David's Blog

UMD will soon host its first Dinner with Champions celebration. The goal is to connect our university with our community in a shared celebration that will honor and show appreciation for our outstanding student athletes.

We have much to celebrate... a NCAA Hockey National Championship for the Men's Hockey Team; two recent NCAA Division II Football Championships for our football team; and five recent Women's Hockey Team NCAA Championships. Clearly, UMD's talented student athletes have done their part in bringing positive attention to our beloved city. Our community's profile has been lifted up and enhanced by these fine young men and women. Our Shining City on the Hill shines more brightly because of UMD's abundant success.

It is time for us to give back to these student athletes and to the University that brings them together.

We need your participation and your financial support to make this celebration a success. You would be a hero if you sponsored a table of eight attendees (four student athletes will join you and your three colleagues at your table). You can also sponsor a single UMD student athlete.

Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Join us at the Lake Superior Ballroom in the City Side Convention Center at the DECC. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. The dinner and program begin at 6:15.

You can register by going to www.umdbulldogs.com or contact my friend and role model, Karen Stromme, UMD's Assistant Athletic Director. Karen will welcome your questions and your registrations. She can be reached at 726-7143 or kstromme@d.umn.edu. You can also open the attached invitation for additional details.

I hope you will join me and my colleagues at the Chamber as we celebrate UMD's student-athletes.

As a bonus, we will enjoy a motivational presentation, Winners for Life, provided by Head Football Coach Bob Nielson. If you are still not convinced you should attend, consider this... we will enjoy a second motivational presentation, What Makes a Champion?, presented by UMD Women's Hockey Coach Shannon Miller.

I am in. Are you?

In support,
David