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GLEN TAY L O R
OWNER
On March 23, 1995, Glen Taylor closed the deal
that made him majority owner of the Minnesota
Timberwolves.He added the title of NBA owner to
a list that already included international businessman,
state senator, entrepreneur, philanthropist
and executive of the year.
Before he even completed his first full year as
owner, Taylor set in motion his plan for making a
mark on the Minnesota sports scene.Prior to the
completion of the sale of the team from Marv
Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner, Taylor installed Rob
Moor and Roger Griffith as the team’s president
and chief financial officer, respectively, and promoted
Minnesota and NBA basketball legend
Kevin McHale to assistant general manager. With
the move of McHale to vice president of basketball
operations and Rob Babcock to vice president of
player personnel and the addition of head coach
Phil "Flip" Saunders and director of scouting and
player development (and now assistant coach)
Jerry Sichting , Taylor has assembled a basketball
staff with years of experience in the pro ranks.
Taylor, 62, is Chairman of the Board of Taylor
Corporation, located in Mankato,Minn., 75 miles
southwest of the Twin Cities.The Taylor Companies,
which are involved in the printing, marketing and
electronics industries,include more than 70 operating
divisions in 19 states, three Canadian
p r o v i n c e s , the United Kingdom, Australia and
M e x i c o . Their employees number more than
14,000,including more than 5,000 Minnesotans.
Taylor built his company from modest beginnings.While
a student at Mankato State University
in 1959, he took a part-time job at Carlson
Wedding Service. Fifteen years later, in 1974, he
acquired a majority interest in the company, laying
the foundation for what would soon grow into
Taylor Corporation. Taylor Corporation is the
nation’s largest printer of wedding invitations,controlling
more than half the market. Many of the
companies’ products are sold through independent
vendors such as gift and stationery stores.
Taylor’s business savvy has been recognized by Corporate
Report magazine,which honored him as its Executive of the
Year (1987), and the Sales and Marketing Executives of
Minneapolis/St. Paul, who awarded him with their Sales
Executive of the Year Award (1999).
Taylor was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1980,where
he served until 1990. He became assistant Senate minority
leader in 1982. From 1984 to 1986, he served as Senate
minority leader. While in the Senate, Taylor was instrumental
in providing leadership in the areas of higher education,child
care and economic development policies.
Through personal involvement, Taylor has remained active
in many civic and charitable causes. In Mankato, he has
served as YMCA President, Chamber of Commerce Director,
Mankato Jaycees President and United Way Campaign
Chairman. He has also has served on his church’s board of
deacons and board of trustees and on the Mankato State
University Foundation board of directors. On the state level,
Taylor has served as the director of the Minnesota Business
partnership, director of the Greater Minnesota Corporation
and president of the International T h e r m o g r a p h e r s
Association.
Nationally, Taylor has provided expert testimony on business
and child care issues to the U.S. Senate and House of
Representatives and served as a committee chair on the
1991 Commission on Reform and Efficiency (CORE).
In 1997,Mankato State University awarded Taylor his first
honorary doctorate. Taylor received the degree of Honorary
Doctor of Laws for his distinguished professional career and
volunteer service.In October 2001, Taylor was inducted into
the Minnesota State University, Mankato,Hall of Distinction.
Taylor was born April 20, 1941,and raised on a farm 60
miles west of his current home in Mankato. He graduated
from Comfrey (Minn.) High School in 1959.In just three years,
he earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics,physics and
social science from Mankato State University. He later continued
his education at the Harvard Graduate School of
Business.
Taylor lives in Mankato. His children, Terri, Jean, Taylor
Moor, Jeff and Kenney, and grandchildren, Andrea, Melissa,
Grayson, Emma and Abby, and great-granddaughter, Piper
Rose,enjoy attending many of the Timberwolves games.
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ROB MOOR
PRESIDENT
Rob Moor is entering his 10th year as President
of the Minnesota Ti m b e r w o l v e s , where he is
responsible for all day-to-day operations as well
as setting the strategic goals and objectives for
the franchise.
