UND Men’s golf program to be reinstated

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that the men’s golf program has secured the necessary external funding in order to be reinstated for fiscal years 2017 (FY 17) and 2018 (FY 18). The athletics department had announced in April that it was discontinuing its men’s golf and baseball programs as part of the University’s overall budget restructuring process.

Earlier this summer, the men’s golf program was given a deadline of Aug. 30, 2016 to raise $70,823 in cash or pledges (signed/legally binding) in order to be reinstated for FY 17 and a June 1, 2017 deadline to raise $73,589 in cash or pledges (signed/legally binding) to continue for FY 18. Cash and pledges in excess of the funding goals were raised by the Fore UND Golf Campaign that was led by alumni, former letterwinners, and friends of the program. Those funds have been received by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.

“I would like to thank the University of North Dakota, UND Athletics, the UND Alumni Association & Foundation, and the Fore UND Golf Campaign for helping the men’s golf program at UND,” said UND men’s golf coach Tim Swanson. “The student-athletes are looking forward to getting back on the golf course and competing for the UND Fighting Hawks.”

In spring 2016, the University went through a budget reduction process that resulted in a $21.5 million reshaping of the University's budget. As a result of that process, the elimination of UND’s baseball and men's golf programs was proposed and approved.

Then-interim President Ed Schafer indicated a willingness to consider plans for the possible reinstatement of baseball and men's golf based upon the ability to attract sustainable external funding. University officials met and worked with supporters and reviewed potential fundraising plans. It was ultimately determined that there was not a workable plan that would generate enough revenue to sustain the baseball program.

Men's golf, however, submitted a plan to President Schafer which he believed had the ability to attract the sustainable external funding necessary to reinstate the golf program if funding deadlines were met.

The plan also calls for an endowment that will be required to sustain men's golf for FY 19 and beyond. The University and the UND Alumni Association & Foundation will establish the long-term funding dollar amount for the endowment, which will need to be fully capitalized by June 1, 2018 for men's golf to continue.

“I want to congratulate the Fore UND Golf Campaign members for getting this fundraising done in such a short period of time,” said Faison. “The way the student-athletes and Coach Swanson have handled an incredibly difficult situation has been impressive.”

For more information about supporting the long-term funding of the UND men’s golf program, please contact the UND Foundation at 800.543.8764 or 701.777.2611, or visit www.undalumni.org/mensgolf.

U of M Gophers 2016-17 Men’s Basketball Schedule Announced

The Minnesota men’s basketball team will take the court 21 times this upcoming season, as the Gophers 2016-17 schedule was unveiled Thursday in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference schedule announcement.

Unless otherwise listed, game times and television broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

The season will unofficially begin on Thursday, November 3, as the Gophers welcome Bemidji State for an exhibition. Eight days later, Minnesota opens its 2016-17 campaign hosting Louisiana Lafayette (Fri., Nov. 11).

In a busy week at the Barn, the Gophers will host Texas-Arlington (Mon., Nov. 14) and Mount St. Mary’s (Wed., Nov. 16) before their first competition as part of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. On Friday, November 18, the Maroon and Gold will host St. John’s from the BIG EAST Conference, a game that will be televised live at 8:00 p.m. on BTN.

Another major conference opponent will come to Williams Arena four days later, as the Gophers will host Arkansas from the Southeastern Conference on Tue., Nov. 22. On Fri., Nov. 25, Minnesota finishes the season-opening six-game homesstand against Southern Illinois.

Three days later, the Gophers travel to Tallahassee for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against Florida State (Mon., Nov. 28, 6:00 p.m., ESPNU), and will make a return to Sioux Falls later in the week to face Vanderbilt at the Sanford Pentagon on Sat., December 3.

Minnesota will host five straight opponents at the Barn to conclude non-conference play, beginning with NJIT (Tue., Dec. 6, 7:00 p.m., BTN) and Georgia Southern (Fri., Dec. 9, 8:00 p.m., BTN). A Sunday date with Northern Illinois (Dec. 11) is followed by a Wednesday home game against LIU Brooklyn (Dec. 14), before a nine-day break for exams. The non-conference schedule concludes at home on Fri., Dec. 23 hosting Arkansas State (6:00 p.m., BTN).

A home opener against perennial power Michigan State kicks off the nine home Big Ten Conference games for the Minnesota men’s basketball team.

The Gophers begin B1G play on Tuesday, December 27 hosting the Spartans, and will be followed by a two-game road trip. Minnesota visits Purdue on New Year’s Day Sunday, followed by a trip to Northwestern on Thursday, January 5.

A break from the road comes on Sunday, January 8 when the Gophers host Ohio State. Three days later, Minnesota travels to East Lansing for a January 11 matchup with Michigan State, and a trip to Penn State on Saturday, January 14 follows.

