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Patrick Reusse

Columnist | Sports
Phone: 612-673-7129

Patrick Reusse is a sports columnist who writes three columns per week.

Recent content from Patrick Reusse
Mike Hastings is in his second season at Wisconsin, coming off a trip to the NCAA tournament in Year 1.

Reusse: Architect of a men's hockey miracle in Mankato aims for the same with Wisconsin

Mike Hastings, in town for a Gophers-Badgers series, is enduring a sub-.500 season after making the NCAA tournament in his first season in Madison.
Vikings coach Brad Childress and Eagles coach Andy Reid greeted each other after the Eagles beat the Vikings 26-14 in a first-round playoff game at th

Reusse: From a no-name hire to the top of the NFL coaching world, Chiefs' Reid goes for ring No. 4

Andy Reid and his cherished toy, Patrick Mahomes, will take on the Eagles for the second time in three years with the Lombardi Trophy at stake. Former Vikings coach Brad Childress was with him long before he was developing quarterbacks and winning Super Bowl titles.
Wyoming's Josh Allen avoids a tackle against Hawaii in 2017, when he chose to play another college season instead of entering the NFL draft.

Reusse: Before he became leader of the NFL's Bills, quarterback proved others wrong and his Wyoming coach right

Craig Bohl coached Josh Allen at Wyoming, where he began as lightly regarded, then caught NFL eyes and then delayed his pro time because he hadn't won enough college football games.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and musician Taylor Swift get together after the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII.

Reusse: AFC title game has us flashing back to Taylor Swift and Katy Perry beefing. Thank goodness America's differences are all patched up now.

Yes, this is a football column. See the portion about Blake Elliott from St. John's making the College Football Hall of Fame.
South Dakota State’s Kallie Theisen, a forward from Wayzata.

Ambitious South Dakota State women's basketball team visits St. Thomas on Wednesday

South Dakota State coach Aaron Johnston runs a strong mid-major program that believes in tough scheduling. His Jackrabbits roster features several Minnesota natives.
Willard Ikola

Reusse: Willard Ikola's hockey journey led him from Iron Range fame to unparalleled high school coaching success

A star prep goalie in Eveleth, a college All-America, an Olympian and Edina's trailblazing coach died Monday at age 92.
Will Sam Darnold, right, have a similar career as a Vikings quarterback as Jeff George, left, and Case Keenum, middle?

Reusse: Darnold's flash-and-flop moment with Vikings comes with parallels in Minnesota history

A couple of other quarterbacks fit that pattern, and the Twins, Lynx, Gophers and North Stars all have made boom-and-bust hires.
After missing out on the chance to win a Minnesota state title with Eden Prairie in 2020, Drake Dobbs has a chance to end his college career with a ch

Reusse: Drake Dobbs has a chance to end his career with a championship at St. Thomas

After missing out on the chance to win a Minnesota state title with Eden Prairie in 2020, Dobbs returned home and is leading St. Thomas to new heights.
Items are left at the base of a statue of Bob Uecker outside American Family Field in Milwaukee on Thursday.

Reusse: There's only one Bob Uecker — forever a baseball funnyman and Milwaukee's famous 'cheeser'

Longtime Milwaukee Brewers radio broadcaster Bob Uecker died Thursday at age 90, leaving behind a legacy that will not be matched.
Monday's season-ending loss to the Rams was nothing new to generations of Vikings fans. However, it was an introduction of expected heartbreak for the

Reusse: If only Vikings fans had their own version of 'Uncle Carl,' Monday's heartbreak may have been spared

Monday's season-ending loss to the Rams was nothing new to generations of Minnesota fans. However, it was an introduction for the next generation of what to expect as Vikings fans.
Stars from the modern L.A. pro sports universe, clockwise from left:  the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, the Lakers' LeBron James and the Rams' Matthew Staff

Reusse: Los Angeles proved itself as a football town, but the baseball Dodgers and basketball Lakers still reign

L.A. went 21 years without an NFL team and still came to rule North America as a pro sports spot.
A full house at Xcel Energy Center watches Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek shoot on Colorado goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood during Thursday's 6-1 loss to

Reusse: The Wild's grip on their supporters stands out as Minnesota's firmest

A Thursday visit to St. Paul on a night when Notre Dame played important football revealed a full house at Xcel Energy Center. That settles it.
Hannah Halverson (10) of Edina celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the first period Thursday, February 24, at Xcel Energy Center in St.

