Kevin McHale, now an NBA TV analyst, told Sports Headliners on Sunday that he would be interested in coaching again if presented with the “right situation.”
McHale was at Williams Arena to congratulate Dick Garmaker on the retirement of his jersey. Both former Gophers are from Hibbing. McHale said he knew of Garmaker when he was a youngster and did a strenuous basketball drill called “Garmakers.”
Minneapolis city council president Barbara Johnson expressed optimism when asked by Sports Headliners about the chances of a Vikings stadium bill being passed this year by the state legislature. “I think it’s pretty good because I think the legislature is concerned about losing the Vikings,” she said.
Johnson doesn’t expect that stadium support will be a priority for legislators from Minneapolis, but some might be for a bill depending on the funding source. She said because the stadium cost could be $800 million or more, the largest sports venue expense in Minnesota history, funding is too much for the city or county. “It has to be at a minimum a metro wide source and best if it is state,” she said.
Johnson also said the Metrodome site for a new stadium saves “$200 to $300 million” compared with another site because of infrastructure already in place. She said the delay in making the Metrodome operational again following the roof collapse is driven by safety reasons and not politically motivated.
The funding drive for a new Gophers baseball stadium has reached $4.5 million, $3 million short of the goal.
Most of the offseason attention concerning Twins middle infielders has been about newcomer Tsuyoshi Nishioka and veteran Alexi Casilla, but management will be interested, too, in how Trevor Plouffe, Luke Hughes and Matt Tolbert play in spring training. The shortstop and second base starters will be determined in March and so, too, will their backups.
Boosters of second year Wild coach Todd Richards say he’s growing into his job. Richards, who had never before been an NHL head coach, excels at preparation and is a passionate leader. The Wild’s improved play recently is indicative of the up and down results in the parity oriented NHL. Richards is a big fan of the other pro teams in town and the Gophers.
A golf panel, including University of Minnesota golf director John Harris, will be featured at the C.O.R.E.S luncheon in Bloomington on Thursday, March 10. C.O.R.E.S members can make reservations by contacting Jim Dotseth, dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S is an acronym for coaches, officials, educators, reporters and sports fans.
Apple Valley ninth grade point guard Tyus Jones was injured in a December 7 game and didn’t return until January 25 because of a lacerated kidney. He had played three games for the Eagles as of Monday when his mother Debbie emailed to report: “Every practice and every game gets better for him.”