RELEASED:  Tuesday, October 9, 2007

University of Minnesota Tabs Strick As Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

Minneapolis, Minn.--Jim Strick has been selected to join the University of Minnesota Athletic Communications office, director of athletic communications Garry Bowman announced today.

Strick goes to Minnesota from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he worked as the assistant director of athletics for media relations since 1999.  He will serve as the Gophers’ primary media contact for men’s hockey, men’s tennis and women’s tennis beginning Monday, Oct. 15.

At UW-Stevens Point, Strick promoted three NCAA Division III basketball championship teams and successfully nominated two NCAA Top VIII Award winners.  He was also a member of the Division III West Region men’s ice hockey committee from 1999-2003.

In addition to his work at UW-Stevens Point, Strick served on the media staff for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, working as the press supervisor and press conference moderator for freestyle and slalom skiing events. He also assisted with media services at the 2006 NCAA men’s hockey Frozen Four, the 2002 NCAA men’s basketball Midwest Regional and the 2001 NCAA women’s hockey Frozen Four.

In 2007, Strick was recognized as the “Rising Star” award winner by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The award is presented nationally to one non-Division I member of the organization with less than 10 years in the profession.

A 1997 graduate of St. Norbert College, Strick spent two years as the first full-time sports information director as his alma mater before moving to UW-Stevens Point in June 1999.

“As a longtime follower of the WCHA and college hockey, I am well aware of the passion that exists for the Gophers in Minnesota,” Strick said. “I'm excited and honored for the opportunity to join a program and athletic department with such a deep tradition.”

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