David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Shadow of 2019 Success Hangs Over Gopher Football

Posted on December 28, 2025 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota football program has produced similar results in recent seasons and hasn’t duplicated the excellence of 2019 when the Golden Gophers went 11-2, including a prestigious Outback Bowl win over SEC power Auburn.

After the Outback victory, the Gophers finished No. 10 in the Associated Press top 25 poll. In head coach P.J. Fleck’s third season at Minnesota his team emerged as a Big Ten title contender, going 7-2 in league games including a for the ages home upset of then No. 5 ranked Penn State.

That team’s roster had major contributors recruited by Fleck such as wide receiver Rashod Bateman, quarterback Tanner Morgan and tailback Mo Ibrahim. Significant playmakers on that team included many individuals recruited by the previous coaching staff regimes such as safety Antoine Winfield Jr., defensive end Carter Coughlin, linebackers Thomas Barber and Kamal Martin, and wide receiver Tyler Johnson.

The Gophers haven’t finished a season (including bowl games) with a top 25 ranking since the magic of 2019. Disregarding the COVID shortened 2020 campaign, the program has usually produced similar win and loss totals.

In both 2024 and 2025 the Gophers were 8-5 overall, 5-4 in the Big Ten. The 2021 and 2022 teams were both 9-4, with the former finishing 6-3 in conference games and the latter 5-4. The outlier season was 2023 when Minnesota was 6-7 and 3-6.

The last five seasons Minnesota has qualified for and won its bowl games including the 20-17 victory Friday over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl. Fleck is undefeated in bowl games with the Gophers, winning seven consecutive outings. Minnesota’s total win streak of nine is the best in the nation and in Big Ten history.

Doesn’t it seem like there’s a Groundhog Day movie feel here?

Gopher football coach P.J. Fleck — P.J. Fleck

Fleck, his staff and players are doing all kinds of things right and doing them consistently. They rally to win in come from behind games including against four foes in 2025, showing they can make coaching adjustments and perform in the clutch. They often beat the teams they’re expected to handle, including non-conference softies and league opponents. They have stoked home state pride by defeating Wisconsin in four of the last five years and getting Paul Bunyan’s Axe comfortable with a Dinkytown residence. And in the transfer madness of the 2020s, Fleck and his staff have been very successful in retention of players.

Off the field, players consistently attend class and produce GPA’s that make mom and dad happy. Fleck insists on more than academics off the field, though. His serving and giving community commitment has staff and players engaged in efforts and appearances to help those in need in the community. And unlike the distant past, scandal caused by miscreant behavior hasn’t embarrassed the University.

Less appealing in the sameness mode is how the Gophers fare on the field against the “big boys” of the Big Ten. In 2025 Minnesota was outscored by 84-16 in games against conference titans Oregon and Ohio State. Fleck is also 0-4 in the Little Brown Jug rivalry with Michigan and two years ago in Minneapolis lost 52-10.

Iowa sometimes flirts with Big Ten “big boy” status and pretty much owns the Gophers. Fleck is 1-8 against the Hawkeyes and this year his team was pounded 41-3 in Iowa City. The last two seasons Minnesota has been outscored 72-17 in the Floyd of Rosedale series.

Both Iowa and Minnesota are self-described developmental programs, meaning four and five high school recruits don’t flock to Iowa City and Minneapolis. Iowa is clearly better at the developmental stuff than the Gophers. Iowa’s defenses and special teams are usually among the elite in the nation. The best players on those units regularly include players from the state of Iowa, sometimes coming from small town high schools.

Annual season results for Gopher fans typically include frustration with a more than winnable game or two that turns into a L. In 2024 the Gophers blew a prime opportunity to open the season with public favor, losing a big nonconference game at home to North Carolina, 19-17 (two missed field goals). In 2023 and 2025 they had aggravating 37-34 and 38-35 road losses to a Northwestern program that specializes in mediocrity. After this fall’s loss fans were writing about a “pitiful defensive performance” and questioning the coaching.

Even home attendance patterns are similar in this era of Gopher football. Average home attendance for the last five seasons is in the 45,000 to 48,500 range at 50,805 seats capacity Huntington Bank Stadium. Public season ticket sales for the last three years have been in the 23,000 to 25,400 range.

More numbers? The Gopher football program’s salary pool to pay assistant coaches is consistently among the lowest in the Big Ten. And money to pay players for Name, Image and Likeness at Minnesota is believed to be average at best among Big Ten peers and perhaps lagging behind a lot of programs.