Prior to coming to Minnesota, Moor was the
Executive Vice President of the Los Angeles Kings
of the National Hockey League.
Moor began his career in entertainment at
MGM Studios in film production. He was
involved in the merger with United A rtists and
the subsequent sale of the studios to Ted Tu r n e r.
L a t e r, he joined 20th Century Fox working in the
areas of film distribution.
Moor has served on a number of non-profit
boards and continues to be active in the Tw i n
Cities community.
A native of Geneva,Switzerland,Moor moved to
the United States in 1966,living in Santa Barbara,
Calif., and Los Angeles. Moor and his wife, Taylor,
reside in Wayzata,Minn.,with their son,Grayson.
I M I T E D P A R T N E R S
WILLIAM F. BIEBER President of Acrometal Management Corporation,
Wayzata,Minn.Bieber resides in his native Wayzata,Minn.
RALPH W.BURNET Chairman/CEO of Burnet Financial Group,Edina,
Minn.Burnet resides in his hometown of Wayzata,Minn.
AL FALLENSTEINAn Executive Vice President at Taylor Corporation.He
resides in Mankato,Minn.
DENNIS FRANDSEN Owner/CEO of Plastech Corporation and
Frandsen Financial Corporation,Forest Lake,Minn.A native of Luck,
Wis.,Frandsen resides in Rush City, Minn.
R.WYNN KEARNEY, JR.– FRED LUTZ Kearney is an orthopaedic surgeon
at Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic,Mankato,Minn.,and he lives
in his hometown of Mankato. Lutz is president of Lutz-Lloyd
Enterprises,Inc.,Mankato,and resides in North Mankato.
BURTON J.McGLYNN Chairman of McGlynn Bakeries,Inc.A native of
Minneapolis,McGlynn resides on Captiva Island,Fla.
JOHN E.MOORE President of Moore G.P. LLC.A native of Edina,Minn.,
Moore resides in Minneapolis,Minn.
RICHARD “ P I N K Y ” M c N A M A R A CEO/Owner of A c t i v a r, I n c . , o f
Bloomington,Minn.McNamara resides in Edina,Minn.
THOMAS E.MOORE Managing Director/Investments at U.S.Bancorp
Piper Jaffray. Moore resides in Edina,Minn.
TERI E.POPP An attorney residing in Wayzata,Minn.
WILLIAM J. (BILL) POPP Owner/President of Popp Te l e c o m ,I n c . ,G o l d e n
Va l l ey, M i n n .A native of Minneapolis, Popp resides in Wa y z a t a ,M i n n .
JOYCE SEXTON Sexton resides in Incline Village,Nev.
WILLIAM SEXTON Sexton resides in Incline Village,Nev.
GLENDA K.TAY L O R - H U S TO NTaylor-Huston resides in Minneapolis, M i n n .
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KEVIN M CH A L E
VICE PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS/
GENERAL MANAGER
"This is our time to make a run.Right now!" K ev i n
M c H a l e , Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball
Operations/General Manager, made that statement
after engineering a flurry of transactions this past
summer that had the NBA community buzzing about
the new-look Wo l v e s . M c H a l e ’s constant desire to
improve the Timberwolves and his single-minded
focus to win mirrors the attitude he exhibited during
his Hall of Fame career with the Boston Celtics.Wo l v e s
fans can be assured that McHale will do his best to
build a championship team in his home state of
M i n n e s o t a .
One of McHale’s most heralded moves came
s h o rtly after he was named to his current post on May
1 1 , 1995: he selected high-school phenom Kev i n
Garnett with the fifth overall pick in the 1995 NBA
D r a f t . Considered a bold move at the time, M c H a l e
and his staff were rewarded with an outstanding rookie
campaign from Garnett. G a r n e t t ’s improvement and
M c H a l e ’s continual reshaping of the Wo l v e s ’ r o s t e r
have resulted in seven consecutive years of playoff
basketball in Minnesota.
