JAN 13, 2015 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A! Gophers Athletics Update

Club 10 Business Report



President the Hon. John Guthmann brought the meeting to order at 12:21 p.m. on the coldest (temperature-wise) day of the winter in downtown Saint Paul. Past President and Past District Governor Joe Kovarik led the assembled Rotarians in singing God Bless America accompanied by Bob Jones on the piano. Bob Cardinal provided today's invocation. Jimmy Francis facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  Today's Greeters were Linda Mulhern and Henning Schulze-Lauen. 

No Thursday meeting this week (the 15th).

Past President Jim Kosmo rose to thank President John for hosting the fine meeting last Friday with RI's President. Jim then presented the election results for the 2015 Board of Directors and Club 10 Officers. Six Directors continuing their terms until 2016 were recognized: Nancy Anderson, Ed Coleman, Andy Currie, Francis Luikart, Linda Mulhern and Tony Scheuerman. Newly elected Directors for terms running 2015 to 2017 are: Mary Britts, Bill Collins, Paul DeGeest, Jason DeKeuster, Steve Gerber and Carly Stuber. Officers are Michael-jon Pease, Henning Schulze-Lauen, Mindee Kastelic, Chuck Whitaker (Vice President) and Carla Hauge (President).

Ed Coleman talked about the Rotary event on Tuesday, February 24th at the Wild game against the Edmonton Oilers with a pre-game party at John's Bar.  Twenty dollars of the hockey ticket price goes to the Saint Paul Rotary Foundation. To register go online at http://www.stpaulrotary.org or call 651-222-2028. Kathleen Riley gathered Happy Dollars.

Michael-jon Pease announced that a "Sherry-bration" retirement party in honor of outgoing Executive Director Sherry Howe is set for Thursday, March 5th at Dick Nicholson's home. Watch for additional details and plan to attend.

Clyde Nelson introduced today's speaker, Norwood Teague, Athletic Director at the University of Minnesota for an update on Gopher Athletics. The "U" is the only Division I school in the state. Passion for the program exists in this state. The 2014-15 year has been a good year so far.  The January 1st Bowl Game drew 15,000 to 20,000 fans down to the Citrus Bowl. Coach Kill felt very bad after the loss.  He felt the team let people down. Coach is a competitive guy. There is a high degree of continuity in his staff. They are all great recruiters. In college football if you get fifty percent of recruiting correct, you are doing really well. The Kill staff does better than that.  There is an exciting year in football coming up with the home opener against TCU at The Bank on Labor Day weekend.

Mr. Teague reported that the "All Athletes GPA Report" was just received showing the U had a 3.1 average. He is very proud of this progress. Wrestling is currently ranked #1 in the country. Women's hockey is ranked #2. Women’s basketball is in the top 25 with a new coach. Fundraising is his job. Most of the current athletic buildings on campus were built in the 1970's and have significant space limitations.  $70 million in funds is already committed. The drive needs to be at $90 million by early April.

The expansion of the Big Ten Conference to Rutgers and Maryland will significantly improve Minnesota's recruiting chances on the East Coast.  Coach Pitino has already mentioned the positive impact on the Gopher basketball program's profile out East for recruiting leverage.

President John thanked Mr. Teague for his remarks and noted that a donation in his name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Read With Me" program. President John led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth?  Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?  Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?").  He then gaveled the meeting to a close at 1:08 p.m. 

Chuck Standfuss, Scribe
(U of MN CLA '76, Law '79)