For the most passionate Gopher football fans who burn to win, it’s impossible not to envy the stunning success of Indiana football the last two seasons. Historically, the Big Ten’s worst football program has transformed itself to one of the nation’s best. In 2025 the Hoosiers are 13-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation. And this comes off an 11-2 season a year ago.

The Hoosiers needed a miracle man to transform their deplorable program, and they got one in head coach Curt Cignetti. A master program organizer, talent evaluator, game and practice coach, and motivator, Cignetti, 64, received a major college coaching opportunity late in life. He had won at previous lower tier spots (Google him) and has shocked the sports world with his success at IU.

No doubt the Hoosiers have more money to pay players than in the past but the resounding success in Bloomington is about much more than that. It’s about coaching genius led by a man who is so good at everything he does, it’s impossible to believe he couldn’t win championships at most any school: From the Azusa Pacific Cougars to the Hamline Pipers to the Youngstown State Penguins.

There are renaissances going on at other programs, too. Included are places like Minnesota, where hometown college football teams fight the burden of a neighborhood NFL team that constantly grabs attention and resources. In Nashville, long time loser Vanderbilt has emerged as a national success story with the help of a prominent assistant coach named Jerry Kill. He brought his fiery New Mexico State quarterback, Diego Pavia, with him to help lead head coach’s Clark Lea’s Commodores.

In the last two seasons, Arizona State and its young head coach Kenny Dillingham, have become a better story than the local NFL Cardinals, winning the Big 12 title a year ago and making plans to develop a national footprint of success. Dillingham is a Sun Devil alum, just like Brent Key is an alum at Georgia Tech. He has revived the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta with winning seasons, including 9-4 in 2025.

Fleck and the Gophers, of course, want the success of the best teams, too. He encouraged his players to be “delusional” in their thinking before the 2025 season, encouraging them to have College Football playoff ambitions.

That’s the right kind of mindset for his program. To achieve that, the Gophers will need a more talented roster and one that includes many of the more gifted players having extensive playing experience. That’s what happened in 2019.

In attempting a 2019-like comeback, don’t expect the Gophers to break any rules in recruiting or other areas. At Minnesota (true for a long time), the mantra is “dot every ‘I,’ cross every ‘T.’ “

There we go again, talking about things that have been in place for years in Dinkytown.

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25 Years Calls for Remembering One Special Sports Story

Posted on December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 by David Shama

With calendar year 2025 coming to a close, I am asking what is your favorite Minnesota sports story for the first 25 years of the new millennium?

True, there haven’t been a ton of cherished times on the local sports scene since the year 2000. I once worked for the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, so God forbid that I label this town as Loserville, but few will argue we excel in disappointing outcomes.

The Vikings haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977. The Vikings have almost made the big show several times since then, including 2010 when an overtime loss to the Saints in the NFC championship game spoiled their ambitions. The hero who had more to do with the Vikings getting that far was quarterback Brett Favre whose first season in Minnesota is my favorite story of the millennium.

For years I risked being charged with treason before Favre arrived in Purple Town. His long career and accomplishments with the Packers had my adulation, even though I kept a low profile about it. The Purple Faithful might have hung me in effigy at Winter Park if they had known my secret loyalty.

All that changed with the public, though, in the summer of 2009 when ill will was immediately forgotten by Viking fans and he was embraced like a long-lost son of Bud Grant.

At age 39 and after 16 seasons in Green Bay, and one lost season with the Jets, there had been speculation earlier in the year Favre might retire from the NFL. Nope, the old gunslinger had more football to play and agreed to lead Minnesota—the Packers hated division rival to the west.

On August 18, 2009, he arrived in St. Paul on a private jet. Throngs of media and fans deluged the Vikings training facility in Eden Prairie. Favre’s decision to play for the Vikings was worthy of front-page news and interrupting regularly scheduled TV programming.

The town was buzzing about the former Super Bowl winning quarterback who would be a sure first ballot hall of famer. The three-time NFL MVP changed expectations inside and outside of the locker room. The good old southern boy with the cocky attitude, powerful arm and knack for winning big games had arrived. The fans adored him and teammates responded to his leadership. They also poked fun of his age by putting a rocking chair in the locker room.

Favre and the Vikings had a magical ride in 2009 including the first regular season home game. He threw a miraculous 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis in the end zone to defeat the 49ers 27-24. The Vikings had trailed 24-20 in the fourth quarter when the 80-yard TD drive started. It ended with Favre’s laser to Lewis to win the game with two seconds remaining.

