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Mike Kaszuba

Reporter | Sports
Recent content from Mike Kaszuba
Mesabi Range players including, from left, Elvin Turner, Andre Bell and Kalil Grice, sat in the visiting team locker room moments before their season

Mesabi Norsemen (many from points south) chase elusive dream

Most of the 44 young men from faraway places in Mesabi Norsemen jerseys had never heard of the Iron Range before they signed up to play college football.
Mesabi Range players including, from left, Elvin Turner, Andre Bell and Kalil Grice, sat in the visiting team locker room moments before their season

Mesabi Norsemen (many from points south) chase elusive dream

Most of the 44 young men from faraway places in Mesabi Norsemen jerseys had never heard of the Iron Range before they signed up to play college football.
Angel Ramirez Diaz, center, gave his team "Chivitas,: a pep talk before their game during a soccer tournament, Saturday, August 29, 2015 at Holy Angel

Thriving leagues offer glimpse of futbol's future in Minnesota

Liga La Zapata, a Richfield soccer league, has more than 100 teams, each with at least 13 players, and few of the participants follow the local major sports teams as passionately as the sport they play.
Vikings fans cheered as Adrian Peterson returned to Minnesota State University for Vikings training camp last season.

Amid a year of turmoil, NFL shows it still has strength

Not only is Adrian Peterson back in a Vikings uniform after his suspension for whipping his child, but the NFL is back and seemingly as popular as ever after an offseason of problems away from the field.
Target Field is situated in the shadow of the Minneapolis skyline.

Pohlad family, owners of Twins, builds up around Target Field

The Twins' owners are building a strong lineup around their star, Target Field. Although their developer, United Properties, seemed slow to realize the ballpark's ability to launch nearby development, the company has since made up for lost time.
Teague

Teague's departure should have little impact on U's facilities plan

University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler said: "I believe our donors are giving to an athletic village program for the University of Minnesota. They were not giving to an athletic village program for Norwood Teague."
The first of the U.S. Bank Stadium signage went into place on the new Vikings stadium last week. The team and U.S. Bank entered into a naming-rights d

Local stadiums' naming rights yield cash and secrecy

The University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium, which opened in 2009, is the only recent example of a naming rights agreement that was made public.
The United States Women's National Team celebrates with the trophy after they defeated Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women's World Cup soccer championship in

Could Twin Cities land a women's pro soccer team, too?

Women's soccer league commissioner Jeff Plush called Minneapolis "a fantastic market.''
Mark Abbott, deputy commission of Major League Soccer.

Soccer stadium could land in St. Paul, MLS executive says

Two sites reportedly in the mix are near Snelling and University avenues, where a former Metro Transit bus barn stood, and near the State Capitol where a Sears store now sits.
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and Dr. Bill McGuire in March 2015.

Local owners expected to ask MLS to extend stadium deadline

MLS officials were mum Tuesday on what the league would do now that its July 1 deadline for stadium progress in downtown Minneapolis had arrived, or how the league would define progress.
Zytavius, left of center, and Ja'Kiya, showed off their dance moves as Malachi, far left and Breeze looked on during a coach pitch Monarchs practice a

North Minneapolis turns to past to preserve youth baseball's future

Farview Park in north Minneapolis is barely 2 miles from the Twins' $555 million Target Field, but the distance in many ways seems much farther.
Dr. Bill McGuire went to the Legislature in April to talk about plans for a MLS soccer stadium in Minneapolis.

MLS says it will hold United owners to July 1 soccer stadium deadline

The MLS announcement came less than three months after the league awarded Minnesota a franchise, and left the future of the franchise in doubt.
John Cwodzinski, who works at the Twins’ Target Field store, checked through the stock of jerseys in preparation for Friday’s game again

Twins' new-found winning ways have rekindled baseball interest

Fox Sports North reports that viewership was up 29 percent from April to May. The team is hopeful that attendance will rebound despite a drop in season-ticket sales last off-season.
Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority CEO Ted Mondale and chair Michele Kelm-Helgen made the announcement. Mortenson Construction, the Golden Valley-b

E-mails trace pay equity dispute with Sports Facilities chair

Michelle Kelm-Helgen said dust-up reflected changes in duties with the building of the new stadium.
A few rows of bobbleheads were displayed at a recent collectors convention.

