INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the “Weekly Rundown,” presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We had a bit of a hiccup with last week’s episode, but that should be on our website now if you want to catch up on Gopher football. Today, I’m with one of our reporters Matt Kennedy. Matt, how’s it going?

MATT KENNEDY: It’s going good Nolan. Currently, in the heat of midterms, as I assume other students on campus at the University of Minnesota are doing, which can be stressful yet Gopher football’s on the way back, which is exciting. And there’s a ton of sports to watch right now with the NHL draft being on last night, the NBA Finals and MLB playoffs. So overall, it’s a great time to be rabid sports follower like myself.

O’HARA: For sure, it’s been it’s been fun and looks like the Lakers are doing pretty good and football’s been back and some fantasy football with our Daily sports league here.

KENNEDY: Yes.

O’HARA: But Matt’s joining us here today mostly to discuss the upcoming Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday. For those of you who haven’t heard, the athletics department has proposed cutting three men’s sports in indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, tennis, citing financial difficulties amid the pandemic and Title IX compliance. After the athletics department made this announcement, there was a protest by student athletes, fans and supporters, who marched from Athletes Tillage to Morill Hall, where president Joan Gable’s office is. Matt was on the ground covering the protest for us, and he recently broke some news regarding Title IX compliance that the athletic department cited in making these cuts. Matt, tell me a little bit about the athletic department’s decision and these new developments you found out about Title IX compliance.

KENNEDY: Yes, so one of the big things that I talked with RegenT Michael Hsu about this, and another one person I talked to Mike Burns, football being back fluctuates things a lot. This decision made by Mark Coyle was before he knew that Big Ten sports would be coming back, especially football. So it’s the biggest revenue booster at the University of Minnesota. It accounts for two thirds of the athletic department’s revenue in 2019 through 2020. So you’d think that this decision is pretty premature on just knowing that it was made before anyone knew that football would be returning. And it may have to delay this decision of discontinuing sports or maybe bring them back since there’s a lot more money now coming back for the athletic department to thrive.

O’HARA: And your article that you wrote for this last week, it talked about Title IX compliance, and there are some kind of unannounced things that are happening there. Can you explain that situation a little bit?

KENNEDY: Yes. So I spoke with Michael Hsu – he’s on the Board of Regents – on Sept. 27. Before this breaking news broke out that there besides gymnastics, track and field and tennis on the men’s side being cut, there’s also being major cuts on the women’s side, including cross country losing about 14 of its members. So it would go down from 34 rostered members to 20. And indoor track and outdoor track, both losing 18 members. So the roster spots would go down from 68 to 50. And that was pretty unknown. And it was being kept in the dark by Mark Coyle, according to Michael Hsu, and you wanted to get that out there. And it’s in my article, if you want to read more about it, but yeah, so it was pretty unexpected.

O’HARA: Yeah, make sure to check out Matt’s article at mndaily.com. But back to the conversation with Hsu with those cuts. You said he was left in the dark because in the press releases they only mentioned you know that men’s tennis, men’s gymnastics, men’s indoor and outdoor track. Did the Regents expect that women’s cuts were going to go along with it? Or were they left in the dark like the rest of us?

KENNEDY: I think what Michael said to me was that this was apparently the plan from the beginning. And he was just when he talked to me on Sept. 27. Before my article came out about this issue, he said he knew about it and he actually he wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I feel like the Regents knew about it and nothing was being said, and Coyle also in his initial press conference about where he was really somber, had really somber announcement, talking about the discontinuation of men’s track and field mentioned gymnastics, men’s tennis. He never said anything about it. Pretty much, almost half of women’s cross country team. Their roster spots being cut and a boatload of track and field athletes will probably have to be cut as well if this plan goes through.

O’HARA: So it’s looking like as far as Title IX compliance, the U’s kind of having to overcorrect itself and re-get-themselves back into compliance after cutting these three men’s sports, right? And looking at it for the women’s side, what does it mean for the sports that are facing cuts? You mentioned the cross country team, what other sports are facing cuts? And what can it mean for those programs?

KENNEDY: Yeah, so golf, which originally had nine will be cut down to eight, gymnastics, which originally had 20 will be cut down to 18. Rowing, actually, I missed that. That’s another big sport that’s facing cuts, that will go down from 75 to 60. So 15, roster spots will be cut. Softball, there will be two less roster spots. So we’ll go from 23 to 21; swimming and diving will go from 38 to 30, it’ll lose eight roster spots. So basically, these are all being cut to align with the fact that all these men’s sports are being discontinued. There’s 58, men’s roster spots that just with coils current plan will not be there in 2021 through 2022 school year. And those sports, again, are being cut to get $2.7 million back for the University to spend going forward. And many people think cutting the sports and also cutting women’s roster spots just for $2.7 million isn’t enough, you’re not getting enough money back for this.

O’HARA: That definitely led to a reaction from a lot of student athletes, fans, supporters of teams. And yeah, they will only save $2.7 million this fiscal year. So, there isn’t a lot of money coming back. And I remember talking to Mike Burns, a coach we’ve checked in pretty frequently with, at the protest. And he was saying, just with that information about the football team being back that they should delay the vote. I know you’ve spoken to him recently, again, he’s been very vocal about trying to save not only his program, but gymnastics programs across the country. Right. When you talked to him again, what were some ideas that he had to save the program? What did he say? And I know he sent you some new information as well.

KENNEDY: Right so, before we get into Mike Burns, I also want to say they’re also are being on some men’s sports, even there are some more popular men’s sports roster spots being added. So, basketball is getting two roster spots, football’s getting one roster spot added, same with men’s ice hockey, one roster spot added, and also wrestling two roster spots adds. So, that’s also something that I think it’s good that people should be aware of. But no, Mike Burns is not happy camper right now and for good reason. Because last year there, I would have to say 15 NCAA Men’s gymnastics programs offered around the country, and they’re slowly being reduced even further due to COVID-19. I know I will just cut their program. That’s one of them. So 80% of all Olympic gymnasts in the USA come from these programs. And according to him, and pretty much everybody else around gymnastics, that’s a pretty big deal. So he along with Hsu and others are in favor of trimming roster spots on these men’s teams and offering fewer scholarship money to athletes. And he had this great quote that you can also find in my article that says, “If you have a piece of skin cancer on your face, let’s not cut the whole head off. Let’s just focus on that piece of skin.” So, he’s very, very unhappy right now.

O’HARA: Yeah, and understandably so. I’m looking at it, they do need to fall into Title IX compliance, but basically, Burns is offering the [University] a number of other solutions that will put them in compliance without cutting entire programs. The only question with that is the fiscal cost. And many would argue that the money you’re saving the $2.7 million this fiscal year, it’s not worth saving, or rather for the 2021-2022 school year when the cuts would take place, that is not worth losing three men’s programs for, and just overall there have been a number of new developments since the athletics department announced this proposal. The first development being that Big Ten football returned. It’s going to be a huge financial boost for the department. That’s the biggest money making sport that the U offers. And now both the basketball and hockey seasons are expected to proceed as well. The Big Ten hockey team just announced their season start date. And that will also help with the financial picture. And now we’re seeing that they’re expecting to cut make cuts to women’s programs as well. So with the conflicts, the department’s claim of needing to meet Title IX compliance, and then seeing that they’re also expecting to cut women’s roster spots, that that kind of throws out their claim of saying this is this is solely because of Title IX compliance and financial issues. So looking at all these, you know, new developments, are you expecting any changes with the Board, they previously endorsed the proposal? Do you think any of these developments will change their minds?

