Recent content from Jeff Day

How the Gophers rewire the nation's top volleyball recruits
Three of the nation's top prep players enrolled at the University of Minnesota this spring and got right to work, learning coach Hugh McCutcheon's formula for success. It meant forgetting everything they knew about the sport that has dominated their lives.

In Timberwolves history, just getting to Game 6 is monumental
Tonight, the Wolves will match the franchises second-longest postseason run. They have never won a Game 6, but they have never played a Game 6 at home.

With 12th pick in the first round, 12 predictions on who Vikings will take
Will the Vikings fill a need with one of the high profile defensive backs? Or will they go for a former Minnesota high school star? Or maybe a trade?

Star Tribune Final Four HQ: Tap here for all the stories
From sights and sounds around Minneapolis to game coverage and feature stories, everything you need to follow the women's Final Four is right here.

Adamczak-Glavan was always high level; she's still going higher
The former multi-sport star at Moose Lake and All-America standout in volleyball at Nebraska has fused the love of her family with a lifetime of sports.

Tollefson has no plans to stop being a pacesetter
Legendary cross-country and track runner and now marathoner Carrie Tollefson is happy to be a 'mommy first,' but that's not stopping her from blazing new trails.

Scurry has always inspired, but she needed help to live her dreams
Former Anoka High School star Briana Scurry is one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of American soccer, but that's only part of the successful story of her life.
With no clear path, Wendell-Pohl followed her passion to show the way
One of the greatest hockey players of all-time didn't have the benefit of following a path for her groundbreaking success, because it didn't exist.

50 years into Title IX, Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame's special class: eight women
The eight inductees into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2021 changed our understanding of sports on a local, national and global level.

Suni Lee details battle with imposter syndrome after gold medal win
In an interview with ESPN, the St. Paul native and Olympic gymnastics all-around champion said she's felt immense pressure to prove her worth as a freshman at Auburn.

Want to buy Mike Zimmer's home? It's on the market for almost $2 million
The ex-Vikings coach's 8,887-square-foot home in Inver Grove Heights was built in 2005 and has five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a seven-car garage plus dozens of amenities.

Coming Thursday: 24 hours, 25 Minnesota Olympians in action at the Beijing Games
Over the 24 hours of February 10 in Central time, Jessie Diggins, the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams, and the U.S. men's and women's curling teams will be competing at the Winter Olympics.

University of Minnesota ends COVID-19 vaccine mandate at indoor events
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination had been mandated at Gophers games since Jan. 26, that requirement will be removed starting Thursday.

Bill Fitch, former Gophers coach and an NBA champion, dies at 89
Fitch started his coaching career in the Midwest, including two years with the Gophers, before a Hall of Fame career in the pros. In 1996, he was named one of the top 10 NBA coaches of all-time.

What's new in Beijing: Freeski big air, monobob join Olympics
There will be a record 109 events at the 2022 Winter Games starting this week, including seven new events with a continued focus on mixed-gender teams.

Towns applauds Minneapolis' vaccine mandate at Target Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, who lost his mother to the coronavirus, said he highly recommends the vaccine but strongly believes in freedom of choice in America.

Updates: More on the COVID vaccine mandate and Twin Cities sports venues
The University of Minnesota announced its own guidelines for Minneapolis and outstate campuses; an outdoor World Cup qualifying soccer match at Allianz FIeld will fall under the St. Paul ordinance.

Minneapolis, St. Paul sports venues to require proof of vaccine or negative test
Fans attending indoor sports venues in the Twin Cities will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in the previous 72 hours.
St. Thomas football, building on Division I success, signs 28 players
The Tommies finished third in the Division I Pioneer League this season; Wednesday they announced a nationwide recruiting class that features players from 11 states.
Gophers swept out of NCAA Elite Eight volleyball by Wisconsin
Wisconsin defeated the Gophers in straight sets, 25-18, 26-24, 25-22 to advance to the volleyball Final Four in Columbus, Ohio, next week. It's the third consecutive trip for the Badgers.

Gameday preview: Gophers volleyball vs. Wisconsin in the Elite Eight
The two border rivals will meet for a third time this season. The Badgers won the first two matches, but the most recent went five sets.
Gophers-Badgers volleyball rivalry is epic — and stakes are highest ever
The two programs have never met in the NCAA Tournament. They'll meet Saturday night in Madison with the winner going to the Final Four.

With rally after rally, Gophers storm back to beat Baylor in volleyball Sweet 16
Minnesota trailed Baylor in the fourth and fifth sets, stringing together points in both for a comeback victory and a Saturday night Border Battle with Wisconsin for a spot in the Final Four.

Steeled from the start, U volleyball team gets Baylor rematch in Sweet 16
No. 12 Minnesota faces No. 5 Baylor on Thursday in the NCAA tournament — a rematch of a season-opening loss that began a process of development for the Gophers.
Gameday preview: Gophers volleyball team reaches loaded regional semifinals
The Sweet 16 matchups in Madison, Wis., feature No. 12 seed Minnesota vs. No. 5 Baylor and No. 4 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 UCLA.