Sports collector clubs are fading from the landscape

The aging of enthusiasts and cultural changes have diminished interest in the hobby nationally and locally.
Minneapolis City Council Member Jacob Frey

Mpls. negotiates MLS stadium subsidy as lawmakers adjourn

Minneapolis officials, McGuire group work toward tax freeze, but path to approval is rocky as legislative session nears close.
Len Boogaard, who encouraged his son Derek Boogaard's hockey career, next to Derek's jersey, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 30, 2011.

Boogaard still searching for answers in son's death

Former Wild player Derek Boogaard died four years ago Wednesday from a drug and alcohol overdose. But his father is continuing an often-solitary quest to find what extenuating factors might have led to his son's death.
DFL State Rep. Phyllis Kahn

State Rep. Phyllis Kahn proposes new MLS team be community owned

The longtime legislator has made similar unsuccessful proposals in the past (Minnesota Twins and Northwest Airlines).
Section at new Vikings stadium will target fantasy football fans

Section at new Vikings stadium will target fantasy football fans

Hoping to capitalize on next week's National Football League draft — and with still more seats to sell in their new stadium — the Vikings have unveiled even more seating options.
Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority led a hearing in 2013.

Stadium board meeting erupts into feud over roles, salary

Chairwoman Michele Kelm-Helgen said she felt threatened in her role, but board member denies making threat.
Michele Kelm-Helgen

Stadium head Kelm-Helgen under fire by House Republicans

Gov. Mark Dayton reacted angrily after a Minnesota House committee tried to eliminate Kelm-Helgen's salary from the state budget.
Minnesota United FC fans cheered after a news conference with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Dr. Bill McGuire on Wednesday announced that Major Leagu

Finding funding for proposed soccer stadium is complex

There are daunting obstacles to using a ballpark tax, but other avenues are possible.
McGuire's 'gut move' is bold bet on Minnesota soccer

McGuire's 'gut move' is bold bet on Minnesota soccer

Bill McGuire has celebrated scooting past the Vikings to land an MLS franchise.
Michele Kelm-Helgen

Kelm-Helgen's stadium role duplicates Mondale's, critics say

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chair called the criticism "a big distraction." The criticism was a rare instance of the board's members arguing among themselves over the role they play with the stadium.
Cayden McCorkel, 9 waited for instructions during practice for the Woodbury Royals in Woodbury Min., Wednesday August 15, 2012. Last year McCorkel suf

Not yet 10 and risking football concussions

Children are not immune from head injuries, forcing hard choices.
Bill McGuire

MLS expected to announce deal to add Minnesota expansion team

What's unknown at this time is whether Bill McGuire will reveal at the Wednesday announcement that he has finalized plans for an outdoor downtown stadium.
Many seats in Williams Arena remained empty during the Class A semifinals on Friday morning. ] JIM GEHRZ ï james.gehrz@startribune.com / Minneapo

Empty seats in huge arenas a losing game for prep tourneys

Venue expenses have surged 55 percent in the past 10 years to about $2 million in 2013-14, according to the Minnesota State High School League. During that same span, ticket sales for all tournaments with paid admission rose about 5.2 percent.
So far, of the more than 800 minorities who have worked on the new Vikings stadium, only 48 trained workers have been hired through nonprofit Summit A

Nonprofit paid to help with minority hiring at stadium is short of goal

So far, of the more than 800 minorities who have worked on the Vikings stadium, only 48 trained workers have been hired through Summit Academy.
Bill McGuire

United owner McGuire group has MLS backing for expansion team

Former UnitedHealth boss, with Pohlad family and Glen Taylor backing, wants to build a new soccer stadium near Target Field.
Bill McGuire.