KENNEDY: You have to keep in mind that the University of Minnesota offers the fourth largest Big Ten sports opportunities for students compared to all the other schools in the Big Ten. And but it’s on the eighth largest budget in the conference. So, I think that this protest by the teams will be successful. Though, given that the school’s needing a budgetary boost, the discontinuation of track and field gymnastics and men’s team, again, it only alots $2.7 million in savings. So there needs to be, in my opinion, more time to figure out how to save more money in the long run, without the huge downer of cutting sports for again, such a small gain. Because Michael Hsu, and Mike Burns are both in agreement that they need more time they need to see where this goes. And they can maybe go back to the drawing room, you know, after the 2020 through 2021 academic year.

O’HARA: Right. That was that was one thing Burns reiterated to me last time I spoke with him. He was just saying, you know, there’s time, there’s no need to push anything through right now. And we’ll see where it goes in the future. And we will have to wait and see but for not very long because the Board is expected to vote on this proposal. And its meeting that takes place this Friday and Saturday rather Thursday and Friday.

KENNEDY: Yeah. And also, I’ll just add this in there. Mike Burns also has a really in depth 26 page proposal on three models that can help not only save the gymnastics program, but other programs that got discontinued as well.

O’HARA: For sure, I remember reading that the other day he does, he sent Matt a couple of proposals that he thinks could be helpful in not losing three sports and just trimming roster spots or he’s even had some other ideas as well. But we’ll definitely be there for the coverage on the Regents’ vote this Thursday and Friday. And make sure so make sure to check our website, mndaily.com for all updates and anything Gopher sports. Matt, really appreciate you joining me, appreciate you coming in.

KENNEDY: No problem. My pleasure Nolan.

OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS

O’HARA: In other news: The Gophers rowing team has announced its captains for the 2020-21 season. Meade Avery, Lindsay Eliasen and Gabby Mullally will lead the team this season. Gophers’ wide receiver Demetrius Douglas has opted out of the 2020 Big Ten football season. Douglas graduates this fall and is planning to focus on his life after school. More football players are yet to decide whether to play in 2020. Head coach P.J. Fleck wouldn’t name names, saying he wants players to make the decision for themselves. Gophers freshman defenseman Brock Faber was selected in the NHL Draft with the 45th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings. The Big Ten announced the start date to its 2020-21 season, beginning as soon as Nov. 13. There will be a 24 game conference schedule, and four additional games against independent Arizona State. That’s all for this week. Be sure to check our website mndaily.com and tune in again next week for the “Weekly Rundown” on all things Gopher sports.

INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the “Weekly Rundown,” presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We had a bit of a hiccup with last week’s episode, but that should be on our website now if you want to catch up on Gopher football. Today, I’m with one of our reporters Matt Kennedy. Matt, how’s it going?

MATT KENNEDY: It’s going good Nolan. Currently, in the heat of midterms, as I assume other students on campus at the University of Minnesota are doing, which can be stressful yet Gopher football’s on the way back, which is exciting. And there’s a ton of sports to watch right now with the NHL draft being on last night, the NBA Finals and MLB playoffs. So overall, it’s a great time to be rabid sports follower like myself.

O’HARA: For sure, it’s been it’s been fun and looks like the Lakers are doing pretty good and football’s been back and some fantasy football with our Daily sports league here.

KENNEDY: Yes.

O’HARA: But Matt’s joining us here today mostly to discuss the upcoming Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday. For those of you who haven’t heard, the athletics department has proposed cutting three men’s sports in indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, tennis, citing financial difficulties amid the pandemic and Title IX compliance. After the athletics department made this announcement, there was a protest by student athletes, fans and supporters, who marched from Athletes Tillage to Morill Hall, where president Joan Gable’s office is. Matt was on the ground covering the protest for us, and he recently broke some news regarding Title IX compliance that the athletic department cited in making these cuts. Matt, tell me a little bit about the athletic department’s decision and these new developments you found out about Title IX compliance.

KENNEDY: Yes, so one of the big things that I talked with RegenT Michael Hsu about this, and another one person I talked to Mike Burns, football being back fluctuates things a lot. This decision made by Mark Coyle was before he knew that Big Ten sports would be coming back, especially football. So it’s the biggest revenue booster at the University of Minnesota. It accounts for two thirds of the athletic department’s revenue in 2019 through 2020. So you’d think that this decision is pretty premature on just knowing that it was made before anyone knew that football would be returning. And it may have to delay this decision of discontinuing sports or maybe bring them back since there’s a lot more money now coming back for the athletic department to thrive.

O’HARA: And your article that you wrote for this last week, it talked about Title IX compliance, and there are some kind of unannounced things that are happening there. Can you explain that situation a little bit?

KENNEDY: Yes. So I spoke with Michael Hsu – he’s on the Board of Regents – on Sept. 27. Before this breaking news broke out that there besides gymnastics, track and field and tennis on the men’s side being cut, there’s also being major cuts on the women’s side, including cross country losing about 14 of its members. So it would go down from 34 rostered members to 20. And indoor track and outdoor track, both losing 18 members. So the roster spots would go down from 68 to 50. And that was pretty unknown. And it was being kept in the dark by Mark Coyle, according to Michael Hsu, and you wanted to get that out there. And it’s in my article, if you want to read more about it, but yeah, so it was pretty unexpected.

O’HARA: Yeah, make sure to check out Matt’s article at mndaily.com. But back to the conversation with Hsu with those cuts. You said he was left in the dark because in the press releases they only mentioned you know that men’s tennis, men’s gymnastics, men’s indoor and outdoor track. Did the Regents expect that women’s cuts were going to go along with it? Or were they left in the dark like the rest of us?

KENNEDY: I think what Michael said to me was that this was apparently the plan from the beginning. And he was just when he talked to me on Sept. 27. Before my article came out about this issue, he said he knew about it and he actually he wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I feel like the Regents knew about it and nothing was being said, and Coyle also in his initial press conference about where he was really somber, had really somber announcement, talking about the discontinuation of men’s track and field mentioned gymnastics, men’s tennis. He never said anything about it. Pretty much, almost half of women’s cross country team. Their roster spots being cut and a boatload of track and field athletes will probably have to be cut as well if this plan goes through.

O’HARA: So it’s looking like as far as Title IX compliance, the U’s kind of having to overcorrect itself and re-get-themselves back into compliance after cutting these three men’s sports, right? And looking at it for the women’s side, what does it mean for the sports that are facing cuts? You mentioned the cross country team, what other sports are facing cuts? And what can it mean for those programs?

KENNEDY: Yeah, so golf, which originally had nine will be cut down to eight, gymnastics, which originally had 20 will be cut down to 18. Rowing, actually, I missed that. That’s another big sport that’s facing cuts, that will go down from 75 to 60. So 15, roster spots will be cut. Softball, there will be two less roster spots. So we’ll go from 23 to 21; swimming and diving will go from 38 to 30, it’ll lose eight roster spots. So basically, these are all being cut to align with the fact that all these men’s sports are being discontinued. There’s 58, men’s roster spots that just with coils current plan will not be there in 2021 through 2022 school year. And those sports, again, are being cut to get $2.7 million back for the University to spend going forward. And many people think cutting the sports and also cutting women’s roster spots just for $2.7 million isn’t enough, you’re not getting enough money back for this.

