Seasons

SEASON: 76 | YEAR: 2024 
HEAD COACH: DAVE STEAD (993-996) 
HEAD COACH: JERRY BROECKERT (997-1012)

Game 993 | January 25, 2024 |  Rocco Baldelli, Tommy Watkins, Cory Provus

Rocco Baldelli, Manager, Minnesota Twins
Tommy Watkins, Third Base Coach, Minnesota Twins
Moderator:  Cory Provus, Play-By-Play Voice

Dave Stead, a Dunker since 1992 and long-time head of the Minnesota State High School League, began his year as Head Coach with a meeting featuring Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli and third-base coach Tommy Watkins. Despite optimism about the coming year, the team faltered and Baldelli was fired at the end of his seventh season while Watkins contract was not renewed for 2026.

Game 994 | February 15, 2024 |  Natalie Darwitz, Clay Matvick

LtoR: Dave Mona, Clay Matvick (moderator), Natalie Darwitz, Dave Stead

Natalie Darwitz, General Manager, PWHL - Minnesota Team
Moderator:  Clay Matvick, Play-by-Play, ABC and ESPN

Gopher great and hockey Hall of Famer Natalie Darwitz built the Minnesota entry in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League and, as General Manager, led the team to win the championship in the league’s first year.  She told of negotiating contracts and arranging the right to be the only team in the league to play in an NHL arena. She also joked about packing and shipping team travel bags. Several months after appearing at Dunkers she was fired in a dispute with the team’s head coach. The move to dismiss a Minnesota hockey icon did not go over well with fans.

Game 995 | March 6, 2024 |  Lou Nanne, Joe Schmit

LtoR: Dave Mona, Lou Nanne, Roshini Rajkumar (physician), Joe Schmit (moderator), Dave Stead

Lou Nanne
Moderator:  Joe Schmit
Physician:  Roshini Rajkumar

Making his 13^th Dunkers appearance dating back to 1969, Nanne shared his thoughts on everything from the Minnesota State Boys Hockey Championships to the current state of the National Hockey League and the Minnesota Wild. Nanne spent 24 years working with the Minnesota North Stars as a player, coach, general manager and team president. Already a member of numerous Halls of Fame, Nanne later in 2025 was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcast Hall of Fame.

Game 996 | March 13, 2024 |  Gov. Tim Walz

LtoR: Dave Mona, Dave Stead, Gov. Tim Walz, Lester Bagley (physician)

Governor Tim Walz, State of Minnesota
Physician:  Lester Bagley

Gov. Walz followed the tradition of Arne Carlson, Tim Pawlenty and Mark Dayton in appearing before Dunkers. Now in his second term, he talked about the role of professional sports in the state and the value of attracting special events such as the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four and various All Star games to Minnesota as it related to both the economy and reputation of the state.

SEASON: 76 | YEAR: 2024 HEAD COACH: JERRY BROECKERT

Game 997 | April 10, 2024 |  Derek Falvey, Thad Levine, Cory Provus

LtoR: Dave St. Peter (physician), Derek Falvey, Cory Provus, Thad Levine, Jerry Broeckert, Dustin Morse

Derek Falvey, President of Baseball Operations, Minnesota Twins
Thad Levine, General Manager, Minnesota Twins
Moderator: Cory Provus, Play-By-Play Voice
Physician:  Dave St. Peter

When Dave Stead had to step down from Dunkers duties due to family illness issues, Jerry Broeckert volunteered to take over. It marked his second season as head coach. With a new Twins season beginning, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine looked ahead with the help of moderator Cory Provus. Falvey and Levine joined the Twins in 2016. The 2024 season began well for the team, but a late-season slump ended the season on a bad note. Levine resigned after the season in November.

Game 998 | April 24, 2024 |  Tim Tschida

LtoR: Dave Mona, Tim Tschida, Eric Curry (physician), Jerry Broeckert

Tim Tschida, MLB Umpire, Retired 
Moderator:  Eric Curry
Physician:  Dave St. Peter

Tim Tschida was the youngest umpire in major league baseball in 1986 and retired in 2012. Always a great story teller, this was his fourth Dunkers appearance. He offered opinions on replay, challenges and the upcoming Automated Ball/Strike Challenge System. He entertained the large audience with his recollection of the time he ejected Twins pitcher Joe Niekro when he found an emery board in his back pocket.

Game 999 | Editorial Note - Game 801 numbering was duplicated so 999 is used as an empty game number.