Bill McGuire keeps after MLS franchise, new soccer stadium

Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says there's no legislative support for building the stadium.
Construction continued at the Vikings stadium, being built by M.A. Mortenson, in December.

Skyway linked to new Vikings stadium also will imperil birds, activists say

The proposed span connecting to the Vikings stadium could pose a danger, advocates say.

Longtime Twin Cities and NYC media figure David Carr dies

Special to the Star Tribune, Kelly Guenther NYC, NY 7/31/2008 ] Journalist and author David Carr

David Carr: A reconstructed life

The New York Times columnist recalls his wild years in Minnesota in a memoir that's getting critical acclaim.
Head coach, Paul Schmidt, talks with three of his players during a lull in play during a recent tournament game.

Is fourth grade too early for ultracompetitive sports?

Edina has plunged into fielding fourth-grade traveling basketball teams — a trend fueled by parents, not kids. In a state where youth hockey has long held a reputation for competitiveness, youth basketball might be closing the gap.
Seats are about half full behind Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) as he pulls down the ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns

Timberwolves' pain extends far beyond the basketball court

Though all of Minnesota's professional sports teams seem now to be stuck in neutral — or reverse — the Timberwolves in particular are struggling with relevancy.
Carpenter Chad Canesi takes a selfie with Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf during a free lunch for construction workers at the NFL football team's ne

Wilfs try to pull off comeback for their image

A year after the owners of the Vikings were hit with a $103 million civil judgment for defrauding business partners in New Jersey, Zygi Wilf and his family are trying to improve how they are viewed.
Bill McGuire.

United owner: Public money might be needed for MLS stadium

In his first lengthy comments on his competition with the Vikings to bring Major League Soccer to Minnesota, Bill McGuire left open the possibility of seeking government help to build his own soccer stadium.
No. 1: Behind Adrian Peterson's perfect image lay an imperfect person

No. 1: Behind Adrian Peterson's perfect image lay an imperfect person

Adrian Peterson was the face of the Vikings and marketing magic, his brushes with the law and personal life ignored – until suddenly no one could look away.
Two presentations will come from potential Minnesota MLS team owners – one by a group that includes Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire, left, an

Two Twin Cities proposals in play today for MLS owners to discuss

Two soccer groups are in play, but a vote is unlikely when league owners convene today.
A rendering of how the new Vikings stadium would look when it was set up for an MSL match with the upper level curtained off with large panels and adv

Vikings say MLS, NFL teams would be equals in their new stadium

The Vikings' owners explained how the new stadium — now fewer than two years from opening — could morph from a 65,400-seat football stadium into a 20,000-seat soccer stadium by "curtaining" seats with large panels and advertising boards.
ESPN's GameDay visited Fargo in 2013 and 2014. On Saturday, the show will air from Brookings, S.D., where North Dakota State plays South Dakota State.

ESPN's 'College GameDay': Part circus, part marketing, full experience

As the visits to Fargo show, TV's football streetfest is a 1-ring circus.
Hennepin County Board Chairman Mike Opat

McGuire-Pohlad soccer group gets big supporter in Opat

Hennepin County Board member backs faction seeking separate stadium.
Nov. 15: Mpls. lands '19 Final Four after '18 Super Bowl

Nov. 15: Mpls. lands '19 Final Four after '18 Super Bowl

The Final Four, the premier event in college basketball, will return to Minneapolis in 2019, and this time it will be played at the Minnesota Vikings' new $1 billion stadium.
Two presentations will come from potential Minnesota MLS team owners – one by a group that includes Minnesota United FC owner Bill McGuire, left, an

Two Minnesota groups to make bids Thursday for MLS team

The Minnesota groups are vying with Sacramento and Las Vegas to become the 24th MLS franchise. The league could make its decision as early as Dec. 6.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, left, arrives for court in Conroe, Texas Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014. Peterson arrived to face a charge of

