In its baseball issue Sports Illustrated picks the Twins to finish last in the five-team Central Division. The predicted order of finish: Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City and the Twins. The magazine said new outfielder Delmon Young, 22, “might be the game’s finest young position player.”
City council president Barbara Johnson told Sports Headliners that Minneapolis is seeking $62 million from the state to pay off the debt on Target Center. She also said the city has interest in using tax increment financing to pay for $70 million in renovations.
Because of the Republican convention coming here this summer there will be a need for about 3,500 police officers, Johnson said. Minneapolis has a force of about 800 and St. Paul has approximately 500, so police from surrounding areas will help fill the manpower need.
Former Gopher tennis coach Jerry Noyce has met New York Giants Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning because both are members of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Noyce said Manning has impressed him as a quality individual. Noyce, Manning and others on the council are helping promote a new initiative by George Bush, the President’s Challenge. The challenge began last week and encourages Americans to exercise 30 minutes a day, five days per week for six weeks. More information on the challenge is available at www.presidentschallenge.org.
Gopher associate athletic director Marc Ryan said that among the schools being considered for future football opponents are Texas, Pittsburgh and Navy.
Gopher football coach Tim Brewster, whose team began spring practice yesterday, said it was “nothing short of extraordinary” that his staff signed 31 of 45 players who visited campus during the last recruiting season.
Reserve quarterback Tony Mortensen, a backup for three seasons, came to Brewster during the off-season and said he wants to help the team as a long snapper, too. Brewster said that kind of team attitude is going to “take us a long way.”
The Minnesota Thunder is practicing indoors in preparation for its April 29 regular season opening game at Portland. The team will travel to North Carolina next month to play exhibition games. Coach Amos Magee said he’s hoping for a winning start to the season because past Thunder teams have started slow.
The Thunder held a party for sponsors and other boosters earlier this week. The theme was a new vision and start for the team. The franchise has new ownership that took over last year. The Thunder unveiled a new logo at the party and an ad campaign starts April 15.
St. Thomas sophomore goalie Lauren Bradel and Gustavus senior forward Stefanie Ubl are two of 18 players honored as 2008 RBK Hockey Division III Women’s All-Americans. The two MIAC stars are part of the six-player West Region All-America team selected by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA).