University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Night at the Lynx set for Aug. 8
8/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Fans are encouraged to attend a pre-game ceremony and the the first 2,500 fans in attendance at Target Center will receive a commemorative Lindsay Whalen bobblehead (see below).
More information can be found below courtesy of the Minnesota Lynx Public Relations Department.
Lynx to Honor 2003-04 University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Women Final Four Team When Team Takes on the New York Liberty on Sunday, August 8
First 2,500 Fans to Receive Commemorative Lindsay Whalen Bobblehead
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - In celebration of one of the most memorable sporting runs by any team in Minnesota sports history, the Lynx are bringing the 2003-04 University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Women Final Four team together for the first time since their magical run to the 2004 Final Four when Lindsay Whalen and the Lynx take on Janel McCarville and the New York Liberty this Sunday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Target Center. In addition, the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Lindsay Whalen bobblehead.
The Lynx will host a pre-game ceremony commemorating the 2003-04 Gopher Women's unforgettable run through the Mideast Regional and on to the Final Four. In addition, the team will sign autographs at halftime and, following the Lynx vs. Liberty game, the Lynx will host a post-game party at Kieran's Irish Pub with the entire team that will be open to the public. Along with Whalen and McCarville, players from the team expected to attend include Katie Alsdurf, Shannon Bolden, Jamie Broback, April Calhoun, Lori Dimitroff, Hannah Garry, Leslie Hill, Kelly Roysland and Shannon Schonrock.
"It's going to be great to reunite with my Gopher teammates," said Whalen. "That Final Four run was a special time in our lives and we'll all share a bond that we'll cherish forever. I still remember all the fans traveling to New Orleans to support us. The way the school and the students got behind us was incredible. I'm really happy to be back and am looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces on Sunday."
After a 21-8 regular-season record, the Golden Gophers earned an at-large berth to the 2004 NCAA Tournament, the school's third-straight trip to the Big Dance. As the #7 seed in the Mideast Regional, Minnesota opened at Williams Arena versus #10-seeded UCLA. Behind a 31-point performance by All-American guard Lindsay Whalen, the Gopher women outlasted the Bruins, 92-81. Two nights later, the upstart Gophers handed second-seeded Kansas State an 80-61 defeat, behind center Janel McCarville's 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Making their second-consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the Gopher women traveled to Norfolk, Va., to take on the third-seeded Boston College Eagles. McCarville continued her dominance, posting 25 points and 15 rebounds as Minnesota pulled the 76-63 upset to advance to the program's first-ever Elite Eight, where the Gophers matched up against top-seeded Duke. Looking to become the lowest seed to advance to the Final Four in six years, the Gopher women pulled off the unthinkable, upsetting Duke 82-75 to continue their dream season. For her efforts, Whalen earned NCAA Mideast Regional MVP honors.
Minnesota saw the most exciting season in its history, one that caught the imagination of the basketball nation, come to a close in a 67-58 defeat to eventual national champion Connecticut in the national semifinal game. In her final game in a Gopher uniform, Whalen scored 11 points, while adding seven assists and six rebounds. As improbable of a run of any sports team in Minnesota sports history, the Gophers captured the hearts of many Minnesotans and galvanized the entire state around women's basketball.
"We appreciate the Minnesota Lynx for hosting Gopher Night with the Lynx," said Golden Gopher head coach Pam Borton. "The 2004 Final Four Team was comprised of a roster of not only unbelievable athletes, but also special human beings that will forever hold a special place in my life as well as the lives of Gopher Women's basketball fans across the State of Minnesota and throughout the country. Throughout Lindsay's playing career here at the 'U' and as a professional, she has always worked hard to give back to the Gopher Women's Basketball program and the community. Her return to the community is invaluable in many ways."
"Although Toni Stone, Patty Berg, Jeanne Arth and Ila Borders came before them, the 2003-04 Gopher team was this bunch of young women who focused the attention of the entire state on women's sports during their march to the Final Four," said WCCO Radio Sports Huddle host Dave Mona. "They grew from the Pavilion into Williams Arena as they found their way into our hearts and minds."
Contact Information:
Aaron Seehusen, Minnesota Lynx, (612) 673-1602, seehusen@lynxbasketball.com
