Local
Contact sports wrestle with the challenges of playing during a pandemic
For contact sports, social distancing isn't a workable option. As football, hockey and other sports move ahead toward restarting, those involved are aware of the challenges they face. Can they keep their seasons and sports viable?
Gophers
Four Minnesota teams to begin Northwoods League play next week
A five-team "pod" of Northwoods League teams, including four from Minnesota, will begin a shortened season on July 1 that is scheduled to run through August 20.
Gophers
Hockey updates: Good news for St. Thomas, Don Lucia
The former Gophers coach was named commissioner of the new CCHA earlier this week, while the Tommies received encouraging news on their quest to move to NCAA Division I.
Gophers
St. Thomas gets 'encouraging news,' inches closer to joining Division I
Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple said Wednesday's decision was "a positive step forward" for the Tommies and the Division I conference.
Gophers
Former Gophers coach Lucia hired as CCHA commissioner
Don Lucia, the three-time national coach of the year, will lead the seven teams that are leaving the WCHA after the upcoming season to start the resurrected CCHA in the 2021-22 season.
Gophers
New Commissioner Lucia sees St. Thomas as 'nice candidate' for CCHA
St. Thomas on Wednesday was waiting to hear if it will be allowed to move directly from NCAA Division III to Division I. If the Tommies get the OK, they have a good option for a men's hockey home.
Sports
NCAA decision on St. Thomas' proposed move to Division I expected today
St. Thomas should get some long-awaited clarity about its future Wednesday night, when the NCAA is expected to announce whether the school can move directly from Division III to Division I.
Duluth
Former UMD coaches appeal dismissal of federal discrimination case
The former coaches claimed discrimination because of sexual orientation.
Gophers
After delay, St. Thomas expects to learn its Division I fate this week
If St. Thomas is allowed to go jump directly from Division III, it would become a member of the Summit League in most sports.
High Schools
Minnesota Scene: Air Force's Schilling (Wayzata) chosen hockey MVP
The sophomore goalie was the starter on Wayzata's Class 2A championship team in 2016 as a senior.
Sports
Reusse: Summit League deals blow to Augustana's Division I hopes
Seven months after offering St. Thomas membership, the conference denied the South Dakota's schools application to join.
Gophers
Baseball is back in Minnesota as amateur league creates own path to play
Facing growing unrest from teams, the Minnesota Baseball Association board agreed not to punish teams under MBA rules if they were to start playing this weekend under specific conditions.
High Schools
Minnesotan who overcame burns to play college football wins ESPYs' Jimmy V Award
Taquarius Wair was a starter for the Minneapolis North football team and a backup running back at Mesabi Range College in Virginia, Minn. He lost four fingers and suffered burns over 55% of his body in a 2005 house fire.
Gophers
Title-winning coaches: One says he failed, another sees 'blessing' in sports shutdown
A Hall of Fame soccer coach from Concordia College called himself out in a 1,000-word essay about racism while the men's basketball coach at St. Thomas found a blessing in the near complete shutdown of sports.
Gophers
Spielman enters transfer portal. Are Gophers good fit for his final season?
Wide receiver and kick returner JD Spielman of Eden Prairie, whose father is the Vikings' general manager, has entered the NCAA transfer portal.
High Schools
Bueckers: Class of '20 can overcome what we lost, write a better script
Hopkins senior Paige Bueckers, the best prep girls' basketball player, has kept her focus on the future amid the pandemic. As the Star Tribune salutes the Class of 2020, we share Paige's story and her motivation.
Sports
Our favorite games: 89 straight losses vanish in two weekends of joy
Two football losing streaks that lasted most of a decade ended over consecutive weekends: The record-setting streak at Macalester College and another at a rural high school in northern Minnesota.
Gophers
Reusse: MSU Mankato was biggest loser when college hockey shut down
The Mavericks had veterans dedicated to putting past NCAA woes behind them, a 31-5-2 record, another WCHA regular-season title, and a grip on a No. 1 regional seed.
Sports
UMD's Perunovich receives another top college hockey award
Scott Perunovich, a native of Hibbing, Minn., was named the Jim Johannson College Player of the Year by USA Hockey on Friday.
Gophers
Protest led by ex-Hopkins star El-Amin draws more than 2,000 at Ball State
Afterward, Ishmael El-Amin said that having a contingent of Ball State coaches take part in the protest meant a lot to him.
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Around the Region
- Reggie Bush is reinstated as 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, with organizers citing NIL rule changes
- Former Green Bay player Kayla Karius leaves South Dakota to return to her alma mater as coach
- Longtime Hawkeyes football broadcaster Ed Podolak steps down from his radio analyst role
- Hailey Van Lith trying to make US Olympic 3x3 team; next college choice to come soon
- Sign of the times: NCAA approves coach-to-player helmet communication for 2024 football season
- UConn freshman Stephon Castle declares for NBA draft and becomes school's second one-and-done player
- FedEx pledges $25 million over 5 years in NIL program for University of Memphis athletes
- NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will have a name starting with Utah
- Kansas adds AJ Storr after he led Wisconsin in scoring this past season
- Virginia law allows the state's colleges and universities to directly pay athletes through NIL deals
