Gophers’ athletic director Joel Maturi attended Big Ten meetings last week and told Sports Headliners that the economy was a major topic. He said it’s “probable” there will be a wage freeze in the athletic department this year.
He also said that fund raising for a new $15 million on-campus baseball stadium is still in the “preliminary” stages.
The Gophers men’s hockey team won’t host a home game in the WCHA playoffs without a fifth place or higher regular season finish. The home team, though, doesn’t keep the gate receipts in the playoffs, with those revenues going to the WCHA, Maturi said.
Maturi reported via e-mail his department could receive $300,000 to $500,000 each for hosting NCAA basketball (Metrodome March 20 and 22) and hockey (March 28 and 29 Mariucci Arena) tournaments this year.
A week ago Sunday telecasts of Gophers basketball, the Wild and Wolves aired against not only each other but the Academy Awards. In this market the awards topped the ratings followed by the Gophers, Wild and then the Wolves.
Dave and Linda Mona were recently honored by the Minnesota Coalition of Athletic Leadership. The Monas received the “Breaking Barriers” award as part of the National Girls and Women’s Sports Day celebration at the Rotunda in the State Capitol.