Reusse: Edina-Minnetonka hockey showdown to benefit 'Sophie's Squad'

Friday's games between Edina and Minnetonka to be a substantial fundraiser for Sophie's Squad — a growing mental health initiative named in memory of Sophie Wieland, a 14-year-old hockey player from Sartell who took her life in 2021.
Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance throws a pass against the Commanders during the first half Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

Reusse: The Lance family of Marshall, Minn., lingers in its own football universe: Frisco, Texas

That's where Trey Lance prepared before starting for the Cowboys on Sunday, and where Bryce Lance will play for the FCS national title with North Dakota State on Monday.
Wide receiver Bryce Lance is trying to help North Dakota State earn its 11th FCS national championship when the Bison play Montana State on Monday in

Reusse: Bryce Lance's 'famous' catch propels North Dakota State into FCS title game

After one catch in three years, Bryce Lance — younger brother of NFL QB Trey Lance — sent North Dakota State to the FCS title game with a game-winning touchdown that made him 'Internet famous.'
Thanks to a lawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, former junior college athletes have for now been granted a waiver to compete in NCAA

Reusse: Pavia paves way for JUCO athletes to gain more NCAA eligibility

Jerry Kill's quarterback at New Mexico State, Diego Pavia, sued the NCAA, seeking to regain eligibility used at junior college.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones celebrates in the stands at U.S. Bank Stadium after scoring a touchdown against the Lions on Oct. 20.

Reusse: Where do the 2024 Vikings rank among Minnesota sports surprises?

Here are the top 10 "most unlikely" successful teams in Minnesota sports since 1960, as determined by the wisest and most objective source you could hope to find.
Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman celebrates after a play in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium, where his family and fans showed up in great numbe

Reusse: Family time for Cashman means he's playing and the family's watching

Mother Corinne said attendance was "30 or 35 of us altogether," all dealing with Blake's holiday norm, described by brother Austen: "No Christmas involving him when there's a game to be played."
Lynx players Alanna Smith (8) and Napheesa Collier (24) showed disbelief after a foul call late in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

Reusse: In this lifetime of constant change in sports, a few requests

More baseballs hitting more bats would be nice. In the NFL and WNBA, better officiating, now. In the NBA, longer and fewer three-pointers, please. And yes, I can keep going.
Brett Favre, left, and Aaron Rodgers, three decades' worth of Packers quarterbacks.

Reusse: As Packers arrive, let's go through their QB history. Brett Favre. Aaron Rodgers. That'll do for now.

Their latest quarterback, Jordan Love, has three decades of success, staying power and controversy to live up to.
The Vikings beat the Rams in a Dec. 26, 1977, playoff game 14-7 at the Los Angeles Coliseum behind quarterback Bob Lee.

Reusse: Iconic Mud Bowl still brings a smile to older generations of Vikings fans

Vikings 14-7 victory over the Rams during the 1977 playoffs is legendary... not for the victory, but because of the field conditions turning it into the Mud Bowl.
An interesting life in basketball had Jay Pivec writing a book about … himself.

Reusse: Basketball coach puts his memories, his yarns, his time in the game into words

Jay Pivec, who spent 20 years at Minneapolis Community and Technical College and also coached at Dakota Tech and St. Thomas among others, is publishing his memoir, "The Book of Piv."
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, left, and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have led the team's surge to NFC prominence.

Reusse: High praise for Vikings leaders O'Connell, Adofo-Mensah

The head coach and general manager didn't just trend toward perfection these past 12 months. They achieved it.
Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is pressured by Andrew Van Ginkel of the Vikings on Monday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Reusse: Chicago sports hits an all-time low with lousy teams, including self-destructing Bears

The Windy City has fallen on tough times, although long-time media members insist the fans will stick through thick and thin.
First-year Bethel football coach Mike McElroy had the team within inches of advancing to the Division III semifinals.

