University of Minnesota Athletics
An Update From Mark Coyle - March 21, 2020
3/21/2020 8:43:00 AM | Athletics
Gophers,
Nine days ago, I was in Indianapolis watching our men's basketball team compete in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. Today, instead of seeing all our fans at U.S. Bank Stadium for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, I am working from home with my wife and three children.
Nine days ago, I had never used Zoom for an online meeting. Today, it is now a necessary part of mine and of our staff's daily routine. And while that routine has changed significantly, many things have remained the same.
Our staff is all working remotely, but is still working hard and preparing to provide you with memorable experiences for when we get to see you again. We miss our fans. We miss seeing you at baseball and softball games and at spring football practices. Hopefully we can get together again soon, but in the meantime here are a few things we have been doing.
I am in daily contact with University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel and am so thankful for her leadership. While I lead an athletic department, she oversees an entire university system during this uncertain time. Her guidance has been extraordinary and with her leadership we were able to make sure that our student-athletes were able to return home or go to a place they feel most comfortable.
Our coaches have been amazing as well, and we are extremely fortunate to have such a terrific group of individuals leading our student-athletes. Throughout this entire situation, they have kept their focus on our student-athletes and I am thankful for their understanding and willingness to assist with whatever comes up.
Every morning at 7:45 a.m., I join my 13 Big Ten peers on a conference call with Big Ten leadership. I can't say enough about Commissioner Kevin Warren and his staff, as they have shown tremendous resolve as we navigate these uncharted waters.
When that call is over, I lead a daily Zoom meeting with my senior staff. These individuals and their support units have been tremendous. They are the backbone of our department. I am amazed at how quickly they have transitioned from working daily with 675 student athletes to being able to support them remotely. The Lindahl Academic Center staff is now assisting our student-athletes through remote learning and so is our strength and conditioning and nutrition staffs.
I was so impressed with our ticket office staff when it was announced that spring sport seasons were canceled and how quickly they were able to communicate with and refund season ticket buyers for baseball and softball. Our communications and social media teams continue to line up interviews with coaches, student-athletes and the media and provide content for you to consume at home. One of the many things our marketing staff has been busy doing is finding ways for you to keep your children entertained at home, and our creative team is still producing excellent visuals and videos to celebrate our coaches and student-athletes.
Although we are working remotely, members of our staff will still participate in an online educational session with the well-known Dr. Alan Berkowitz early next week. He will speak to our staff about preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault in athletics.
I want to thank you for your support and for staying with us even though we are not playing any games. If there is anything our staff can do to assist you, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here if you need us – fans@gopherfanrelations.com or 1-800-U-GOPHER.
I encourage you to continue to visit GopherSports.com and to follow our social media channels. We will do our best to keep you updated remotely, but we cannot wait to see you again in person at a home game on campus. Be safe and we will get through this together.
Go Gophers and United Are We!
Mark
Nine days ago, I was in Indianapolis watching our men's basketball team compete in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament. Today, instead of seeing all our fans at U.S. Bank Stadium for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, I am working from home with my wife and three children.
Nine days ago, I had never used Zoom for an online meeting. Today, it is now a necessary part of mine and of our staff's daily routine. And while that routine has changed significantly, many things have remained the same.
Our staff is all working remotely, but is still working hard and preparing to provide you with memorable experiences for when we get to see you again. We miss our fans. We miss seeing you at baseball and softball games and at spring football practices. Hopefully we can get together again soon, but in the meantime here are a few things we have been doing.
I am in daily contact with University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel and am so thankful for her leadership. While I lead an athletic department, she oversees an entire university system during this uncertain time. Her guidance has been extraordinary and with her leadership we were able to make sure that our student-athletes were able to return home or go to a place they feel most comfortable.
Our coaches have been amazing as well, and we are extremely fortunate to have such a terrific group of individuals leading our student-athletes. Throughout this entire situation, they have kept their focus on our student-athletes and I am thankful for their understanding and willingness to assist with whatever comes up.
Every morning at 7:45 a.m., I join my 13 Big Ten peers on a conference call with Big Ten leadership. I can't say enough about Commissioner Kevin Warren and his staff, as they have shown tremendous resolve as we navigate these uncharted waters.
When that call is over, I lead a daily Zoom meeting with my senior staff. These individuals and their support units have been tremendous. They are the backbone of our department. I am amazed at how quickly they have transitioned from working daily with 675 student athletes to being able to support them remotely. The Lindahl Academic Center staff is now assisting our student-athletes through remote learning and so is our strength and conditioning and nutrition staffs.
I was so impressed with our ticket office staff when it was announced that spring sport seasons were canceled and how quickly they were able to communicate with and refund season ticket buyers for baseball and softball. Our communications and social media teams continue to line up interviews with coaches, student-athletes and the media and provide content for you to consume at home. One of the many things our marketing staff has been busy doing is finding ways for you to keep your children entertained at home, and our creative team is still producing excellent visuals and videos to celebrate our coaches and student-athletes.
Although we are working remotely, members of our staff will still participate in an online educational session with the well-known Dr. Alan Berkowitz early next week. He will speak to our staff about preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault in athletics.
I want to thank you for your support and for staying with us even though we are not playing any games. If there is anything our staff can do to assist you, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here if you need us – fans@gopherfanrelations.com or 1-800-U-GOPHER.
I encourage you to continue to visit GopherSports.com and to follow our social media channels. We will do our best to keep you updated remotely, but we cannot wait to see you again in person at a home game on campus. Be safe and we will get through this together.
Go Gophers and United Are We!
Mark
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