Recent content from Joel Rippel
Gameday: Lynx at Washington
The Lynx look to even up their record on the road against a Mystics team struggling without the injured Elena Delle Donne.
Gameday preview: Lynx vs. Liberty
The Lynx head on the road for the first time this season, facing an old friend.
U softball team meets Fresno State to open NCAA tournament
The Gophers will be part of a douvle-eliminationregional in Los Angeles with UCLA, the No. 2 overall seed, and Long Beach State.
Former Gophers pitcher Max Meyer has strong debut
The Miami Marlins prospect from Woodbury threw five scoreless innings for Class AA Pensacola, giving uo only one hit.
Blaska, Gophers QB from '60s heyday, dies at age 79
After backing up Sandy Stephens on the 1960 and 1961 teams that advanced to the Rose Bowl, Duane Blaska became the Gophers starting quarterback in 1962. A loss to Wisconsin in the season finale prevented the Gophers from a third consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl.
Gophers baseball team has veteran squad for Anderson's 40th season
Minnesota will open with eight games at U.S. Bank Stadium, beginning Friday against Indiana. Thirty-one players return from the 2020 team, including starters at all but one position.
Gophers baseball coach John Anderson by the numbers
40: Seasons, counting this year, as the Gophers baseball coach for John Anderson. He is the longest-tenured coach in University of Minnesota history. Ralph Piper…
Gophers softball enters season with a new coach and loaded roster
Ranked as high as No. 19 nationally, Minnesota opens its first season under Piper Ritter on Friday against Maryland in Leesburg, Fla.
Sid Hartman, Kobe Bryant and so many more: the sporting lives we lost
Before 2020 becomes an object in our rearview mirrors, we offer a tribute to those we've lost this year who gave Minnesota sports so much.
Popular FSN broadcaster Hanneman dies at age 68
"We're deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Tom Hanneman," FSN said in a statement.
Elmer Kohorst, athlete, coach and teacher, dies at 87
Elmer Kohorst was a standout high school baseball player when he was spotted by a major league baseball scout.The scout, Cy Slapnicka, who had signed…
Jon Hersch, hall of fame track coach and educator, dies of COVID-19 complications at 74
One of the highlights of his career was working as an official at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Principal, mentor Mary Bright, who helped lead troubled youth and young athletes, dies at 57
During more than three decades as a youth counselor and social worker, Mary Bright stood out for her empathy. “She was a great teammate,…
Longtime North St. Paul basketball and softball coach Erickson dies at 80
He is a member of the Minnesota Girls' Basketball Coaches Association and the Minnesota Softball Coaches Association halls of fame.
Ohio State holds off U women's hockey for weekend series split
Ohio State scored twice in the game's first 10 minutes and held on to defeat the Gophers women's hockey team 2-1 Sunday.
Edina middle schoolers keep peers in the know with daily Philosopher's Papers
During the recent rancorous election cycle, two Edina middle school students launched a free online newspaper to give their peers another choice for news.
Hankinson, former Gophers quarterback, dies at 77
John Hankinson was a record-setting passer for the Gophers in the mid-1960s.
Julio Becquer, member of Twins' first team in 1961, dies at 88
Becquer's ninth-inning pinch hit grand slam on July 4, 1961 is part of franchise lore. His post-baseball career was known for his community service with the Twins.
When COVID sent him home from school, school recruited him to work on the virus
When students at the University of Minnesota, Morris, were forced to finish their spring semester remotely because of the COVID-19 virus, Corbin McCall returned to St. Paul determined to deal with the situation in a positive way.
Minneapolis teen girl breaks down barriers to become a rare Eagle Scout
Isabella Tunney's weekend activities have been tied to her pursuit of earning all 137 merit badges — in categories ranging from American business to woodworking.
St. Thomas grad sees her field of dentistry as way to bring health to all
The biology major's goals have not wavered as she starts her first year at the Marquette University School of Dentistry, where she will focus on antibiotic resistance.
Ex-Gophers standout Terrin Vavra dealt from Colorado to Baltimore
The Rockies sent him to the Orioles as part of a package for reliever Mychal Givens.
COVID-inspired pen pals, 7 and 73, bond over letters and love of art
The program was started in March to help residents at a senior apartment building deal with isolation due to COVID-19.