Reusse: Bethel was a surprise to even reach the DIII quarterfinals, but ending still stings

The Royals had three moments late in Saturday's loss when they thought they had the game pretty much won, but Susquehanna still pulled out the victory.
Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury  follows the action against the Flyers on Saturday, when he showed his worth as a backup.

Reusse: Wild vs. Flyers brings much hockey history to mind

The NHL's coaching carousel revealed itself again, a fight reminded us what has changed, and of course there was unpredictable matter involving a goalie.
A thunderstorm approaching Target Field in downtown Minneapolis serves as symbolism for the state of the Twins this offseason.

Reusse: Love meter shows Twins rank low on Minnesota's list

Talk of competing for the best players or of a potential new owner wielding big bucks doesn't change this: They are last in popularity among the four major men's pro sports.
Mike McElroy was Bethel’s defensive coordinator before moving into the head coaching job this season. The Royals play Susquehanna in the Division II

Bethel football will attempt to do what St. John's couldn't: beat Susquehanna

The Bethel Royals will take a walk through history Saturday, playing in the Division III quarterfinals on Amos Alonzo Stagg Field in Susquehanna, Pa.
Bethel safety Matt Jung earned MIAC Defensive Player of the Year honors this season.

Reusse: Bethel's star safety Jung wasn't always a towering giant on the field

Matt Jung was the scrawny brother growing up in a sports-loving family, and now he's become a ball-hawking force for the Royals, entering the Division III quarterfinals.
Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit watches her team play Central Connecticut in one of 10 victories against no losses this season.

Reusse: When Plitzuweit talks basketball, it's a serious conversation

The Gophers women's basketball coach will lead her team against Nebraska on Sunday, testing that 10-0 record against Big Ten competition.
Gophers forward Jimmy Snuggerud looks to pass the puck around Michigan forward Josh Eernisse in the second period Friday at 3M arena at Mariucci.

Reusse: Michigan came in loud, but Gophers men's hockey made all the noise

With a talented squad taking the ice night after night, the Gophers men's hockey team shows it is up for any challenge.
St. John's receiver Marselio Mendez, middle, surrounded by friends and family.  (Photo courtesy Tina Mendez)

St. Paul native Mendez, aka 'Pops,' emerges as a go-to receiver for St. John's

Marselio Mendez transferred to St. John's from a North Dakota junior college and has been one of the main pass targets for quarterback Aaron Syverson.
Longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, here coaching against the Gophers at Williams Arena in February, is still responsible for the Big Ten's most r

Reusse: Izzo enters 30th Big Ten basketball opener as a head coach filled with memories at The Barn

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo also visited Williams Arena as a player at Northern Michigan and as an assistant coach for the Spartans under Jud Heathcote.
St. John's running back Corey Bohmert (30) tries to escape the Wisconsin-La Crosse defense in an NCAA Division III playoff game Saturday.

Reusse: St. John's turns to shapeshifting to overcome Wisconsin-La Crosse in Division III playoffs

The Johnnies, handed a stern challenge for their opener thanks to an expanded bracket, fooled 3,317 spectators and one entire defense with trick play "Rampage."
Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo put up a shot over Clippers center Mo Bamba in the fourth quarter Friday at Target Center.

Reusse: Timberwolves' two new pieces present a challenge with their playing styles

The team will need to get used to Julius Randle's dribbling, and there's evidence Donte DiVincenzo should be limited to catch-and-shoot offense and turned loose on defense.
Patrick Reusse's 2024 Turkey of the Year winner is …

Patrick Reusse's 2024 Turkey of the Year winner is …

Evidence exists that some recent Grand Turkeys changed their behavior after receiving the prestigious honor. Inspired, The Chairman declares this the Make the Turkeys Great Again era.
Minneapolis' Jamal James reacted after he knocked out his opponent Mahonry Montes in the welterweights class.

Reusse: State boxing scene has been put on hold

The Armory is about to go a full year without having played host to boxing, the sport that helped ring in the building's return to relevance in downtown Minneapolis.
Minneota High School has won many state titles, as reflected on this sign outside town.

