Mason is assigned to Gophers vs. OSU

Marlin Levison, Star Tribune

Glen Mason will serve as honorary Buckeyes captain, then work the televised Gophers-OSU game.

Last update: September 15, 2008 - 11:23 PM

Print this story

More from Gophers

Glen Mason will be a Big Ten Network television analyst for a Gophers football game for the first time when Minnesota plays at Ohio State on Sept. 27. The former Gophers coach will celebrate a more significant milestone before the game when he serves as an honorary captain for Ohio State, the school where he played and worked as an assistant coach.

Awkward?

"I don't think so," Mason said Monday after learning he'd be working the game. "Even when I do games like this weekend -- I've got Penn State against Temple -- I still have to be impartial, even though I'm a Big Ten guy."

Mason said Ohio State coach Jim Tressel approached him last summer about being an honorary Buckeyes captain.

He accepted the invitation, but he didn't know until Monday that the BTN would grant his request to allow him to work the game.

"Everything worked out," he said. "Of course, I was hoping that when I got the chance to do a Gophers game it would be a home game, so I wouldn't have to travel."

BTN officials say they're not concerned about Mason's close ties to both programs.

"He's had a relationship with both schools," said Elizabeth Conlisk, BTN vice president for communications. "But that comes with the territory when you hire famous alums -- you know there's a chance they might be honored someday. We know coach [Mason] is a professional."

Mason has continued to live in the Twin Cities since being fired as Gophers coach on Dec. 31, 2006.

DENNIS BRACKIN

Recent Gophers stories

Cole scores 24 points to lead Cleveland State to 80-65 victory over Sam Houston State - September 15, 2008

Cole scores 24 points to lead Cleveland State to 80-65 victory over Sam Houston State - Norris Cole scored 24 points and had six assists to lead Cleveland State to an 80-65 victory on Saturday night. More