The March 14 issue of Sports Illustrated lists Vikings owner Zygi Wilf among the “poorest” owners in the NFL. Based on information from Wealth-X, the magazine reported that both Wilf and Oakland owner Al Davis have net worths of $310 million and only five other league owners are worth less money. Seattle owner Paul Allen is the wealthiest owner at $12.9 billion.
Georgia Tech fired basketball coach Paul Hewitt on Saturday. There was speculation earlier this winter that Hewitt would be fired and Gophers coach Tubby Smith might be a candidate for the job. Smith was head coach at the University of Georgia from 1995-1997.
The Twins announced this morning they have sent star pitching prospect Kyle Gibson to their minor league camp.
The son of former Twin Steve Lombardozzi, Steve Jr., is trying to win a spot on the Washington roster as a second baseman but is hitless in five games and two at bats.
MIAC baseball teams had more than 80 games scheduled during February and March at the Metrodome. The collapse of the dome’s roof has meant upheaval for conference teams who have had to change budgets and schedules adding outdoor games in warmer places outside of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Minute Men announced that forward Kyle Rau from Eden Prairie High School is the 27th annual Mr. Hockey Award winner, an honor given to the outstanding senior prep in Minnesota. Alex Lyon from Lake of the Woods High School received The Frank Brimsek Award in recognition of Minnesota’s top senior goaltender. Mark DeCenzo (Hibbing High School), Bruce Plante (Hermantown High School) and Tim Sager (White Bear Lake High School) received The John Mariucci Award as high school Coaches of the Year. Jeff Whisler (Hill-Murray/Mahtomedi) received The Cliff Thompson Award, presented to the “Old Timer Coach” of the year.
The Gophers hockey team had only one player named All-WCHA by the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, goalie Kent Patterson who was on the second team. Nebraska Omaha had none but Dean Blais was selected Coach of the Year. Blais is a name-game favorite when fans speculate about the next Gophers coach.
The most exciting news from Target Center in April figures to come not from the Timberwolves, but the Lynx who have the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft. It’s assumed that on April 11 the Lynx will draft two-time Wade Trophy winner Maya Moore, who has been called the “LeBron James of women’s basketball.” The Lynx also hold the No. 4 pick in the draft’s first round.
The United States Tennis Association and others continue to aggressively market tennis, and total participation numbers in recent years are similar to those during the boom times of the 1970s. Innovations include tennis courts marked with lines to make the playing surface smaller to accommodate players ages 10 and younger. Such courts are already being used and will become commonplace.
Canterbury Park’s live racing starts on Friday, May 20. The Shakopee race track will be busy on Saturday, May 7 for the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.
The annual Tapemark Charity Pro-Am Golf tournament celebrates its 40th anniversary June 10-12 at Southview Country Club. Among past tournament winners is Tom Lehman.