Timberwolves Town Hall

FOX Sports North teamed up with KFAN to host Timberwolves Town Hall from Clear Channel studios on Friday, June 25. The one-hour Minnesota Timberwolves special was streamed live on foxsportsnorth.com beginning at 3:00 p.m. and debuted on the network later that evening.

Hosted by Anthony LaPanta and discussion moderator Paul Allen, fans had the opportunity to ask Timberwolves president of basketball operations, David Kahn and head coach Kurt Rambis about current personnel, team direction, free agency, draft, future moves and more. Viewers also heard from the Timberwolves first round draft pick and other special guests.

Check out a few clips:
Rambis: http://tinyurl.com/2bjwokw
Kahn: http://tinyurl.com/28j2k7z

Unique Content on foxsportsnorth.com

Flag Raisers & National Anthem Profiles
Jay Lawrence, a Minnesota native, a veteran and a decorated military journalist profiles all of the Target Field flag raisers and National Anthem performances on foxsportsnorth.com. To view all of Jay's profiles: http://tinyurl.com/25m4out

Excerpt: "Call him 'Buddy'." Everyone does. No one knows why, but for the past 88 years, Staff Sgt. George (Buddy) Shurson has answered to that name. Buddy went on over 50 combat missions in World War II. As an engineer gunner on a B-17, Buddy and his weapon were responsible for protecting his flying can of explosives from enemy anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor fighter planes..."
To read Buddy’s full profile: http://tinyurl.com/2bnsccs

“Fan of the Game” Profiles

The game of baseball in general would be nothing without fans. Therefore, foxsportsnorth.com is honoring the members of the Twins team that often go unheralded, the fans. To view all of the "Fan of the Game" profiles: http://tinyurl.com/27jhz6f

Excerpt: “Emily Guidera got a pretty stellar start as a Twins fan. While living in California, her father took a trip to apply for a job in Minnesota. He brought back a book for Emily all about Kirby Puckett…” To read Emily’s full profile: http://tinyurl.com/289jrh2

Changing Lives: Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities

Home Team Scholarship
FOX Sports North, in conjunction with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, Vikings and Wild, recently presented the third annual Home Team Scholarship to the Boys & Girls Clubs State Youth of the Year finalists. The $25,000 Home Team Scholarship program was designed to bring together the sports community to positively affect the lives of disadvantaged youth by providing financial support. The scholarships provide opportunities to students who may not necessarily succeed in athletics, but succeed in other areas including academics and community service.

Kids in the City
FOX Sports North recently hosted the sixth annual "Kids in the City—A Celebration of All-Stars" event to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities at TCF Bank Stadium. Kids in the City serves as a fundraiser, showcases the FOX Sports North Youth All-Star Program and celebrates the achievements of Boys and Girls Club members throughout the Twin Cities. This year's event raised over $115,000 for the Clubs.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer served as the event’s emcee for the third year in a row. Cuddyer was joined by other Minnesota athletes, sports personalities and team mascots, including: Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders, Minnesota Stars players, numerous University of Minnesota athletes, T.C. Bear, Crunch, Nordy, Goldy Gopher, Buzz, Viktor the Viking and Mudonna.

Photo 1: The Boys & Girls Club State Youth of the year finalists with (bottom, left-right) Bryan Donaldson, Minnesota Twins; Ryan Tanke, Minnesota Timberwolves; Mike Dimond, FOX Sports North; Brad Bombardir, Minnesota Wild and Stoney Hayes, Boys & Girls Clubs. (not pictured: Minnesota Vikings)

Photo 2: Minnesota Twins player and Kids in the City emcee Michael Cuddyer with Mike Dimond of FOX Sports North and Boys & Girls Club staff

Photo 3: University of Minnesota football players interact with Boys & Girls Club kids

North Supports Special Olympics

FOX Sports North is proud to support Special Olympics Minnesota. A team of employees recently spent the afternoon volunteering at the Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games at the University of Minnesota and also attended the Champions Luncheon to honor and celebrate the 2010 athletes.

The North offices are currently collecting donations to send a Special Olympics athlete to the National Games. You can donate too, just visit the North Supports page on foxsportsnorth.com: http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/pages/north_supports

Photo: FOX Sports North employees (left-right) Stephanie Klinger, Dawn Thilmony, Kate Kauffman, Mark Piper, Mark Swanson, Patricia Whitney, Vanessa Lambert, Amy Anderson, Ryan Sirvio, Ann Waara and Becky Ross volunteer at the Summer Games.

Employee Spotlight

Ann Carroll: Congratulations to Ann Carroll on the birth of Jack Walter, born on June 4.

Amy Anderson: Congratulations to Amy Anderson who recently left her position as Marketing and On-Air Presentation Manager at FOX Sports North and Wisconsin to accept a position with FOX Sports in Los Angeles as Marketing and Digital Sales Manager. Amy worked for FOX Sports North for seven years. She will be missed.

Qwest Twins Live Promos Celebrate Outdoor Baseball

The Minnesota Twins weren’t the only ones to make the transition to outdoor baseball. Check out two of our new Qwest Twins Live promos.

Tune in to our new outdoor Qwest Twins Live pre and postgame shows before and after every Twins game at Target Field.

