Retire Randy Breuer's Jersey

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Can anyone tell me why Randy Breuer's jersey is not yet retired? Please help me get his number retired by emailing Norwood Teague at [email protected] or Michael Ellis at [email protected].

Here are his stats:

-3rd All Time Leading Scorer in school history with 1,777 PTS.
-Averaged 20.4 PTS 8.9 REB 3 BLKS his Senior Year
-Averaged 16.6 PTS 7.2 REB 2.6 BLKS his Junior Year
-Led the 1982 Big Ten Champion Gophers
-1983 Team MVP
-2x All Big Ten 1st Team
-2x NABC All District

I am aware of the University's policy requiring a college degree in order to have this honor bestowed. I understand why the policy is in place, however on October 2nd, 2010 the University of Minnesota retired the jersey of Gopher football great Bobby Bell. Mr. Bell, to the best of my knowledge, also did not earn a degree. When I emailed Mr. Maturi about this, here was his reply:

"The University has a policy on such honors and I feel we have done a good job of adding to those recognized in Williams Arena and at TCF Bank Stadium. Just last year we recognized Whitey Skoog and Chuck Mencel, well deserved and probably overdue. An exception was made for Bobby Bell under the Exceptional Clause - and I believe warranted. We will continue to evaluate the many names that have been nominated and that we internally considered. Plese know that [Randy's] name is definitely on the list and will be discussed the next time such recognition is considered."

Mr. Teague did not reply on the subject. Just gave me a very politcal reply and said he would look into it.
 

This thread should get interesting.

For the record, I think Breu deserves to be up in the rafters, but I like the policy requiring a college degree. All things being equal, if the degree wasn't a requirement, I'd have Breu up in the rafters before Trent. That's not a slap at TT's Gopher career, it's just that Breu's was much better. But that's a moot point. If Breu wants to be in the rafters (I'm assuming he hasn't graduated?), he needs to do what Willie Burton did.
 

What about the exceptional clause?

I also received a reply from Michael Ellis: "To this date, nothing has been decided regarding the retirement of [Randy's] jersey. A committee is being put together to examine the policy that is presently in place as it relates to the retirement/honoring of jerseys."
 

Going forward, I would prefer they get rid of the exceptional clause. That's just an excuse to bend their policy whenever they feel like it. There should be no gray area.

Breu is certainly one of the all-time greats & one of the most productive players since I started following the Gophers closely in 1978-79. Since that time, he'd be on a very short list of the guys I'd even consider "rafter worthy". Trent, Breu, Willie, Voshon Lenard, and Bobby Jackson, and I wouldn't argue much if someone said Trent falls well behind the other four. Double-T had a nice Gopher career, but I think he's up there more for his NBA career.

Certainly, most of us know there are reasons Voshon and Bobby likely will never be put in the rafters.
 

SelectionSunday said:
Going forward, I would prefer they get rid of the exceptional clause. That's just an excuse to bend their policy whenever they feel like it. There should be no gray area.
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If you have an exception clause you don't really have a policy do you?
 


I see your point. I just beleive that a jersey should be retired based on your play. If he were to go back to school just to get his degree he would basically be buying his jersey retirement, which I do not agree with.
 


If Breuer has his degree, then there's no question his jersey should be retired and probably is long overdue.

If he doesn't, then the answer is easy. Finish your degree, like Tucker, Burton, and probably many others did after they finished playing. Breuer was here a full 4 years so he's got to be close. I'd have to think his jersey would be retired the instant he got his degree.

Invoking the "exceptional" clause and comparing to Bobby Bell doesn't help your cause. Bobby Bell was a two-time 1st team All America, Outland Trophy winner, NCAA champion, Super Bowl champion, and NFL hall of famer. Few Gophers would compare (maybe Dave Winfield, Bronko Nagurski).

If you argue to drop the requirement of a degree, then so be it, but that would also open the door to many others. Bobby Jackson would be the first that comes to mind IMO. Yes he played here only 2 seasons but was the best Gopher player of the last generation and led us to our only Final Four.
 

KBreuer15 said:
If he were to go back to school just to get his degree he would basically be buying his jersey retirement, which I do not agree with.
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I don't think it would appear that way at all. Getting your college degree presumably has benefits and invokes pride in and of itself, even if a person doesn't need the job opportunities or money. People in their 40's, 50's, even 60's do it all the time now.
 



