A source familiar with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Association told Sports Headliners this week that Carleton, Macalester and St. Olaf have decided to remain members of the MIAC. There had been a self examination by the three schools earlier this year to determine whether another conference might be more suitable. The source said increased travel time and expense were major factors in the decision to remain in the MIAC where all 13 members are Minnesota schools.
Saint John’s football coach John Gagliardi deservedly receives a lot of attention including for his longevity, 56 seasons coaching the Johnnies. But basketball coach Jim Smith, now in his 45th season with the Johnnies, has a long resume, too. Saint John’s, 3-0, and St. Thomas, 4-0, are the only unbeaten teams so far in MIAC conference games. Smith became the winningest coach in Minnesota collegiate basketball history seven years ago.
Here’s more than a hat trick of personal info on the Wild’s Mikko Koivu who leads the team in scoring with 30 points on 10 goals and 20 assists. Koivu’s favorite hobbies are soccer and badminton, but tennis great Roger Federer is his favorite athlete and the person he most wants to meet. Downtown Minneapolis is Koivu’s favorite thing about Minnesota and 20.21 his preferred restaurant. First job was scooping ice cream in an ice cream shop.
Koivu is ninth among forwards in voting for the Western Conference All-Star team with over 135,000 votes. That spot would earn him a place on the roster for the January 25 All-Star game in Montreal. Fans can vote by texting the last name of the player they wish to vote for to 81812, and also at www.fanballoting.nhl.com.
If the Twins fulfill speculation that the outfield rotation will consist of Denard Span (18 stolen bases last season), Carlos Gomez (33), Delmon Young (14) and Michael Cuddyer (five in 71 games), plus infielders Nick Punto (15) and Alexi Casilla (seven), the team may well increase its 2008 total of 102 stolen bases next season. Speed and stolen bases received attention in major league baseball last season. World Series champion Philadelphia stole 136 bases during the regular season, third best in the National League. Tampa Bay, the World Series loser, led the American League with 142 stolen bases. The Twins were fourth in the A.L. and figure to improve their totals as young players Span, Gomez, Young and Casilla gain experience and more playing time.
The Twins announced yesterday that they have agreed to a two-year contract for Punto with a club option for 2011. “Nick has been an important part of the Twins success for the past five years,” said Bill Smith, senior vice president/general manager Bill Smith. “He provides great defense up the middle and brings leadership and energy to our lineup.”
The Big Ten Conference will send two schools (co-champs Penn State and Ohio State) to BCS games for the eighth time in the 11-year history of the system and the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has qualified 19 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. The SEC ranks second with 17 BCS bids followed by the Big 12 (16), Pac-10 (13), ACC (11) and Big East (11). In January Penn State will play against USC in the Rose Bowl, while Ohio State will be in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas.