.png&width=42&height=42&type=webp)
University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Kachina Dolls Accepted, NASDAQ Trip On Tap
12/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Things are definitely heating up in and around the Minnesota Football program, now that bowl practices are in full swing. The Gophers wrapped up their third bowl practice Friday morning.
It was another hard-nosed, physical practice -- just the type head coach Tim Brewster loves. There was some emphasis on the running game once again in this morning's workout and there was a definite feel of intensity around the practice. The Gophers are definitely going to take advantage of all 15 practices they are allowed between the end of the regular season and the bowl game.
When Coach Brewster and his players got their on-field work done a little after Noon today, Brewster's day wasn't even close to done. The Gopher head coach will be very busy over the next few days. Of course, Coach Brewster is almost always a busy man.
Once practice concluded, Brewster met with the local media for a few minutes and taped an interview for his television show. He then headed upstairs to his office to change clothes and prepare for a press conference with members of the Insight Bowl Board of Directors, the bowl staff members of the Tempe (Ariz.) Diablos, the group responsible for the hospitality during the week of the Insight Bowl. One of the members of the Tempe Diablos was former Arizona State University head football coach Frank Kush. The Diablos (as is their custom) presented kachina dolls to President Robert Bruininks, Director of Athletics Joel Maturi and Coach Brewster. The kachina dolls are part of the Hopi tribe of Native Americans, who are from the Tempe/Phoenix area.
Coach Brewster and a number of other dignitaries addressed the media during this press conference. You can see quotes from much of the press conference by clicking the link above or by clicking here.
Following the press conference, the visitors from the Valley of the Sun were taken on a tour of TCF Bank Stadium. They were also scheduled to have dinner with many members of the Gopher Athletics administration, before heading over to the Timberwolves game at Target Center.
While folks from Tempe will be heading back home tomorrow, Coach Brewster will be putting his team through their paces again Saturday and Sunday. Following practice Sunday, the team will have its Senior Banquet, where a number of team awards will be handed out and the team will celebrate the Gophers' senior class and look forward to the bowl game.
Following the banquet Sunday, Brewster and Maturi will head to New York and take part in a unique experience. Due to the Insight Bowl's partnership with Insight Enterprises, each year the head coach and athletic director of both schools taking part in the bowl game are invited to attend New York City and ring the bell to open trading at the NASDAQ.
Brewster and Maturi will join their counterparts Mark Mangino and Lew Perkins from the University of Kansas at the NASDAQ. Live video streaming of the event is available by clicking here.
Check back here at http://www.gophersports.com/ Sunday evening for coverage of the Senior Banquet.
-AS
