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.
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Go Gophers!!