tollackson

nooram

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Myron tweeted that ST is the new radio color guy :eek:
 

Here is the press release:

Spencer Tollackson Named Radio Analyst for Gopher Basketball

Gopher Sports Properties, in conjunction with the Minnesota men’s basketball program, today named former Gopher Spencer Tollackson the team’s radio analyst for the upcoming season. Tollackson will team with Gopher play-by-play announcer Mike Grimm on the Gopher Radio Network. The duo is set to call every Gopher regular and postseason games, beginning with the season opener against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13 at Williams Arena.

“Spencer (Tollackson) and Mike (Grimm) will be a solid broadcast duo this season,” said Gopher Sports Properties General Manager Greg Gerlach. Spencer will bring energy, passion and added flavor to the radio call and I know that Mike will serve as a great mentor throughout the season. I am excited he has chosen to join our broadcast team on the Gopher Radio Network.”

Tollackson, a Chaska, Minn. native, finished his collegiate career in sixth place on the Golden Gophers all-time field goal percentage list at .525 (390-743). He played in 119 career games in a Minnesota uniform, tied for the eighth most in program history and amassed 935 career points and 438 rebounds. As a senior, Tollackson was named a tri-captain and helped lead Tubby Smith’s first Gopher squad to a 20-14 record, a sixth-place finish in the Big Ten Conference and a berth in the NIT Tournament.

“I couldn't be happier with this unbelievable opportunity to join Mike Grimm as part of the Gopher Radio Network,” said Tollackson. “This has been a dream of mine for quite some time and it feels good to still be able to stay involved in Gopher basketball. I carry with me a lot of pride for the university and the Golden Gopher basketball program and it is an honor to be a voice on Gopher basketball broadcasts.”

Tollackson came to the University of Minnesota as one of the most heralded recruits in the nation. He finished his senior season by leading the Chaska Hawks to a 30-2 record and the Minnesota State 4A Championship. Following the season, Tollackson was named the 2004 Minnesota Mr. Basketball, the Gatorade State Player of the Year, the Associated Press State Player of the Year, as well as the Metro Player of the Year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“The entire Minnesota basketball family is thrilled that Spencer has been given this opportunity to continue and further his broadcasting career,” said Gopher head coach Tubby Smith. “As a coach it is great to see your former players go on and excel in their professional pursuits. We are also happy to have Spencer back as part of the Golden Gopher program.”

Grimm returns for a fourth season as the voice of the Gophers. In addition to his basketball play-by-play duties, Grimm also serves as the co-host for “The Tubby Smith Show” and “The Tim Brewster Show” on the Gopher Radio Network. Grimm also serves as the pre-game, halftime, and post-game host for Golden Gopher football radio broadcasts. In addition, Grimm produces and anchors “The Golden Gopher Daily Update” heard all across Minnesota on the Gopher Radio Network.

"I am excited to have the chance to work alongside Spencer,” said Grimm. He was able to play his senior season at Minnesota for Tubby Smith, so he can bring a unique perspective to our radio broadcasts. I enjoyed calling the Gopher games that Spencer played in, and now it will be fun to have him as a broadcast partner. As Gopher fans remember, Spencer has an outgoing personality and I hope they enjoy what he will bring to the radio."

The Gophers open the 2009-10 slate on Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Tennessee Tech at Williams Arena (7:00 p.m.). Minnesota’s home schedule contains 17 games, including a matchup with the Penn State Nittany Lions to open the Big Ten schedule on Dec. 29. Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue and Iowa will also make an appearance at Williams Arena.

Single-game and season tickets are still available for the 2009-10 season. Fans interested in purchasing tickets may call the ticket office at 612-624-8080, or toll free at 1-800-U-GOPHER. Tickets may also be purchased through Minnesota’s official athletics department website, www.gophersports.com.



-UM-

Go Gophers!!
 

Single-game and season tickets are still available for the 2009-10 season. Fans interested in purchasing tickets may call the ticket office at 612-624-8080, or toll free at 1-800-U-GOPHER

I knew all along that the horrible radio broadcast was a ticket selling strategy.
 

Wow. I suppose the clown from Northwestern will be in the studio for CBS during March.
 

Unbelieveable. If you have finalists of Lynch, Coffey, Spencer and Quincy, how could the choice be Spencer? It cannot be knowledge of the game or experience. Learfield Sports will save a lot of salary money. Does anyone know if Athletic Department has any say in the appointment?
 


Learfield is trying to punish us

Tollackson?? My ears are bleeding already.

Between Dave Lee and now Spencer on the radio . . . this has to be a conspiracy against all radio listening gopher fans.
 

This should help boost ticket sales so people don't have to listen to games on the radio.
 