Upon arrival in Minnesota Favre made it clear his ambitions were the highest possible. His performance backed that up. He threw only seven interceptions, the best of his career as a starting NFL quarterback dating back to 1992. His passing rating of 107.2 was also a career best, and only three previous times did he ever total more than the 33 touchdown passes of the 2009 season.

Favre was the team’s MVP, and his No. 4 jersey was the best-selling that year in the NFL. The Vikings transformed into one of the NFL’s most watched and popular teams.

Minnesota finished 12-4 during the regular season, the team’s best record since 1998 when the Vikings were 15-1.

Brett Favre with former U great and Packer teammate Darrell Thompson

It was an ecstatic experience for Minnesotans to watch this aging quarterback (turned 40 that October) inject life into a struggling franchise and show he could still play some of the best football of his life. His appeal, too, went beyond the field and throwing impossible passes. He came off as a blue-collar country boy with a charismatic personality. Fans knew of his flaws, a struggling past of alcohol and drugs, but that was ignored by the public and no doubt some thought his mistakes made him even more endearing.

In the playoff opener after the regular season, Favre fever rolled on as he threw four touchdown passes in a home beat down of the Cowboys, 34-3. He threw three touchdown passes, had no picks and the defense was ferocious.

A week later in the NFC title game in New Orleans the Saints played like they were crazed —with defensive players diving at Favre’s legs and targeting him with rough antics. It was later confirmed that there was a payoff bounty to players for excessive play in the game and in other games the Saints played.

Favre managed to survive but the Vikings should have been the beneficiary of unnecessary roughness calls. It might well have made a difference in the outcome of a game the Vikings lost 31-28 in overtime.

A lot of Vikings could have played better, including Favre who had two interceptions and a fumble in the game. The superhero, playing in his last playoff game, turned out to be human but what a ride he took the town and franchise on from August of 2009 to late January of 2010!

We witnessed what greatness is all about.

Favre returned for one last season in the NFL and with the Vikings. In 2010 the preseason excitement of Favre playing one more year diminished in the reality of a losing season and declining performance by him as he threw more interceptions than touchdown passes.

But 2010 didn’t throw any shade on the marvelous ride of 2009!

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Even Hospice Can’t Discourage Ex-Gopher & Laker Great

Posted on December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 by David Shama

Charley Mencel is in hospice now. He is the former University of Minnesota All-American guard from the 1950s and last living member of the Minneapolis Lakers.

Charley, 92, resides in a senior facility in Rogers with his wife of 72 years, Ann. He has multiple health issues including balance which restricts his mobility to a wheelchair and walker. He has atrial fibrillation and other cardio problems. A catheter is his daily companion and part of ongoing urinary issues.

There is also blood in his urine, but Charley and Ann have decided not to pursue tests. He has been hospitalized in the past and doesn’t want to return. “This is a nice place to finish. I’ve had one happy life,” he told Sports Headliners on Monday.

Charley has been in hospice before. Although he is again in that late-life care mode, he and Ann report his health has improved of late.

How about Charley’s attitude?

A+.

“This positive man will not complain about anything,” Ann said.

If there was a dark time in Charley’s life it occurred while he was a boy growing up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. His dad got caught up in an insurance scheme and was an alcoholic with behavior issues. A divorce forced Charley’s mother to work two jobs, one during the day and the other at night.

She bought Charley a membership at the YMCA and told him to go there if he didn’t have anything to do or some place to be. He found mentors at the YMCA and sometimes was all alone in the gym where he shot basket after basket.

He credits his lifelong positive outlook on life to his mom’s influence. She was a role model and sacrificed for him and his two sisters. “It was a good life because of her. For sure,” Charley said.

It’s been a good life, too, because of Ann. They were high school sweethearts in Eau Claire. Charley said a first kiss sealed the relationship forever.

Asked what a 92^nd Christmas will mean to him, he answered it’s been a “blessing to live that long” and particularly sharing his life with Ann.

“That’s pretty hard to top that one, and it’s been a joy to watch our family develop,” Charley said. “We have three kids, two daughters and a son, seven grandkids and now we have 18 great grandkids.

“So, the family has just bloomed and exploded during our lifetime, and they bring us just so much joy. You gotta say, ‘Thank you God, for that blessing.’ ”

Ann and Charley are members of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina. Every Sunday at 11 a.m. they watch services on YouTube. “I am still a Christian,” said Charley who grew up going to a Presbyterian church.

Ann showed a visitor a calendar of activities that fill their days. There are many things to do at the facility where they reside and there are aides who come daily to check on Charley. A chaplain visits weekly and so does a music therapist.