McHale has had a history of success in the game
of basketball. In high school, he led Hibbing to the
Minnesota Class AA State Basketball To u r n a m e n t
title game. In college, he posted a career average of
15.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in four seasons
at the University of Minnesota, earning firstteam
All-Big Ten honors in 1979 and 1980. And in
the pro ranks, he joined the Boston Celtics for three
NBA championships, the first coming in his rookie
season with the team.
McHale continued that tradition of quick success
with the Ti m b e r w o l v e s , moving from special assistant
in 1993-94 to assistant general manager in 1994-95
to his latest endeavor as vice president of basketball
operations/general manager. In that role, McHale is
responsible for the franchise’s entire basketball operations
department — overseeing player personnel
d e c i s i o n s ,scouting and the coaching staff.
In McHale’s first season with the Wo l v e s ,1 9 9 3 - 9 4 ,
he served as a special assistant to the coaching staff.
That position utilized the experience of his lengthy basketball
c a r e e r, which culminated in the retiring of his pro, college and highschool
game jersey s . In August 1994, he was promoted to a new l y
created position of assistant general manager.
For two seasons, 1 9 9 3 - 9 5 ,fans enjoyed the insight and wit he
brought to his broadcast analysis on the Timberwolves Te l ev i s i o n
N e t w o r k . His unique style and perspective, combined with the talents
of Kevin Harlan, Chad Hartman and Tom Hanneman, made for
one of the top local broadcasts in the NBA. With the demands of
his vice-president position, McHale relinquished his broadcasting
duties with the Wo l v e s .
Prior to coming to the Timberwolves organization, M c H a l e
played 13 seasons as a power forward for the Celtics before
retiring in the spring of 1993. A first-round selection (third overall)
by Boston in the 1980 NBA Draft, McHale helped lead the
Celtics to three NBA championships (1981, 1984 and 1986),
five Eastern Conference titles and eight Atlantic Division crowns.
He was voted the NBA’s top sixth man twice (1984, 1985) and
was selected to the All-NBA First Team in 1987. He was also
named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (1986,
1987 and 1988). The 6-10 forward/center averaged 17.9 points
and 7.3 rebounds in 971 career regular-season games. He shot
55.4 percent from the floor and 79.8 percent at the free throw
l i n e . In 169 postseason contests, McHale increased his averages
to 18.8 points and 7.4 rebounds.
On Oct. 1 ,1 9 9 9 ,K evin McHale was recognized for his achiev ements
with the Celtics by being inducted into the Basketball Hall
of Fame in Springfield, M a s s . In the typical McHale style, he gave
credit to his teammates for helping him to get there. But no one
goes into the Hall of Fame without a lot of hard work and personal
accomplishment.
In addition to being named to the Basketball Hall of Fame,
McHale has received other honors for his basketball prowess. O n
July 8, 2 0 0 0 , he was inducted into the National High School
S p o rts Hall of Fame. On Feb. 1 8 ,1 9 9 5 , he was honored as the top
player in U of M men’s basketball history, as the school celebrated
its 100th anniversary in the sport . During the 1997 A l l - S t a r
Game in Clev e l a n d , he was honored as one of the NBA’s Top 50
Players for the league’s first half-century.
A native of Hibbing, M i n n . ,McHale was born Dec. 1 9 ,1 9 5 7 .H e
and his wife, L y n n , along with their five children, K r i s t y n ,M i c h a e l ,
J o s e p h ,Alexandra and T h o m a s ,reside in North Oaks, M i n n .
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FLIP SAUNDERS
HEAD COACH
Numbers don’t tell the whole story about the job
Flip Saunders has done during his tenure as head
coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves – even though
the numbers have been quite good.Saunders has led
the Timberwolves to the playoffs during each of his
full seven seasons at the Wolves’helm.On an annual
basis, he seems to get more out of his team than
many expect. This past season was no exception.
