As was mentioned in an earlier post, Sid Hartman fell and broke his right hip on Friday and underwent surgery yesterday. According to Dave Mona, Sid slipped on ice when he left his house for a birthday party. He went to the party, however when he returned home he didn’t feel well and couldn’t ascend the stairs at home. An ambulance was summoned and he was transported to Fairview Hospital. Dave said if people want to send cards or notes of good wishes, they should send them to WCCO radio and they’ll forward them to Sid, daily. Hospital officials said no visitors, as Sid recovers from his injury and surgery.
As a result of his injury and surgery, Mike Max appeared on today’s Sports Huddle with co-host Dave Mona; however he was not present for the Tracy Claeys segment because of television duties.
Questions directed to Tracy Claeys on today’s Sports Huddle focused on player suspensions, EOAA’s 85-page report, the players’ announcement Thursday of their boycott and participation in the Holiday Bowl, and Saturday’s announcement that their boycott had ended.
1) Before any questions were asked by Dave Mona, Tracy Claeys expressed his best wishes to Sid Hartman: “Thoughts and prayers go out to Sid.” He also said Sid is a great supporter of Gopher athletics and an “all-time best Gopher fan.”
2) Dave Mona opened the segment mentioning the boycott, EOAA report and the effects of the week has had on the coaching staff, players and program:
Claeys replied, “Everything needs to go forward.”
He emphasized that no one connected with the football program support or minimize the seriousness of sexual assault: “No way do they (players) support sexual assault . . . due process was the reason (boycott) for the kids.”
He also said the players’ action/purpose was “not overthrow powers” (administration).
3) Dave Mona asked if Claeys announcement of his support of the players had affected his relationships with the school’s/sports administration:
Claeys said, “You pick up the report (EOAA 85-page report) and you know why they (administrators) made the decision.”
He said he had a long meeting with players before they announced their boycott, He said the players’ decision was solely about “due process:” By signing a scholarship you don’t give up your rights . . . this was never about sexual assault.”
4) Dave then asked Claeys if he tried to separate the players involved and not involved in the suspensions/report:
Again, Claeys stressed the importance of due process, which was mentioned throughout the Tracy Claeys segment, “Make sure all the kids (involved) get a fair hearing.”
5) Dave Mona asked if the players knew and understood the potential fall-out if they moved forward with a boycott:
Claeys said that’s why he spent a lot of time with the players before they announced their boycott. He told there would be a group of people who would be against their action. He also said he told the players in the meeting, “There’s a great chance I could lose my job” - because of his support of their action they were about to take.
6) Dave Mona turned his attention to the upcoming Holiday Bowl game, wanting to know about the team’s preparations:
Before he answered Dave’s query, Claeys, once again stressed the seriousness of sexual assault and the effects it has on the victims. He then told Dave that he was personally going to donate $50,000 to those who have been affected by sexual assaults.
He said the Holiday Bowl would be a platform about sexual assault and due process. (IMO, he was referencing the news medias coverage during bowl preparations and on game day; and that discussions were not a bad thing.)
He ended Dave’s question by saying they would be practicing this afternoon and they’ll be competitive in their game with Washington State; and even though they’ve missed a couple scheduled practices they’ll do their best in bowl game preparations.
7) Dave Mona then cited a team – Arkansas coached by Lou Holtz in the1978 Orange Bowl against Number One Oklahoma - that came together in the bowl game in which three players were suspended. Mona said the trio accounted for 78% of the plays. The Razorbacks were 24 point underdogs; however, they upset the Sooners 31-6:
Claeys said he was familiar with the story and the importance of teams coming together when adversity strikes – "the powers of a team."
Claeys then said, “Our kids will be ready to practice.”
8) Dave Mona asked if the issues and circumstance of the past week have brought the team together:
Claeys told Dave that this year’s team is the closet group of players that they’ve had since the coaching staff arrived at Minnesota, which helps explain the players action on Thursday – not that they don’t think sexual assault is a serious matter but “due process” is important, too.
Note: Because Christmas falls on Sunday next week, there will be no Sports Huddle as WCCO will be playing Holiday music all day.
Go Gophers!!
As a result of his injury and surgery, Mike Max appeared on today’s Sports Huddle with co-host Dave Mona; however he was not present for the Tracy Claeys segment because of television duties.
Questions directed to Tracy Claeys on today’s Sports Huddle focused on player suspensions, EOAA’s 85-page report, the players’ announcement Thursday of their boycott and participation in the Holiday Bowl, and Saturday’s announcement that their boycott had ended.
1) Before any questions were asked by Dave Mona, Tracy Claeys expressed his best wishes to Sid Hartman: “Thoughts and prayers go out to Sid.” He also said Sid is a great supporter of Gopher athletics and an “all-time best Gopher fan.”
2) Dave Mona opened the segment mentioning the boycott, EOAA report and the effects of the week has had on the coaching staff, players and program:
Claeys replied, “Everything needs to go forward.”
He emphasized that no one connected with the football program support or minimize the seriousness of sexual assault: “No way do they (players) support sexual assault . . . due process was the reason (boycott) for the kids.”
He also said the players’ action/purpose was “not overthrow powers” (administration).
3) Dave Mona asked if Claeys announcement of his support of the players had affected his relationships with the school’s/sports administration:
Claeys said, “You pick up the report (EOAA 85-page report) and you know why they (administrators) made the decision.”
He said he had a long meeting with players before they announced their boycott, He said the players’ decision was solely about “due process:” By signing a scholarship you don’t give up your rights . . . this was never about sexual assault.”
4) Dave then asked Claeys if he tried to separate the players involved and not involved in the suspensions/report:
Again, Claeys stressed the importance of due process, which was mentioned throughout the Tracy Claeys segment, “Make sure all the kids (involved) get a fair hearing.”
5) Dave Mona asked if the players knew and understood the potential fall-out if they moved forward with a boycott:
Claeys said that’s why he spent a lot of time with the players before they announced their boycott. He told there would be a group of people who would be against their action. He also said he told the players in the meeting, “There’s a great chance I could lose my job” - because of his support of their action they were about to take.
6) Dave Mona turned his attention to the upcoming Holiday Bowl game, wanting to know about the team’s preparations:
Before he answered Dave’s query, Claeys, once again stressed the seriousness of sexual assault and the effects it has on the victims. He then told Dave that he was personally going to donate $50,000 to those who have been affected by sexual assaults.
He said the Holiday Bowl would be a platform about sexual assault and due process. (IMO, he was referencing the news medias coverage during bowl preparations and on game day; and that discussions were not a bad thing.)
He ended Dave’s question by saying they would be practicing this afternoon and they’ll be competitive in their game with Washington State; and even though they’ve missed a couple scheduled practices they’ll do their best in bowl game preparations.
7) Dave Mona then cited a team – Arkansas coached by Lou Holtz in the1978 Orange Bowl against Number One Oklahoma - that came together in the bowl game in which three players were suspended. Mona said the trio accounted for 78% of the plays. The Razorbacks were 24 point underdogs; however, they upset the Sooners 31-6:
Claeys said he was familiar with the story and the importance of teams coming together when adversity strikes – "the powers of a team."
Claeys then said, “Our kids will be ready to practice.”
8) Dave Mona asked if the issues and circumstance of the past week have brought the team together:
Claeys told Dave that this year’s team is the closet group of players that they’ve had since the coaching staff arrived at Minnesota, which helps explain the players action on Thursday – not that they don’t think sexual assault is a serious matter but “due process” is important, too.
Note: Because Christmas falls on Sunday next week, there will be no Sports Huddle as WCCO will be playing Holiday music all day.
Go Gophers!!