O’HARA: That definitely led to a reaction from a lot of student athletes, fans, supporters of teams. And yeah, they will only save $2.7 million this fiscal year. So, there isn’t a lot of money coming back. And I remember talking to Mike Burns, a coach we’ve checked in pretty frequently with, at the protest. And he was saying, just with that information about the football team being back that they should delay the vote. I know you’ve spoken to him recently, again, he’s been very vocal about trying to save not only his program, but gymnastics programs across the country. Right. When you talked to him again, what were some ideas that he had to save the program? What did he say? And I know he sent you some new information as well.

KENNEDY: Right so, before we get into Mike Burns, I also want to say they’re also are being on some men’s sports, even there are some more popular men’s sports roster spots being added. So, basketball is getting two roster spots, football’s getting one roster spot added, same with men’s ice hockey, one roster spot added, and also wrestling two roster spots adds. So, that’s also something that I think it’s good that people should be aware of. But no, Mike Burns is not happy camper right now and for good reason. Because last year there, I would have to say 15 NCAA Men’s gymnastics programs offered around the country, and they’re slowly being reduced even further due to COVID-19. I know I will just cut their program. That’s one of them. So 80% of all Olympic gymnasts in the USA come from these programs. And according to him, and pretty much everybody else around gymnastics, that’s a pretty big deal. So he along with Hsu and others are in favor of trimming roster spots on these men’s teams and offering fewer scholarship money to athletes. And he had this great quote that you can also find in my article that says, “If you have a piece of skin cancer on your face, let’s not cut the whole head off. Let’s just focus on that piece of skin.” So, he’s very, very unhappy right now.

O’HARA: Yeah, and understandably so. I’m looking at it, they do need to fall into Title IX compliance, but basically, Burns is offering the [University] a number of other solutions that will put them in compliance without cutting entire programs. The only question with that is the fiscal cost. And many would argue that the money you’re saving the $2.7 million this fiscal year, it’s not worth saving, or rather for the 2021-2022 school year when the cuts would take place, that is not worth losing three men’s programs for, and just overall there have been a number of new developments since the athletics department announced this proposal. The first development being that Big Ten football returned. It’s going to be a huge financial boost for the department. That’s the biggest money making sport that the U offers. And now both the basketball and hockey seasons are expected to proceed as well. The Big Ten hockey team just announced their season start date. And that will also help with the financial picture. And now we’re seeing that they’re expecting to cut make cuts to women’s programs as well. So with the conflicts, the department’s claim of needing to meet Title IX compliance, and then seeing that they’re also expecting to cut women’s roster spots, that that kind of throws out their claim of saying this is this is solely because of Title IX compliance and financial issues. So looking at all these, you know, new developments, are you expecting any changes with the Board, they previously endorsed the proposal? Do you think any of these developments will change their minds?

KENNEDY: You have to keep in mind that the University of Minnesota offers the fourth largest Big Ten sports opportunities for students compared to all the other schools in the Big Ten. And but it’s on the eighth largest budget in the conference. So, I think that this protest by the teams will be successful. Though, given that the school’s needing a budgetary boost, the discontinuation of track and field gymnastics and men’s team, again, it only alots $2.7 million in savings. So there needs to be, in my opinion, more time to figure out how to save more money in the long run, without the huge downer of cutting sports for again, such a small gain. Because Michael Hsu, and Mike Burns are both in agreement that they need more time they need to see where this goes. And they can maybe go back to the drawing room, you know, after the 2020 through 2021 academic year.

O’HARA: Right. That was that was one thing Burns reiterated to me last time I spoke with him. He was just saying, you know, there’s time, there’s no need to push anything through right now. And we’ll see where it goes in the future. And we will have to wait and see but for not very long because the Board is expected to vote on this proposal. And its meeting that takes place this Friday and Saturday rather Thursday and Friday.

KENNEDY: Yeah. And also, I’ll just add this in there. Mike Burns also has a really in depth 26 page proposal on three models that can help not only save the gymnastics program, but other programs that got discontinued as well.

O’HARA: For sure, I remember reading that the other day he does, he sent Matt a couple of proposals that he thinks could be helpful in not losing three sports and just trimming roster spots or he’s even had some other ideas as well. But we’ll definitely be there for the coverage on the Regents’ vote this Thursday and Friday. And make sure so make sure to check our website, mndaily.com for all updates and anything Gopher sports. Matt, really appreciate you joining me, appreciate you coming in.

KENNEDY: No problem. My pleasure Nolan.

OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS

O’HARA: In other news: The Gophers rowing team has announced its captains for the 2020-21 season. Meade Avery, Lindsay Eliasen and Gabby Mullally will lead the team this season. Gophers’ wide receiver Demetrius Douglas has opted out of the 2020 Big Ten football season. Douglas graduates this fall and is planning to focus on his life after school. More football players are yet to decide whether to play in 2020. Head coach P.J. Fleck wouldn’t name names, saying he wants players to make the decision for themselves. Gophers freshman defenseman Brock Faber was selected in the NHL Draft with the 45th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings. The Big Ten announced the start date to its 2020-21 season, beginning as soon as Nov. 13. There will be a 24 game conference schedule, and four additional games against independent Arizona State. That’s all for this week. Be sure to check our website mndaily.com and tune in again next week for the “Weekly Rundown” on all things Gopher sports.

INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the “Weekly Rundown,” presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We had a bit of a hiccup with last week’s episode, but that should be on our website now if you want to catch up on Gopher football. Today, I’m with one of our reporters Matt Kennedy. Matt, how’s it going?

MATT KENNEDY: It’s going good Nolan. Currently, in the heat of midterms, as I assume other students on campus at the University of Minnesota are doing, which can be stressful yet Gopher football’s on the way back, which is exciting. And there’s a ton of sports to watch right now with the NHL draft being on last night, the NBA Finals and MLB playoffs. So overall, it’s a great time to be rabid sports follower like myself.

O’HARA: For sure, it’s been it’s been fun and looks like the Lakers are doing pretty good and football’s been back and some fantasy football with our Daily sports league here.

KENNEDY: Yes.

O’HARA: But Matt’s joining us here today mostly to discuss the upcoming Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday. For those of you who haven’t heard, the athletics department has proposed cutting three men’s sports in indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, tennis, citing financial difficulties amid the pandemic and Title IX compliance. After the athletics department made this announcement, there was a protest by student athletes, fans and supporters, who marched from Athletes Tillage to Morill Hall, where president Joan Gable’s office is. Matt was on the ground covering the protest for us, and he recently broke some news regarding Title IX compliance that the athletic department cited in making these cuts. Matt, tell me a little bit about the athletic department’s decision and these new developments you found out about Title IX compliance.

KENNEDY: Yes, so one of the big things that I talked with RegenT Michael Hsu about this, and another one person I talked to Mike Burns, football being back fluctuates things a lot. This decision made by Mark Coyle was before he knew that Big Ten sports would be coming back, especially football. So it’s the biggest revenue booster at the University of Minnesota. It accounts for two thirds of the athletic department’s revenue in 2019 through 2020. So you’d think that this decision is pretty premature on just knowing that it was made before anyone knew that football would be returning. And it may have to delay this decision of discontinuing sports or maybe bring them back since there’s a lot more money now coming back for the athletic department to thrive.

O’HARA: And your article that you wrote for this last week, it talked about Title IX compliance, and there are some kind of unannounced things that are happening there. Can you explain that situation a little bit?

