Post by bigfan on Dec 18, 2004 11:45:32 GMT -5
Women's championship on the line at L.B. Arena.
By Greg Mellen
Staff writer
LONG BEACH — They can be spotted around town if you look carefully. They're the ones with the maroon hats with gold Ms embroidered on the front and, they joke, blindingly pale skin.
You may have seen them lounging in hotel lobbies, checking out the wares at the Farmer's Market on the Promenade, dining outdoors on Pine Avenue, strolling The Pike at Rainbow Harbor , or congregating at Friday's big awards ceremony at the Long Beach Westin.
They are the fans and faithful of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, playing in the NCAA Division I W omen's V olleyball Championship against the Stanford Cardinal at 1 p.m. today at Long Beach Arena.
When asked where Gopher fans could be found, officials from Minnesota camped out at the Renaissance Hotel said, "They're not going to be inside, that's for sure."
With Friday being an off day between the semifinal and championship matches, Gopher fans scattered across Long Beach. They will re convene when the Gophers try for their first NCAA title against the Cardinal, who have five titles.
In fact, fan Harry Genett predicted this was the year for his Gophers as he and wife, Maureen, waited outside the Aquarium of the Pacific for their son Jim Boos and grandson, Mason.
The bold prediction drew a quick jab from Maureen, who worried her husband would jinx the team.
The Gophers, who lost to USC last year in the semifinals, avenged that defeat Thursday and derailed the Trojans' attempt for an unprecedented third straight national title.
"Last year, I had my doubts, b ut I feel confident that if we play like we normally do we can win it, ' Harry said.
Of course, the Genetts have a vested interest in Minnesota's success. Their son, David Boos, is the assistant coach for the Gophers.
Like many of their brethren from the Great White North, the Genetts were reveling in the sunshine and postcard weather.
"We went out for a jog this morning," said Joe Ward, another Minnesota fan in town with his wife, Carol, "and everyone was in sweaters and jackets, while we were in shorts and T-shirts."
"It was 11 degrees when I left Minneapolis," said Jan Schlender, who attended the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Players of the Year banquet at the Westin.
Although Long Beach is the hub of college volleyball this weekend, Midwesterners are quick to point out that bigtime volleyball is no longer the sole province of California.
"I don't think you can deny California's still the hotbed for volleyball," fan Joe Ward said, "but I think the interest and talent from the Midwest has improved dramatically."
Cases in point are this year's NCAA co-players of the year, who were announced Friday. Stanford star Ogonna Nnamani hails from Normal, Ill., and Stacey Gordon attends Ohio State, but grew up in Ontario, Canada .
Although Minnesota fans like to tout the power of their conference, only Penn State in 1999 has won a women's volleyball title, and six of the last eight and 16 of 23 champions overall have been from California. Long Beach State's 49ers have three NCAA titles.
Jack Waters, whose grand-daughters Jen and Kelly Bowman play for Minnesota, hoped a win today by the Gophers would start to change that.
By Greg Mellen
Staff writer
LONG BEACH — They can be spotted around town if you look carefully. They're the ones with the maroon hats with gold Ms embroidered on the front and, they joke, blindingly pale skin.
You may have seen them lounging in hotel lobbies, checking out the wares at the Farmer's Market on the Promenade, dining outdoors on Pine Avenue, strolling The Pike at Rainbow Harbor , or congregating at Friday's big awards ceremony at the Long Beach Westin.
They are the fans and faithful of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, playing in the NCAA Division I W omen's V olleyball Championship against the Stanford Cardinal at 1 p.m. today at Long Beach Arena.
When asked where Gopher fans could be found, officials from Minnesota camped out at the Renaissance Hotel said, "They're not going to be inside, that's for sure."
With Friday being an off day between the semifinal and championship matches, Gopher fans scattered across Long Beach. They will re convene when the Gophers try for their first NCAA title against the Cardinal, who have five titles.
In fact, fan Harry Genett predicted this was the year for his Gophers as he and wife, Maureen, waited outside the Aquarium of the Pacific for their son Jim Boos and grandson, Mason.
The bold prediction drew a quick jab from Maureen, who worried her husband would jinx the team.
The Gophers, who lost to USC last year in the semifinals, avenged that defeat Thursday and derailed the Trojans' attempt for an unprecedented third straight national title.
"Last year, I had my doubts, b ut I feel confident that if we play like we normally do we can win it, ' Harry said.
Of course, the Genetts have a vested interest in Minnesota's success. Their son, David Boos, is the assistant coach for the Gophers.
Like many of their brethren from the Great White North, the Genetts were reveling in the sunshine and postcard weather.
"We went out for a jog this morning," said Joe Ward, another Minnesota fan in town with his wife, Carol, "and everyone was in sweaters and jackets, while we were in shorts and T-shirts."
"It was 11 degrees when I left Minneapolis," said Jan Schlender, who attended the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Players of the Year banquet at the Westin.
Although Long Beach is the hub of college volleyball this weekend, Midwesterners are quick to point out that bigtime volleyball is no longer the sole province of California.
"I don't think you can deny California's still the hotbed for volleyball," fan Joe Ward said, "but I think the interest and talent from the Midwest has improved dramatically."
Cases in point are this year's NCAA co-players of the year, who were announced Friday. Stanford star Ogonna Nnamani hails from Normal, Ill., and Stacey Gordon attends Ohio State, but grew up in Ontario, Canada .
Although Minnesota fans like to tout the power of their conference, only Penn State in 1999 has won a women's volleyball title, and six of the last eight and 16 of 23 champions overall have been from California. Long Beach State's 49ers have three NCAA titles.
Jack Waters, whose grand-daughters Jen and Kelly Bowman play for Minnesota, hoped a win today by the Gophers would start to change that.