George Smilanich, Iron Range veteran, teacher and coach, dies at 98
After four years in his first teaching and coaching job in Illinois, George Smilanich was offered a teaching job in his hometown of Buhl, Minn.…
Longtime Roseville wrestling coach dies of COVID-19 complications at 97
Kenneth Bergstedt started the wrestling program at Roseville's Alexander Ramsey High School in 1953 — the school's first year — and taught at the school for 32 years.
Melvin Hougen, WWII veteran who worked in lumber industry, dies at 101
Melvin Hougen was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and distinguished service in the Army during World War II.But he didn't talk about it."He remained…
Wayzata special education teacher Frances Callaghan dies at 91
"She never stopped the push for recognition for students with needs," a former St. Cloud State professor said.
Richard Brubacher, administrator who served GOP, DFL governors, dies at 90
Richard Brubacher, who grew up in a small farming community in southern Minnesota, had a lengthy career in municipal and county government in the Twin…
Entrepreneur and philanthropist John O'Shaughnessy Jr. dies at 80
John F. O'Shaughnessy Jr. inherited a passion for philanthropy.His grandfather, a prosperous St. Paul businessman in the first half of the 20th century, established a…
Larry Johnson, Minnesota farmer known as the 'Ethanol Answer Man,' dies at 76
Johnson spent nine years on the board of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and served as the group's president in 1985.
Robert Healy, adept in finances and Frisbee, dies at 84
"He was very good at his profession," his daughter said. "But he didn't take himself seriously. He did not sweat anything."
Andrew Benjamin, accountant and volunteer who prepared thousands of tax returns, dies at 85
Not many people look forward to the annual obligation of filing a tax return. Andrew Benjamin relished tax season. “He loved preparing taxes,” said Katy…
Gae Pearl, women's clothing designer, dies of COVID-19 complications at 87
In August 1965, Gae Pearl helped a Minneapolis apparel company pull off a fashion coup. Pearl, a clothing designer, designed coats that were purchased by…
Granville 'Granny' Smith, Park High teacher and coach, dies at 98
Smith began teaching in the fall 1945, retiring from full-time teaching in 1983 and serving as a substitute teacher at the school until 1990.
Longtime St. Paul Foundation leader Paul Verret dies at 79
"He played a big role in so many projects in St. Paul," said former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer.
'18 Infamous Golf Holes' painter Bud Chapman dies at 97
In the early 1970s, Bud Chapman took a break from his career as a commercial artist to hunt for treasure. His subsequent unsuccessful search for…
Harold Panuska, Minnesota oral surgeon and volunteer in Honduras, dies at 91
For nearly 40 years, the International Health Service has provided dental, medical and eye care services in the Central American country.
Golf legend Bud Chapman dies at 97
He was a member of the Minnesota Golf Hall of Fame and the artist of the "Infamous Golf Holes."
Adwina Jackson Baptiste, educator and poet, dies of COVID-19 complications at 71
Adwina Jackson Baptiste always emphasized two things to her three children. “Faith and the pursuit of knowledge,” said daughter Alicia Ayodele of New Hope. “They…
Ron Ricketts, Minnesota Orchestra trombonist who played with top bands in the 1960s, dies at 87
Ricketts also taught at the University of Minnesota School of Music.
Donald Carruth, longtime musician and Minnetonka Public Schools educator, dies at 106
Education, music and sports were lifelong passions for Don Carruth.After surviving a life-threatening illness as a child, Carruth, the youngest of 11 siblings, became the…
Rose-Mary Utne, Minnesota teacher, coach and artist, dies at 93
The "tough old Ranger" was a woman of many talents and interests: a teacher and coach, politician and artist.
University of Minnesota geography Prof. Dwight Brown dies at age 83
Brown's nearly five-decade career at the U was fueled by his own curiosity.
Alden 'Al' Hylland, longtime MnDOT manager, dies at 87
Much of his work involved environmental impact statements and attending public hearings to get feedback.
Fred Friswold, who 'flunked retirement' and spearheaded key U projects, dies at 83
Fred Friswold showed an interest in community service at an early age. He was a sixth-grader at Keewaydin Elementary School in south Minneapolis when he…
Cleo Herrera, who worked to protect children, dies of COVID-19 complications at 82
As a single mother in her 30s with six children, Cleo Herrera set a lasting example for her family when she earned a master’s degree…
Hardworking salvage yard operator Russ Bauer dies at 80
A couple of years ago, Russ Bauer and his wife, Judy, contemplating retirement, bought a house in Arizona."But my grandpa wasn't ready to slow down,"…
Jill Lewis, who helped make Dakota County a better place, dies at 74
Over the past 45 years, organizations in Dakota County came to know they could rely on Jill Lewis. "She was very devoted to anything she…
Minnesotan Rod Leonard, national policymaker and food safety advocate, dies at 90
After he assumed office in January 1961, President John Kennedy tasked a member of his Cabinet to develop a program to address the poverty and…
Garmaker, former Gophers All-America basketball star, dies at 87
Dick Garmaker was also a four-time NBA All-Star, playing for the Minneapolis Lakers and Knicks in the late '50s and early '60s.
