Showing more signs of improvement, former Minnesota State University, Mankato football player Isaac Kolstad is being transferred from a Mankato hospital to a Twin Cities rehabilitation center.

According to Kolstad's CaringBridge website, his family is "expecting lots of work ahead of us when we get to rehab." Kolstad, 24, suffered serious brain damage and other injuries during a fight that erupted May 11 after Mankato bars closed. Former University of Minnesota quarterback Philip Nelson, 20, and Trevor Shelley, 21, have been charged with assault stemming from the fight.

Kolstad's family, in a statement, expressed gratitude for all the support. They say he has shown "more ability to interact" with family members, including his daughter Malia, who was born during Kolstad's stay at a Mayo Clinic facility in Mankato.

"When we lay Malia on his chest, Isaac consistently reaches up with his left hand and 'holds' her," his family wrote. "He has even patted her back and rubbed her little hand."

CURT BROWN