coolhandgopher
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Sonny & Cher, Simon & Garfunkel, Bonnie & Clyde, and Tubby & the practice facility. Inextricably linked and ultimately never meant-to-be (or so it seems). If Tubby is indeed fired/resigns later today or this week, supporters will point to this failure by the ineffectual leadership of the "U" (and one more round through the spanking machine for Joel Maturi).
I agree with the sentiment that the "U" needs a practice facility; in fact, it's readily apparent and anyone that disputes the notion will likely suggest that Robert Montgomery Knight and his old timey basketball is the tonic that will cure the ailment of Gopher basketball. No doubt it was a failure of the "U" administration to keep to the promise made to Tubby-but I also wonder, what was Tubby's contribution?
Personally I have been living out of country for the last four years, so keeping abreast of the local vibe has been entirely reliant upon what I pick up through this site or other outlets. However, I was living in St. Paul when Tubby got hired and the subsequent couple years, when Tubbymania was flush throughout the state. I would venture to say that the surprise hiring of Tubby was the biggest sports story (outside of actual competition) in Minnesota since Kirby Puckett's death and elicited the most excitement since the Hershel Walker trade. Tubby was the manna and he capitalized on that fervor by. . .
Literally becoming the University of Minnesota mascot, popping his head out when necessary for practices, games, and the mandated media requirements. I never recall him actually seizing the diem-he seemed quite content to be very comfortable, hiring his familiar staff, absorbing the adulation, and waiting for the practice facility to appear. This was followed by flirtations with seemingly every major conference job that came open, ostensibly to force Maturi's hand on getting that practice facility.
I realize that the responsibility for getting that practice facility was not on Tubby-but is it fair to ask the question, could he have contributed more to the push? I think so. I have never gotten the sense that Tubby has been out mixing it up with boosters or concerning himself with reestablishing the Gopher basketball imprint upon the Minnesota sporting landscape. It seems that he either assumed that frenzy would take care of itself (ala Kentucky) or he came here tired of the dog & pony show. Regardless, there's no practice facility six years later and I wonder if a bit more effort and glad-handing by Tubby would have at least produced those proverbial shovels in the ground.
I agree with the sentiment that the "U" needs a practice facility; in fact, it's readily apparent and anyone that disputes the notion will likely suggest that Robert Montgomery Knight and his old timey basketball is the tonic that will cure the ailment of Gopher basketball. No doubt it was a failure of the "U" administration to keep to the promise made to Tubby-but I also wonder, what was Tubby's contribution?
Personally I have been living out of country for the last four years, so keeping abreast of the local vibe has been entirely reliant upon what I pick up through this site or other outlets. However, I was living in St. Paul when Tubby got hired and the subsequent couple years, when Tubbymania was flush throughout the state. I would venture to say that the surprise hiring of Tubby was the biggest sports story (outside of actual competition) in Minnesota since Kirby Puckett's death and elicited the most excitement since the Hershel Walker trade. Tubby was the manna and he capitalized on that fervor by. . .
Literally becoming the University of Minnesota mascot, popping his head out when necessary for practices, games, and the mandated media requirements. I never recall him actually seizing the diem-he seemed quite content to be very comfortable, hiring his familiar staff, absorbing the adulation, and waiting for the practice facility to appear. This was followed by flirtations with seemingly every major conference job that came open, ostensibly to force Maturi's hand on getting that practice facility.
I realize that the responsibility for getting that practice facility was not on Tubby-but is it fair to ask the question, could he have contributed more to the push? I think so. I have never gotten the sense that Tubby has been out mixing it up with boosters or concerning himself with reestablishing the Gopher basketball imprint upon the Minnesota sporting landscape. It seems that he either assumed that frenzy would take care of itself (ala Kentucky) or he came here tired of the dog & pony show. Regardless, there's no practice facility six years later and I wonder if a bit more effort and glad-handing by Tubby would have at least produced those proverbial shovels in the ground.