Saunders and the Wolves exceeded expectations by
completing the 2002-03 regular season with the
fourth-best record in the NBA at 51-31, marking a
franchise high for wins in a season.Additionally, the
team posted a franchise-record 33 home wins,
including a 17-game home winning streak while gaining
homecourt advantage in the NBA Playoffs for the
first time ever.
He was named Western Conference Coach of the
Month for February – the third time he's earned that
honor (January 2000 and 2001) – guiding Minnesota
to a 12-1 mark.At season’s end,Saunders was among
the top vote-getters for NBA Coach of the Year honors.
Saunders also led the Wolves to 50-win seasons in
2001-02 and 1999-2000. The Wolves recorded a
franchise-record 11-game winning streak in 2000-01,
which was also a league best that season.During the
1998-99 season,Saunders held together a club that
lost two key players and numerous others to injury to
record a 25-25 mark.
In 1997-98, Saunders coached the Wolves to
their first-ever winning season (45-37). He also led
the team to its first-ever postseason victory as the
Timberwolves beat the Seattle SuperSonics twice
before falling in the final game of the best-of-five
playoff series. In his first full season as the team’s
head coach, 1 9 9 6 - 9 7 , Saunders became the alltime
winningest coach in franchise history, l e a d i n g
the team to a 40-42 record and its first playoff
a p p e a r a n c e .
After seven seasons as a coach in the Continental
Basketball Association (CBA), Saunders was named
general manager of the Timberwolves on May 11,
1995.But his stay in a front-office-only capacity was
to be short-lived. On Dec. 18, 1995, he added the
title of head coach to his resume,replacing Bill Blair.
Saunders guided the Timberwolves to a 20-42 (.323) mark in 62
games during the 1995-96 season. He has a 328-276 (.543)
record in 604 games at the Timberwolves’helm.In his seven full
seasons as head coach, he has a 308-234 (.568) mark.
Saunders’328 career coaching wins rank 37th on the NBA’s alltime
win list and ninth among active coaches.
Saunders’record of basketball coaching success has a history
of its own.He ranks third all-time in the CBA with 253 victories.
He began his CBA career in 1988-89 with the Rapid City (S.D.)
Thrillers,then moved on to the La Crosse (Wis.) Catbirds for five
seasons (1989-94) before coaching the 1994-95 campaign with
the Sioux Falls (S.D.) Skyforce.He also served as general manager
(1991-93) and team president (1991-94) of the Catbirds.
Saunders’ impressive coaching resume includes seven consecutive
seasons of 30 or more victories,two CBA championships
(1990, 1992),two CBA Coach of the Year honors (1989,1992)
and 23 CBA-to-NBA player promotions.
In September 2001,he led the United States men’s basketball
team to a perfect 5-0 record and a gold medal at the
Goodwill Games in Brisbane,Australia.
Saunders began his successful coaching career at Golden
Valley Lutheran College, where he compiled a 92-13 record,
including a perfect 56-0 mark at home,in four seasons.In 1981,
he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater — the University of
Minnesota — as an assistant and helped coach the Golden
Gophers to the 1982 Big 10 championship.After five seasons at
Minnesota, he moved to an assistant coach position at the
University of Tulsa where he worked for two seasons before heading
to the pro ranks.
Saunders was an All-America basketball player at Cuyahoga
Heights High School in Cleveland.In his senior season,1973,he
was named Ohio’s Class A High School Basketball Player of the
Year after averaging a state-high 32.0 points per game.He continued
his basketball career at Minnesota,where he started 101
of his 103 career contests. As a senior, he teamed with Kevin
McHale,now the Timberwolves’vice president of basketball operations/general
manager, to lead the Gophers to an all-time
school-best 24-3 record.
Saunders was born Feb.23,1955,in Cleveland,Ohio.Flip and
his wife, Debbie, have four children: Ryan, Mindy and twins,
Rachel and Kimberly.
