Recent content from Joe Christensen
U men's hockey drops to 5th in poll; women still No. 2 behind Badgers
The Gophers men's team was at No. 2 before getting swept against Wisconsin by scores of 4-1 and 8-1 last weekend.
Gophers football 2021 schedule tweaked with one notable change
Instead of finishing the Big Ten season with a Black Friday game against Nebraska, the Gophers will now conclude by hosting the Border Battle.
Former U head coach Claeys leaves Virginia Tech, announces retirement
Claeys, who said he has lost 125 pounds, said his decision was not health related and left open the possibility of returning to coaching.
Gophers football picks up transfers from two Power Five schools
Minnesota is getting a former four-star recruit who didn't see much playing time at Texas A&M and a graduate transfer from North Carolina State.
Gophers women's hockey opener set for Nov. 21 against Ohio State
The WCHA announced a partial schedule, with eight games for each team before the holidays.
To the very end, Sid Hartman's passion was U football
Even with a coronavirus pandemic confining him mostly to his home, Hartman arranged a ride to coach P.J. Fleck's house in mid-May, for a driveway interview.
Gophers women's golf coach Michele Redman announces retirement
Redman had been the team's coach since 2011, and the U plans a national search to replace her.
Iowa cuts four sports as pandemic creates major budget shortfall
Iowa announced that with the Big Ten's postponement of fall sports, its athletic department projects a $100 million budget deficit.
Reports: Big Ten planning on postponing football, possibly to spring
The Big Ten is close to postponing football season, possibly from fall to spring semester because of the pandemic, with an announcement expected in coming days, according to multiple news outlets.
Canterbury Park owner Curt Sampson dies at age 87
He built a telecommunications network from Hector, Minn., and helped rescue Canterbury in 1994.
MIAC, Midwest Conference cancel nonconference games for fall sports
The MIAC on Thursday joined the growing list of college sports leagues nationally that have banned nonconference games for fall sports.
Historic move: St. Thomas gets NCAA approval for Division I move
It's the first time in the NCAA's modern era that a school has received permission to reclassify from Division III to Division I.
19 Gophers sports programs post perfect APR scores, a school record
Minnesota's previous record was 18 programs in the NCAA's annual look at each team's Academic Progress Rate.
Gophers AD Mark Coyle receives two-year contract extension, raise
The new deal, approved by the Board of Regents, gives Coyle an annual salary of $975,000 and the chance to earn more through incentives.
St. John's and St. Thomas move rivalry finale to U.S. Bank Stadium
The 119-year-old Johnnies-Tommies football rivalry is heading for U.S. Bank Stadium this fall, and that likely will be the end of it.
Gophers women return to top 25, with 11-game winning streak
Lindsay Whalen's team ranks No. 24 in the latest AP Poll with its only loss to No. 21 Missouri State.
New ticket data another measure of excitement over Gophers' season
The year-by-year comparison shows that 81.6% of the tickets the Gophers sold this season were actually used, compared to just 59.8% in 2018.
Will beating Wisconsin clinch a Rose Bowl berth for Gophers? Yes, but ...
If the Gophers defeat Wisconsin, will that clinch at least a Rose Bowl berth for Minnesota, with a trip to the College Football Playoff still in the cards? Here's what will happen if Minnesota wins.
Badgers favored over Gophers for Big Ten West title showdown
The early betting lines have Wisconsin favored by a field goal over Minnesota.
Showdown Could Stir Stadium Village's Ghosts
Bruce Smith emerged as a national star with his performance for the No. 2 Gophers vs. No. 3 Michigan in 1940.
'Mentor, friend, teacher.' Players mourn coach who made U volleyball big
Mike Hebert led the U to three Final Four appearances and made the NCAA tournament 14 times in 15 seasons before retiring in 2010. "He wasn't just a coach," a former player said.
Gophers climb to No. 17 in AP poll, highest ranking since 2004
The Gophers moved up three spots in the AP poll and four spots in the coaches' poll following a rout over Rutgers.
Yankees flash some excellent leather to throttle Twins' offense
The Yankees didn't just use majestic home runs to bounce the Twins from the postseason this time. Aaron Boone's squad did the little things well, too.
St. Thomas wants to go Division I, gets invitation to Summit League
The University of St. Thomas made clear Friday that it intends to turn Division I in athletics, less than five months after being involuntarily removed from the Division III MIAC.
Walz 'willing to look' at allowing college athletes to hire agents
Gov. Tim Walz's comments came after California's governor signed a law scheduled to take effect in 2023, allowing college athletes to profit from their names and likenesses.