With Adrian Peterson suspension, NFL signals a tougher stand

At the same time, the league looks to be trying to rebuild its tarnished image. "It's a brave new world," said Marshall Tanick, a Minneapolis employment lawyer.
USAF Thunderbirds Fly Over before 2014 MLB All-Star Game. ] 2014 MLB All Star Game, Target Field BRIAN PETERSON • brian.peterson@st

2014 All-Star Game was a hit, but not up to the financial hype

Four months removed from the glow of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, the economic benefits that the event was supposed to bring to Minnesota appear to have shrunk.
As plea agreement talk swirls, Peterson faces court date in Texas

As plea agreement talk swirls, Peterson faces court date in Texas

The star player goes to court amid questions about his legal fate and his future with sponsors and the Vikings.
The Minneapolis Farmers Market stands in front of the city skyline of Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. The House passed a me

Moguls vying for Major League Soccer team look at stadium sites

High-stakes development deals depend on shootout for MLS franchise.
In this file photo, Todd Hoffner talks to the media after being cleared of child pornography charges relating to videos he made of his children. Hoffn

Auditor questions destruction of notes as MSU, Mankato investigated Hoffner

Legislative auditor's report does not take sides in controversial firing of Mankato State coach Todd Hoffner but finds process troubling.
College football mystery: Why don't students go to games?

College football mystery: Why don't students go to games?

School officials insist they are chipping away at the problem and point out that student season ticket sales are up this year by more than 25 percent.
Fans before Gophers vs. UNLV in the season opener at TCF Bank Stadium last season.

Aug. 26: Gophers football student-section forecast: More, but still not many

Even with modest increases, the U still is battling student apathy.
Child abuse trial for Adrian Peterson likely to start Dec. 1

Child abuse trial for Adrian Peterson likely to start Dec. 1

Vikings running back enters no plea as Dec. 1 trial date hinges on the Texas prosecutors' motion for the judge to step aside.
Peterson likely to miss season; future with team in doubt

Peterson likely to miss season; future with team in doubt

Facing a revolt by its corporate ad partners, the team abruptly reversed course Wednesday and announced the star running back had accepted a voluntary suspension — with pay — while he faces criminal charges that he beat his 4-year-old son. He is likely to miss all of the 2014 season.
Local stores pull Peterson jerseys; Dayton calls for him not to play

Local stores pull Peterson jerseys; Dayton calls for him not to play

Fallout over the Adrian Peterson situation continued on Tuesday, with sponsors taking stands, the governor rebuking the team and an appearance by players canceled.
Adrian Peterson back on team; Vikings lose large sponsor

Adrian Peterson back on team; Vikings lose large sponsor

The Vikings star maintains he is "not a child abuser." Radisson ends sponsorship with team as second incident surfaces.
Adrian Peterson was booked into the Montgomery County jail, then released on bond on Sept. 13, 2014.

Peterson's NFL future in doubt as charges unfold

As the explosive legal case against the Vikings star running back was laid out, it left in doubt whether Peterson would play again and touched off a debate over the appropriateness of corporal punishment.
Sixth grade commissioner Sal Fialo talk to the players during a scrimmage practice at Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Tuesday, Aug

Eden Prairie's dominance in state football could face a stiff challenge

The state's preeminent program has seen a drop in youth participation that might not recover.
Dante Cunningham and Nick Collison fought for control of the ball.

Charges dropped against former Wolves player Cunningham

The forward had been charged with felony domestic assault.
Part 1: Golf in Minnesota hits tough times for players, courses

Part 1: Golf in Minnesota hits tough times for players, courses

The golf craze that began in the 1990s is over. The golfers are fewer and the challenges are more at Twin Cities courses.
The Hoffner family. Todd and Melodee with their children Mara, 7, Brady, 10 and Kiaya, 11. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startrib

Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner jumps back into position

It was an uphill battle to clear his name and regain his title. There have been changes, but an awkwardness remains.
Minnesota golf operators making major changes to lure players

Minnesota golf operators making major changes to lure players

On the links, operators are trying out innovative ways — footgolf, anyone? — to attract new players and to keep from sinking during the sport's slump.
April 18: MSU-Mankato players say they'll return to practice, play for Hoffner

April 18: MSU-Mankato players say they'll return to practice, play for Hoffner

Junior safety Sam Thompson said at a news conference Thursday that the team wanted to "clear up any misconception'' raised by the team's refusal to practice Wednesday in what would have been the first spring practice under Hoffner.
A sign pointed to the All-Star FanFest held at the Minneapolis Convention Center, which waived over $250,000 in rental fees.

