On Nov. 14, the Minnesota men’s hockey program will do something never before done in its 77-year history — retire a player’s number. The Gophers will take John Mayasich‘s number 8 out of the rotation.
Mayasich, who played for Minnesota in the early 1950s, is the Gophers’ all-time leading scorer with 144 goals and 154 assists in 111 career games. The Eveleth, Minn. native also was a member of the U.S. hockey team that earned a gold medal in the 1960 Olympic games in Squaw Valley, California.
Wednesday, a 30-foot mural of Mayasich was unveiled on the east end of Mariucci Arena, where it will remain for the rest of the season.
The Gophers will officially retire Mayasich’s number prior to the Saturday game between Minnesota and North Dakota Nov. 14. A number of Mayasich’s old Gophers teammates and members of the 1960 Olympic team will be on hand for the pregame ceremony.
Swimmers ranked
Minnesota’s men’s swimming and diving team was the second highest ranked Big Ten team at 12th in the Speedo America’s College Swimming and Coaches Association Top 25 preseason Poll. Michigan was ranked 8th overall.
Stanford tops the list with Auburn and Texas falling into the second and third spots, respectively.
Minnesota’s season begins on at 6 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Aquatic Center with the annual alumni meet.
Axel to Minnesota
All-Metro selection Lisa Axel from Buffalo has committed to the Gophers volleyball team after being courted by more than 130 Division I schools. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter made her decision from a narrowed-down list of Minnesota, Houston, Maryland, Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech.

Cutdown
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence College announced the elimination of three men’s sports — men’s baseball, golf and tennis — to comply with Title IX provisions.
Providence’s actions come as colleges nationwide try to abide by the anti-discrimination law that requires an equitable mix of male and female athletes at schools receiving federal funds. The school ruled out the option of creating more women’s teams as a way to adhere to rule.
Expos for sale
MONTREAL (AP) — The Montreal Expos were put up for sale to local buyers and team president Claude Brochu was ousted as owners of the baseball club launched a new plan to build a downtown stadium.
The ownership group has 150 days to raise $50 million to $100 million in new capital and come up with a plan to build the ball park they insist is essential to keep the team in Montreal. Brochu, managing general partner since the group bought the club from Charles Bronfman in 1990, will sell his 7.6 percent interest in the team and step down once the plan is in place.