The Gophers didn’t have anyone selected in the recent NFL draft, but 29 Big Ten players were chosen. The Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC were the only conferences to produce at least six first-rounders. The Big Ten’s first round picks were the most for the conference since six in the 2007 first round.
Minnesota football coach Jerry Kill attended a party with former Gophers on Saturday night celebrating the life of national championship coach Murray Warmath. Among the attendees Kill met were Mike Wilkinson, author of Warmath’s book, The Autumn Warrior.
Kill has a Nutrition Bar for players to start them off on a successful morning. Players are provided with items such as bagels and fruit. He had a similar offering at Northern Illinois.
U football fans Bruce Krinke and Dave Henry showed Kill a new bronze bust of Bruce Smith on Monday. Two busts have been completed by Faribault artist Ivan Whillock immortalizing Smith, a Faribault native and the only Gopher ever to win the Heisman Trophy. Plans are for one bust to be displayed at the University and the other at Faribault High School. Anyone interested in helping with funding for the busts can email Krinke, contact@fctv10.org.
Gophers’ quarterback MarQueis Gray will remain in town during the summer to work on his passing game, and not go home to Indianapolis.
Darrell Thompson’s Bolder Options organization holds its annual Training for Life Dinner on Thursday, May 19 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. The popular fundraiser includes a raffle, auctions, and live music. Thompson is executive director of Bolder Options, a local mentoring program focusing on youth development. www.trainingforlifedinner.com
Canterbury Park tellers will open for Kentucky Derby wagering starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The first race from Churchill Downs begins at 9:30 a.m. Minneapolis time. The derby, televised on NBC, starts at 5:24 p.m. The Shakopee race track opens for live racing on Friday, May 20.
St. Francis High School sophomore Maggie Ewen has been a newsmaker the last several days. She is the KARE 11 Athlete of the Week after recently setting a school record and Hamline Elite meet record in the shot put with a throw of 45 feet, 11.75 inches.