In September and October, the MN Champions Tour, sponsored by Cub, brings the MN Champions story to life and provides fans with opportunities to interact through sports including basketball, curling, gymnastics, and hockey.
The tour will also feature a memorabilia exhibit where fans can check out items such as Lou Nanne’s Team USA sweater jersey, Gable Steveson’s shoes and a replica of his gold medal, Abby Hirsch’s 2014 Special Olympics USA Games T-shirt, and much more.
| Saturday, September 9 | Special Olympics Plane Pull | MSP International Airport Hangar |
| Tuesday, September 12 | Ian Leonard's Bad Pants Open | Rush Creek Golf Course |
| Sunday, September 17 | Excelsior Apple Days | Downtown Excelsior |
| Thursday, September 21 | Downtown Thursdays | Downtown Minneapolis |
| Saturday, September 23 | MN United FC vs St. Louis City | Allianz Field |
| Friday, September 29 | UMN Masonic Children's Hospital | Minneapolis |
| Saturday, September 30 | UMN Football Homecoming | McNamara Alumni Center |
| Wednesday, October 4 | MDC Annual Fundraiser | Mosiac Venue |
| Saturday, October 7 | Cub (appearance by Lou Nanne) | Stillwater |
| Thursday, October 12 | MN Wild Opener | Xcel Energy Center |
| Saturday, October 28 | UMN Gophers vs Michigan | McNamara Alumni Center |
The Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE) Champions Council, a diverse group of community leaders invested in the state’s vitality, has selected a new class of MN Champions, a group of Olympian star athletes who have inspired generations of Minnesotans. The 2023 class is made up of 11 Minnesota athletes who have participated in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Special Olympics USA Games, and the Summer and Winter Paralympics. See biographies for all our MN Champions.
Sadly, we lost an MN Champion and true hockey legend on September 18, 2023. Henry Boucha was one of the most electrifying hockey players in Minnesota history. After winning a silver medal in the 1972 Olympics with the U.S. national hockey team, Boucha dominated in the NHL. After a career-ending injury, he became a strong leader in his community. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Herb Brooks lead the Minnesota Gophers hockey team to multiple national championships, both as a player and a coach. Though nothing compares to leading the U.S. to an upset victory against the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics, the “Miracle on Ice.” Despite Brook’s tragic passing, his legacy lives on. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
After watching her older brother play hockey, Abby Hirsch fell in love with sports at a young age. Born with Down Syndrome, Hirsch has been competing in the Special Olympics for over 20 years. She is even a Global Messenger for Special Olympics MN. Abby is an inspiration to us all. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Sunisa (Suni) Lee, St. Paul native, is the first Hmong-American Olympian and an outstanding gymnast. She’s won numerous national and international championships that culminated into an individual gold medal and silver team medal in the 2021 Summer Olympics. Now, Suni prepares for the 2024 Olympic Team Trials at Target Center. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Maya Moore has left an indelible mark on women’s sports in Minnesota. Her hooping prowess helped guide the Lynx to four WNBA championship titles and the U.S. women’s basketball team to two Olympic gold medals. Moore is now taking a break to advocate for changes to the criminal justice system. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Lou Nanne was born in Canada but shined as a standout defenseman in ice hockey for the Golden Gophers. His stint with the 1968 U.S. Olympic hockey team led him to a 10-year career playing for the Minnesota North Stars. Lou even supported the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Cheryl Reeve has an extensive career coaching women’s basketball at the collegiate and professional levels. She’s most known for leading the Minnesota Lynx to four WNBA championships, as well as guiding the U.S. women’s basketball team towards two Olympic gold medals and FIBA titles. 2023 marks her 14th season as Lynx Head Coach. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Is it a bird? A plane? No, it’s three-time Olympic gymnast John Roethlisberger. John followed in his father’s footsteps, competing for the Golden Gophers and in the Olympics. After retirement, he pursued a career in coaching and commentary for Olympic events. He’s also a motivational speaker sharing his experiences and insights. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
John Shuster is a Minnesota-born curler who is exceptionally precise. He honed his skills in various junior and amateur curling events. He also competed in five straight Winter Olympics. His crowning achievement was when he guided the U.S. curling team to their first-ever Olympic gold medal in 2018, defeating Sweden. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Nobody has muscles like Gable Steveson. He went from four-time heavyweight wrestling state champion at Apple Valley High School to holding the highest winning percentage of any Golden Gopher, then to a gold medal in the 2021 Olympics, and now a WWE wrestler. Steveson is only 23 and one of the GOAT. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
Mallory Weggemann is a sight to behold. She was a swimmer in high school but became paralyzed after a routine medical treatment at age 18. That didn’t stop her. She got back in the water immediately, crushing it in three Paralympic games. Mallory’s accomplishments, even out of the water, are truly awe-inspiring. See full bio of all our MN Champions.
The MN Champions selection was headed up by a Champions Council committee, co-chaired by WCCO-AM Radio Host Henry Lake and Founder and CEO of T Time Sports Management Teresa Bergs, based on their involvement and impact on their communities locally and nationally.
Co-Chair, MN Champions Selection Committee
Co-Chair, MN Champions Selection Committee
MN Champions Selection Committee
MN Champions Selection Committee
MN Champions Selection Committee
Cub has been Minnesota's local grocery store for over 50 years, offering the best selection in town.
At the heart of Cub is the idea that being a good corporate citizen is an ongoing responsibility. We know being a good neighbor means providing for our customers beyond our store's walls.
Andy Nelson is a designer, illustrator, artist, and fourth-generation letterpress printer who grew up in South Minneapolis. After graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Design, he spent four seasons with the Minneapolis-based Optum Pro Cycling team (now Human Powered Health) as their Senior Designer, among numerous other design and creative roles.
Currently, Andy works as a freelance designer and has collaborated on projects for major brands, startups, local organizations, and artists such as Target, U.S. Bank, NBC, Peacock, Big Ten Football, MLS, Telemundo, Foster Adopt Minnesota, Clutch Brewery, and The Rose Ensemble.
