The town of Jordan is planning a fiesta for one of its coaching citizens.
A T.O. Taco Night, a fundraiser for longtime University of Minnesota pitching coach Todd Oakes will be held during the school's homecoming football game against Belle Plaine on Friday, Sept. 28. Oakes, a Jordan resident, is being treated for acute myeloid leukemia.
The fundraiser will be held in the commons area of the school from 4:30 to 7 p.m. A single walking taco can be purchased for $3, while a meal deal goes for $5. Proceeds from the event will go to the Oakes Family Fund.
Friends of the family also have scheduled a benefit Saturday, Nov. 10, at Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan.
During his absence from the Gophers, Oakes' son Tyler will serve as a volunteer assistant on coach John Anderson's staff. Tyler pitched for the Gophers from 2006 to '09.
Burnsville coach steps downBurnsville softball coach Hillary Johnson resigned after seven seasons at the helm. She is stepping down to spend more time with her family and newborn daughter.
Johnson accumulated a record of 140-31 during her tenure. She guided the Blaze to the Class 3A state championship in 2010, and was named the state's coach of the year that season. Burnsville also won conference titles under Johnson in 2007, '09 and '11.
Johnson took over the program in 2006 after Pat Feely retired. She had worked as an assistant under Feely since 1999.
