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Gopher AD Mark Coyle was on the Sports Huddle on WCCO radio Sunday.
(please note - I was riding my exercise bike during the interview, so this is from memory. answers are shortened and/or paraphrased. also in no particular order)
Q - impressions of New U of M President Gable?
A - have talked to her. think she will do a great job. has experience at schools in major conferences, so she has been around major college sports.
Q - thoughts on Kevin Warren replacing Delaney as B1G Commissioner?
A - 1st, have to recognize Delaney for what he's done. Warren is a good guy. he'll do a great job.
Q - progress on fund-raising for Athletics Village?
A - we continue to work on fund-raising. The U of MN has also made improvements to facilities for other sports, including wrestling and track. We will work to wrap up fund-raising for Athletes Village. (note - did not give any updated totals)
Q - excited for football season?
A - really excited. Team won 4 of last 5 games last year. players have some time off right now; fall camp starts soon.
Q - rolled out some new ticket-buying plans? what has the response been?
A - glad you mentioned the new Gopher Pass. we have a fan committee, try to get feedback from fans. also made some other changes in football season-ticket prices. Working to sell tickets for this season.
Q - season-opener on a Thursday night - work with State Fair?
A - I like the Thursday night opener. can cross-promote with State Fair. Freshmen orientation that week, so should have a lot of students at game. SD fans travel well. expect to have a good crowd. Game is always better with a full house.
Q - (Sid) how are season-ticket sales going for football?
A - We're working hard to sell tickets. Have the new Gopher Pass. (note - did not give any specifics on # of tickets sold)
Q - anything new on team switching sidelines late in season?
A - we announced plan last year. will not do it until mid-October, but after that, will consider switching sidelines for Day games only, depending on weather. We will alert the fans at least a week in advance. Big difference in sunny side vs shady side. Vikings used other side when they played at TCF. There was a game last year where visiting side players and coaches were in shirt-sleeves, while Gopher players and coaches were wearing winter jackets.
Q - when coaches bring recruits on campus, do you meet with them?
A - if my schedule allows, I like to meet with recruits and their families. talk about what we expect and what we can offer. try to stress the Twin Cities area as a great place to live and work - job opportunities. I say we want to recruit them to play for 4 years, and spend the next 40 years in the Twin cities.
(note - I know there was a question about comparing the current facilities to other schools. I cannot remember the answer, so it didn't make a big impression on me....)
That's about it from what I can remember. - and Spoof - yes, he did say the FB team won 4 of its last 5 games....
(please note - I was riding my exercise bike during the interview, so this is from memory. answers are shortened and/or paraphrased. also in no particular order)
Q - impressions of New U of M President Gable?
A - have talked to her. think she will do a great job. has experience at schools in major conferences, so she has been around major college sports.
Q - thoughts on Kevin Warren replacing Delaney as B1G Commissioner?
A - 1st, have to recognize Delaney for what he's done. Warren is a good guy. he'll do a great job.
Q - progress on fund-raising for Athletics Village?
A - we continue to work on fund-raising. The U of MN has also made improvements to facilities for other sports, including wrestling and track. We will work to wrap up fund-raising for Athletes Village. (note - did not give any updated totals)
Q - excited for football season?
A - really excited. Team won 4 of last 5 games last year. players have some time off right now; fall camp starts soon.
Q - rolled out some new ticket-buying plans? what has the response been?
A - glad you mentioned the new Gopher Pass. we have a fan committee, try to get feedback from fans. also made some other changes in football season-ticket prices. Working to sell tickets for this season.
Q - season-opener on a Thursday night - work with State Fair?
A - I like the Thursday night opener. can cross-promote with State Fair. Freshmen orientation that week, so should have a lot of students at game. SD fans travel well. expect to have a good crowd. Game is always better with a full house.
Q - (Sid) how are season-ticket sales going for football?
A - We're working hard to sell tickets. Have the new Gopher Pass. (note - did not give any specifics on # of tickets sold)
Q - anything new on team switching sidelines late in season?
A - we announced plan last year. will not do it until mid-October, but after that, will consider switching sidelines for Day games only, depending on weather. We will alert the fans at least a week in advance. Big difference in sunny side vs shady side. Vikings used other side when they played at TCF. There was a game last year where visiting side players and coaches were in shirt-sleeves, while Gopher players and coaches were wearing winter jackets.
Q - when coaches bring recruits on campus, do you meet with them?
A - if my schedule allows, I like to meet with recruits and their families. talk about what we expect and what we can offer. try to stress the Twin Cities area as a great place to live and work - job opportunities. I say we want to recruit them to play for 4 years, and spend the next 40 years in the Twin cities.
(note - I know there was a question about comparing the current facilities to other schools. I cannot remember the answer, so it didn't make a big impression on me....)
That's about it from what I can remember. - and Spoof - yes, he did say the FB team won 4 of its last 5 games....