Golden Gopher Road Trip Coming to Owatonna

The annual University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Road Trip will again stop in Owatonna. The local visit on the statewide tour to promote the university's athletics' program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8 at 8AM at the Owatonna Country Club. The event is free and includes breakfast, but organizers ask people to register in order to reserve a seat. Click here to register.

Golden Gophers' play-by-play announcer Mike Grimm will emcee the program. Director of Athletics Mark Coyle and a number of coaches will address the audience. Those scheduled to appear include football coach P.J. Fleck, who gave a rousing introductory speech a year ago, shortly after his hiring and before coaching a game for the Gophers.

Men's basketball coach Richard Pitino will be along again. New men's hockey coach Bob Motzko, an Austin High School graduate, will speak. Men's gymnastics coach Mike Burns will likely show that coaches can be athletic too. In previous years he has performed a handstand and walked on his hands. Wrestling coach Brandon Eggum and volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon will be included.

Other coaches on the list are women's soccer coach Stefanie Golan, women's gymnastics coach Jenny Hansen, men's golf coach Justin Smith and women's tennis coach Catrina Thompson.

The morning includes a chance to win prizes, plus photo opportunities with Goldy Gopher and the coaches.