University of Minnesota Athletics
Goldy's Mailbag - Jan. 20, 2011
1/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Welcome to this week's Goldy's Mailbag. This is your chance to get your questions answered about anything and everything related to Golden Gopher Athletics! Submit your question for next week's Mailbag!
Any former Gophers to keep an eye on during the NFL playoffs this weekend - Trent, Annandale, Minn.
Minnesota's last All-American will be in action for the Pittsburgh Steelers as they face the road warriors of the NFL, the New York Jets on Sunday. Tight end Matt Spaeth is in year four with the Steelers and will be looking to reach the Super Bowl for the second time in his career. On Feb. 1, 2009, he had one catch in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl victory against the Arizona Cardinals.
Pittsburgh will be looking to avenge a 22-17 loss in week 15 to the Jets at Heinz Field. Matt had 3 catches for 27 yards and touchdown in the game.
Matt talked to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week about the game: "We love to play at home. We played the Jets the last time and it was close and probably a game we thought we should have had. We get them at home and we're looking forward to it, to kind of right our wrongs from the last time we played them."
If Matt and his Steelers can win the Super Bowl, he would become the sixth Golden Gopher with multiple Super Bowl rings, joining Gabe Gillingham, Tyrone Carter, Tony Dungy, Keith Fahnhorst and Jim Fahnhorst.
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What's up with Jake Deitchler? Is he ever going to wrestle for Minnesota? Is he hurt or what? want to know what his status is. imagine if he is good as his ranking, Minnesota would be competing for a national championship if he wrestles this year. So why isn't he wrestling? ? - John, St. Paul, Minn.
Thanks for the question John. After sitting out last season, Jake is eligible to compete but has been sidelined with a concussion. There is no timetable for his return, but recently began working out with the team. The coaches' top priority is to get Jake healthy, not just for wrestling, but more importantly, for the rest of his life.
Jake joined the Golden Gophers after becoming the first high school wrestler to make the U.S. Olympic team since 1976. He competed in the 2008 Bejing Olympics in the 66 kg./145.5 lb. Greco-Roman division.
Jake's teammates are on the road this weekend with duals at Illinois and Purdue, but return home to face Wisconsin on Sunday, January 30 at 2 p.m. The Badgers are ranked fourth in the country, while the Golden Gophers are rated fifth. Purchase tickets here!
This question is for coach Borton. Coach, are you surprised that Jackie Voigt is leading the team in offensive rebounds? She is one of my wife's favorite players, by the way. Good luck the rest of the season. Go, Gophers!!! - Kenny, Jackson, Mich.
I was able to track down Coach Borton in her office to get her thoughts on Jackie:
"Hi, Kenny. Rebounding is all about effort and hard work, so I'm not too surprised she's leading our team in offensive rebounds. No one works harder on the glass. Thanks for your question, and for supporting the Gophers!"
Indeed, Jackie is leading the team in offensive rebounds, as well as total rebounds with 6.2 per game. Last year as a sophomore, she averaged 5.0 rebounds per game.
Incidentally, if you want to sign up for a chance to share a McDonalds Coffee with head coach Pam Borton, click here to sign up! If you're selected, it's just a 10 hour drive from Jackson, Mich., to Dinkytown.
I am a football and basketball season ticket holder, and I was wondering when will be the next time the University of Minnesota hosts the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament? Obviously the normal venue, the Metrodome, will probably not be a viable option, but I hope that we can get back on the NCAA schedule soon. - Chris, Minneapolis, Minn.
Hi Chris, thanks for the question. The NCAA Tournament last visited Minnesota in 2009 when the University hosted the first and second rounds at the Metrodome. With the uncertainty of the future of the Metrodome, Senior Associate Athletics Director Marc Ryan was kind enough to provide an update:
"The NCAA is not currently in a host bid cycle and we are not scheduled to host a future round of the men's basketball championship at this point. As part of our recent Final Four bid we were not awarded a Final Four bid, but they did promise us a future 1st/2nd round or regional - that is pending based on the future of a climate controlled stadium in this market."
Hope that helps!
How did Goldy Gopher do in the Capital One Mascot Challege? - Amy, Sun Prairie, Wis.
A little bit of bad news and a whole lot of great news! Goldy did not prevail in the Capital One Mascot Challenge as Big Blue from Old Dominion took home the title (we'll call it the Mascot Congeniality Prize).
Fortunately, Goldy rebounded in impressive fashion and took home the top prize - a national championship at the 2011 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Fla. It was the first national title for Goldy. The Golden Gopher dance team also won a pair of national titles in the jazz and pom divisions. It was their second straight national championship in both divisions. Not too shabby! You can view his championship performance below:
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