KENNEDY: Yes. So I spoke with Michael Hsu – he’s on the Board of Regents – on Sept. 27. Before this breaking news broke out that there besides gymnastics, track and field and tennis on the men’s side being cut, there’s also being major cuts on the women’s side, including cross country losing about 14 of its members. So it would go down from 34 rostered members to 20. And indoor track and outdoor track, both losing 18 members. So the roster spots would go down from 68 to 50. And that was pretty unknown. And it was being kept in the dark by Mark Coyle, according to Michael Hsu, and you wanted to get that out there. And it’s in my article, if you want to read more about it, but yeah, so it was pretty unexpected.

O’HARA: Yeah, make sure to check out Matt’s article at mndaily.com. But back to the conversation with Hsu with those cuts. You said he was left in the dark because in the press releases they only mentioned you know that men’s tennis, men’s gymnastics, men’s indoor and outdoor track. Did the Regents expect that women’s cuts were going to go along with it? Or were they left in the dark like the rest of us?

KENNEDY: I think what Michael said to me was that this was apparently the plan from the beginning. And he was just when he talked to me on Sept. 27. Before my article came out about this issue, he said he knew about it and he actually he wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I feel like the Regents knew about it and nothing was being said, and Coyle also in his initial press conference about where he was really somber, had really somber announcement, talking about the discontinuation of men’s track and field mentioned gymnastics, men’s tennis. He never said anything about it. Pretty much, almost half of women’s cross country team. Their roster spots being cut and a boatload of track and field athletes will probably have to be cut as well if this plan goes through.

O’HARA: So it’s looking like as far as Title IX compliance, the U’s kind of having to overcorrect itself and re-get-themselves back into compliance after cutting these three men’s sports, right? And looking at it for the women’s side, what does it mean for the sports that are facing cuts? You mentioned the cross country team, what other sports are facing cuts? And what can it mean for those programs?

KENNEDY: Yeah, so golf, which originally had nine will be cut down to eight, gymnastics, which originally had 20 will be cut down to 18. Rowing, actually, I missed that. That’s another big sport that’s facing cuts, that will go down from 75 to 60. So 15, roster spots will be cut. Softball, there will be two less roster spots. So we’ll go from 23 to 21; swimming and diving will go from 38 to 30, it’ll lose eight roster spots. So basically, these are all being cut to align with the fact that all these men’s sports are being discontinued. There’s 58, men’s roster spots that just with coils current plan will not be there in 2021 through 2022 school year. And those sports, again, are being cut to get $2.7 million back for the University to spend going forward. And many people think cutting the sports and also cutting women’s roster spots just for $2.7 million isn’t enough, you’re not getting enough money back for this.

O’HARA: That definitely led to a reaction from a lot of student athletes, fans, supporters of teams. And yeah, they will only save $2.7 million this fiscal year. So, there isn’t a lot of money coming back. And I remember talking to Mike Burns, a coach we’ve checked in pretty frequently with, at the protest. And he was saying, just with that information about the football team being back that they should delay the vote. I know you’ve spoken to him recently, again, he’s been very vocal about trying to save not only his program, but gymnastics programs across the country. Right. When you talked to him again, what were some ideas that he had to save the program? What did he say? And I know he sent you some new information as well.

KENNEDY: Right so, before we get into Mike Burns, I also want to say they’re also are being on some men’s sports, even there are some more popular men’s sports roster spots being added. So, basketball is getting two roster spots, football’s getting one roster spot added, same with men’s ice hockey, one roster spot added, and also wrestling two roster spots adds. So, that’s also something that I think it’s good that people should be aware of. But no, Mike Burns is not happy camper right now and for good reason. Because last year there, I would have to say 15 NCAA Men’s gymnastics programs offered around the country, and they’re slowly being reduced even further due to COVID-19. I know I will just cut their program. That’s one of them. So 80% of all Olympic gymnasts in the USA come from these programs. And according to him, and pretty much everybody else around gymnastics, that’s a pretty big deal. So he along with Hsu and others are in favor of trimming roster spots on these men’s teams and offering fewer scholarship money to athletes. And he had this great quote that you can also find in my article that says, “If you have a piece of skin cancer on your face, let’s not cut the whole head off. Let’s just focus on that piece of skin.” So, he’s very, very unhappy right now.

O’HARA: Yeah, and understandably so. I’m looking at it, they do need to fall into Title IX compliance, but basically, Burns is offering the [University] a number of other solutions that will put them in compliance without cutting entire programs. The only question with that is the fiscal cost. And many would argue that the money you’re saving the $2.7 million this fiscal year, it’s not worth saving, or rather for the 2021-2022 school year when the cuts would take place, that is not worth losing three men’s programs for, and just overall there have been a number of new developments since the athletics department announced this proposal. The first development being that Big Ten football returned. It’s going to be a huge financial boost for the department. That’s the biggest money making sport that the U offers. And now both the basketball and hockey seasons are expected to proceed as well. The Big Ten hockey team just announced their season start date. And that will also help with the financial picture. And now we’re seeing that they’re expecting to cut make cuts to women’s programs as well. So with the conflicts, the department’s claim of needing to meet Title IX compliance, and then seeing that they’re also expecting to cut women’s roster spots, that that kind of throws out their claim of saying this is this is solely because of Title IX compliance and financial issues. So looking at all these, you know, new developments, are you expecting any changes with the Board, they previously endorsed the proposal? Do you think any of these developments will change their minds?

KENNEDY: You have to keep in mind that the University of Minnesota offers the fourth largest Big Ten sports opportunities for students compared to all the other schools in the Big Ten. And but it’s on the eighth largest budget in the conference. So, I think that this protest by the teams will be successful. Though, given that the school’s needing a budgetary boost, the discontinuation of track and field gymnastics and men’s team, again, it only alots $2.7 million in savings. So there needs to be, in my opinion, more time to figure out how to save more money in the long run, without the huge downer of cutting sports for again, such a small gain. Because Michael Hsu, and Mike Burns are both in agreement that they need more time they need to see where this goes. And they can maybe go back to the drawing room, you know, after the 2020 through 2021 academic year.

O’HARA: Right. That was that was one thing Burns reiterated to me last time I spoke with him. He was just saying, you know, there’s time, there’s no need to push anything through right now. And we’ll see where it goes in the future. And we will have to wait and see but for not very long because the Board is expected to vote on this proposal. And its meeting that takes place this Friday and Saturday rather Thursday and Friday.

KENNEDY: Yeah. And also, I’ll just add this in there. Mike Burns also has a really in depth 26 page proposal on three models that can help not only save the gymnastics program, but other programs that got discontinued as well.

O’HARA: For sure, I remember reading that the other day he does, he sent Matt a couple of proposals that he thinks could be helpful in not losing three sports and just trimming roster spots or he’s even had some other ideas as well. But we’ll definitely be there for the coverage on the Regents’ vote this Thursday and Friday. And make sure so make sure to check our website, mndaily.com for all updates and anything Gopher sports. Matt, really appreciate you joining me, appreciate you coming in.

KENNEDY: No problem. My pleasure Nolan.

OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS

O’HARA: In other news: The Gophers rowing team has announced its captains for the 2020-21 season. Meade Avery, Lindsay Eliasen and Gabby Mullally will lead the team this season. Gophers’ wide receiver Demetrius Douglas has opted out of the 2020 Big Ten football season. Douglas graduates this fall and is planning to focus on his life after school. More football players are yet to decide whether to play in 2020. Head coach P.J. Fleck wouldn’t name names, saying he wants players to make the decision for themselves. Gophers freshman defenseman Brock Faber was selected in the NHL Draft with the 45th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings. The Big Ten announced the start date to its 2020-21 season, beginning as soon as Nov. 13. There will be a 24 game conference schedule, and four additional games against independent Arizona State. That’s all for this week. Be sure to check our website mndaily.com and tune in again next week for the “Weekly Rundown” on all things Gopher sports.

INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the “Weekly Rundown,” presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We had a bit of a hiccup with last week’s episode, but that should be on our website now if you want to catch up on Gopher football. Today, I’m with one of our reporters Matt Kennedy. Matt, how’s it going?

MATT KENNEDY: It’s going good Nolan. Currently, in the heat of midterms, as I assume other students on campus at the University of Minnesota are doing, which can be stressful yet Gopher football’s on the way back, which is exciting. And there’s a ton of sports to watch right now with the NHL draft being on last night, the NBA Finals and MLB playoffs. So overall, it’s a great time to be rabid sports follower like myself.

O’HARA: For sure, it’s been it’s been fun and looks like the Lakers are doing pretty good and football’s been back and some fantasy football with our Daily sports league here.

KENNEDY: Yes.

O’HARA: But Matt’s joining us here today mostly to discuss the upcoming Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday. For those of you who haven’t heard, the athletics department has proposed cutting three men’s sports in indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, tennis, citing financial difficulties amid the pandemic and Title IX compliance. After the athletics department made this announcement, there was a protest by student athletes, fans and supporters, who marched from Athletes Tillage to Morill Hall, where president Joan Gable’s office is. Matt was on the ground covering the protest for us, and he recently broke some news regarding Title IX compliance that the athletic department cited in making these cuts. Matt, tell me a little bit about the athletic department’s decision and these new developments you found out about Title IX compliance.

KENNEDY: Yes, so one of the big things that I talked with RegenT Michael Hsu about this, and another one person I talked to Mike Burns, football being back fluctuates things a lot. This decision made by Mark Coyle was before he knew that Big Ten sports would be coming back, especially football. So it’s the biggest revenue booster at the University of Minnesota. It accounts for two thirds of the athletic department’s revenue in 2019 through 2020. So you’d think that this decision is pretty premature on just knowing that it was made before anyone knew that football would be returning. And it may have to delay this decision of discontinuing sports or maybe bring them back since there’s a lot more money now coming back for the athletic department to thrive.

O’HARA: And your article that you wrote for this last week, it talked about Title IX compliance, and there are some kind of unannounced things that are happening there. Can you explain that situation a little bit?

KENNEDY: Yes. So I spoke with Michael Hsu – he’s on the Board of Regents – on Sept. 27. Before this breaking news broke out that there besides gymnastics, track and field and tennis on the men’s side being cut, there’s also being major cuts on the women’s side, including cross country losing about 14 of its members. So it would go down from 34 rostered members to 20. And indoor track and outdoor track, both losing 18 members. So the roster spots would go down from 68 to 50. And that was pretty unknown. And it was being kept in the dark by Mark Coyle, according to Michael Hsu, and you wanted to get that out there. And it’s in my article, if you want to read more about it, but yeah, so it was pretty unexpected.

O’HARA: Yeah, make sure to check out Matt’s article at mndaily.com. But back to the conversation with Hsu with those cuts. You said he was left in the dark because in the press releases they only mentioned you know that men’s tennis, men’s gymnastics, men’s indoor and outdoor track. Did the Regents expect that women’s cuts were going to go along with it? Or were they left in the dark like the rest of us?

KENNEDY: I think what Michael said to me was that this was apparently the plan from the beginning. And he was just when he talked to me on Sept. 27. Before my article came out about this issue, he said he knew about it and he actually he wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I feel like the Regents knew about it and nothing was being said, and Coyle also in his initial press conference about where he was really somber, had really somber announcement, talking about the discontinuation of men’s track and field mentioned gymnastics, men’s tennis. He never said anything about it. Pretty much, almost half of women’s cross country team. Their roster spots being cut and a boatload of track and field athletes will probably have to be cut as well if this plan goes through.

O’HARA: So it’s looking like as far as Title IX compliance, the U’s kind of having to overcorrect itself and re-get-themselves back into compliance after cutting these three men’s sports, right? And looking at it for the women’s side, what does it mean for the sports that are facing cuts? You mentioned the cross country team, what other sports are facing cuts? And what can it mean for those programs?

KENNEDY: Yeah, so golf, which originally had nine will be cut down to eight, gymnastics, which originally had 20 will be cut down to 18. Rowing, actually, I missed that. That’s another big sport that’s facing cuts, that will go down from 75 to 60. So 15, roster spots will be cut. Softball, there will be two less roster spots. So we’ll go from 23 to 21; swimming and diving will go from 38 to 30, it’ll lose eight roster spots. So basically, these are all being cut to align with the fact that all these men’s sports are being discontinued. There’s 58, men’s roster spots that just with coils current plan will not be there in 2021 through 2022 school year. And those sports, again, are being cut to get $2.7 million back for the University to spend going forward. And many people think cutting the sports and also cutting women’s roster spots just for $2.7 million isn’t enough, you’re not getting enough money back for this.

O’HARA: That definitely led to a reaction from a lot of student athletes, fans, supporters of teams. And yeah, they will only save $2.7 million this fiscal year. So, there isn’t a lot of money coming back. And I remember talking to Mike Burns, a coach we’ve checked in pretty frequently with, at the protest. And he was saying, just with that information about the football team being back that they should delay the vote. I know you’ve spoken to him recently, again, he’s been very vocal about trying to save not only his program, but gymnastics programs across the country. Right. When you talked to him again, what were some ideas that he had to save the program? What did he say? And I know he sent you some new information as well.

KENNEDY: Right so, before we get into Mike Burns, I also want to say they’re also are being on some men’s sports, even there are some more popular men’s sports roster spots being added. So, basketball is getting two roster spots, football’s getting one roster spot added, same with men’s ice hockey, one roster spot added, and also wrestling two roster spots adds. So, that’s also something that I think it’s good that people should be aware of. But no, Mike Burns is not happy camper right now and for good reason. Because last year there, I would have to say 15 NCAA Men’s gymnastics programs offered around the country, and they’re slowly being reduced even further due to COVID-19. I know I will just cut their program. That’s one of them. So 80% of all Olympic gymnasts in the USA come from these programs. And according to him, and pretty much everybody else around gymnastics, that’s a pretty big deal. So he along with Hsu and others are in favor of trimming roster spots on these men’s teams and offering fewer scholarship money to athletes. And he had this great quote that you can also find in my article that says, “If you have a piece of skin cancer on your face, let’s not cut the whole head off. Let’s just focus on that piece of skin.” So, he’s very, very unhappy right now.

O’HARA: Yeah, and understandably so. I’m looking at it, they do need to fall into Title IX compliance, but basically, Burns is offering the [University] a number of other solutions that will put them in compliance without cutting entire programs. The only question with that is the fiscal cost. And many would argue that the money you’re saving the $2.7 million this fiscal year, it’s not worth saving, or rather for the 2021-2022 school year when the cuts would take place, that is not worth losing three men’s programs for, and just overall there have been a number of new developments since the athletics department announced this proposal. The first development being that Big Ten football returned. It’s going to be a huge financial boost for the department. That’s the biggest money making sport that the U offers. And now both the basketball and hockey seasons are expected to proceed as well. The Big Ten hockey team just announced their season start date. And that will also help with the financial picture. And now we’re seeing that they’re expecting to cut make cuts to women’s programs as well. So with the conflicts, the department’s claim of needing to meet Title IX compliance, and then seeing that they’re also expecting to cut women’s roster spots, that that kind of throws out their claim of saying this is this is solely because of Title IX compliance and financial issues. So looking at all these, you know, new developments, are you expecting any changes with the Board, they previously endorsed the proposal? Do you think any of these developments will change their minds?