WanderingGopher said:
I don't think it would appear that way at all. Getting your college degree presumably has benefits and invokes pride in and of itself, even if a person doesn't need the job opportunities or money. People in their 40's, 50's, even 60's do it all the time now.
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But the purpose of this degree would only be to get his jersey retired.
 

Why does it matter what they do on the next level? I am not asking the Bucks to retire his number from his college stats, or petitioning NBA writers to put him in the hall.

All I ask is if you agree that his jersey should be retired is that you email Norwood and express your opinion.
 





I do hope they can find a way to get his jersey retired, because this sort of honor is good for the program as well as the player, and Breuer's contributions on the court certainly merit it. The guy was dominant and he's a native Minnesotan who stayed home to rep his state, which is what we're all saying these current recruits need to take more pride in.

It's also understandable why they presently have the degree requirement they do. I'd be curious to know what other schools' policies are on this, though.

Also, I'd suggest that while drumming up support on Gopherhole might be nice, your efforts may have more impact by rousing the big program donors. This is a program that currently has big time facilities needs, and the active support of prominent former players would go a long ways toward building good will in both directions.
 

Unregistered User said:
Then I don't think you understand why The University of Minnesota exists.
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I understand why higher education exists. Let me lay this out for you.

Randy's major was Agricultural Business and to my knowledge does not exist in the form that he started back in the late '70s. For him to go back and get his degree it would take about 2 years and thousands of dollars and he would essentially be buying his number retirement. I am still working on getting the exact numbers to support this argument. What would doing this accomplish for a 53 year old retired NBA player, with a pension, who wasnt foolish with his salary, who lives in Eden Prairie (not a huge farming community), other than get his number retired by the U of M?
 

WanderingGopher said:
I do hope they can find a way to get his jersey retired, because this sort of honor is good for the program as well as the player, and Breuer's contributions on the court certainly merit it. The guy was dominant and he's a native Minnesotan who stayed home to rep his state, which is what we're all saying these current recruits need to take more pride in.

It's also understandable why they presently have the degree requirement they do. I'd be curious to know what other schools' policies are on this, though.

Also, I'd suggest that while drumming up support on Gopherhole might be nice, your efforts may have more impact by rousing the big program donors. This is a program that currently has big time facilities needs, and the active support of prominent former players would go a long ways toward building good will in both directions.
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I have already asked what the exact termonolgy of the policies are and have yet to receive a reply. I have contacted Kevin McHale and I have been trying to contact Trent Tucker. Do you know how I would be able to get in contact with donors or find a list of them?

I am just trying to take every avenue possible.
 

Good points.

Also, regardless of the merit of getting a degree, this further illustrates how ridiculous it is that former players have to pay to finish their degree. With all the money being made by tv, etc nowadays, why can't these players' scholarships extend to finishing classes when their playing careers end?
 

KBreuer15 said:
Do you know how I would be able to get in contact with donors or find a list of them?
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These may be things you already know, but go to the first Golden Dunkers event and talk to people. Golden Dunkers

Getting ahold of former players (many of whom I'd hope would be donors and/or active boosters) should be relatively easy. Many/most of them are on twitter. Pitino is on twitter and I'd have to think would be eager to help. If you don't use twitter, get someone under 20 to help you.

I'm sure others on this site will have additional ideas.
 

I find it funny the basketball program has more retired jerseys than the hockey program and the hockey program is way more successful. IMO, retiring jerseys are for the super special player who likely has been inducted into the college hall of fame.
 


4four4 said:
I find it funny the basketball program has more retired jerseys than the hockey program and the hockey program is way more successful. IMO, retiring jerseys are for the super special player who likely has been inducted into the college hall of fame.
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Does the best player on a team that won the Big Ten Championship fall into that category for you? He is already in the Gophers Hall of Fame. If so, please send an email to Norwood and let him know!
 

KBreuer15 said:
What about the exceptional clause?

I also received a reply from Michael Ellis: "To this date, nothing has been decided regarding the retirement of [Randy's] jersey. A committee is being put together to examine the policy that is presently in place as it relates to the retirement/honoring of jerseys."
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Does anyone know if this is the same committee working on the practice facility?
 