FREEZE FRAME

The Minnesota Cable Association hosted their annual Jimmy Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for various charities including the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. (left-right) John Storck, MLB Network; Jean Edhlund, FOX Networks; Tom Bordwell and Bill Jensen, Mediacom

FOX Sports North interns Jordon Eder and Adam Dressel work the FOX Sports North bean bag toss game at the Minnesota Wild Summer Bash at the Mall of America

FOX Sports North employees (left-right) Becky Ross, Dawn Thilmony, Kate Kauffman, Ann Waara, Stephanie Klinger, Ryan Sirvio and Vanessa Lambert with 1980 US Hockey "Miracle" team player, Rob McClanahan at the Special Olympics Minnesota Champions Luncheon

Marney Gellner interviews Twins fans at Target Field for "Pick the Stick"

Countdown to Target Field

Opening Day at Target Field is only a few days away and FOX Sports North will celebrate the historical day with exclusive all-day coverage of the highly anticipated home opener on Monday, April 12.

*Coverage Begins at 5:00 a.m.*
5:00 a.m. Countdown to Target Field-presented by McDonalds
1:00 p.m. Qwest Twins Live pre-game show (Opening Ceremonies)
3:00 p.m. Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox
6:00 p.m. Qwest Twins Live post-game show
7:00 p.m. Qwest Twins Live pre-game show (replay)
8:00 p.m. Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox (replay)

What to Watch For:
New custom FOX Sports North/Minnesota Twins theme song written and performed by GB Leighton: http://www.gbleighton.com/

New Qwest Twins Live pre and postgame set locations located on Target Plaza and the left field concourse, and staffed with FOX Sports North emcees.

Photo: Anthony LaPanta prepares for Opening Day and outdoor baseball at the new Qwest Twins Live pre/postgame set location

Twins Return

Baseball’s back and the Twins return to FOX Sports North. Check out some of our coverage so far this season…and it’s only opening week!

A Whole New Ballgame: http://tinyurl.com/yzwxw5v
Our 1st instructional at Target Field: http://tinyurl.com/yg42q6w
It’s all about the food: http://tinyurl.com/yfh69dq
Retired Numbers Ceremony: http://tinyurl.com/yjox8hz
Twins on Target Field: http://tinyurl.com/yfmlr7q
Joe Mauer Press Conference: http://tinyurl.com/ybok7go
Target Plaza Grand Opening: http://tinyurl.com/ycu2fpz

Twins Home Opener Viewing Party

Heading downtown for Twins Home Opener festivities on Monday but don’t have tickets? Then watch the game from the best seat in the house at Smalley’s 87 Club!
FOX Sports North is hosting a viewing party where fans can register to win Twins tickets and other prizes. The party starts at noon, Monday April 12th. Roy Smalley is a FOX Sports North Twins analyst and member of the 1987 Twins World Series Team.

More information: http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/

Save the Date: May 10

FOX Sports North is excited to announce details for the 6th annual “Kids in the City” event. The fundraising event is designed to showcase the FOX Sports North Youth All-Star Program and celebrate the achievements of Boys & Girls Club members of the Twin Cities. The event has helped raise over $600,000 for the clubs to date.

This year’s event is at TCF Bank Stadium and will be hosted by Minnesota Twins outfielder, Michael Cuddyer. It’s a great event for the entire family. Tickets are only $50 and kids are free.

Purchase Your Ticket! http://tinyurl.com/yzh478w

FOX Sports "North Supports" The Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the month of April: http://tinyurl.com/yjb353d

North Supports: Minnesota Food Share Month

The FOX Sports “North Supports” campaign continues to grow and gain support, not only from employees but also from fans and other local companies. The month of March focused on the Minnesota FoodShare initiative, a statewide media campaign to promote food shelf donations. Check out how we made a difference:

Employee Outreach
Employees at the North office organized a pancake breakfast fundraiser to collect donations from staff.

Fan Outreach
Throughout the month, FOX Sports North sent out hunger facts on Twitter and encouraged fans to “retweet” the facts for the chance to win a FOX Sports North water bottle. Many fans retweeted the messages, spreading the word across the North region.

Building Outreach
FOX Sports North expanded the food drive effort by hosting an event for the entire Riverplace office complex—offering people the chance to win tickets to local sporting events if they made a donation.

In total, FOX Sports North collected over $600 and two large bins filled with food for Northpoint Health & Wellness Center in Northeast Minnepolis: http://www.northpointhealth.org/

Photos: Top-Mike Dimond and Amy Anderson flip up pancakes for the FOX Sports North staff. (Yes, Mike Dimond is wearing a hair net and apron) Bottom-Rachel Timman greets guests at the Riverplace drive.

Log On: www.foxsportsnorth.com

Foxsportsnorth.com continues to gain popularity and new followers every day, solidifying the network as the top sports destination for our FOX Sports North viewers

Exclusive Video
Over the past few weeks, Minnesota Twins PR Director, Mike Herman has doubled as a web reporter for foxsportsnorth.com, providing fans with exclusive behind the scenes footage and one-on-one interviews. Check out a few favorite videos:


Inside the locker Room: http://tinyurl.com/yzpzs58
Exclusive interview with Joe Nathan: http://tinyurl.com/yh8hqld
Behind the L Screen: http://tinyurl.com/yh8hqld

On the Big Screen
If baseball fans don’t already know about foxsportsnorth.com, they will. The logo is featured on the Minnesota Twins new high definition video screen. You can’t miss it!