KENNEDY: You have to keep in mind that the University of Minnesota offers the fourth largest Big Ten sports opportunities for students compared to all the other schools in the Big Ten. And but it’s on the eighth largest budget in the conference. So, I think that this protest by the teams will be successful. Though, given that the school’s needing a budgetary boost, the discontinuation of track and field gymnastics and men’s team, again, it only alots $2.7 million in savings. So there needs to be, in my opinion, more time to figure out how to save more money in the long run, without the huge downer of cutting sports for again, such a small gain. Because Michael Hsu, and Mike Burns are both in agreement that they need more time they need to see where this goes. And they can maybe go back to the drawing room, you know, after the 2020 through 2021 academic year.

O’HARA: Right. That was that was one thing Burns reiterated to me last time I spoke with him. He was just saying, you know, there’s time, there’s no need to push anything through right now. And we’ll see where it goes in the future. And we will have to wait and see but for not very long because the Board is expected to vote on this proposal. And its meeting that takes place this Friday and Saturday rather Thursday and Friday.

KENNEDY: Yeah. And also, I’ll just add this in there. Mike Burns also has a really in depth 26 page proposal on three models that can help not only save the gymnastics program, but other programs that got discontinued as well.

O’HARA: For sure, I remember reading that the other day he does, he sent Matt a couple of proposals that he thinks could be helpful in not losing three sports and just trimming roster spots or he’s even had some other ideas as well. But we’ll definitely be there for the coverage on the Regents’ vote this Thursday and Friday. And make sure so make sure to check our website, mndaily.com for all updates and anything Gopher sports. Matt, really appreciate you joining me, appreciate you coming in.

KENNEDY: No problem. My pleasure Nolan.

OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS

O’HARA: In other news: The Gophers rowing team has announced its captains for the 2020-21 season. Meade Avery, Lindsay Eliasen and Gabby Mullally will lead the team this season. Gophers’ wide receiver Demetrius Douglas has opted out of the 2020 Big Ten football season. Douglas graduates this fall and is planning to focus on his life after school. More football players are yet to decide whether to play in 2020. Head coach P.J. Fleck wouldn’t name names, saying he wants players to make the decision for themselves. Gophers freshman defenseman Brock Faber was selected in the NHL Draft with the 45th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings. The Big Ten announced the start date to its 2020-21 season, beginning as soon as Nov. 13. There will be a 24 game conference schedule, and four additional games against independent Arizona State. That’s all for this week. Be sure to check our website mndaily.com and tune in again next week for the “Weekly Rundown” on all things Gopher sports.

INTRO MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the “Weekly Rundown,” presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We had a bit of a hiccup with last week’s episode, but that should be on our website now if you want to catch up on Gopher football. Today, I’m with one of our reporters Matt Kennedy. Matt, how’s it going?

MATT KENNEDY: It’s going good Nolan. Currently, in the heat of midterms, as I assume other students on campus at the University of Minnesota are doing, which can be stressful yet Gopher football’s on the way back, which is exciting. And there’s a ton of sports to watch right now with the NHL draft being on last night, the NBA Finals and MLB playoffs. So overall, it’s a great time to be rabid sports follower like myself.

O’HARA: For sure, it’s been it’s been fun and looks like the Lakers are doing pretty good and football’s been back and some fantasy football with our Daily sports league here.

KENNEDY: Yes.

O’HARA: But Matt’s joining us here today mostly to discuss the upcoming Board of Regents meeting this Thursday and Friday. For those of you who haven’t heard, the athletics department has proposed cutting three men’s sports in indoor and outdoor track and field, gymnastics, tennis, citing financial difficulties amid the pandemic and Title IX compliance. After the athletics department made this announcement, there was a protest by student athletes, fans and supporters, who marched from Athletes Tillage to Morill Hall, where president Joan Gable’s office is. Matt was on the ground covering the protest for us, and he recently broke some news regarding Title IX compliance that the athletic department cited in making these cuts. Matt, tell me a little bit about the athletic department’s decision and these new developments you found out about Title IX compliance.

KENNEDY: Yes, so one of the big things that I talked with RegenT Michael Hsu about this, and another one person I talked to Mike Burns, football being back fluctuates things a lot. This decision made by Mark Coyle was before he knew that Big Ten sports would be coming back, especially football. So it’s the biggest revenue booster at the University of Minnesota. It accounts for two thirds of the athletic department’s revenue in 2019 through 2020. So you’d think that this decision is pretty premature on just knowing that it was made before anyone knew that football would be returning. And it may have to delay this decision of discontinuing sports or maybe bring them back since there’s a lot more money now coming back for the athletic department to thrive.

O’HARA: And your article that you wrote for this last week, it talked about Title IX compliance, and there are some kind of unannounced things that are happening there. Can you explain that situation a little bit?

KENNEDY: Yes. So I spoke with Michael Hsu – he’s on the Board of Regents – on Sept. 27. Before this breaking news broke out that there besides gymnastics, track and field and tennis on the men’s side being cut, there’s also being major cuts on the women’s side, including cross country losing about 14 of its members. So it would go down from 34 rostered members to 20. And indoor track and outdoor track, both losing 18 members. So the roster spots would go down from 68 to 50. And that was pretty unknown. And it was being kept in the dark by Mark Coyle, according to Michael Hsu, and you wanted to get that out there. And it’s in my article, if you want to read more about it, but yeah, so it was pretty unexpected.

O’HARA: Yeah, make sure to check out Matt’s article at mndaily.com. But back to the conversation with Hsu with those cuts. You said he was left in the dark because in the press releases they only mentioned you know that men’s tennis, men’s gymnastics, men’s indoor and outdoor track. Did the Regents expect that women’s cuts were going to go along with it? Or were they left in the dark like the rest of us?

KENNEDY: I think what Michael said to me was that this was apparently the plan from the beginning. And he was just when he talked to me on Sept. 27. Before my article came out about this issue, he said he knew about it and he actually he wanted to get this out as soon as possible. I feel like the Regents knew about it and nothing was being said, and Coyle also in his initial press conference about where he was really somber, had really somber announcement, talking about the discontinuation of men’s track and field mentioned gymnastics, men’s tennis. He never said anything about it. Pretty much, almost half of women’s cross country team. Their roster spots being cut and a boatload of track and field athletes will probably have to be cut as well if this plan goes through.

O’HARA: So it’s looking like as far as Title IX compliance, the U’s kind of having to overcorrect itself and re-get-themselves back into compliance after cutting these three men’s sports, right? And looking at it for the women’s side, what does it mean for the sports that are facing cuts? You mentioned the cross country team, what other sports are facing cuts? And what can it mean for those programs?

KENNEDY: Yeah, so golf, which originally had nine will be cut down to eight, gymnastics, which originally had 20 will be cut down to 18. Rowing, actually, I missed that. That’s another big sport that’s facing cuts, that will go down from 75 to 60. So 15, roster spots will be cut. Softball, there will be two less roster spots. So we’ll go from 23 to 21; swimming and diving will go from 38 to 30, it’ll lose eight roster spots. So basically, these are all being cut to align with the fact that all these men’s sports are being discontinued. There’s 58, men’s roster spots that just with coils current plan will not be there in 2021 through 2022 school year. And those sports, again, are being cut to get $2.7 million back for the University to spend going forward. And many people think cutting the sports and also cutting women’s roster spots just for $2.7 million isn’t enough, you’re not getting enough money back for this.