David Preuss, former Gophers hockey player, dies at 56
Preuss made an immediate impression as a freshman, but his promising hockey career would end prematurely because of a freak injury.
Doug Adkins, 'superstar' advertising executive, dies at 53
The "Get to know 'em" campaign for the 2001 Twins, produced by a team led by Adkins, turned out to be immensely popular.
Ramsey runner gets in miles and picks up piles of trash, too
Meet the person that people call the "Trash Lady of Ramsey."
American Indian leader and lawyer Kurt BlueDog dies at 70
He assisted in drafting legislation that became the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and was a consistent voice nationally.
Dr. James Meyer, longtime Twin Cities urologist, dies at 80
He worked his way through his undergraduate years at St. John's by playing saxophone in a big band. Outside of work, he was avid about fitness.
Terrell Towers, who worked behind scenes to help Minnesota businesses grow, dies at 73
His civil service career spanned more than three decades, including two stints in state economic offices and a stint with a Minneapolis city agency.
James Perrill, visionary businessman, dies at 53
Innovative and bold, the University of Minnesota grad embraced the internet early on.
Dennis Erickson, a championship high school volleyball coach, dies of COVID-19 complications at 83
The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) girls state volleyball tournament was in its infancy when coach Dennis Erickson and his Robbinsdale Armstrong volleyball…
Rosalie Kane, professor of social work and expert on aging, dies at 79
Rosalie Kane made an indelible mark in the world of social work and the study of aging. Last fall, the National Association of Social Workers…
Larry Laukka, Twin Cities real estate developer, dies at 84
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association had wanted to build a permanent home on campus for more than 30 years when alumnus and Twin…
John Weiland, longtime General Mills employee and hockey referee, dies at 80
He helped save a snowmobiler on Lake Minnetonka, and that man named his first son Weiland.
Frances Brown Paulu, who led Minnesota nonprofit with global focus, dies at 99
Through her work with international organizations, she traveled to 40 countries.
Dale Ackmann, former Hennepin County administrator, dies at 85
During his public service career of high-profile jobs in Hennepin County government, Dale Ackmann preferred to stay out of the spotlight."He didn't try to take…
Dick Yates, football player and longtime Minneapolis Park Board employee, dies at 88
In his three years on the varsity, he didn't appear in a game for the Gophers until the final seconds of the final game of his senior season.
Twin Cities seniors stay connected through pandemic thanks to tech-savvy teens
Cyber-Seniors is a nonprofit that connects tech-literate teens with seniors to help them understand and use technology.
Rex Gaskill, a longtime leader at Normandale Community College, dies at 77
Gaskil arrived at Normandale in 1973 and served a number of roles before retiring in 2012.
Orv Bies, teacher, coach and State High School League administrator, dies at 93
He is a member of five coaching or athletic halls of fame.
Former U softball coach Trachsel gets big raise in Mississippi move
Former Gophers softball coach Jamie Trachsel turned down a one-year deal to stay. Ole Miss offered her a multi-year contract and a six-figure raise.
Thomas Tipton Jr., businessman and gospel singer, dies at 86
He started singing at churches at age 4, but music took a back seat in early adulthood. That changed after he sang at Hubert Humphrey's funeral.
Softball coach Trachsel rejects one-year offer, leaves U for Ole Miss
After she led the Gophers to the College World Series, the sides couldn't agree on a new contract.
Gophers softball coach Trachsel leaving for Ole Miss
JamieTrachsel, a Duluth native, led the Gophers to their first Women's College World Series appearance last year and is leaving after two seasons at the U.
Floyd Henderson, Twin Cities research librarian, dies at 87
After a standout athletic record in high school in Oklahoma and at Valparaiso University in Indiana, he went on to a library career.
Kate Berman, nonprofit executive and YWCA board chair, dies at 61
After three decades in corporate and nonprofit leadership positions, Kate Berman was a gifted mentor to other business executives on how to be more effective…
Minneapolis man among small group who started Earth Day 50 years ago
An oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1969 helped spark the group.
