Tony Dungy is expected to draw a record crowd for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s celebration event when he provides the keynote address on Tuesday, May 8 at Mariucci Arena. UMAA president Denny Schulstad told Sports Headliners he’s expecting 5,000 people to attend the event that’s also being headlined by Stan Freese and members of the University marching band. Freese is a University school of music graduate and has held various positions with Walt Disney Company including director of bands.
The energetic Schulstad, a civic leader and for many years a Minneapolis City Council member, is excited to have both Dungy and Freese at the gathering (in the past known as the annual meeting). “We’re celebrating the new Gopher football stadium so what better way to do it than with football and music, Tony and Stan,” Schulstad said.
Although Dungy will be able to command extraordinary speaking fees as the coach of the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, Schulstad said the former Gopher quarterback and assistant coach will speak gratis at the alumni event. Schulstad hopes and expects some of Dungy’s remarks will express his affection for the University.
“Tony told me that when he was an assistant coach at the University his dream job was to become the head coach of the Gophers,” Schulstad said.
Dungy was an assistant coach for one season under former head coach Joe Salem. After coaching at the University in 1980, Dungy went to the NFL where his first job was as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers. As his career developed, Dungy became attached to the NFL and he made it clear earlier this year he wasn’t interested in the Gopher football vacancy recently filled by Tim Brewster.
Tickets for the celebration event go on sale Thursday, February 22 and can be purchased by calling 612-624-2345. The celebration event is open to the public.
Linden Dungy, who lives in the area, told Sports Headliners recently he hasn’t discussed future plans with Tony but believes his brother will continue coaching for awhile. “I think so,” Linden said. “If I had to guess (why) there are a couple of reasons. He’s under contract to 2009 and he said he’s enjoying coaching.”
Several years ago when Dungy was coaching the Bucs in Tampa he told his brother he planned to coach until he was 50 years old. Dungy will be 52 this year and is apparently still enjoying coaching but don’t expect him to continue too many more years.