Minnesota men’s golf coach John Means is reportedly in danger of losing his job after admitting to charging personal airline tickets to the University.
The Star Tribune reported on Sunday that Means has repaid the money to the University and that an audit of the golf program has been completed.
Means and Men’s Athletics Director Tom Moe did not return calls to the Daily on Tuesday.
– Staff Reporter Brian Stensaas
Novak resigns
Women’s tennis coach Martin Novak resigned from his position with Minnesota on Aug. 21 to take over the same role at the University of Maryland.
In 11 seasons with the Gophers, Novak compiled a 126-118 record. Last year Novak guided his team to a 11-9 record – the sixth straight winning season. In four of the past six years, Minnesota advanced to the NCAA tournament.
“My Minnesota experience has been a very positive one and I will especially miss the wonderful student-athletes on the tennis team,” Novak said in a statement. “The University of Maryland made me an offer I could not refuse. I hope this move will bring me to the next step in my professional and personal growth.”
Novak was named 1999 Big Ten coach of the year after leading the Gophers to a second place finish in the conference.
Gophers compete at World University games
Minnesota athletes Tom Gerding, Aubrey Schmitt and Todd Smolinski all competed at the World University game in Beijing, China, over the past week.
Gerding was part of the United States’ gold medal 4X400-meter team. Gerding and his teammates posted a time of 3:02.83, narrowly defeating Ukraine.
Schmitt finished in 17th place in the discuss event with a throw of 157 feet, 3 inches.
Smolinski took third place in the 50-meter backstroke. A time of 25.99 earned him the bronze medal.
Hackler helps U.S. win medal down under
Gophers men’s swimmer Jeff Hackler contributed in several ways to help the United States win the bronze medal in the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. The United States defeated the Europe All-Stars 87-62.
Rather than shine in a single event, Hackler managed to place second in the 50-meter backstroke and third in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststrokes.
Nash falls at U.S. Amateur
Gophers men’s golfer Simon Nash lost in the second round of the United States Amateur to Bermuda’s Michael Sims on Aug. 23.
Nash, a sophomore from Australia, finished in a tie for 13th at last year’s NCAA Championships.
Kennedy makes National Team
Former Gophers women’s hockey player Courtney Kennedy was named to the 2001-02 National Team.
Kennedy, who was the WCHA player of the year last season, will compete in February’s Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Walz named assistant
Minnesota’s women’s basketball team named Jeff Walz as an assistant coach on Aug. 20. Walz was formally an assistant at Nebraska.
Walz, whose responsibilities will concentrate around game management, joins Marsha Frese and Erica Floyd as assistant coaches under Oldfield.
Softball signees
Minnesota’s softball team signed four players to letters of intent for the upcoming season.
Infielders Rachel Keeney (Eagan), Erin Wallace (Laguna Niguel, Calif), pitcher Lyn Peyer (Chanhassen), outfielder Stephanie Sward (Maplewood) will all suit up for the Gophers this spring.
The four join infielder/outfielder Christina Zimmerman, who signed with the Gophers during the fall signing period.
Minnesota also announced Jennifer Shonkwiler (Pewaukee, Wis.) and Katie Wesp (Anoka) will join the team as recruited, non-scholarship, walk-ons.