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BASKETBALL STAFF
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ROB BABCOCK
V IC E PR ESIDENT O F PLAYER PE RSONNEL
Rob Babcock enters his 12th season with the Timberwolves and second season as the team’s
vice president of player personnel. He was promoted to that position after spending the previous
eight years as the team’s director of player personnel and two years as a full-time scout
with the organization.
Babcock spent five seasons as the Denver Nuggets’ director of scouting before joining the
Timberwolves for the 1992-93 season. He has also held part-time scouting positions with the
Detroit Pistons, C l eveland Cavaliers, San Diego Clippers and Indiana Pacers. Prior to working
for the Nuggets, Babcock was the head basketball coach at Phoenix (Ariz.) College, where his
teams advanced to the ACCAC playoffs twice and were the regional runners-up in 1986.
A native of Phoenix, Babcock earned high-school All-America basketball honors in his
senior season. He attended Grand Canyon College in Phoenix and helped his team to a second-place finish in the
1974 NAIA final national rankings. Following his graduation from Grand Canyon, Babcock began his coaching career
in Mexico City at The American School Foundation. From Mexico City, he returned to Phoenix, where he coached at
Greenway and Maryvale high schools. In 1982, he earned Southwest Va l l ey Coach of the Year honors.
R o b ’s brother Pete is a former longtime NBA general manager, and his brother Dave is director of scouting for the
Milwaukee Bucks. Rob and his wife, L a u r a , have two sons, Nathan and Christopher.
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JERRY SICHTING
A S S I S TANT COACH
Jerry Sichting enters his ninth season as a member of the Timberwolves front office/coaching
s t a f f . Sichting began with the Wolves on May 11, 1 9 9 5 , when he was named director of scouting
and player dev e l o p m e n t . On Dec. 1 8 ,1 9 9 5 , he added assistant coach to his title. K n o w n
throughout his NBA playing career as a hard-nosed, tenacious competitor, Sichting brings those
same qualities of dedication with him to his front-office and coaching positions.
Sichting acquired an in-depth knowledge of the pro game from his 10 seasons as a player
in the NBA. He began his career in 1980 and spent the following five seasons with the
Indiana Pacers, averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game during the 1983-84 season. I n
1 9 8 5 , Sichting signed with the Boston Celtics and became an integral reserve. In 1986, h e
teamed with Kevin McHale, now Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations/general
m a n a g e r, to lead the Celtics to an NBA title. That season he averaged 6.5 points while shooting 57.0 percent from the
floor and 92.4 percent at the free throw line.
Midway through the 1987-88 campaign, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished his playing career
in 1989-90 as a member of the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks. Sichting appeared in 598 career regular-season
games, recording an average of 6.9 points and 3.3 assists per game.
After his playing career ended, he remained in Boston and ran the Jerry Sichting Basketball Camp for five years. H e
also spent four seasons (1991-95) serving as the analyst on Celtics’ radio broadcasts.
In March 2002, Sichting was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. A 1979 graduate of Purdue
U n i v e r s i t y, he was captain of the 1978-79 Boilermakers squad that captured the Big 10 championship.
Sichting is a native of Mart i n s v i l l e ,I n d . Jerry and his wife, J o n i , have four children, J a r e d ,J a s o n , Jordan and Jenna.
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RANDY WITTMAN
A S S I S TANT COA CH
BASKETBALL STAFF
Randy Wi t t m a n begins his eighth season as an assistant coach with the Timberwolves organization.
This is Wi t t m a n ’s second tour with the team. He was with the Timberwolves for five seasons (1994-
95 – 1998-99) as an assistant coach before serving as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers for
two seasons (1999-2000 and 2000-01), where he compiled a 62-102 record. Wittman originally
came to Minnesota from the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent the 1993-94 season as an assistant
coach under Quinn Buckner. He also served one season (1992-93) on Bob Hill’s staff with the
Indiana Pacers.
