placed in the first 100.
The 13-member MIAC is one of only three conferences to have 11 schools in the final standings. The Learfield standings measure each institution’s combined performance at national championship tournaments and events.
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