KBreuer15 said:
For him to go back and get his degree it would take about 2 years and thousands of dollars and he would essentially be buying his number retirement.
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Actually, I don't think he'd have to spend thousands of dollars. I'm fairly certain the U and the NCAA has a program right now that will pay for student-athletes to come back and finish their degrees. He should look into that.

KBreuer15 said:
What would doing this accomplish?
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Well, it would make him a University of Minnesota graduate. That is an accomplishment and something he could take great pride in.

See Willie Burton, see Trent Tucker, see Kevin Lynch, etc. They all came back to finish their degrees. They must have seen some value in it. I'm sorry if Randy doesn't see value to it. A degree from the University of Minnesota is meaningful.
 

I'm fine with not putting Breuer's jersey in rafters until he gets his diploma.

I'd also be ok with them making an exception, but comparing his carreer to Bobby Bell does not seem merited. Bobby Bell was a 2 time All-American, Outland Trophy Winner, 3rd in Hiesman voting, member of the College Football Hall of Fame and went to 2 Rose Bowls. Bell's career was indeed deserving of the "exceptional clause", whatever that is.
 

Another jersey that belongs in the rafters (on the opposite end of the building) is Janel McCarville.

She was a 2x All American, played in the most NCAA tourney games in U history. She still has the NCAA tournament rebounding record.
 

Randy Breuer, the "Andre the Giant" of basketball. A guy who was slow, plodding and one dimensional...but cuddly in his own weird way. If the Bueu wants his banner up in the rafters then he can go take a few online classes and pick up a degree. It's really not that hard. In any case, whether I see his name on a banner or not, I'll still cheer on the newest Gopher's squad.

Oh...and the idea that Randy Breuer was ever the "best" player on any of the squads he played on at the U is laughable. He was a nice center for the team, but never the "best" player on any of those squads.
 

tinyarch said:
Randy Breuer, the "Andre the Giant" of basketball. A guy who was slow, plodding and one dimensional...but cuddly in his own weird way. If the Bueu wants his banner up in the rafters then he can go take a few online classes and pick up a degree. It's really not that hard. In any case, whether I see his name on a banner or not, I'll still cheer on the newest Gopher's squad.

Oh...and the idea that Randy Breuer was ever the "best" player on any of the squads he played on at the U is laughable. He was a nice center for the team, but never the "best" player on any of those squads.
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Not saying you are wrong, but the statistics show otherwise-by a large margin. I'd say he was the most important player for sure.

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/minnesota/1982.html

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/minnesota/1983.html
 

The problem with calling him the "best" player is that Breu only touched the ball in the paint. He never dribbled the ball up the floor or played the point on a press. He was good for the role he played, but hardly the best player on the teams he played on. Both McHale and Tucker were superior to Breu. Even Breu's last year was established by the play of Davis. Without players to get Breu the rock in his 10 foot shooting range he'd never have had an impact other than misdirecting a few shots on defense. His mediocrity shows up in his NBA stats where he was the quintessential backup.

tikited said:
Not saying you are wrong, but the statistics show otherwise-by a large margin. I'd say he was the most important player for sure.

www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/minnesota/1983.html

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/minnesota/1983.html
Click to expand...
 

tinyarch said:
Randy Breuer, the "Andre the Giant" of basketball. A guy who was slow, plodding and one dimensional.
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Respectfully, please define one dimensional for me. In his senior year alone Breu averaged 20.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, shot 58.6% from the field, made 76.9% of his FTs (how many big guys do that?), and had 87 blocked shots (3 ppg). For his Gopher career, he ranks #3 all-time in points (1,777), #10 in rebounds (730), and #2 in blocked shots (229).

One dimensional? Yes, Breu was never going to win any flashiest player awards. And yes he had some really good players around him, but on the flip side it had to be pretty nice for the TTs, Darryl Mitchells, Tommy Davis', and Marc Wilsons of the world to have a legitimate center like Breu. Those are darn impressive numbers, no matter how they're sliced. It's unfair to say he was nothing more than a "nice center". And it's not like the Gophers stunk during his 4 years. They were 81-39 overall and 42-30 in the Big Ten during a time when it was much, much more difficult to make the NCAA Tournament than it is now.
 

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