Give the kid a chance. He bleeds maroon and gold.

Agreed. I'm not sure why we are ripping on Spencer. He played four years at Minnesota and only seven players EVER played in more games. He loves the Gophers, so what do you say we give him a listen or two before we proclaim what a disaster this is.

First of all, Grimm is a pro's pro, so the broadcast isn't going to be horrible. It isn't going to drive ticket sales. It isn't going to be unlistenable. And secondly maybe Tollackson will surprise some of you. He's probably a better fit for radio than for TV. How about we at least let Spence broadcast a few games on the radio before we kick him in the nuts?

Can you imagine if a Badger or Hawkeye fan posted what some Gopher fans have about one of our own?? There'd be a meltdown. But, I guess since he's one of us, we can simply rip away at Tollackson for getting a job he has dreamed about getting. Give him a chance.
 




give him a break

Relax folks. Its not like he was competing against Lavin or Gus Johnson. The other choices were about the same..perhaps Lynch had more chops based on experience.

I'm willinf to cut him some slack. Grim provides a good foundation and Spence adds enegry and perspective..not a bad thing.

Good luck Spence and congrats.
 

Of all four who were reportedly under consideration, Spencer is the only one who played for Tubby and who has a first-hand idea of Tubby's perspective. I think that's a reasonable basis for selecting him.

While Lynch has previous experience and I found him pretty decent as a color commentator, his connection to the team is comparatively remote. Same is true for both Quincy and Coffey -- BTW, do either have broadcast experience?
 

I would have preferred Kevin Lynch myself but let's give Spence some time. We've all seen some rookie broadcasters that weren't that good but developed into pretty good voices.
 



Learfield has to be one of the most incompetent organizations in Minnesota. Are they owned by a Badger alum? Has anyone from Learfield ever spoken about why they keep Dave Lee around? Dave Lee as as bad as they come, but I'll bet Spencer gives him a run for his money.
 

Agreed. I'm not sure why we are ripping on Spencer. He played four years at Minnesota and only seven players EVER played in more games. He loves the Gophers, so what do you say we give him a listen or two before we proclaim what a disaster this is.

First of all, Grimm is a pro's pro, so the broadcast isn't going to be horrible. It isn't going to drive ticket sales. It isn't going to be unlistenable. And secondly maybe Tollackson will surprise some of you. He's probably a better fit for radio than for TV. How about we at least let Spence broadcast a few games on the radio before we kick him in the nuts?

Can you imagine if a Badger or Hawkeye fan posted what some Gopher fans have about one of our own?? There'd be a meltdown. But, I guess since he's one of us, we can simply rip away at Tollackson for getting a job he has dreamed about getting. Give him a chance.

Agreed 100 percent. Give Spencer time. I know he's raw right now, but someone somewhere is willing to give a young kid a chance. Where would we be if this never happened?
 

Spencer has no more real experience than Coffey or Quincy. Lynch is the only one under consideration with real experience. Spencer is no knowledge compared to Coffey or Quincy. But, who cares, I'll never listen because I'll be at every game.
 

Spencer has no more real experience than Coffey or Quincy. Lynch is the only one under consideration with real experience. Spencer is no knowledge compared to Coffey or Quincy. But, who cares, I'll never listen because I'll be at every game.

1 - Spencer does have experience, albeit Big Ten Network games on TV, of which he didn't get rave reviews from many. So, he does have some experience. As I posted earlier, maybe radio is a better for him and he'll surprise us. Maybe not, either, but I'm going to listen to a few games before saying he's horrible or unlistenable. I mean, he's a hometown Gopher, so let's see how he does.

2 - You will be at every game? Including road games? You are a lucky man!
 


Rick Mons will get a kick out of this - Gopher Sports Media Day Summary - even the Athletic Department cannot spell "Nolen"

What are you looking for out of Al Nolan?
"I want Al (Nolan) to be himself. He's got to lead the team; he's got to be that guy because he is going to have the ball in his hands quite a bit. Make better decisions, pushing it up the court either with the dribble or the pass. I think that's one of the areas he going to need, be able to balance his ability to go left and right. He is one of the best defenders on the ball so he will get better there. Take care of the basketball, pushing and transition; get a little bit more innovative and creative in transition. I think that is something we have to have from Al(Nolan)."
 

Here is the press release:

Spencer Tollackson Named Radio Analyst for Gopher Basketball

Gopher Sports Properties, in conjunction with the Minnesota men’s basketball program, today named former Gopher Spencer Tollackson the team’s radio analyst for the upcoming season. Tollackson will team with Gopher play-by-play announcer Mike Grimm on the Gopher Radio Network. The duo is set to call every Gopher regular and postseason games, beginning with the season opener against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 13 at Williams Arena.

