Message from the Golddiggers President

Are you ready for the 2005 edition of Golden Gophers volleyball?

Wow, it doesn't seem possible that the 2004 NCAAs and Final Four vs. USC and Stanford were over eight months ago! It's time again for Dr. Mike and the Gophers volleyball staff to work their coaching "magic." Seven new Gophers -- that's a lot of new names, faces and numbers to learn quickly. And returning first team All-Americans Paula Gentil and Kelly Bowman. And “new” volunteer assistant coach, Jen Bowman.

You'll want to be a volleyball "insider" and part of this year's program early-on. Hopefully you've already joined (or rejoined) the Golddiggers' booster club for 2005, and purchased your 2005 volleyball season tickets. We've already hosted a very successful First Practice event and dinner with the team earlier this month. The Golddiggers also have six Saturday post-match receptions planned for this fall, including one following the recently-revived Varsity-Alum match on Saturday, August 27th. You'll want to attend all of them.

We also have concrete plans for a bus trip to the Wisconsin and Northwestern away matches on the weekend of September 23rd and 24th. You'll also want to be part of that trip and experience the camaraderie of the booster club "faithful." See the rest of the Golddiggers web page for information.

We're also assisting the Gophers (both the athletic department and the volleyball program) in their fundraising efforts to upgrade and improve their team locker room, team meeting room and some of the other Pavilion facilities to "NCAA Final Four stature." You can help us there too -- just go to our Golddiggers’ website for more information.

Finally, you can show up and cheer on the Gophers, both at home and on the road. Help us improve our home match attendance. Tell your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Invite them to attend home matches. It's still a great bargain, great entertainment, and great fun!

I'm looking forward to a great 2005 season, hopefully with you and with your support! I'll see you at the Pavilion for the Varsity-Alum match, and then for the Diet Coke Classic. And don't forget our match vs. #1 Nebraska.

Point U!
John Oravis
Golddiggers President