Reusse: Minneota seeks another state football championship

Small town has won handfuls of state titles with lots of parent involvement, some versatile coaches.
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, left, congratulates forward Julius Randle after Randle's three-point shot beat the buzzer that lifted the Wolves o

Reusse: After all this time, we finally care about the Timberwolves

Led by Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, this year's iteration of the Wolves are something all Minnesotans can get behind.
St. John's football players celebrate with coach Gary Fasching, center, after the Johnnies beat Bethel 41-33 on Saturday to clinch the MIAC championsh

Reusse: In entertaining fashion, St. John's outscores Bethel for MIAC championship

The Johnnies' Aaron Syverson passed for five touchdowns in a game that turned into a second-half shootout.
Totino-Grace’s Jimmy McNeil (55) celebrates after kicking his third field goal in the fourth quarter against Orono on Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Reusse: Meet Jimmy 'The Foot' McNeil, undersized Totino-Grace tackle and heroic kicker

Totino-Grace needed field goals like never before Friday, so Jimmy McNeil, who kicked only one in the regular season, booted three.
Lydia Grote (9) and the Gophers have had some successes this season but also lost some tough ones like this 3-1 home defeat against Washington on Nov.

Reusse: Expanded Big Ten makes Gophers' volleyball schedule even more grueling

Coming off home losses to Washington and Oregon, the Gophers play at No. 2 Nebraska on Thursday night. The Huskers are 24-1 and feature old friend Taylor Landfair.
Dave St. Peter casts a wary eye at a question during media availability in the Twins clubhouse at Target Field on Tuesday.

Reusse: Outgoing Twins President St. Peter was always right for the job

A blue-collar guy from Bismarck, N.D., he was a calm in the storm for some of the Twins' zanier moments.
Holy Family coach Dan O'Brien cheers on his players following a touchdown during a Class 3A state quarterfinal against Stewartville on Saturday at Tot

Reusse: Holy Family, even with help of legendary coaching staff, sinks vs. Stewartville

Dan O'Brien was joined by Dave Nelson and Jeff Ferguson and more recently Paul Miller to give the Fire a well-proven coaching staff, but Saturday's challenge was too much.
Gophers coach Ben Johnson watches the team's season-opening, 80-57 victory over Oral Roberts on Wednesday at Williams Arena.

Reusse: An aging Williams Arena crowd has something to watch, at least, with these Gophers

Dawson Garcia and co. give fourth-year coach Ben Johnson a solid core, with some capable newcomers. Now, about that schedule...
Curt Cignetti, here coaching his team during a 31-17 home victory over Washington on Oct. 26, has found quick success in his first season at Indiana,

Reusse: Hoosiers football at last enjoys its moment in the spotlight

New coach Curt Cignetti has Indiana undefeated and ranked in the top 10 — and a double-digit favorite against the defending national champions.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw lifts the World Series trophy during the baseball team's World Series championship parade and celebration

Reusse: Bemoan baseball's decline, or watch the right documentary

The moment seemed set for criticism of the modern game and especially the postseason. This time the cure was a stop on Netflix for "The Comeback."
Wild center Freddy Gaudreau (89) and Tampa Bay center Anthony Cirelli face off Friday.

Reusse: From the best player in franchise history to a details guy, Wild are showing a sturdy crew

Kirill Kaprizov is better than ever, the second line is loaded, a local hero is in the mix, and tying it all together is Freddy Gaudreau making a return to prominence.
Vikings fans from Hawaii, in the Twin Cities for Sunday night's game against the Colts, gather outside Matt's Bar after sampling the Jucy Lucy.

Vikings fans from Hawaii eager to watch the team in person Sunday

Most of the time the group gathers to watch at a golf course bar in Honolulu; this weekend, they're in Minneapolis.
Luka Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks attempts a shot in the third quarter as Julius Randle defends on Tuesday night at Target Center in Minneapoli

Reusse: In a blossoming rivalry with Dallas Mavericks, Timberwolves still don't match up

Tandem of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic again proved too much when Minnesota faced its old Western Conference finals nemesis.
The Tommies' Hope Adebayo rushed for 277 yards and three touchdowns Saturday against San Diego in St. Paul.

