Minneapolis Weekend

 For the second straight year the Iowa Football team travelled to Minneapolis for their rivalry with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Due to divisional play and a revamped schedule, the battle for Floyd of Rosedale, which has been played in late November since 1983 is now being played in October.  It allows for better, more "fall-like" weather. And on this last Saturday before Halloween the skies couldn't be any bluer and the temps couldn't be more seasonal. And while part of the nation was digging out from an unseasonal winter storm, it was perfect football weather at TCF Bank Stadium.

TCF Bank Stadium, the conference newest, is one of few that run east to west. Most in the country are north-south with the press box on the side of the setting sun. But the open end of the Gopher's stadium is open to the downtown Minneapolis skyline, west of the Minnesota campus.

And with all Hawkeye games, Gary Dolphin (right) and Ed Podolak call the game on Learfield's Hawkeye Radio Network.

 A familiar face and voice to those in the Eastern side of the state of Iowa, Mike Grimm now calls the action for the Gopher Radio Network. Grimm spent much time at WMT in Cedar Rapids calling high school sports before getting the chance to be the voice of Iowa Women's Basketball along with Karen Schulte. Following his stint there he moved to St. Louis and did work with the St. Louis Cardinals on KMOX. This is his first year calling Gopher football, adding to his workload as voice of Golden Gopher Men's Basketball.

 A year ago the Hawkeyes were unsuccessful in their first game at TCF Bank Stadium. And the results weren't much different this year.

But the last time the Hawkeyes took to the Metrodome field, the outcome was memorable. It was also the final home game for the Gophers inside. Many Hawkeye fans referred to the inflatable structure as "Kinnick North" as the black and gold clad fans bought up as many tickets as were available. There were two memorable moments in the dome. The first was in 2002 when the Hawkeyes capped a perfect Big Ten season with a victory, and the fans taking down the goal posts. Then the final game inside was 2008 and the Hawkeyes shut out the Gophers 55-0.

Downtown Minneapolis was the overnight stop for the Iowa Football team. And a couple of blocks away was Nicollet Mall and the statue of Mary Tyler Moore depicting her famous hat toss in the open of her show, staged in Minneapolis.

New TCF Bank Stadium

The Iowa Hawkeyes didn't end the 2010 season where many had predicted them at the beginning of the season. Their fifth loss of the season took place at the newest stadium in the Big Ten, TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of Minneosta. Below are some of the images from the new venue and the surrounding area.

One of the only college stadiums that doesn't run North - South. TCF runs more East - West to allow spectators a view of downtown Minneapolis.

Williams Arena is home to Gopher basketball, wrestling and volleyball. One of the oldest basketball facilities in the Big Ten.

Mariucci Arena is home to Gopher men's and women's ice hockey.

TCF is located across the street from William Arena and Mariucci Arena.

Not the real Floyd. Apparently they have missed him for quite some time that any pig would do.

Me and Goldy. The only reason I can give you for why I did the above picture is that he was there and I already had my picture with the Syracuse Orange.

Gary and Ed ready to take to the air on the Hawkeye Sports Network.

A more entertaining game taking place at half time.

Located throughout TCF Bank Stadium is a list of all of the credentials handed out on a gamely basis, and where each pass allows to the holder to roam. So throughout the lower level of the stadium the picture of Mike Grimm is everywehre. Grimm, former WMT announcer and play by play voice of the Iowa Women's Basketball team, he is now calling the action of Tubby Smith and the Minnesota men. Above is Mike showing everyone at TCF what a credential looks like.

Sun sets on downtown Minneapolis. The Hawkeyes lost and Floyd of Rosedale will reside in the Twin Cities until October of 2011, if not later.

Top 50 Sportscasters

Last week the American Sportscasters Association came out with their top 50 sportscasters. A panel headed by Dick Enberg, selected the tops in the industry and they can be found at the following link.

Their top ten included (1) Vin Scully, (4) Curt Gowdy, (5) Howard Cossell, (6) Bob Costas, (7) Jim McKay, (8) Keith Jackson, (9) Al Michaels, and (10) Dick Enberg.

I'll do my list a little differently. I'll list my favorites in the different sports.
MLB Baseball--(tie) NBC's Bob Costas / Tony Kubek, NBC's Vin Scully / Joe Garagiola, WGN's Thom Brennaman / Steve Stone.

NBA Basketball--NBC's Marv Albert / Mike Fratello. (Runner Up-CBS's Dick Stockton / Tom Heisnsohn)

PGA Golf--CBS's Pat Summerall / Ken Venturi. (Runner Up-NBC's Vin Scully / Lee Trevino)

College Basketball--NBC's Merle Harmon / Fred Taylor (Runner Up-NBC's Dick Enberg / Al McGuire / Billy Packer and CBS's Verne Lundquist / Bill Raftery)

Tennis--NBC's Dick Enberg / John McEnroe / Bud Collins

NHL Hockey--ABC's Gary Thorne

College Football--ABC's Keith Jackson / Frank Broyles (Runner Up-ABC's Brent Musberger / Kirk Herbstreit, ABC's Al Michaels / Lee Grosscup, ABC's Chris Schenkel, ABC's Bill Flemming, ESPN's Ron Franklin)

NFL Football--(tie) CBS's Pat Summerall / Tom Brookeshire and NBC's Don Criqui / Bob Trumpy. (Runner Up-ESPN's Mike Tirico, NBC's Dick Enberg / Merlin Olsen)

NFL Pre-Game Show--CBS's NFL Today with Brent Musberger, Irv Cross, Phyllis George and Jimmy the Greek.

There are many names I am omitting and forgetting. Jack Buck, Harry Caray, Pat Hughes are radio men that I grew up listening to. Jack Buck with Hank Stram was entertaining on Monday Night Football Radio while Buck with Mike Shannon on St Louis Cardinal radio described the action to me while laying in bed every night. Many of those that I mentioned are those that I grew up listening to and I grew a fondness of. However broadcasting and many broadcasters have drifted away from storytelling towards over-zealous enthusiasm.

There are those who may not ever see this list, but are very good at their craft. A good friend of mine is currently the play by play man for Minnesota Gopher Basketball. Mike Grimm got his start at WMT in Cedar Rapids broadcasting high school football and basketball. In 2001 he went on to be the voice of Iowa Women's Basketball alongside Karen Schulte. The two formed an announcing team that were among the best in Division I women's basketball. Each broadcast was informative and entertaining while keeping the focus on the ladies of the court. After spending time in St. Louis, Grimm is in the middle of his third year with the Gophers. He continues to broadcast in the storytelling style and does an outstanding job of painting a picture.

One national person I enjoy in Spero Dedes. Spero has done some work for CBS College Basketball and is currently a studio host on the NFL Network as well as radio voice of the Los Angeles Lakers. With the NBA on XM, I enjoy falling asleep to the Laker broadcasts.

I encourage you to list your favorite announcers in the below comment section.