The Free Press, Mankato, MN--Chad Courrier http://www.mankato-freepress.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Fri, 16 May 2008 00:49:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_137004834.html Forget Boston Herald, here’s who really should apologize http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_137004834.html This week, the Boston Herald, one of the more respected newspapers in this industry, admitted a reporting mistake in a story about the New England Patriots cheating by videotaping the St. Louis Rams’ practice before the 2002 Super Bowl. Fri, 09 May 2008 02:20:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_130021907.html Things I’ll miss (and not miss) about the NCC http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_130021907.html The North Central Conference, the once-proud Division II conference will soon be a collection of memories, most of which are pretty good. Fri, 02 May 2008 02:53:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_123025305.html Can new MSU coach connect with fan base? http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_123025305.html Maybe Todd Hoffner will be the one to energize the Minnesota State football fans. It’s been tried before, without much success. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:39:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_116013908.html QB makes sense with Vikes’ second rounder http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_116013908.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:46:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_109014430.html Masters: ‘The four greatest days in sports’ http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_109014430.html The Masters represents the unofficial start to the golf season, and while the greatest four days in sports didn’t reveal great drama last weekend, there were some interesting trends. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:38:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_102003721.html It’s time to appreciate high school coaches http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_102003721.html Maybe it’s just the “resignation” season, but it sure seems like a lot of coaches have had enough. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:25:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_095012507.html Talent level on rise for state hoopsters http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_095012507.html It wasn’t that long ago where Minnesota would have just a couple of players talented enough to play scholarship basketball. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:02:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_088010139.html Former West standout Brunz enjoying junior college detour toward Division I dream http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_088010139.html Bryce Brunz had always wanted to play Division I basketball, and when those offers didn’t come after a standout senior season at Mankato West, his best chance of achieving that goal was to bypass opportunities at Division III programs and play at a junior college. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:49:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_074014859.html West grad Thomas develops into gamer http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_074014859.html For those who think that Robert Thomas disappeared after helping Mankato West win the boys basketball state championship in 2004, there certainly will be a sighting this weekend at Winona. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:13:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_067011307.html Pure madness in final NCC tourney http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_067011307.html It’s tournament time, and that’s how March became known for its madness. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:48:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_046024809.html Santos deserves NCC MVP award http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_046024809.html Minnesota State has only had two players receive the NCC’s MVP award, with Pat Coleman in 1996 and Luke Anderson last season. Santos should be a shoo-in in 2008. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:18:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_039011602.html New MSU football coach burned midnight oil to shape up recruit class http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_039011602.html There were just four commitments when Todd Hoffner was hired as MSU football coach, and he and his staff were able to secure 19 more players in that brief window. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:22:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_032012234.html Give Twins the benefit of the doubt. http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_032012234.html The Minnesota Twins have had a long track record of trading big-name players for prospects that have turned into quality players. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:12:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_025011150.html Tough being No. 1 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_025011150.html The wrestling team essentially became the top team in Division II a couple of weeks ago by winning the National Duals, but it finally became official with this week’s poll. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:30:00 +0000 http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_017232934.html Too early to call next Maverick coach http://www.mankato-freepress.com/columnistCCOUR/local_story_017232934.html The current search for the next Minnesota State football coach is similar to the search for the 13th Maverick coach in 2002.