Game 1000 | May 14, 2024 |  John Anderson, Mike Max, Paul Molitor, Rob Fornasiere, Brian Rabbe

LtoR: Mike Max, Coach John Anderson, Paul Molitor, Rob Fornasiere, Brian Raabe

LtoR: Jerry Broeckert, Mike Max (moderator), Mark Coyle (physician), Coach John Anderson, Jeff Ettinger, Dave Mona

John Anderson, Head Coach, Men’s Baseball, University of Minnesota 
Rob Fornasiere, Former Asst. Coach, Men’s Baseball, University of Minnesota
Brian Raabe, Former player, Men’s Baseball, University of Minnesota
Modertor: Mike Max

 One of the largest crowds in Dunker history turned out to hear from University of Minnesota baseball coach John Anderson who was making his 20 th appearance before the group. Coach Broeckert, in going over a list of all-time meetings, found that an earlier meeting had been double counted and that this would be the 1,000th meeting dating back to 1948. Anderson was joined by Paul Molitor, Rob Fornasiere and Brian Rabbe to share stories about his long history with the Gopher program.

Game 1001 | June 12, 2024 |  Paul Allen, Matt Birk, Ben Leber, John Randle

LtoR: John Randle, Matt Birk, Dave Mona, Paul Allen, Ben Leber, Jerry Broeckert

Matt Birk, Former Viking Center 
Ben Leber, Former Viking Linebacker
John Randle, Former Viking Defensive Tackle
Moderator:  Paul Allen, Play-by-Play Voice of the Minnesota Vikings

 The Minnesota Vikings have long been recognized as being among the best in the National Football League in keeping their alumni heavily involved in the community. With the help of Dunker Bob Hagen, Matt Birk, Ben Leber and John Randle shared their favorite Viking stories while contrasting today’s game and salaries with the years in which they played.

Game 1003 | July 18, 2024 |  Paul Allen, Kevin O'Connell, Andrew Miller, Lester Bagley

LtoR: Paul Allen, Kevin O'Connell, Andrew Miller (physician), Lester Bagley

Kevin O’Connell, Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings 
Moderator:  Paul Allen, Play-by-Play Voice of the Minnesota Vikings

O’Connell joined the Vikings as head coach for the 2022 season. After a disappointing 7-10 record in 2023, the Vikings made major strides in 2024 finishing with a 14-3 record. Based on that year-to-year improvement O’Connell was named AP NFL Coach of the Year.

Game 1004 | July 23, 2024 |  Hollis Cavner, Jennifer Hines

LtoR: Matt Duffy, Jennifer Hines (physician/moderator), Hollis Cavner

Hollis Cavner, Co-Founder, Partner, CEO, Pro Links Sports 
Moderator:  Jen Hines

Long-time Dunker member Hollis Cavner, on the eve of the 3M Open, talked about his strategy in luring big-name and up and coming golfers to his annual event. Over the years Cavner has provided numerous golf legends for Dunkers meetings. His 2024 3M Open was won by Jhonattan Vegas.

Game 1005 | August 1, 2024 |  P. J. Fleck

LtoR: Mark Coyle (physician), P. J. Fleck, Dave Mona

Game 1006 | September 17, 2024 | Talking Hockey: John Harrington, Brock Faber, Bob Motzko, Tom Reid, Joe Schmit

LtoR: Joe Schmit, John Harrington, Bob Motzko, Brock Faber, Tom Reid

Brock Faber, Current Minnesota Wild player
John Harrington, Olympic Gold Medalist
Bob Motzko, Head Coach, Men’s Hockey, University of Minnesota
Tom Reid, Broadcaster, Former player
Moderator:  Joe Schmit

Dunker Joe Schmit led an animated hockey conversation. Faber talked about the transition from the Gophers to the Wild and the National Hockey League. Harrington recalled the excitement around the 1980 U.S. Olympic “Miracle on Ice.”: Motzko shared a preview of the upcoming Gopher season. 