The first of two battles with border rival Wisconsin comes to Williams Arena on Saturday, January 21, followed by a visit to Columbus to play Ohio State on Wednesday, January 25. A home date against Maryland on Saturday, January 28 closes out the month.

Minnesota will have its first of two midweek byes before traveling to Illinois on Saturday, February 4. The following Wednesday, February 8, the Gophers will welcome Iowa in their lone regular-season meeting. Three days later, Minnesota’s only matchup with Rutgers will come on Saturday, February 11 in Piscataway.

Back-to-back home games against Indiana on Wednesday, February 15 and versus Michigan on Sunday, February 19 will heat up the Barn, followed by a trip to College Park to face Maryland on Wednesday, February 22.

Two straight games close out the home schedule, with the Gophers hosting Penn State on Saturday or Sunday, February 25 or 26. Minnesota’s final home game will be Thursday, March 2, in the lone meeting against Nebraska.

The regular season concludes on Sunday, March 5, in Madison as the Gophers travel to face the Badgers.

This year, the Big Ten Tournament shifts eastward to a new location, as the 14 teams will battle for the conference’s automatic berth in Washington, D.C. The outcome will be decided over five days beginning Wednesday, March 8 at the Verizon Center, home of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Single-game tickets for non-conference games, along with pick your packs, will go on sale Wednesday, September 14. More information on tickets can be found by visiting MyGopherSports.com.

UND Mens' Hockey "Raise It" DVD Available for Purchase

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota men’s hockey team raised it, and now their fans can re-live it.

Beginning today, fans can purchase Through These Doors presents Raise It: The 2015-16 North Dakota Men’s Hockey Team, a season retrospective DVD that chronicles UND’s run to the program’s eighth NCAA Division I men’s hockey national championship.

From the coaching transition from Dave Hakstol to Brad Berry prior to the season all the way to the title-clinching 5-1 win over top-ranked Quinnipiac at the NCAA Frozen Four, Raise It provides UND fans with an inside look at the 2015-16 men’s hockey team that snapped the program’s 16-year title drought. The one-hour DVD features exclusive interviews with coaches and players, behind-the-scenes footage, and game highlights from throughout the season, including all four NCAA Tournament games.

Raise It recaps a season’s-worth of memorable storylines leading up to the Frozen Four, including the high-powered “CBS line,” Cam Johnson’s historic shutout streak and season-long dominance, the critical emergence of former walk-on Matt Hrynkiw, Senior Night, a second consecutive Penrose Cup as NCHC regular-season champions, and much more.

Produced by the UND Athletics video team that also produces Through These Doors, the acclaimed weekly video series on UNDsports.com, Raise It costs $24.99 (plus tax) and can be purchased online as early as today.

To purchase a DVD, visit: https://www.nmnathletics.com/sellnew/SellHome.dbml?_IN_STORE_=YES&DB_OEM_ID=13500.

Units will begin shipping on Sept. 15.

Lynx to Host Inaugural Roar for a Cure Event on September 8

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – In a new fundraising experience, the Minnesota Lynx players will interact with fans as a part of their “Roar for a Cure” presented by Mayo Clinic on Thursday, September 8. All proceeds from the event, which is held from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square, will benefit the Lynx Foundation, which supports breast cancer research and support programs throughout the state of Minnesota.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. prior to the event, where fans will have the opportunity to mingle with the team, enjoy food from local restaurants and bid on silent auction items featuring sports memorabilia and unique experiences from around the Twin Cities. The event, which features the entire Lynx roster and coaching staff, will begin at 6:30 p.m. following a VIP reception at 6 p.m., and will also host breast cancer survivors who will be included throughout the night’s programming. The night’s events will include a live program, fundraising opportunities, special entertainment highlighted by all members of the Lynx roster and coaching staff as well as a presentation on breast health awareness presented by Mayo Clinic.

“We are excited to partner with the Minnesota Lynx Foundation through the Roar for a Cure event which supports such an important cause that affects so many people on their journey through the breast cancer experience,” said Sandhya Pruthi, M.D. “At Mayo Clinic we are able to do advanced research to find new treatments and tests to treat and cure breast cancer and improve the quality of life for many women.” Pruthi is a consultant in the Breast Diagnostic Clinic, Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

Tickets for "Roar for a Cure" are on sale now starting at a $150 “All-Star” ticket. Along with access to the event, fans purchasing All-Star tickets will also receive a ticket to the tasting event and a limited edition commemorative team print. VIP ticket packages are available for $325, which include access to a VIP reception and tasting event, a meet and greet and photo with the entire Lynx roster, a limited edition team print and a 2016 Roar for a Cure gift. The “Champions Row” package is available for $3,000, which includes 10 VIP reception and tasting event tickets, a meet-and-greet and team photo with the entire Lynx roster, 10 limited edition team prints, 10 2016 Roar for a Cure gifts and logo inclusion on lynxbasketball.com.

