The Sporting News college football magazine lists incoming Gopher frosh Harold Howell as one of its four “newcomers to watch” in the Big Ten Conference. The speedster from Florida is a potential big time play maker for the Gophers as a return man and wide receiver.
When the Gophers open their new on-campus football stadium in 2009 they will have the newest stadium in the Big Ten Conference. The Metrodome is the newest stadium currently. Indiana’s Memorial Stadium, opened in 1960, is the second newest.
Local dentist Dr. John Williams reports that approximately 35 of his former teammates from the 1967 football Gophers will be in Canton, Ohio on August 4 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the team’s Big Ten Conference championship and see Charlie Sanders inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders, who enjoyed an outstanding pro career as a tight end with Detroit, played wide receiver, tight end and defensive end for the Gophers from 1965-1967. Williams said ex-Gophers headed to the celebration include Bob Stein, former all-America defensive end and Minnesota Timberwolves president, and McKinley Boston, former defensive tackle and Gopher athletic director.
Long shot: undrafted Minneapolis native Kammron Taylor is trying to make the NBA by first impressing as a member of the Timberwolves summer league team playing in Las Vegas. Although he was a point guard in college at Wisconsin, he averaged more rebounds per game than assists. His career averages: 10 points per game, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Senior year averages: 13.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He made a team best 68 three-pointers.
Long balls: Kevin Slowey, demoted to the minors last week, gave up 13 home runs in just 37 innings while pitching for the Twins. His record: 3-0, with a 5.84 ERA.
Any future pro tennis exhibition in this area should include Rochester native and former Gustavus Adolphus star Eric Butorac. Ticket buyers from Rochester and St. Peter will help boost sales for a tennis card that would still need a headliner other than Butorac who is making a name for himself in doubles. He and partner James Murray made it to the third round at Wimbledon last week.