Game 1007 | September 24, 2024 |  Talking Gopher Basketball: Ben Johnson, Dawn Plitzuweit, Derek Burns, Mike Max

LtoR: Mike Max, Derek Burns, Dawn Plitzuweit, Ben Johnson

Derek Burns, President, Dinkytown Athletes 
Ben Johnson, Coach, Men’s Basketball, University of Minnesota
Dawn Plitzuweit, Coach, Women’s Basketball, University of Minnesota
Moderator: Mike MaxPhysician:  Mark Coyle

Gopher basketball and Name Image and Likeness were on the agenda as the winter sports season approached. Men’s Coach Ben Johnson, entering his fourth season, talked about the balance of recruiting and the transfer portal in building his team. His contract was not renewed after a record of 56-71. Plitzuweit, in her second year with Minnesota after being named three-time Summit League Coach of the Year, compiled a 25-11 record and won the post-season Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament. Burns talked about the growth of Dinkytown Athletes, the official NIL collective for Gopher sports and its impact on recruiting and retention.

Game 1008 | September 27, 2024 |  Davis Love III, Patrick Hunt

LtoR: Patrick Hunt, Davis Love III

Davis Love, III, 1997 PGA Champion, Member World Golf Hall of Fame 
Moderator:  Patrick Hunt

Dunker member Patrick Hunt, a long-time friend of professional golfer Davis Love, shared a conversation with the 21-time PGA tournament winner.  Love won the 1997 PGA Championship at Winged Foot Country Club.  They shared stories of Love’s participation on two U.S. Ryder Cup teams and his work on Love Golf which recently signed a contract with Chaska’s Hazeltine National to work with membership on its long-term plan to host major golf events.

Game 1009 | October 17, 2024 |  Dr. Rebecca Cunningham

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham

Rebecca Cunningham, President, University of Minnesota 
Physician:  Dave Mona

Since the beginning of Dunkers in 1948 no organization has supplied as many speakers as the University of Minnesota. Two representatives of that institution, basketball coach Ozzie Cowles and football coach Bernie Bierman, were the speakers at the second and sixth meetings. For the past several decades the presidents of the University have been both speakers and Dunker members. Dr. Rebecca Cunningham kept that tradition alive when she joined the U as its 18th president in 2024. Coming from the University of Michigan she described herself as having a long-time interest in hockey.

Game 1010 | October 31, 2024 |  Chris Finch, Alan Horton

(LtoR) Chis Finch, Alan Horton

Chris Finch, Head Coach, Minnesota Timberwolves 
Moderator:  Alan Horton, Radio Play-by-Play, Minnesota Timberwolves

 Chris Finch started his successful coaching career in 1997 at the Sheffield Sharks where he was named “Coach of the Year” in the British Basketball League. He became head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2021 and coached the team to its best record ever in 2024 as it defeated the Phoenix Suns and defending champion Denver Nuggets before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals. This was his fourth time as a speaker at Dunkers.

Game 1011 | November 5, 2024 |  Bill Guerin, Kevin Gorg

(LtoR) Kevin Gorg, Bill Guerin

Bill Guerin, President of Hockey Operations, General Manager, Minnesota Wild 
Moderator:  Kevin Gorg

 A 1989 first-round draft choice of the New Jersey Devils, Bill Guerin went on to play 18 seasons in the National Hockey League. His teams won two Stanley Cups and he represented the United States on three different Olympic teams. Guerin joined the Minnesota Wild as the team’s general manager in 2019. A popular, funny and entertaining speaker, Guerin was making his fifth Dunkers appearance.

Game 1012 | December 11, 2024 |  Year End Review / Preview – Dave Mona and Sports Leaders

Participants: Dave Mona, Dave St. Peter, Lester Bagley, Matt Majka, Ryan Tanke, Rebekka Brunson, Shari Ballard, Andrea Yoch, Mark Coyle, Phil Esten, Erich Martens, Wendy Blackshaw.

Dave Mona, General Manager, Dunkers
Dave St. Peter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota Twins
Lester Bagley, Executive Vice President, of Public Affairs, Minnesota Vikings
Matt Majka, President, Minnesota Wild
Ethan Casson, CEO, Minnesota Timberwolves
Rebekka Brunson, Assistant Coach, Minnesota Lynx
Shari Ballard,  Chief Executive Officer, Minnesota United FC
Andrea Yoch, President, Minnesota Aurora
Mark Coyle, Director of Athletics, University of Minnesota
Phil Esten, Vice President and Director of Athletics, University of St. Thomas
Erich Martens, Executive Director, Minnesota State High School League
Wendy Blackshaw, Chief Executive Officer and President, Minnesota Sports and Events

In a tradition dating back to 2007 leading sports figures fielded a series of 
rapid-fire questions about the current status of their team and challenges
and opportunities in the coming year.

Seasons