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All-America Gophers swimmer McHugh suffers gunshot wound
Max McHugh's father confirmed his son (left), one of the nation's top breaststrokers, was hurt. Also reported wounded by SwimSwam.com was McHugh's teammate, Nick Saulnier.
Former U softball star Groenewegen returns from coma to lead Canada
Last July, pitcher Sara Groenewegen spent 10 days in a medically induced coma, battling legionnaire's disease, a severe form of pneumonia.
Gophers cut some season ticket prices for men's hockey, men's basketball
The U's athletic department announced that season tickets for men's basketball will start at $340, the lowest price since the 1995-96 season
'Old Town road' song has Raiders rocking
Red Raiders players have been blaring the Lil Nas X rap song for weeks, before and after victories, and it's become a theme song for fans, too.
Texas Tech defensive stopper Owens could be limited in title game
Coach Chris Beard said Tariq Owens was "pretty sore" after spraining his ankle in the semifinals but that he expects him to play Monday.
Former Gopher Daquein McNeil found not guilty of first-degree murder
Once-promising U basketball player waited nearly two years for a verdict in Baltimore.
NCAA considering a change to graduate-transfer rule, which would make them less desirable
The proposed change to the graduate-transfer rule would put colleges on the hook for a two-year scholarship commitment, instead of just one season.
Izzo wants to breathe rare air with second title at Michigan State
This is the seventh time since a 2000 championship run that Michigan State has reached the Final Four, giving Tom Izzo, 64, a score to settle in Minneapolis.
Why Michigan State can win the national championship
Cassius Winston’s mother saw the elation on Michigan State coach Tom Izzo’s face Sunday after the Spartans knocked off No. 1-seeded Duke. “I said, ‘How…
Duke's dream crushed by Spartans
Michigan State's 68-67 upset of No. 1 overall seed Duke shocked players on both sides, with the Spartans engaged in a wild celebration while Blue Devils players, including Apple Valley's Tre Jones, left the court quietly and in tears.
Krzyzewski, Izzo unwilling to live in the past before Elite Eight battle
Duke's Mike Krzyzewski and Michigan State's Izzo are quick to play down the Blue Devils' dominance in the series
Jones comes through, and Blue Devils hold on
Apple Valley product Tre Jones on Friday hit five three-pointers for Duke in its 75-73 East Region semifinal victory over Virginia Tech.
Duke vs. Virginia Tech: Our NCAA tournament game breakdown
With the stars back on the floor, this ACC rematch will be interesting.
Michigan State vs. LSU prediction: Our NCAA tournament game breakdown
It's a battle of the power conference champions: Big Ten vs. SEC.
Fleck on Kill's criticism: 'I'm really sorry he feels that way'
P.J. Fleck said the comments that former Gophers football coach Jerry Kill saddened his wife, Heather, and their entire family.
Jerry Kill blasts Fleck in radio interview: 'He's about himself'
Former U football coach Jerry Kill told a national radio audience that current coach P.J. Fleck "made it sound like we didn't know what we were doing. And I took it personal."
U football player kicked off team after being charged with assaulting police officer
Maxwell T. Janes, 19, reportedly punched a Minneapolis police officer in the face while intoxicated.
Standout safety Owens signs with Gophers on national signing day
The 6-1, 190-pound Owens was a standout for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and will have a chance to compete for a starting job.
Former Gophers receiver Jones attempting football comeback
Three years after leaving the Gophers football team, former Minneapolis Washburn standout Jeff Jones, now 23, is attempting a comeback
Gophers football primer before national signing day
Minnesota plans to announce the signing of 10 walk-on players Wednesday, and a few remaining top recruits are expected to make their college decisions.
Gophers' offensive coordinator Ciarrocca near contract extension
Kirk Ciarrocca is already under contract for $720,000 this year, and the extension would guarantee him the same salary for 2020.
Former Minneapolis North star, ex-Gophers player Coleman dies at 57
Ben Coleman, who also played at Maryland, played 12 years of professional basketball and was the first North High player to make it to the NBA.
Even without U, spike in volleyball interest should fill Target Center
Given volleyball's spike in popularity in Minnesota, promoters expect full houses on Thursday and Saturday.
Several U players disciplined, face possible bowl game suspension
At least six Gophers football players have been disciplined and have not been allowed to practice recently in preparation for the Quick Lane Bowl.
Murder trial of former U basketball player McNeil ends with hung jury
Daquein McNeil was coach Richard Pitino's first recruit for Minnesota and averaged about 10 minutes per game as a freshman guard on the Gophers 2014 NIT championship team.
Butler trade saga ends, but conditions that created it still hot
On Wednesday, the Wolves will face a team clinging to a superstar — a New Orleans Pelicans franchise that wonders how long the good times can last with Anthony Davis.
