The NFL’s personal conduct policy that can result in suspensions like that of the Vikings’ Bryant McKinney is applauded by those who are weary of misdeeds by football players and other athletes.
ESPN reported on its telecast of last week’s South Carolina-North Carolina State football game that Mike Davis, a running back for the Gamecocks, was seen on a campus security monitor breaking into a team refrigerator last month. Davis played in the game, although ESPN speculated he might be suspended for the Wofford game. His college major? Criminal justice.
Gopher football coach Tim Brewster awarded one year scholarships last week to walk-on players including true freshman linebacker Mike Rallis of Edina who was impressive on kickoff coverage in Saturday night’s win over Northern Illinois. Brewster said his son Nolan, a true freshman at Texas, played on special teams in the Longhorns’ 52-10 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday. The Gophers play the Owls on September 20 and Brewster will have insights on that team from his son and also his former boss at Texas, head coach Mack Brown.
MIAC football teams begin play this week. In the preseason coaches’ poll Saint John’s is the favorite to win the MIAC title with Bethel receiving the second most votes, followed by Concordia, St. Thomas, St. Olaf, Augsburg, Gustavus Adolphus, Carleton and Hamline.
Saint John’s coach John Gagliardi has more MIAC coaching experience than all other conference coaches combined. Gagliardi, 81, has been coaching in the MIAC for 55 years while all the other coaches have a combined total of 46 years.
Schools from the conference have advanced to at least the second round of the NCAA playoffs for the past 12 seasons. Augsburg played in the second round in 1997, Concordia advanced to the second round in 2004 and 2005, Saint John’s in 1996, 1998-2003, 2005-2007 and Bethel in 2007.
The Wild will participate in the 2008 NHL Centre I.C.E. Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, September 13-17. The Wild’s roster features 10 draft picks, including the team’s most recent first round draft choices, defenseman Tyler Cuma (2008, 23rd overall) and center Colton Gillies (2007, 16th overall). Fans can visit www.wild.com for tournament updates from assistant general manager/player personnel Tom Thompson.