Here are Sports Headliners’ weekly rankings of Big Ten Football teams: Wisconsin, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana and Minnesota.
Former Gophers football coach Lou Holtz wrote the introduction for Harvey Mackay’s new book, The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World. Mackay, the well-known author, Minneapolis businessman and former Gophers golfer, is autographing copies of the book on Tuesday, November 1 from 4 to 9 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 801 Nicollet Mall.
Congratulations to football coach Carl Lemke of St. Croix Lutheran for earning his 250th win on Friday night. Lemke has a career record of 250-121-0 in his 39th year as a head coach.
John Gagliardi, the legendary Saint John’s coach who has been in Collegeville since 1953, has seen his Johnnies lose three consecutive games for the first time since 1983. Saint John’s, 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the MIAC, had a bye last Saturday but plays at Gustavus next Saturday.
Gophers basketball coach Tubby Smith considers forwards Rodney Williams and Trevor Mbakwe, along with center Ralph Sampson III, to be starters but the two guard positions are undecided as his team begins fall practices.
Reserve forward Maurice Walker had surgery on his right knee in January and will not be allowed to have contact in practice for awhile. The 6-10 Walker said his weight has dropped from about 320 pounds last season to under 300 by making better food choices and not eating late at night.
Both Walker and former Gophers guard Devoe Joseph grew up near each other in Ontario, Canada. Walker said he and Joseph, now at Oregon, talk regularly. “He’s pretty much like family,” Walker said.
Former Gophers center Spencer Tollackson manages Bill St. Mane Sporting Goods in south Minneapolis and does outside sales for the company. Tollackson will again provide color commentary on Gophers radio broadcasts.
The Twins have sent catcher Rene Rivera, infielder Matt Tolbert and outfielder Jason Repko to their Triple A Rochester farm team, an indication management knows it must rebuild Minnesota’s bench.