A 1983 graduate of Indiana University,Wittman played nine seasons in the NBA. He was a firstround
draft choice of the Washington Bullets but was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks prior to the start of
the 1983-84 campaign. During his NBA playing career, Wittman saw action with the Hawks,
Sacramento Kings and Pacers. He averaged 7.4 points per game, shooting 50.1 percent from the floor in 543 career games.
A two-time academic All-American at Indiana, Wittman was a member of the Hoosiers’ 1981 NCAA championship team and
was named co-Big 10 Player of the Year as a senior in 1983.
Wittman was honored in November 1995 with induction into the University of Indiana Hall of Fame. In March 1996 he was
named to the Indiana Silver Anniversary Basketball Te a m .A native of Indianapolis, Wittman and his wife, K a t h y, have two child
r e n , Ryan and Lauren.
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SIDNEY LOWE
A S S I S TANT COA CH
S i d n ey Lowe returns to the Timberwolves coaching staff after spending two-plus seasons as
head coach of the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies. In his two full seasons with the Grizzlies,
Lowe led the team to back-to-back franchise-best records, compiling 23-59 marks during the
2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons. His total of 46 wins ranks him as the winningest coach in
franchise history.
Lowe was a member of the Ti m b e r w o l v e s ’ inaugural team during the 1989-90 NBA seas
o n , averaging 2.3 points and 4.2 assists in 80 games. After a season as the Ti m b e r w o l v e s ’
t e l evision analyst, Lowe began his NBA coaching career with Minnesota as an assistant in
1 9 9 1 - 9 2 . He took over Minnesota’s head coaching duties midway through the 1992-93 seas
o n , compiling a 13-30 record to finish out that season and a 20-62 record in 1993-94. I n
1 9 9 4 - 9 5 , Lowe joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach under Mike Fratello. In five seasons as an assistant
coach with the Cavs (1994-99), Lowe helped the team compile a 248-212 record, including four NBA playoff
a p p e a r a n c e s . Lowe rejoined the Timberwolves as an assistant coach for the 1999-2000 season before being hired as
the Grizzlies’ head coach on June 1, 2 0 0 0 .
In addition to playing for the Ti m b e r w o l v e s , Lowe also hit the hardwood with the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers
and Detroit Pistons. Lowe played several seasons in the Continental Basketball Association and helped lead the A l b a n y
Patroons and Tampa Bay Thrillers to CBA titles.
Lowe played his collegiate basketball under Jim Valvano at North Carolina State. He helped the Wolfpack win the
1983 NCAA Ti t l e , earning Final Four A l l -Tournament Team honors in the effort .
Lowe and his wife, M e l a n i e , have three children, S i d n ey Jr. ,L i n d s ey and Lantzen.
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BASKETBALL STAFF
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GREG BALLARD
A S S I S TANT CO AC H
Greg Ballard enters his 10th season in Minnesota, joining the Ti m b e r w o l v e s ’ coaching staff
S e p t .2 8 ,1 9 9 4 . He came to Minnesota from the Dallas Mavericks, where he also served as an
assistant coach. In addition to his bench coaching role, Ballard also assumes some advance
scouting duties for the Wo l v e s . Ballard had worked as an international scout for Burghy Roma
of the Italian League before returning to the NBA to serve on Quinn Buckner’s staff in Dallas.
The fourth overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft out of the University of Oregon, B a l l a r d
played eight seasons with the Washington Bullets, including his rookie year on their 1978 NBA
championship squad. He was traded to Golden State in June 1985 and played two seasons
with the Warriors before heading to Italy, where he played for a year-and-a-half. He also had
a brief stint in the CBA and with the Seattle SuperSonics. Ballard owns a career average of
12.4 points per game in 802 NBA regular-season contests. He posted a career-high average of 18.8 points an outing
in the 1981-82 season.