O’HARA: That definitely led to a reaction from a lot of student athletes, fans, supporters of teams. And yeah, they will only save $2.7 million this fiscal year. So, there isn’t a lot of money coming back. And I remember talking to Mike Burns, a coach we’ve checked in pretty frequently with, at the protest. And he was saying, just with that information about the football team being back that they should delay the vote. I know you’ve spoken to him recently, again, he’s been very vocal about trying to save not only his program, but gymnastics programs across the country. Right. When you talked to him again, what were some ideas that he had to save the program? What did he say? And I know he sent you some new information as well.

KENNEDY: Right so, before we get into Mike Burns, I also want to say they’re also are being on some men’s sports, even there are some more popular men’s sports roster spots being added. So, basketball is getting two roster spots, football’s getting one roster spot added, same with men’s ice hockey, one roster spot added, and also wrestling two roster spots adds. So, that’s also something that I think it’s good that people should be aware of. But no, Mike Burns is not happy camper right now and for good reason. Because last year there, I would have to say 15 NCAA Men’s gymnastics programs offered around the country, and they’re slowly being reduced even further due to COVID-19. I know I will just cut their program. That’s one of them. So 80% of all Olympic gymnasts in the USA come from these programs. And according to him, and pretty much everybody else around gymnastics, that’s a pretty big deal. So he along with Hsu and others are in favor of trimming roster spots on these men’s teams and offering fewer scholarship money to athletes. And he had this great quote that you can also find in my article that says, “If you have a piece of skin cancer on your face, let’s not cut the whole head off. Let’s just focus on that piece of skin.” So, he’s very, very unhappy right now.

O’HARA: Yeah, and understandably so. I’m looking at it, they do need to fall into Title IX compliance, but basically, Burns is offering the [University] a number of other solutions that will put them in compliance without cutting entire programs. The only question with that is the fiscal cost. And many would argue that the money you’re saving the $2.7 million this fiscal year, it’s not worth saving, or rather for the 2021-2022 school year when the cuts would take place, that is not worth losing three men’s programs for, and just overall there have been a number of new developments since the athletics department announced this proposal. The first development being that Big Ten football returned. It’s going to be a huge financial boost for the department. That’s the biggest money making sport that the U offers. And now both the basketball and hockey seasons are expected to proceed as well. The Big Ten hockey team just announced their season start date. And that will also help with the financial picture. And now we’re seeing that they’re expecting to cut make cuts to women’s programs as well. So with the conflicts, the department’s claim of needing to meet Title IX compliance, and then seeing that they’re also expecting to cut women’s roster spots, that that kind of throws out their claim of saying this is this is solely because of Title IX compliance and financial issues. So looking at all these, you know, new developments, are you expecting any changes with the Board, they previously endorsed the proposal? Do you think any of these developments will change their minds?

KENNEDY: You have to keep in mind that the University of Minnesota offers the fourth largest Big Ten sports opportunities for students compared to all the other schools in the Big Ten. And but it’s on the eighth largest budget in the conference. So, I think that this protest by the teams will be successful. Though, given that the school’s needing a budgetary boost, the discontinuation of track and field gymnastics and men’s team, again, it only alots $2.7 million in savings. So there needs to be, in my opinion, more time to figure out how to save more money in the long run, without the huge downer of cutting sports for again, such a small gain. Because Michael Hsu, and Mike Burns are both in agreement that they need more time they need to see where this goes. And they can maybe go back to the drawing room, you know, after the 2020 through 2021 academic year.

O’HARA: Right. That was that was one thing Burns reiterated to me last time I spoke with him. He was just saying, you know, there’s time, there’s no need to push anything through right now. And we’ll see where it goes in the future. And we will have to wait and see but for not very long because the Board is expected to vote on this proposal. And its meeting that takes place this Friday and Saturday rather Thursday and Friday.

KENNEDY: Yeah. And also, I’ll just add this in there. Mike Burns also has a really in depth 26 page proposal on three models that can help not only save the gymnastics program, but other programs that got discontinued as well.

O’HARA: For sure, I remember reading that the other day he does, he sent Matt a couple of proposals that he thinks could be helpful in not losing three sports and just trimming roster spots or he’s even had some other ideas as well. But we’ll definitely be there for the coverage on the Regents’ vote this Thursday and Friday. And make sure so make sure to check our website, mndaily.com for all updates and anything Gopher sports. Matt, really appreciate you joining me, appreciate you coming in.

KENNEDY: No problem. My pleasure Nolan.

OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS

O’HARA: In other news: The Gophers rowing team has announced its captains for the 2020-21 season. Meade Avery, Lindsay Eliasen and Gabby Mullally will lead the team this season. Gophers’ wide receiver Demetrius Douglas has opted out of the 2020 Big Ten football season. Douglas graduates this fall and is planning to focus on his life after school. More football players are yet to decide whether to play in 2020. Head coach P.J. Fleck wouldn’t name names, saying he wants players to make the decision for themselves. Gophers freshman defenseman Brock Faber was selected in the NHL Draft with the 45th overall pick by the Los Angeles Kings. The Big Ten announced the start date to its 2020-21 season, beginning as soon as Nov. 13. There will be a 24 game conference schedule, and four additional games against independent Arizona State. That’s all for this week. Be sure to check our website mndaily.com and tune in again next week for the “Weekly Rundown” on all things Gopher sports.

OPENING MUSIC PLAYS

NOLAN O’HARA: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the ‘Weekly Rundown’
presented by the Minnesota Daily. I’m your host Nolan O’Hara. We’re sorry we missed you last week, but make sure to check our website mndaily.com for anything you missed and all things Gopher sports. With football set to kick off less than a month away, we’re going to jump into what the roster might look like this season. So, today I’m joined with our football beat reporter, Brendan O’Brien. How’s it going, Brendan?

BRENDAN O’BRIEN: Other than suffering through another Twins loss, I’m doing pretty well. Nolan. How are you?

O’HARA: You know, suffering through that loss as well. I wish I wouldn’t have watched that game, it was a fun eighth inning, but we’re still surviving here.

O’BRIEN: Yep, got some football to talk about, so we’re doing pretty well there.

O’HARA: Exactly, got some football to talk about. So, let’s start with the big news with football. As of yesterday, Rashod Bateman is back for the Gophers. If you’re unaware, Bateman opted out earlier this summer, citing concerns over COVID-19 and he decided to prepare for the NFL Draft. But when the Big Ten announced that its fall season was back on, Bateman returned to campus, enrolled in classes and made it known he wanted to play for the Gophers this season.

But there was a catch. Brendan, you had the breakdown for us yesterday. Can you explain the situation and what happened yesterday that allowed Bateman to return for the Gophers?

O’BRIEN: Yeah, so once Bateman announced that he was going to forego his last season at Minnesota and enter the NFL Draft, he did sign with an agent, which would make him ineligible per NCAA rules. So, what he needed in order to be able to come back to Minnesota and play was get NCAA approval. He couldn’t just re-enroll in classes and start practicing again with the Gophers. So, he did get that approval and that was announced yesterday. Just another thing of note is that with his return comes a little bit of change. He decided that he’s going to switch from his jersey number of 13 to number zero, with the zero representing a zero tolerance for racism in Minnesota’s culture and just society as a whole.

