KMGK radio sports banquet is May 2 - get your tickets!

Tickets are still on sale for the seventh annual KMGK radio sports banquet in Glenwood.

This year's speaker at the banquet is Robert (Bob) Stein, a two-time All American and two-time Academic All American at the U of M, Stein was a formidable defensive end for the Gophers in the late 60's and played a pivotal role on the 1967 Big Ten Championship team.

The banquet will be held Wednesday May 2, at the Lakeside. Ballroom for the seventh straight year. Tickets for the public are available at the KMGK studios (320-634-5358). The dinner starts at 6 p.m. with the program to follow.

KMGK will recognize 20 area athletes from Minnewaka, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, West Central Area, Benson and Osakis schools. Also, a Female and Male coach of the year and a Legacy award for an area coach who has 'stood the test of time' will be recognized.

Few Gopher athletes are as accomplished as former Gopher great Bob Stein. A two-time All American and two-time Academic All American at the U of M, Stein was a formidable defensive end for the Gophers in the late 60's and played a pivotal role on the 1967 Big Ten Championship team. He was also a member of the '68 Big Ten Championship Track team.

He began his professional career in 1969 with the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. In the 1970 Super Bowl, the final game between the AFL and NFL The Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings .

At age 21, Bob was the youngest player to play in a Super Bowl. He graduated from the U of Minnesota and graduated from the Univ. of Missouri– Kansas City Law School while being a full time player. Bob was the U of Minnesota Rhodes Scholar nominee and later co-founded the Gopher Football booster program in 1980, The Goal Line Club.

Stein was the first President and CEO of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves, a position he held until 1995. As a senior executive for the expansion franchise and the new target Center Arena, he helped create over 850 jobs. The Wolves established and still hold the NBA attendance record.

Bob was inducted into the University of Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame and also his High School's Hall of Fame at St. Louis Park. As a member of the World Champion Chiefs, he is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Bob has volunteered on many community, corporate and non profit boards, including Bank of America of Mn advisory, Children's Cancer Research, Jacob Wetterling Foundation, Minnesota Zoo, Mpls. Downtown Council, Hennepin County Sheriff's advisory and FBI Citizen's Academy.

In 2009, Stein conceived and began the first class action lawsuit on behalf of the retired NFL players against the NFL. He fought for fair payment for the retirees for their use in NFL films. He represents many past NFL players in regards to concussion related issues.

His dedication to former Coach Murray Warmath during Murray's retirement meant so much to him and was greatly appreciated by all who knew and played for Coach Warmath.

Again, join us on Wednesday, May 2, for an evening of great food, fellowship and assist in honoring the fine young men and women student athletes who represent our area high schools. Dinner starts at 6 p.m., and the program will follow. Call 320-634-5358 for information.