Charley’s mom played the piano, and his dad played the trombone. Sundays found them entertaining at polka gatherings.

Charley used to play the trumpet. His favorite song is Amazing Grace and after he sang it passionately for a visitor it was a reminder why he and Ann talk about music being so important for human souls.

On Christmas Day the two will go to daughter Deborah’s house. She has rented a ramp to her residence. In anticipation, Charley chuckled about being able to “roll right up” the ramp in his wheelchair.

What does he want for Christmas? “I want to celebrate a 100^th birthday,” said Charley who turns 93 on April 21.

Charley created a five-point philosophy about life that he readily shares with others. He came up with it a few years ago and joked that a man creates such things when he has plenty of time to sit and contemplate life.

The following things are what he tries to live by: 1. Make good choices; 2. Have a good attitude every day; 3. Bring joy to all your relationships; 4. Be patient; 5. Love your neighbor.

It’s no secret among basketball historians that Charley is the last of the Minneapolis Lakers. He receives autograph requests each month as fans reach out wanting to acknowledge his place in NBA history. About one year ago the Czech Basketball Federation honored him and a select number of others with the Fatherland of Excellence Award because of his Czech heritage and footprint he made on the game of basketball including as an early NBA player.

A second-round draft choice in 1955, Charley played two seasons for the Lakers. In his second season, 1956-1957, the 6-foot, 170-pound guard was a starter, playing in 72 games and averaging 9.2 points. After that he spent two years fulfilling his military obligation and never again played for the Lakers who relocated to Los Angeles after the 1959-1960 season.

In Charley’s NBA era, players had offseason jobs to supplement their basketball income. He made $5,000 to play for the Lakers. He guessed that the great George Mikan, the Lakers superstar center who was named Mr. Basketball for the first half century, earned $8,000.

Now, even if he were a college a player Charley would make millions. Of course, he would have liked that kind of money, but he talks about what the U did for him, providing an education, basketball opportunity and friendships.

As a freshman player at the U, coach Ozzie Cowles introduced him to local businessman Herman Lange because he knew he would be a welcome mentor for Charley. After the Lakers, it was Lange who helped Charley become a business executive with Twin Cities companies.

Cowles recruited Charley to Minnesota, telling him a starting guard spot as a freshman could happen. Badgers coach Bud Foster didn’t like the idea of playing freshmen. That ended any possibility of going to Madison and playing for his home state Badgers.

Ironically, in Charley’s last season, 1954-1955, the Badgers beat the Gophers in the final game of the season. The defeat left Minnesota with a 10-4 conference record and ended the possibility of tying 11-3 Iowa for the Big Ten championship. Always looking for the positive, Charley points out that during his college career Minnesota won five of seven games against the Badgers.

The Gophers had an earlier opportunity to establish ground in the Big Ten race when they played Iowa at Williams Arena on February 28, 1955. The fire marshal looked the other way, and a then record college basketball crowd of over 20,000 rocked the arena in one of the most famous games in U history.

The Gophers had defeated Iowa earlier in the season in Iowa City, 81-80. In the rematch it was so close again with Minnesota losing, 72-70, in a back-and-forth game. Mencel led the Gophers in scoring with 27 points in what might have been the best game of his career at Minnesota.

Back in the day the Big Ten only allowed one team to go to the NCAA Tournament. So, the second place Gophers, who that winter had been ranked No. 6 in the country, stayed home while Iowa finished third in the tournament which was won by Bill Russell and San Francisco.

Charley’s No. 30 jersey was retired by the U on January 26, 2011. A banner hangs in the rafters at Williams Arena commemorating his great career. He is also a member of the M Club Hall of Fame.

With 1,391 points, he averaged 15.1 points per game during his career. He left Dinkytown holding five different school scoring records.

Charley was All-Big Ten and All-American as a collegian. For the 1955 season, Mencel was awarded the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Basketball Award as the Big Ten’s MVP.

In the four years prior to Charley’s Gopher career the team was 25-25 in league games. During his four seasons Minnesota was 41-19 in conference games, finishing third three times and second his last season.

Throughout Charley’s long life he has been an extraordinary Gopher supporter. In addition to being a longtime season ticket purchaser and avid fan, he was co-chairman for the remodeling of Williams Arena years ago and he endowed a basketball scholarship.

There’s so much to celebrate about Charley and his basketball life, business success and beloved family. No wonder every day at 4 p.m. he and Ann enjoy a glass of wine—or maybe two.

The doctor told him no more Scotch. “I loved Scotch,” Charley said.

Cheers to Charley and Ann!

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