University of Minnesota men’s basketball head coach Richard Pitino and the Golden Gopher basketball program today announced that guard Joe Coleman has asked for, and will be granted release from his scholarship.

“Joe Coleman has made the decision to leave the Golden Gopher basketball program. We wish him the very best in the future,” said Pitino. “We appreciate the contributions he has given the program the last two years.”

Coleman played in 72 career games in Maroon and Gold, including all 34 games last season. He contributed career-highs in multiple categories as a sophomore, including points (8.7 ppg), rebounds (3.6 rpg), assists (1.5 apg), steals (1.1 spg) and minutes played (26.3 mpg). He will leave the program with career averages of 7.2 points and 3.3 rebounds.

Rookie center fielder Aaron Hicks homered twice and made a home run saving catch as the Twins beat the Chicago White Sox at Target Field Monday night 10-3.  It was their 3rd straight win over Chicago.

TWINS NOTES: ­

· The Twins extended their winning streak against the White Sox to three games, their longest streak against the Sox since winning nine straight September 14, 2010-July 8, 2011.

· The Twins have won five of their last seven games…they are one game over .500 for the third time in their last five days.

· After allowing two runs in the top of the first, the Twins have allowed their opponents to score 39 runs in the first inning this season; entering today, only Houston had allowed more first inning runs in all of baseball with 42…the Twins have allowed their opponents to score the game’s first run in 21 of 35 games played.

· Pedro Hernandez earned his second career win tonight and set a single game career-high with four strikeouts…he did not allow a walk, giving Twins starters just six walks allowed in their last eight games (41.2 IP).

· Joe Mauer (1-for-2) extended his hitting streak to a season-high 12 games, marking his longest since June 17-July 3, 2012 (also 12)…he is hitting .447 (21-for-47) during the streak…it is the longest current streak in the AL after Miguel Cabrera went 0-for-4 tonight against Houston.

· Justin Morneau (3-for-4) extended his hitting streak to nine straight games and is hitting .417 (15-for-36) in that span…he has hit safely in 15 of his last 17 games, batting .358 (24-for-67) in that span…Morneau drove in four runs tonight, giving him 17 this month; he entered today with the most RBI in baseball for the month…the four RBI set a single-game high for the season, his most since August 6, 2012 at Cleveland (also 4).

· Trevor Plouffe (1-for-4) has 10 RBI in his last 11 games (since May 3)…he went 1-for-2 off Sox starter Hector Santiago and is now hitting .400 (10-for-25) against left-handed pitching this season…Plouffe’s third inning double was his 200th career hit.

· Aaron Hicks hit his second career home run in the fourth inning, both have been hit as a right-handed batter…Hicks has hit safely in 13 of his last 18 games.

· Hicks gave the Twins their first player with a two-homer game this season, the previous being Justin Morneau September 9, 2012 vs. Cleveland…it was also Hicks’ first career multi-hit game.

· Hicks became the youngest Twin (at 23 years, 223 days) to record a multi-homer game since Justin Morneau did it August 12, 2004 at Seattle (23 years, 89 days).

· Pedro Florimon recorded his fourth bunt hit…Manny Machado was the only player in baseball with four bunt hits entering today.

· Joe Mauer was intentionally walked in the eighth inning, giving him 99 for his career, tying him with Rod Carew for fourth on the Twins all-time list.

Defending champion Clayton Rask of Elk River, MN posted a final round 70 for a three-day total of 6-under par 210 to win the 2013 Minnesota Golf Champions at Minneapolis Golf Club Sunday, May 12th.  Rask made an eight-footer for par on the final hole to edge amateur Sammy Schmitz of Valleywood GC by one shot.  Second round leader Ryan Helminen of Ridgeway G&CC finished tied for third with Justin Smith of University GC at 3-under par 213.

In the Past Masters Division amateur Rick Ehrmanntraut of Southview CC finished at 11-over par 155 to win the title by one shot over Terry Comstock of Prairie Green GC.

The 2013 Minnesota Golf Champions is supported by Clarity Sound Design & Vision, aboutGolf and Prime Mortgage.