Reusse: Tommies give San Diego too much Hope

A month after losing 64-0, crisp air and falling leaves signaled the return of the Tommies in a 34-14 victory over San Diego.
Head coach Chris Finch appears hesitant so far early in this season to give his young talented players meaningful minutes. Maybe it's time to give the

Reusse: Load management could be good for Wolves' youngsters

Dedicated to a nine-man rotation, Chris Finch needs to find ways to get his young players some early-season minutes in case he needs them in March and beyond
The Dodgers' Jack Flaherty will face the Yankees' Gerrit Cole in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday.

Reusse: A trip down memory lane ahead of Friday's World Series showdown between the Dodgers and Yankees

In a battle that will span the country, the Dodgers and Yankees will meet Friday night for the 12th time in World Series history
From left to right, Ken Griffey Sr., Ken Griffey Jr., Lakers guard Bronny James and forward LeBron James pose for a photo as the Lakers played the Wol

Reusse: Yes, it's only one game, but Wolves' opening clunker leaves a bad impression

The sideshow of trying to compare LeBron and Bronny to the Griffeys only made the loss to the Lakers less palatable.
The Timberwolves of 2004-05, led by, from left, Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, held promise but flopped.

Reusse: In these modern Timberwolves we see parallels to 20 years ago. No way it happens again, right?

Two decades ago, Kevin Garnett, Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell were fresh off success. More was expected, but you'll recall that Spree got to fretting about feeding his family.
Abbey Murphy of the Gophers has a reputation for feistiness, and some of that showed Saturday against Wisconsin.

Reusse: In a world where the Lions are winners, a search for normalcy leads, without satisfaction, to Gophers women's hockey

The Gophers would defeat Wisconsin, right? And no way an absurd penalty called on the home team would lead to some other result. Except in this parallel universe.
Lynx guard Kayla McBride, on the floor, reacts after being fouled by New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) in the first quarter of a r

Reusse: A foul settles a rugged WNBA Finals Game 4, and the analysis leads to this: Let's go to Brooklyn

The most notable aspect of Friday's game was the quiet of the referees, until their involvement settled it. Fair enough.
The game's two superstars, the Lynx's Napheesa Collier and the Liberty's Breanna Stewart, didn't stand out Friday, but the quality of the game and lea

Reusse: These are an unforgettable WNBA Finals, and we didn't need Caitlin Clark

The Lynx and New York Liberty showed Friday, and have shown all series, that this new era for the WNBA is not about a single player.
Former UConn teammates Napheesa Collier of the Lynx and Breanna Stewart of the Liberty battle for the ball during a game Sunday in New York.

Reusse: Collier and Stewart are part of UConn's WNBA fingerprints

Collier and Stewart, two of the best players in the WNBA Finals, are part of Geno Auriemma's UConn's WNBA fingerprints and will go head-to-head in a massive Game 3 showing Wednesday night.
Twins owner Calvin Griffith also served as the team's general manager, and it was his call that Rod Carew begin the season in the majors as a 21-year-

Reusse: Here's a label for Twins followers who labeled their two owners 'cheap'

Let's go with "whiners." Minnesota Twins fans are better at complaining than attending games, and that will show even if the next owner throws dollars at the roster.
Denny and Pam Schulstad celebrate their 50th anniversary with their favorite mascots. (Photo courtesy the Schulstad family)

Reusse: For love of the Gophers and the Rose Parade, never mixing the two

Denny Schulstad and his late wife, Pam, shared a love for the Gophers and the Rose Parade but never had the chance to see the Gophers play in Rose Bowl Stadium.
Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason, pictured at center during a Sept. 25 preseason game, begins his first season at the help against his former team.