Gophers goalie Nielsen sparks surprise Big Ten soccer title
Maddie Nielsen's intimidating presence, keen instincts and steely nerves helped Minnesota cap an improbable championship run as the tournament's No. 7 seed.
U soccer captain returns months ahead of schedule after torn ACL
Emily Peterson is an "incredible human," her coach says. She thought her season was over in March, but instead she'll be on the field Sunday trying to extend it.
How did Rocco Baldelli's promising playing career get derailed so badly?
The man the Twins picked to replace manager Paul Molitor doesn't have Hall of Fame credentials, but Baldelli certainly has stories all his own.
Modern managers way different than those Twins have hired
The profile of the modern managerial hire has been trending younger, with previous major league experience not as important as other factors.
'People love us': Minneapolis second to none as host of major sporting events
Fresh off the Super Bowl, Minneapolis is preparing to host the men's basketball Final Four and other national events. Meanwhile, city leaders have their sights on the College Football Playoff and WrestleMania.
Garnett's $77 million lawsuit a stark warning for other pro athletes
Most people can't fathom what it's like having that much money, let alone losing it. But sports millionaires could feel Garnett's pain.
After marathon wait, Gophers get 'first-class' track and field stadium
The U's facilities upgrade originally had no plans for the $13 million stadium; now the school aims to host regional and national events there.
Can the 'Quarterback Whisperer' change the Gophers' ugly past at QB?
The Gophers have struggled for decades to establish a consistent presence at quarterback. Now, offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca has another project on his hands.
'Dang near identical.' U reminds Burnsville's Martin of prep turnaround
Kamal Martin led Burnsville High School to a reversal of fortunes as a senior, and says the signs are similar when he looks at this season's Gophers football team.
Northwoods League no longer a sleepy little summer outpost
Northwoods League alumni continue rising to prominence in major league baseball. Need an example? Max Scherzer and Chris Sale, the starting pitchers in the last two All-Star Games, both spent a summer in the wood-bat league.
Sell-off continues: Lynn to Yankees, Duke to Seattle
There could still be more dealing before baseball's 3 p.m. trade deadline as the Twins picked up four more minor-leaguers, including one who hit a home run against them earlier this year.
Keeping hope alive? Garver's walkoff double gives Twins 5-4 win
The victory, amid trades and a tough road trip, halted a three-game losing streak and pulled the Twins within eight games of the first-place Indians. Minnesota leads the season series 7-3.
Tweaking tradition: How changing baseball could make a better game
Third in a three-part series on the state of baseball: Speeding up and improving for future fans requires radical fixes. Not everyone agrees what those changes might be a decade from now. But it's coming.
Former Gopher's murder trial sad chapter of once-inspiring story
Gophers basketball coach Richard Pitino gave Daquein McNeil a chance to fulfill his dream after a difficult childhood in Baltimore. Instead, McNeil took one wrong turn after another.
Outfielder Jake Cave returns for Twins
Jake Cave, 25, was called up prior to Saturday' game. He came to the Twins from the Yankees during spring training. The Twins first promoted Cave on May 1
Twins' top pick Lewis is charming Cedar Rapids – but for how much longer?
The shortstop, still just 18 years old, is showing he has big potential as a player and a person, while quickly climbing the Twins' minor-league ladder.
Chip off the old hitting coach: Vavra leads Gophers into Big Ten tourney
Junior Terrin Vavra, son of former Twins hitting coach Joe Vavra, leads the Gophers in most key offensive categories.
Women coaches keep winning in court, but losing careers
It's become a familiar pattern: A female coach wins a court judgment for her firing, while the man responsible for her firing gets rewarded.
Two freshman pitchers key Gophers baseball into Big Ten contention
Starter Patrick Fredrickson and closer Max Meyer have helped the Gophers win seven consecutive series heading into this weekend's series with Indiana.
U softball storms Badgers, continues comeback from struggling start
After advancing to the NCAA super regionals last season and going 56-5, the Gophers softball team got off to a slow start before winning 12 of its last 13 games.
Clarkson tops Colgate in OT for NCAA women's hockey title
The Golden Knights went overtime to win all three of their NCAA tournament games.
Colgate hopes to be like rival Clarkson — an NCAA women's hockey champion
Two-time NCAA champion Clarkson will play a first-time Frozen Four team in final
Frozen Four drama: Clarkson, Colgate win in OT to reach women's title game
Both of Friday's national semifinal games pitted an Eastern team needing extra time to take down a WCHA foe.
Minneapolis, St. Paul take turns as NCAA title towns
Four NCAA postseason events will be held in the Twin Cities thru April 7.
