PLUS THREE FROM PATRICK

Places in women's athletics the Gophers could have spent $400,000 rather than wasting it on a raise for Richard Pitino:

• Softball. Jessica Allister has done fantastic work in five years taking the Gophers from the bottom of Big Ten to this season's regional final.

• Track and field. Matt Bingle's program had three individuals and a relay team in the NCAAs. Don't make life tougher for these athletes.

• Lacrosse. Rather than contemplating cuts in minor sports, the plan should be to enter the 2010s and add lacrosse.