The MSR for several years has pushed for the University of Minnesota to restore the 1997 Gophers men’s basketball team’s records and accomplishments.
Recently, a Minnesota Star Tribune columnist wrote that now with the hiring of new Head Coach Niko Medved, a student manager on that 1997 team, the school’s only Final Four team should be seriously reconsidered by school officials.
It’s been over three decades since Minnesota was found guilty of academic misconduct, and the NCAA ruled all records by then-coach Clem Haskins and his players at the time be scrubbed from the record books.
Times have changed, added the Strib columnist, who urges the new U of M coach to use his influence to formally recognize the 1997 team, which many of us still call one of the school’s greatest teams ever.
“That team should be recognized,” Jim Shikenjanski recently told me. He was a four-year member (1987-90) on Haskins’ first Gopher team — his team reached the Elite Eight in 1990. That feat still remains in Gopher record books.
“I’m all for trying to get as many banners in Williams Arena as we can,” Shikenjanski said. The ’97 squad “is one of the greatest teams in the history of Gopher men’s basketball.”
“When you look at the players on that team,” continued Shikenjanski, “there’s some phenomenal talent. Some of the best players, and they should be recognized for that.”
Bobby Jackson, Eric Harris, Sam Jacobson, John Thomas, and Quincy Lewis to name a few. And of course, Coach Haskins, who at one time was the school’s all-time winningest coach before his record was readjusted due to NCAA sanctions.
But nothing happened to North Carolina, who during an investigation that began in 2010 was found creating “sham” classes and giving out high grades to athletes and non-athletes and was put on a year’s probation. But after an NCAA investigation was conducted, UNC was not punished as was the case in Minnesota, and no records were deleted as a result.
Life went on at Chapel Hill. The same should occur in Dinkytown.
The 1997 Gophers have been outcasted enough — they have worn sack cloths, and people too often talk about them in hushed tones. It’s time to bring back the banners and photos from that unforgettable and historic season.
“I hope Niko has some influence,” said Shikenjanski. “They should be recognized for what they did on the court, making it to the Final Four.”
“Every single one of those guys is deserving,” concluded Shikenjanski. “They gave blood, sweat and tears to the university. People say they’re deserving.”
Black-coached tennis
Four Big Ten schools in separate sports competed against each other last weekend. All four teams were led by Black head coaches.
Illinois, coached by Tyra Perry, hosted Michigan State, coached by Sharonda McDonald-Kelley in a three-game weekend softball series.
Minnesota hosted Indiana in women’s tennis last Friday, coached by Lois Arterberry (Gophers) and Gabrielle Moore (Indiana). The MSR attended the match and will file a report in next week’s edition.
Sistahs out in front
During ESPN’s coverage of Monday’s WNBA Draft, sistahs were out in front.
Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogwumike were among the in-studio analysts, and Elle Duncan co-hosted SportsCenter from New York City’s The Shed at Hudson Yards, the site of this year’s three-round draft.
“I think visibility is always important,” said Carter during last Thursday’s pre-draft media Zoom media call in response to an MSR question on the Black women’s presence. “We constantly say, if you can see her, you can be her. So, to see someone that looks like you, if you’re a young girl, I think that’s always important.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.