MUST READ Scoggins column: Kill, 10-year-old Gophers fan have a blue-chip bond

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Wow, yet another awesome Star Tribune and Chip Scoggins column:

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/129568213.html

A good friend of mine lost her 6-year old son to this same DIPG tumor last year. It is amazing that Kill continues to reach out to so many people and continues to teach life lessons to the team.

Godspeed Mia.
 

Yeah. Coach Kill is a far better man than I. Kudos, Coach!

And Mia.. You are an inspiration. My prayers are with you!!
 



Formo said:
Yeah. Coach Kill is a far better man than I. Kudos, Coach!

And Mia.. You are an inspiration. My prayers are with you!!
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Ditto. One day this summer I read about Coach Kill and his wife driving to Rochester to see someone battling cancer. I thought to myself, "does this guy ever take a day off?" My guess is that once someone is a cancer survivor they know better than to take a day off. Its a lesson that I have tried to apply to myself - enjoy every day.
 


denguegopher said:
Ditto. One day this summer I read about Coach Kill and his wife driving to Rochester to see someone battling cancer. I thought to myself, "does this guy ever take a day off?" My guess is that once someone is a cancer survivor they know better than to take a day off. Its a lesson that I have tried to apply to myself - enjoy every day.
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It's true. I'm reminded every day to look on the bright side, as a hero of my life is overcoming cancer.
 

Coach Kill is such a breath of fresh air in today's big time sports. He always tells his players to enjoy the moment. What a quality guy. Go Gophers!
 


Beautiful piece. I cannot wait to see this brave little girl lead the team out. If our boys play with 1/2 as much courage as she has, it will be a blow-out.
 




What an inspirational story, thanks for posting. I can't wait to watch Mia run onto the field today and live out her dreams.
 

:cry: <----- That was me this am after reading the story. My wife was wondering what the heck was I reading.

IT'S GAME DAY!!! LET"S GO GOPHERS!!!!
 

Kill walks the walk. He really wants to be a part of the community and not just pose for publicity photos.
 



wow, reading that left me no only in tears, but left me knowing that the best available hire fell into our laps. i'm ashamed for myself for calling my friends and saying "i want leach" when this job opened!! we have a special coach here and it sounds like the state of minnesota and gopher fans from around the nation like myself are really starting to embrace this guy, and the program. i got to get to minnesota and see a game at tcf in person, and reading this makes me wish today was the day so i can root for this 9 year old role model as she leads the team onto the field and giver her the standing ovation she deserves, however i will be there in spirit as i tune in from ohio.
 


Coach Kill will mold his players into real men, and into real winners in life. What an awesome inspirational story we have here unfolding before us. Mia, God Bless You!

Andre, you can't go wrong putting on the maroon and gold.
 

I won't be watching the game. I hope someone can put this on youtube.

Many thanks if you do.
 


I normally don't cry in my coffee when I read the Strib. Today my wife and I were pretty choked up. This little girl is an angel sent down from heaven. We will certainly have a tear in the eye when she leads the team out. GO MIA, GO GOPHERS!!
 

the chances of me ever meeting coach kill are slim to none, i however would love to find a way to write to this man and tell him how much it means to me to have him represent OUR team in such a manner!! Being in Youngstown, Ohio, I remember Coach Kill well and remember his story from years ago as Youngstown State University Penguins played in the same conference as the Salukis of Southern Illinois...and let me tell you..this guy took them from a joke to a power!!
 

When Coach Kill was doing the tour around Minnesota, he spent a large amount of time with my father in Owatonna. My dad is 91 years old and has been a Gopher fan his entire life. Coach Kill gave him an autographed football and extended an invitation to visit him on gameday anytime he made it to a game. He still goes to one a year. He hopes to take Coach Kill up on his offer when the Gophers honor Bruce Smith later this year. Coach Kill didn't have to reach out to my dad, but for some reason he did and I for one am thankful to him. My dad smiles every time he tells the story, which is often.
 

God bless, Mia...you'll be the toughest person coming out of that tunnel today!
 

"When I was told that I was going to speak to you guys, I wondered if there was anything I could say to help you," she told them. "I guess this is what I've come up with: Life is a gift and you should make the most of it. And if you are going through hard times, remember your blessings and that will get you through."

Amazing story. This quote really stood out to me, she seems very wise and incredibly mature for a 10 year old. Really like Jerry Kill, even though you guys are our rival. Rep the Big Ten today guys!
 

5 years later, Chip updates the story of Mia, who is doing well health wise and still keeps in touch with Coach Kill.

Scoggins: South High's 'Marvelous Mia' keeps fighting

A freshman on Minneapolis South’s varsity softball team got an unexpected start at pitcher recently. She usually plays right field, but she looked completely confident and happy taking the ball.

She gave up only one run in five innings to earn the victory. She struck out three batters, walked none. She threw fastballs and changeups and wiggled out of one jam.

She pitched marvelous. Of course she was marvelous.

That’s been Mia Gerold’s nickname since being told on her ninth birthday that she had an inoperable brain stem tumor.

That was six years ago.

A year later, she led the Gophers football team onto the field before the 2011 season opener at the request of then-coach Jerry Kill.

Today, she’s a 15-year-old high school freshman and captain of South’s softball team.

Marvelous Mia remains a fighter in life.

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-south-s-mia-gerold-the-miracle-kid/381924601/

Go Marvelous Mia!!
 

BleedGopher said:
5 years later, Chip updates the story of Mia, who is doing well health wise and still keeps in touch with Coach Kill.

Scoggins: South High's 'Marvelous Mia' keeps fighting

A freshman on Minneapolis South’s varsity softball team got an unexpected start at pitcher recently. She usually plays right field, but she looked completely confident and happy taking the ball.

She gave up only one run in five innings to earn the victory. She struck out three batters, walked none. She threw fastballs and changeups and wiggled out of one jam.

She pitched marvelous. Of course she was marvelous.

That’s been Mia Gerold’s nickname since being told on her ninth birthday that she had an inoperable brain stem tumor.

That was six years ago.

A year later, she led the Gophers football team onto the field before the 2011 season opener at the request of then-coach Jerry Kill.

Today, she’s a 15-year-old high school freshman and captain of South’s softball team.

Marvelous Mia remains a fighter in life.

http://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-south-s-mia-gerold-the-miracle-kid/381924601/

Go Marvelous Mia!!
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I was glad to see this story today, sounds like Mia is a helluva softball player too, be a great story if she wound up wearing maroon and gold
 

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.
 

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