For 18 years, the WNBA’s Breast Health Awareness program has focused on generating awareness and educating women about breast cancer in addition to raising funds for the initiative. The WNBA, its teams and players are supporting the effort to fight breast cancer during WNBA Breast Health Awareness Week, which have raised more than $2 million to aid the fight against breast cancer.

For more information or to purchase tickets, fans can contact Kristin Edmundson, Community Relations Senior Coordinator, at 612-673-8389 or via email at Kristin.Edmundson@lynxbasketball.com. An order form can also be printed off from the Roar for a Cure page under the Community tab on www.lynxbasketball.com.

NDSU Women’s Basketball Releases Complete 2016-17 Schedule

FARGO, N.D. – Fourteen home games at the new Scheels Center inside the Sanford Health Athletic Complex highlight the 2016-17 North Dakota State University women's basketball schedule released on Tuesday, Aug. 23, by head coach Maren Walseth.

"We are extremely excited to showcase our wonderful new facility with 14 home games this season. The caliber of teams coming to Fargo, once again, is outstanding, and the entire non-conference schedule will prepare us for the tough Summit League schedule as well," Walseth said. "We are very grateful to those who have made this vision a reality and are eager to welcome our fans to a top-notch venue! Bison fans will have many opportunities to support NDSU basketball and experience the Sanford Health Athletic Complex first-hand!"

After hosting Bemidji State in an exhibition game Nov. 3 in the first-ever women's basketball contest inside the Scheels Center, the Bison welcome Dickinson State to Fargo for the inaugural regular season women's hoops game inside the new facility on Saturday, Nov. 12.

NDSU travels to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., Nov. 14 and Providence College in Providence, R.I., Nov. 16 for its first road tests of the season before returning home to host Pac-12 opponent Colorado on Nov. 22.

North Dakota State ventures west to compete in the Cal Poly Thanksgiving tournament Nov. 25-26 in San Luis Obispo, Calif., prior to playing Western Michigan at home to close out the month of November on the 30th.
The Bison travel to 2016 WNIT participant Milwaukee on Dec. 3 before trekking to Rochester, Mich., to take on former Summit League member Oakland two days later on Dec. 5.

NDSU hosts the Fighting Hawks of the University of North Dakota for "Alumni Weekend" Dec. 10 before wrapping up the two-game homestand with a contest against Mayville State Dec. 12.

The Bison conclude non-league play Dec. 19-20, traveling to Brownsville, Texas, to take part in the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley tournament.

North Dakota State tips-off Summit League play on Dec. 28, hosting defending Summit League tournament champion and 2016 NCAA tournament participant South Dakota State inside the Scheels Center, prior to traveling to Denver, Colo., for a New Year's Eve contest against the Denver Pioneers on Dec. 31.

NDSU returns to Fargo for a two-game homestand against WNIT champion South Dakota on Jan. 4 and Fort Wayne Jan. 7 before traveling to Western Illinois Jan. 14.

After a home contest against Omaha Jan. 18, the Bison head back out on the road for two games, playing at WNIT participant IUPUI Jan. 21 and at South Dakota Jan. 26.

North Dakota State hosts Oral Roberts for the annual breast cancer awareness "Pink" game Jan. 28, prior to traveling to South Dakota State on Feb. 2.

NDSU treks to Fort Wayne for a game Feb. 11 before returning home to host Denver Feb. 15 and IUPUI Feb. 18 to conclude the 2016-17 home slate. The IUPUI game will be "Senior Day."

The Summit League tournament is scheduled for March 4-7 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. The top eight teams in the final league standings will qualify for the tournament.

Missing game times will be announced at a later date on www.GoBison.com and the NDSU women's basketball Twitter account, @NDSUwbb.

UMC Men's Basketball Releases 2016-17 Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team officially unveiled their 2016-17 schedule Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Eagles will play 28 regular-season games and two exhibitions, including six non-conference games and 22 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) contests. In addition, UMC fans will get the opportunity to see plenty of action at Lysaker Gymnasium this season with 15 home games, including four non-conference home games and 11 conference games at “The Hersch”.

Minnesota Crookston returns an experienced but youthful core to the fray for 2016-17 as they look to continue to build the program and move up the conference standings. The Golden Eagles return 11 letter winners from last season, while also returning Connor Gamble (R-Fr., G, Stillwater, Minn.), who redshirted his initial season in the Maroon and Gold. UMC also welcomes five newcomers to their roster, as they will also look to battle for playing time. The 2016-17 season will be the third for Head Coach Dan Weisse. The Golden Eagles will look to gain more experience this season with more games and games against tough regional opponents.