REGULAR DIVISION RESULTS

1   Clayton Rask (p)     Crystal Lake           74-66-70–210 -6  $2,250.00

 2   Sammy Schmitz (a)    Valleywood GC          69-73-69–211 -5

 T3  Justin Smith (p)     University of MN       69-72-72–213 -3  $1,250.00

 T3  Ryan Helminen (p)    Ridgeway G&CC          67-70-76–213 -3  $1,250.00

 5   Tom Hoge (p)         Fargo CC               70-70-74–214 -2  $800.00

 T6  Trent Peterson (a)   Valleywood GC          70-79-68–217 +1

 T6  Thomas Campbell (p)  University GC          71-74-72–217 +1  $625.00

 T6  Jeff Sorenson (p)    Columbia GC            72-74-71–217 +1  $625.00

 9   Stephen Bidne (p)    Monticello CC          70-73-75–218 +2  $500.00

 T10 Don Berry (p)        Edinburgh USA          72-75-72–219 +3  $425.00

 T10 Scott Cole (p)       New Richmond GC        68-78-73–219 +3  $425.00

 12  Chris Meyer (p)      Braemar GC             73-77-70–220 +4  $350.00

 13  Cameron White (p)    University GC          71-76-75–222 +6  $300.00

 14  Scott Gustafson (a)  Hazeltine National GC  70-77-77–224 +8

 T15 Chris Peterson (p)   StoneRidge GC          74-76-75–225 +9  $212.50

 T15 Eric Chiles (p)      Chaska TC              74-76-75–225 +9  $212.50

 T15 Brent Snyder (p)     Troy Burne GC          73-76-76–225 +9  $212.50

 T15 Eddie Wynne (p)      University GC          71-78-76–225 +9  $212.50

 19  Jim Sorenson (p)     Momentus Golf          76-71-79–226 +10 $150.00

 T20 Danny Sinksen (p)    Elmwood Park GC        72-77-79–228 +12

 T20 Troy Johnson (a)     Rush Creek GC          71-76-81–228 +12

 T20 Robert Bell (a)      University GC          76-73-79–228 +12

 23  Chris Bailey (p)     North Oaks GC          71-79-80–230 +14

Eden Prairie, MN (May 9, 2013) – The University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms on a Facility Use Agreement that allows the Vikings to use TCF Bank Stadium for the 2014 and 2015 NFL seasons. The agreement also allows for two additional seasons, if necessary.

The agreement is subject to approval by the University’s Board of Regents, which will vote on the proposal during its meeting Friday, May 10.

“We’re pleased to enter into an agreement with the Vikings to allow them to play at TCF Bank Stadium,” said Vice President for University Services Pam Wheelock. “With Board of Regents approval, we plan to start work right away to ensure the facility is ready for the Vikings in 2014.”

“This partnership benefits the University, its neighbors, the Vikings and all Minnesota football fans,” said University President Eric Kaler. “The Vikings will remain part of the Twin Cities region during construction of their new stadium, while proceeds will be used to enhance Gopher Athletics and invest in the fabric of our surrounding neighborhoods.”

The use agreement stipulates that the Vikings will reimburse the University for any required TCF Bank Stadium capital improvements, as well as all game-day operational expenses. In addition, the Vikings will pay the University a per-game rent of $250,000 for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, with minimal increases if additional seasons were to be required. The team will also share $50,000 per game in concessions, advertising and sponsorship revenue. In total, the Vikings will pay the University $300,000 per game, with a maximum of $3 million for each NFL season.

“This collaborative process between the Vikings and the University has led to an agreement that will benefit all parties,” said Vikings Vice President of Legal Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Warren. “With this agreement solidified, we can now move forward on finalizing a plan that ensures the Vikings provide a great game day experience for our players, coaches and fans while having a positive impact on the University and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

“We appreciate the University’s commitment to host the Vikings while the new downtown stadium is being constructed,” said Vikings Owner and President Mark Wilf. “We look forward to hosting our fans in TCF Bank Stadium in 2014 and 2015.”

The agreement also includes the creation of a Minnesota Vikings Good Neighbor Partnership Fund, which will be established and administered through the existing University Good Neighbor Fund. The Vikings will contribute $125,000 per NFL season, a combination of cash and in-kind contributions, to the Partnership Fund, which will be used to implement tangible and visible projects during the years the Vikings play at TCF Bank Stadium. The projects selected must be beneficial to the nearby neighborhoods and businesses, allow for participation by the Vikings and their partners and be approved by the Vikings.