“Spencer (Tollackson) and Mike (Grimm) will be a solid broadcast duo this season,” said Gopher Sports Properties General Manager Greg Gerlach. Spencer will bring energy, passion and added flavor to the radio call and I know that Mike will serve as a great mentor throughout the season. I am excited he has chosen to join our broadcast team on the Gopher Radio Network.”

Tollackson, a Chaska, Minn. native, finished his collegiate career in sixth place on the Golden Gophers all-time field goal percentage list at .525 (390-743). He played in 119 career games in a Minnesota uniform, tied for the eighth most in program history and amassed 935 career points and 438 rebounds. As a senior, Tollackson was named a tri-captain and helped lead Tubby Smith’s first Gopher squad to a 20-14 record, a sixth-place finish in the Big Ten Conference and a berth in the NIT Tournament.

“I couldn't be happier with this unbelievable opportunity to join Mike Grimm as part of the Gopher Radio Network,” said Tollackson. “This has been a dream of mine for quite some time and it feels good to still be able to stay involved in Gopher basketball. I carry with me a lot of pride for the university and the Golden Gopher basketball program and it is an honor to be a voice on Gopher basketball broadcasts.”

Tollackson came to the University of Minnesota as one of the most heralded recruits in the nation. He finished his senior season by leading the Chaska Hawks to a 30-2 record and the Minnesota State 4A Championship. Following the season, Tollackson was named the 2004 Minnesota Mr. Basketball, the Gatorade State Player of the Year, the Associated Press State Player of the Year, as well as the Metro Player of the Year by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

“The entire Minnesota basketball family is thrilled that Spencer has been given this opportunity to continue and further his broadcasting career,” said Gopher head coach Tubby Smith. “As a coach it is great to see your former players go on and excel in their professional pursuits. We are also happy to have Spencer back as part of the Golden Gopher program.”

Grimm returns for a fourth season as the voice of the Gophers. In addition to his basketball play-by-play duties, Grimm also serves as the co-host for “The Tubby Smith Show” and “The Tim Brewster Show” on the Gopher Radio Network. Grimm also serves as the pre-game, halftime, and post-game host for Golden Gopher football radio broadcasts. In addition, Grimm produces and anchors “The Golden Gopher Daily Update” heard all across Minnesota on the Gopher Radio Network.

"I am excited to have the chance to work alongside Spencer,” said Grimm. He was able to play his senior season at Minnesota for Tubby Smith, so he can bring a unique perspective to our radio broadcasts. I enjoyed calling the Gopher games that Spencer played in, and now it will be fun to have him as a broadcast partner. As Gopher fans remember, Spencer has an outgoing personality and I hope they enjoy what he will bring to the radio."

The Gophers open the 2009-10 slate on Friday, Nov. 13 vs. Tennessee Tech at Williams Arena (7:00 p.m.). Minnesota’s home schedule contains 17 games, including a matchup with the Penn State Nittany Lions to open the Big Ten schedule on Dec. 29. Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue and Iowa will also make an appearance at Williams Arena.

Single-game and season tickets are still available for the 2009-10 season. Fans interested in purchasing tickets may call the ticket office at 612-624-8080, or toll free at 1-800-U-GOPHER. Tickets may also be purchased through Minnesota’s official athletics department website, www.gophersports.com.



-UM-

Go Gophers!!

It's nice they added a little humor to the article.
 




Yeah, like the Chaska city league

where he will dominate as long as there is no one taller, more athletic or more talented than he is.


Come on people. We all like Spencer. And yes, he was a Gopher. But he sucked donkey b###s on the BTN and he will probably suck on the radio here. Why couldn't we have gone back to Lynch who proved he had some radio chops anyway?
 

Spencer has recurring ankle problems, that's why he isn't playing. He will be the next Kevin Harlan.
 


I hope they mic up his chest so we can hear his chest bumps when he gets all excited.
 

After all of the Spencer bashing on this thread (thankfully, not all comments), I can't wait until it is announced that all of you bashers get offered a job, and the majority of the comments will be that you are worthless for this position, someone else would be better, and all of the other nonsense. Be careful, my friends, before you castigate a new employee, as it could well happen to you somewhere, too. Good luck, Spencer. You deserve better than what has been displayed by a few "know it alls" here.
 

Spencer will be ok, but Kevin Lynch was and is much better in my opinion. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean anything to anyone but me.
 

I think this is a great public relations move. Spencer is a likable guy, was a smart basketball player, and I'm sure will learn the job quickly. He definitely brings an energy and passion about what he's observing and commenting on. He's a young kid, cut him some slack...
 




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