Gophers sweep their way into NCAA volleyball Sweet 16
Gophers hitters Stephanie Samedy (16 kills), Jenna Wenaas (14) and Airi Miyabe (11) were not just powerful but varied in their depth and angles of attack in defeating Stanford.
Gophers sweep South Dakota in NCAA volleyball; Stanford up next
Friday night's Gophers sweep set up a second-round matchup with the Cardinal that is more typically reserved for the final weekend of the tournament.

After midseason bonding, U opens NCAA tournament off strong finish
The Gophers are doing what was expected, opening the NCAA volleyball tournament tonight as the No. 12 overall seed. But it wasn't an easy road to get there.

Gameday preview: NCAA volleyball tournament back at Maturi Pavilion
The Gophers first-round matchup with South Dakota has the regional headline, but the other half of the bracket features Iowa State facing nine-time NCAA champion Stanford.
U's Samedy wins second straight Big Ten Player of the Year volleyball award
Stephanie Samedy is the first player in program history to win the award in two straight seasons. Libero CC McGraw was also named First Team All-Big Ten.
Gophers volleyball earns No. 12 seed, will host first two rounds of NCAAs
The Gophers, back in the NCAA tournament for the seventh consecutive season, will face South Dakota in the first round. Stanford and Iowa State also will face off at Maturi Pavilion.
Gophers volleyball enters Selection Sunday focused on themselves
Coach Hugh McCutcheon isn't getting caught up in RPI or rankings as the team prepares to learn its seed for the NCAA tournament next week.
Gophers volleyball focused on final regular-season weekend
The NCAA tournament field will be announced this Sunday, but first Minnesota has key matchups at Penn State and Maryland to close out the Big Ten regular season.

Big Ten volleyball title chase intensifies as Gophers face Wisconsin on Sunday
The conference has six teams within three games of each other atop the standings. All six are ranked in the top 15 nationally.
Gophers volleyball faces Purdue with Big Ten win streaks on the line
Minnesota has won six in a row in conference play, the Boilermarkers five straight, and both teams are jostling for position at the top of the Big Ten standings.

St. Thomas women's basketball leaps into D-I competition at Wisconsin
Tommies coach Ruth Sinn knows a thing or two about building a winner — she's been doing it at St. Thomas for 16 seasons. Now, she'll try to do it again.

St. Thomas' dominant, league-leading defense faces its biggest test
The Tommies' fairytale inaugural Division I season is led by the No. 1 ranked defense in the Pioneer League. On Saturday they face Davidson's No. 1 ranked offense.
St. Thomas tops Marist to extend home win streak, moves to 4-1 in Pioneer League
Hope Adebayo rushed for 191 yards and the Tommies defense gave up only 167 yards.

St. Thomas football quickly turning heads in Pioneer League with solid play
The Tommies are 3-1 in conference play and continue to show that the jump from Division III to Division I wasn't too big for them.

Hamline, Macalester making history when Black head coaches meet
The Pipers' Chip Taylor and the Scots' KiJuan Ware will lead their football teams on Saturday in the first game in MIAC history — in any sport — to feature two Black head coaches.

New play honors Toni Stone, Rondo's trailblazing baseball great
From Rondo to professional baseball, the late Toni Stone persevered to pursue her passion.

One year after Sid's death, his assistant keeps the memories alive
Legendary columnist Sid Hartman died a year ago at age 100. His assistant, Jeff Day, says they still talk 'even if it is impossible to imagine being the driving force in a conversation with Sid.'

St. Thomas defense among the best so far in Pioneer League
The Tommies rank first in total defense and scoring defense through two conference games, and just as importantly, the offense is starting to catch up.

Preview: St. Thomas football visits struggling San Diego
The Tommies' first road game in the Pioneer League is against the Toreros, who have been the best team in the conference for a decade. But this year, they're 0-4.

St. Thomas campus preps for first Division I football home game
The campus attitude toward the team reflects what coach Glenn Caruso has seen from his players: A willingness to take on a new challenge.

St. Thomas faces a welcome-to-FCS moment Saturday at Northern Iowa
The Tommies are heavy underdogs heading into their first FCS game against the No. 18-ranked Panthers.

Gameday preview: St. Thomas at Michigan Tech
The Tommies remained idle last week, while Michigan Tech opened at home with a 14-10 victory over Hillsdale College.

Ready to make history, St. Thomas set for first taste of D-I football
On Saturday afternoon at Michigan Tech, the Tommies will turn the page on 115 years of Division III competition, 20 MIAC titles, and over 1,000 games played by making the leap to Division I.

Eagan's Weggemann celebrates more than just Paralympic 'gold medal moments'
As Mallory Weggemann returns home from the Tokyo Games with three medals and two record-setting times, she says showing up every day is as important as the results.