Reusse: Emotions high in Evason's return to Minnesota in Wild-Blue Jackets opener

Wild's firing of Dean Evason last season, offseason death of Columbus' Johnny Gaudreau add meaning to season opener.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, is fouled by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in the deciding Game 5

Reusse: Collier elevates Lynx beyond season's modest expectations

This supporting cast wasn't like the star power that surrounded Maya Moore during her run, but those teams didn't have Napheesa Collier.
New Timberwolves players Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, and Keita Bates-Diop were all smiles Thursday, but will they be when the team's minutes are

Reusse: How does Finch find minutes for a Wolves roster with too much talent?

After receiving Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in return, the Timberwolves now have one of the deepest and most versatile rosters in the league
Royce Lewis of the Twins reacts after striking out during a game Sept. 9 at Target Field. If the Twins were smart, they'd turn the roster over to youn

Reusse: Pressure will be on Twins to spend money, but they should rebuild instead

It's time to eschew the higher priced veterans and just fill up the lineup card with young players and prospects.
Despite his many flaws, Pete Rose, here in 1982, deserves to be considered among baseball's greatest players for what he did on the field.

Reusse: Love him or hate him, Pete Rose deserves to be ranked among the greatest ever

Despite being banned from organized baseball for gambling on Reds games in August 1989, Pete Rose is still the game's greatest hitter and should be remembered as such.
Sun guard Veronica Burton was surrounded by Lynx players Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton and Courtney Williams as the teams met at Target Center on Sun

Reusse: Lynx turnaround has been impressive, but they're facing another feisty team now

The Connecticut Sun won Game 1 with old-fashioned tenacity, not the smooth sailing the Lynx had in the first round.
Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) was fouled by Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's playoff game at Target Center.

Reusse: A look back at the Connecticut Sun's unique WNBA journey

Born after Orlando Miracle was sold to the Mohegan Tribe in 2003, Connecticut Sun was the first independently owned and operated WNBA franchise.
St. John's quarterback Aaron Syverson (6) celebrates with wide receiver Dylan Wheeler (2) during the Johnnies' 45-20 victory at Bethel to open MIAC pl

Reusse: St. John's again showcases its wealth of football talent in decisive victory over Bethel

Aaron Syverson threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns, again showcasing the arm that had him in Division I for a couple of seasons.
The Twins acquired righthander Justin Topa last offseason and waited until the last week of the season before he finally pitched for them. Thursday ni

Reusse: Frigid finish is accurate representation of Twins

The lights have shined bright in the clubhouse, but that can't hide the darkness that has taken over this injury-plagued franchise.
St. John's quarterback Aaron Syverson, top, will face Bethel on Saturday, led by former Johnnies QB Cooper Drews, bottom.

Teammates turned foes when Syverson, Drews meet in St. John's-Bethel MIAC opener

After waiting for his turn at St. John's, Cooper Drews transferred to Bethel when Johnnie's QB Aaron Syverson announced his return for a sixth season — and now they'll square off Saturday in their MIAC openers.
Augsburg athletic director Jeff Swenson, center, also has served as an assistant wrestling coach at Mounds View High School.

Longtime Augsburg athletic director Swenson to retire

Jeff Swenson coached Augsburg's wrestling dynasty before becoming the school's athletic director in 2007. He will retire at season's end.
Twins starter Bailey Ober pitches Tuesday night at Target Field. The righthander gave up four runs in the second inning on the way to a 4-1 loss to th

Reusse: With this loss, Twins are on way to closing out their worst collapse in their 64 seasons in Minnesota

Let's hear it for the 2024 Twins and declare that, at least mathematically, they are closing out the worst collapse in the 64 seasons of this team in the Upper Midwest.
Minneapolis North quarterback Logan Lachermeier (4) tries to escape the reach of DeLaSalle's Jaylen Weatherspoon (21) on Friday night.

Reusse: DeLaSalle got a football field, and the neighborhood survived

The Islanders had to overcome some residents to get DeLaSalle Athletic Field built 15 years ago; on Friday, they couldn't quite overcome a Minneapolis North team that has dominated the series in recent years.
Dick Jonckowski holds a football from the 1969 Vikings team.

Reusse: Minnesota townball keeps on keepin' on ... with another Hall of Fame induction

A simple tradition has been going strong for decades, even when the cynical me thought it would decline in popularity.