City gave league free rent, discounted services for All-Star FanFest

The city waived $258,850 in rental fees for the 5-day baseball enthusiast event. MLB also got steep discounts for convention center security, audiovisual rentals, vacuuming and food.
Matt Blair, the former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro linebacker who is now 63 and has increasing trouble remembering things.

Ex-Vikings know NFL concussion deal will prompt hard choices

Critics say former Vikings All-Pro linebacker Matt Blair is typical of many of the 20,000 former NFL players who will be asked to endorse the plan: They will have to decide whether to accept it before knowing whether they will ever get a dime from it.
Mary Manney

Sept. 5, 2013: Ex-regulator got job at track she oversaw

Racing Commission must now ensure the industry's ethics.
Sept. 16, 2012: The truth behind Wally Hilgenberg's death

Sept. 16, 2012: The truth behind Wally Hilgenberg's death

Wally Hilgenberg's family gave his brain for research in Boston. What they've learned has made them uneasy with a sport central to their lives.
Blake Fry and his wife Michele, hold their coveted All-Star Game tickets before heading to watch the Twins take on the New York Yankees with their chi

Striking out on All-Star tickets? Go (relatively) cheap

Local baseball fans may have to bypass the main game at Target Field on July 15 or get less-desirable seating.
Khy Paradis, 9, center, offered support to Imraan Arale, 9, after his at bat against Kenwood-Bryn Mawr last month at Bryant Square Park. Ashraf Mohame

Baseball lessons: The Boys of Bryant Square Park

Boys of all backgrounds learn America's pastime in south Minneapolis. The 81 youth baseball teams in Minneapolis this summer are an eight-year low.
2014: NFL had a long, pricey and secret Super Bowl wish list for Minneapolis

2014: NFL had a long, pricey and secret Super Bowl wish list for Minneapolis

The National Football League had a long and expensive list of confidential requests before it awarded the 2018 Super Bowl to Minneapolis.
Wolves owner Glen Taylor

Taylor: NBA market is boosting value of Timberwolves

Multiple sales and a deep pool of buyers are part of the reason for the increased value of the Timberwolves, owner Glen Taylor said.
Architect rendering of new Vikings Stadium.

Minneapolis hopes 2018 Super Bowl leads to bigger things

After Super Bowl, more high profile events to be sought.
Steve Carlson (left), Jeff Carlson (center) and Jack Carlson during Fighting Saints trianing camp - 1977

NHL concussion suit has movie 'Slap Shot' straddling a fine line

A lawsuit filed by Jack Carlson and eight others is the latest of several legal attempts to link NHL violence to head injuries.
Piles of dirt connected to the building of the new Vikings stadium have been placed on nearby land owned by stadium builder Wilf. ] (MARLIN LEVISON/ST

Wilf deal to park Dome dirt solves stadium dilemma – for a tidy sum

Officials said the deal could save as much as $1 million in construction costs, but also concede that it included a potential PR headache: the Wilfs, who were already getting significant public subsidies for the new Vikings stadium, won't have to pay property taxes on the former parking lots while the dirt is stored there.
At Sea Foam Stadium on the campus of Concordia College in St. Paul, head coach Ryan Williams watched over his quarterback corps during spring practice

Concordia paying close attention to Northwestern union issue

Could a ruling that Northwestern's football players are employees of the school, should it stand, apply to Concordia (St. Paul)?
Minnesota State head football coach Todd Hoffner

Mankato school officials ask state to review actions in Hoffner case

The president of Minnesota State University-Mankato has asked the state's Legislative Auditor to review the process school officials used to deal with head football coach Todd Hoffner.