Sports Headliners has learned that the Minnesota High School All-Star Football Game will be held at TCF Bank Stadium next year. All-Star director Dave Fritze said the sponsoring Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association will hold the game there on June 25, 2011 and in future years.
The All-Star game has a long history that dates back more than 50 years. In the 1970’s the game was played at Memorial Stadium on the University campus. Other sites have included Parade Stadium and Macalester College in the metro area. Last year’s game was held at St. Cloud State University.
Fritze said the All-Star game costs about $70,000 to stage and whatever proceeds are available go to the football coaches association, a nonprofit that has long been a vigorous promoter of amateur football in the state with activities such as clinics and the game. The game is played between many of the best graduating prep seniors in the state who represent the Metro and Outstate squads.
As part of the 50th season, the Vikings organization is asking fans to help select the 50 greatest Vikings players of all time. By visiting www.vikings.com/50 fans can find statistics, biographies, photos and videos of many nominees. Voting began last week and continues through 29.
Twins hero Michael Cuddyer sounded the Gjallarhorn prior to yesterday’s Vikings-Dallas game at Mall of America Field.
There were about 30 Dallas media, including 12 representing Spanish radio and TV, covering the game. That will be one of the largest media contingents of the season at Mall of America Field.
Vikings quarterback Brett Favre said after the Dallas game that wide receiver Randy Moss had some words for the team at halftime that were helpful. Favre didn’t elaborate.
Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin, who had a franchise record 95 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, was probably the team’s MVP yesterday in the 24-21 win. He was asked if the addition of Moss to the roster created opportunities for others. “Definitely, it’s becoming easier,” Harvin said. “A lot of lanes should open up for us in the running game, and we just have to get it all together, and hopefully this game gave us the momentum and our offense can build from this.”
Dave Mona’s pre-game vignette on WCCO Radio prior to the Minnesota-Purdue game Saturday included the fact that collectively former Boilermakers quarterbacks have thrown more NFL touchdown passes than alums from any other school. Guess how many NFL touchdown passes ex-Gophers have thrown? One, according to Mona. His research showed that Gino Cappelletti threw the lone touchdown pass on a fake field goal. Purdue’s total? 1,096.
New Wild goaltender Jose Theodore recently contacted goalie mask designer Todd Miska to update the mask he wore with the Capitals. Earlier this year Miska painted the masks of Niklas Backstrom and Josh Harding.
Defenseman Brent Burns and wife Susan are working with the nonprofit Defending The Blue Line to offer free Wild tickets to military service members. Preference is given to currently deployed, combat wounded, and families of KIA (Killed In Action) service members. www.DefendingTheBlueLine.com
FOX Sports North will televise tomorrow night’s Timberwolves-Indiana game from Target Center beginning at 7 p.m.
The Minnesota Swarm has re-signed forward Ryan Benesch to a three-year contract extension. Benesch, 25, played in 15 games during his first season with the Swarm in 2010. He had 83 points on 28 goals and 55 assists last year, tying him for ninth in the NLL in scoring.
Swarm fans can buy two season tickets at full price, and then purchase two more at 50 percent off. www.mnswarm.com
Registration for the second season of the Minnesota Hockey Recreational League is open through November 1. The league begins play in early December and offers a low cost hockey option for boys and girls ages 9-14. More information is available at www.minnesotahockey.org or send an email to info@minnesotahockey.org.