Ready to jump: Tommies study Pioneer League foes, eager for D-I opener
In its season after moving up from Division III, the Tommies football team will battle in the Pioneer League, where San Diego and Davidson are preseason favorites.

'It's my baby': Eagan's Weggemann eyes third Paralympic gold, record
After winning gold medals in her classification in the 100-meter backstroke and 200-meter individual medley, Weggemann will race 50-meter butterfly Friday morning.

St. Thomas announces radio deal with KSTP-AM for game broadcasts
The first broadcast will be the St. Thomas football opener at Michigan Tech on Sept. 11. Local radio veteran Corbu Stathes will call football and men's basketball.

Eagan's Weggemann has record-setting, gold medal day at Paralympics
Mallory Weggemann won gold in Tokyo with a dominant performance in the women's 200-meter individual medley, finishing over seven seconds ahead of the field.
Jay Lietzau's Canterbury Park Line for Tuesday
Post time: 5 p.m. Lock of the day: Elegant Cricket (8th race). Value play of the day: Captain Drake (1st race). Big score: 50-cent Pick…

Former U standout Laylin joins St. Thomas men's hockey coaching staff
St. Cloud native Cory Laylin had spent the past six seasons as the men's hockey coach at Hamline and played for the Gophers from 1988-92.

Allianz Field to host Carli Lloyd's final game for USWNT
The United States women's national soccer team will face South Korea on Oct. 26 in St. Paul.

Wolves guard Beasley completes sentence, released from jail
The 24-year-old guard served 78 days in the Wright County jail after pleading guilty to threats of violence in December.

Local NBA summer showcase: Suggs shines, Edwards seems just fine
Jalen Suggs' debut and Anthony Edwards' interview were two of several local highlights from NBA Summer League action on Monday.

What about attending Target Field makes us forgive our differences?
The Twins open a nine-game homestand on Monday after a joyous seven-game homestand ended late last month. But why is it that we get along so well at sporting events?

What is Minnesota's greatest Olympic sports moment?
The Tokyo Summer Games brought iconic gold medal victories for Minnesota athletes. There have been others. So what's the best of all time?
Who is Dan Gable? Six facts about Gable Steveson's namesake
The Apple Valley gold medalist was named for a former gold medalist who made history as a wrestler and coach in the state of Iowa.

Bueckers trademarks 'Paige Buckets,' eyes $1 million in earnings
Former Hopkins and current Connecticut standout Paige Bueckers is the latest collegiate star hoping to make money off new NCAA rules.

Lee's golden moment reverberates for Hmong people around the world
The St. Paul gymnast's gold medal in the women's all-around brought posts filled with excitement, reflection and pride.
Minnesota Vixen lose women's football championship game to Boston 42-26
Running back Grace Cooper ran for four touchdowns, but it wasn't enough for the Vixen.

Minnesota Vixen look for a title and hope to change football
The long-running women's football team plays the biggest game in franchise history this weekend.

6 sports making Olympics debut; baseball, softball make return, too
The Summer Games will introduce six new competitions, including surfing, skateboarding and 3-on-3 basketball. Baseball and softball are back after a 13-year absence.

Nine years ago, Parise and Suter put state of hockey into state of ecstasy
With the news that the Wild bought out the remaining four years of its historic contracts with Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, it's worth remembering how monumental those deals were in 2012.

Ex-Minnehaha Academy standout Miller signs $2 million deal as he enters college
Hercy Miller, who will be a freshman for Tennessee State next season, has signed a four-year contract to endorse Web Apps America after NCAA rule change allows players to profit off name, image and likeness.

Taylor's sale of Wolves ownership stake to Lore, A-Rod can continue
District court judge Eric C. Tostrud dismissed a move for a preliminary injunction against the sale, which was brought by Timberwolves and Lynx minority owner Meyer Orbach.

Lawyers argue whether Taylor is actually selling Wolves, Lynx
U.S. District Court Judge Eric C. Tostrud heard competing arguments from Glen Taylor's legal team and that of minority owner Meyer Orbach, who has sued Taylor.

Wimbledon returns with wide-open women's field, dominant Djokovic
The tournament was canceled last year for the first time since World War II, but it's back and the British government will allow 21,000 spectators per day.

For the Wolves and Edwards, maybe losing Rookie of the Year isn't so bad
Anthony Edwards didn't win the NBA Rookie of the Year on Wednesday, losing to LaMelo Ball. He has tremendous company.

Wolves' Malik Beasley starts serving sentence in Wright County jail
Beasley pleaded guilty to threats of violence in December of last year. His sentence called for 120 days in the workhouse.

Holmgren among three basketball Gatorade Player of the Year finalists
If Minnehaha Academy's Chet Holmgren wins the national award, he would join a select list of Minnesota prep athletes to receive that honor.

Marshall, pitcher who broke records with Twins, Dodgers, dead at 78
Known as "Iron Mike" Marshall, his 90 appearances for the Twins in 1979 remain a franchise record, and his 106 games pitched with the Dodgers in 1974 is by far the most in MLB history.