The Golden Eagles will open up their 2016-17 slate with an exhibition on the road against College of St. Scholastica at 7:30 p.m. in Duluth, Minn.

Minnesota Crookston will tip off the regular-season with a pair of games in the MIAA/NSIC challenge at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. The Golden Eagles will take on Southwest Baptist Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. The Bearcats went 10-18 last season. UMC will then face Lincoln University of Missouri Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. The Blue Tigers finished last season with a 16-14 mark.

UMC’s home opener will take place Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. as the Golden Eagles face University of Wisconsin-Stout. The Blue Devils went 4-20 last season.

UMC will remain at home to take on Waldorf College Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. The Warriors went 16-14 last season. The Golden Eagles will then take on University of Jamestown Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at home. The Jimmies had a 17-12 mark last season.

The Golden Eagles will then hit the road for their second exhibition of the season as they take on NCAA Division I foe South Dakota State University Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. 

The Jackrabbits are in their first season under T.J. Otzelberger. They went 26-8, won the Summit League Tournament and went on to the NCAA Tournament last season.

Minnesota Crookston will open up conference play Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. as they play St. Cloud State University on the road. The Huskies went 13-16 last season. UMC will then take on University of Minnesota Duluth Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. on the road. The Bulldogs put up a 15-14 record last season.

The Golden Eagles will have their conference home opener Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. against Minnesota State University Moorhead. The defending NSIC North Champion went 30-6 last season. UMC will then take on Northern State University Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at Lysaker Gymnasium. The Wolves put up an 18-12 mark last season.

UMC will culminate their home stand with a pair of games against opponents from Bemidji, Minn. The Golden Eagles will take on Bemidji State University at “The Hersch” on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. The Beavers went 10-17 last season. The Golden Eagles will then take on Oak Hills Christian College Dec. 17 at 1 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will change things up heading into the New Year as they play a pair of conference road games Dec. 30 and 31. UMC will take on Winona State University Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. on the road. The Warriors finished with a 16-13 record last season. The Golden Eagles will then play their final game of 2016 Dec. 31 against Upper Iowa University at 6 p.m. in Fayette, Iowa. The Peacocks put up a 16-17 mark last season.

The Golden Eagles will open up 2017 Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. against Minnesota Duluth at home. They will then take on St. Cloud State at 6 p.m. Jan. 7 at home.

Minnesota Crookston will hit the road for a single game Jan. 10 against Bemidji State at 8 p.m.

The Golden Eagles will return home Jan. 13 to host Southwest Minnesota State University at 8 p.m. The Mustangs put up a 13-15 mark last season. UMC will then take on University of Sioux Falls Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. The Cougars went 17-13 during the 2015-16 slate.

UMC will then hit the road Jan. 20 to take on University of Mary at 8 p.m. The Marauders went 19-12 last season. They will then battle Minot State University Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The Beavers had a 15-14 record during 2015-16.

The Golden Eagles will then head back to Lysaker Gymnasium to take on Minnesota State University Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. The Mavericks put up a 22-10 record last season. They will take on Concordia University-St. Paul Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at 6 p.m. The Golden Bears had a 13-16 mark last season. Saturday’s game will also serve as “Alumni Night” for the Golden Eagles as they welcome back all past UMC basketball players to return to their alma mater.

UMC will hit the road Feb. 3 to take on defending NCAA Division II National Champion Augustana University at 8 p.m. They will then take on Wayne State College Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. The Wildcats are under new leadership with Jeff Kaminsky taking over the ship.

The Golden Eagles will remain on the road to face Northern State Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and MSU Moorhead Feb. 11 at 6 p.m.

They will wrap up the season at home as they face Minot State Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. and U-Mary Feb. 18 at 6 p.m.

The NSIC/Sanford Health Tournament will open up Feb. 22 on home sites, while the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place Feb. 25-28 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Timberwolves Launch Flex Pack Options for 2016-17 Season

Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Timberwolves are launching their 2016-17 Timberwolves Flex Packs today at 10 a.m.

 

The Timberwolves Flex Packs are an opportunity for fans to secure the best seats at the best prices before individual game tickets are released. Fans can choose tickets to any 10 games, no exceptions, with the option to select up to 20 games at the Flex Pack pricing. Flex Packs also include the home opener for free, savings on single game tickets and playoff priority.

 

Flex Pack Holders have the flexibility to change seat location, the number of tickets per game and price point based on the matchup. The ticket packages offer significant savings from single-game prices and provide access to see the most in-demand games of the 2016-17 season, including matchups against Golden State and Cleveland.

 

For more information and to purchase a Timberwolves Flex Pack, visit timberwolves.com/flex.