O’HARA: For sure and Bateman’s return will not only help himself, but also help the Gophers’ offense. He was one of the best receivers in the country last season and it’ll be good to see him back for the team. Brendan, you recently wrote a breakdown about the offense and what that’s going to look like, what we can expect from the Gophers this season. Who are some of the key returners and who can we expect to take a step up this year? And do you think the offense will look as dynamic, similar as it was last year?

O’BRIEN: Sure. So, one of the main starters obviously that’s coming back is quarterback Tanner Morgan. And that’s going to be a big piece to keeping continuity going and continuing to put points on the board as the Gophers did last year. He did really well and basic metrics for the Gophers, breaking some single season records and some advanced metrics that that Pro Football Focus measures as well. So, it’s great to have him if you are a Gophers fan. Another receiver obviously besides Bateman is Chris Autman-Bell. He was the No. 3 receiver but no with Tyler Johnson moving on to the NFL, Autman-Bell looks to probably be Morgan’s second man in the receiving corps. The biggest thing for Morgan besides having these receivers will also be having a great run game to lean on. He’s got Muhammad Ibrahim who’s a redshirt junior as well who’s had some experience and shared the backfield with Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, who are now gone.

So, Ibrahim looks to become the focal point of the running game, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be the only one that’ll be in the backfield for the Gophers this year. At a recent press conference, P.J. Fleck also mentioned guys like Bryce Williams, who had played in 2018, but was redshirted in 2019. He’s obviously had some experience, so he’ll most likely get some snaps as well. But if you’re looking for a three headed backfield like they had last year, it’s really up for grabs for that third spot. There’s some other redshirt freshmen in Cam Wiley and Treyson Potts. The interesting thing is that Fleck noted that Potts is not only a good running back, but he’s also good in the receiving game. He also metioned guys like Jason Williamson, the Owatonna native, and also true freshman Ky Thomas, which obviously we will get into a little bit later with other players that are further down the depth chart and true freshmen may be stepping up. But that’s kind of what the backfield looks like.

Obviously, Bateman coming back is huge for a quarterback’s confidence and making sure that he has that go-to-guy, that security blanket on the offense. And they’ve got a lot of rotating parts, about seven guys who could step in on the offensive line who have all had game experience and should also do a good job of getting some holes open for the backs and just protecting Morgan in general.

O’HARA: Lots of returners. Talk about Ibrahim, he’s a guy who in the last media availability, Tanner Morgan, P.J. Fleck were saying that he’s kind of stepping up as a leader and is going to lead that running backs room, what are your expectations of him this year?

O’BRIEN: Morgan and Fleck have said about him being a leader. And the one thing that you always see watching him is that he brings a ton of energy. One thing to note too is that given his size, 5’10,” 200 pound running back, he’s not necessarily the biggest running back, but he runs with a lot of energy and he’s willing to take defenders head on too. So, I expect a lot of that from Ibrahim and Gophers fans should expect that as well.

O’HARA: For sure. A lot of the roster is pretty similar from last year on the offensive end, but it’s not really the case on the defensive side of the ball. They lost a lot of guys to the NFL Draft or graduation. You wrote another breakdown about the defensive side of the ball, who’s going to step up and fill the roles left with Antoine Winfield gone, Kamal Martin, Thomas Barber, Carter Coughlin. Who’s going to step up and replace those guys this season?

O’BRIEN: Yeah, so starting up front on the defensive line, two guys of note are Esezi Otomewo, sorry if I mispronounced that, and Boye Mafe. Both are edge rushers, defensive end types. Mafe has had a lot of praise from Fleck in this most recent press conference. Not only has he – in Fleck’s words – paraphrasing that he has mastered the technique at the position now and he’s not just learning but he’s almost perfecting his craft at the position, and that he’s really just an instinctual player with a lot of energy. So, look for Mafe to have an expanded role. Both he and Otomewo had experience last season, just maybe weren’t playing quite as much with the likes of Carter Couglin or Winston DeLattiboudere. In the linebacker position, Braylon Oliver, Mariano Sori-Maren and potentially Thomas Rush are some guys to look out for. They could step up as well.

Some of these guys have played in 13 games, just didn’t necessarily start in any of them. Oliver did have 22 tackles over 13 games. And then Sori-Maren had 42 tackles with seven starts and he kind of stepped in when Kamal Martin was injured as well. And then looking in the defensive backfield, obviously losing a player like Antoine Winfield Jr., who arguably was the Gophers best defensive player last season. It’s not going to be easy for the Gophers to replace him, but they still have guys who have played defensive back and it might not be necessarily a safety stepping up and in that defensive backfield it might be a cornerback. Guys like Coney Durr, Benjamin St-Juste, Jordan Howden. Those are guys who have had plenty of experience as well. Calvin Swenson last year was right behind Winfield on the depth chart. And so we’ll see whether or not he was just behind Winfield and if someone else will kind of step in over him or if he’ll take on that starting role.

O’HARA: For sure, they definitely have a lot of depth that can fill in for some of these guys who have graduated like Antoine Winfield, who might not even have been the best defensive player, but the best overall player for the Gophers last season. And they might need depth in this unusual season. Some of the Big Ten protocols call for 21 days if there’s any positive COVID tests, which could present challenges for teams. I know P.J. has talked about that a little bit about how guys need to be ready at a moment’s notice. What has he said about the team’s depth and that next-man-up mentality?

O’BRIEN: Yeah, he really did emphasize that any guy that’s really low on the depth chart could really quickly jump up on the depth chart depending on who ends up testing positive if there are any players testing positive. And then obviously, with a normal season just the regular injuries that players might go through. We’ll see if that’s just coach-speak or if players from all over the depth chart and all different kinds of experience will in fact step up. But I have an inkling that given what he’s said and looking at their roster, that you might not necessarily see a ton of true freshmen and really young guys playing right away unless if they are really the talented guys that have earned those spots. I think we look at the Gophers roster, and especially on the defensive side of the ball you think of guys like Couglin and Barber and Martin and Winfield and you think that there’s a lot of guys that they’ll need to replace, but they still have players who are in either redshirt sophomore, redshirt juniors and even redshirt seniors. And they’re still here, they just haven’t had as much experience because of those other players. So, it probably will take some other guys to step up. And Fleck did mention that it’s still a real season, so they’re going to need plenty of guys to step up.

O’HARA: For sure. And especially if there’s any kind of COVID test it could wild being three weeks, I mean there’s eight games this season and you could miss three of them just with one positive test. So, they’re definitely going to need some depth this season along with every other team in the Big Ten or college football really. So, it’ll be an interesting year and it’ll be fun to see who kind of steps up on the defensive side and see if the offense can keep it tight as much as they did last year after losing some guys like Tyler Johnson and Rodney Smith. I think that’s all that we had for you today, but appreciate you tuning in. And Brendan, thank you for joining us.

O’BRIEN: Yeah of course. Thank you, Nolan.

O’HARA: Have a good one.

OUTRO MUSIC STARTS

O’HARA: In other news: the Gophers athletics department conducted 2183 COVID-19 tests in the month of September, finding 55 positive test results. The Gophers women’s basketball team added Alana Micheaux to its 2021 recruiting class. Another highly ranked commit for Whalen. Next week, we’ll have an update on the status of three Gopher sports cut by the athletics department pending Board approval. Join us next week for the “Weekly Rundown” of all things Gopher sports.