University of Minnesota Athletics
Tubby Smith Headlines Coaches Caravan to Northern Minnesota
6/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The fourth and final Golden Gopher Coaches’ Caravan took off for northern Minnesota on Monday morning, June 11. The first stop of the two-day excursion was in Hermantown, where a lunch was held at the AAD Shrine. The second stop of the trip was a dinner at Sawmill in Grand Rapids, while Tuesday’s lunch at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes capped off the Caravan.
The Coaches’ Caravan provides the Minnesota Athletic Department a wonderful opportunity to reach out to their out-state fan base. Traveling on this leg of the caravan are basketball coaches Tubby Smith and Pam Borton, women’s hockey coach Laura Halldorson and Associate Athletics Director Tom Wistrcill.
"I'm so fortunate to be part of a great institution, to be part of a great state," said Coach Smith. "I've traveled all over the country, been to a number of different places, and I can tell you I don't think I've had a better reception in Tulsa, Georgia or Kentucky, wherever I've been than I've had here in Minnesota. We will do all we can to make you proud of this basketball) program, this whole program, and be proud of the players we bring into this institution and make you proud to be a Golden Gopher fan."
A highlight of the outing in Hermantown was having Gopher football alum Robin Tellor, a 1963 graduate and an offensive guard on the 1960 national champion squad, in attendance.
A lively crowd of over 100 Golden Gopher faithful greeted the Caravan in Grand Rapids. Among the guests were Bob Sandberg, the Gophers’ quarterback who captained the squad in 1946, and Jon Maturi, the brother of Minnesota Athletic Director Joel Maturi.
The largest crowd of the Northern Minnesota, including a group of local basketball campers, greeted the Golden Gopher contingent at The Lodge.