In addition to being a member of the University of Oregon Hall of Fame, Ballard was inducted into the state of Oregon
Hall of Fame in August 1996. A native of Los A n g e l e s , Ballard was a highly regarded baseball prospect as a pitcher and
was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 15th round of the 1973 free-agent baseball draft.
Greg and his wife, D o n n a , have three children, L a w r e n c e , Gabrielle and Gregory Jr.
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DON ZIERDEN
A S S I S TAN T COAC H
Don Zierden joined the Timberwolves’coaching staff on July 11,2000.He was elevated to his current
position after serving as the team’s video coordinator in 1999-2000.Beginning this season,
Zierden will serve a more active role in player development.
Zierden rejoined Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders in a coaching capacity, having
worked with Saunders at the University of Tulsa (1986-88) and in the Continental Basketball
Association (CBA) with the La Crosse (Wis.) Catbirds (1990-94).The two led the Catbirds to the
1992 CBA championship.Zierden guided the CBA's Pittsburgh Piranhas to the 1995 CBA Finals,
becoming just the third rookie head coach in league history to reach the finals.The following season,he
returned to La Crosse to take over the head coaching reins of the new La Crosse Bobcats
of the CBA.
A native of Minneapolis, Zierden coached his alma mater, DeLaSalle High School, to the 1985 Class A State
Championship.He is only one of two rookie coaches in Minnesota history to take their boys team to a state basketball title.
In addition to his bench coaching role,Zierden also assumes some advance scouting duties for the Wolves.
Zierden,his wife,Anne,and their children,Isaiah and Rachel,reside in Brooklyn Park,Minn.
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ED PROHOFSKY
SPECIAL A S S I S TANT TO THE V. P. OF BASK ETBALL OPE RAT I O N S / G M
BASKETBALL STAFF
Ed Prohofsky joined the Ti m b e r w o l v e s ’basketball staff in 1997 as the special assistant to the vice
president of basketball operations/general manager after a lengthy and successful career as a basketball
coach. He brings years of involvement in area sports to his position, including work as the director
of athletics for Minneapolis Public Schools and as the athletic director for Blake High School.
P r o h o f s k y ’s duties with the Wolves include assisting vice president of basketball operations/general
manager Kevin McHale and head coach Flip Saunders in the day-to-day administration of the basketball
depart m e n t .
Prohofsky began his coaching career in 1957 as head basketball coach at the Killeen Base of the
United States Army in Te x a s ,where his team won the 4th Army championship. Prohofsky became head
basketball coach at Marshall-University High School of Minneapolis (where he spent 17 years coaching
everything from basketball to football to track) and compiled a 140-10 record, including a 53-game
winning streak from 1974-80. In 1976, Prohofsky led Marshall-University to the Minnesota State High
School Class A championship.
Prohofsky worked as an assistant coach on Saunders’staff at Golden Va l l ey Lutheran College for the 1980-81 season.The team
went undefeated until the National Tournament in Hutchinson, K a n .From 1981-89, Prohofsky coached at Hamline University in St.
P a u l ,M i n n . Prohofsky has been rewarded for his long and successful coaching career. He is a Hall of Fame member of the
Minnesota State High School Coaches A s s o c i a t i o n ,the Minnesota Basketball Coaches A s s o c i a t i o n ,the Minnesota State High
School League and the Minnesota State High School Athletic Directors.
Prohofsky lives in St.Louis Park,M i n n .with his wife, J o y c e .The couple has four adult children,R i c h a r d ,S h e r y l ,Susan and Pamela.
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BRENT HASKINS
VI DEO C OOR DIN ATO R / S C O U T
➡
S C O U T
ZARKO DURISIC
Brent Haskins begins his fourth season as the Wo l v e s ’ video coordinator and his second season as
an NBA advance scout, after working three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of
M i n n e s o t a .
As video coordinator, Haskins oversees the recording and editing of all videotapes of Wo l v e s
g a m e s , upcoming opponents and hundreds of college contests. The tapes, in turn, are used by the
Wo l v e s ’ coaching and front office staffs for game plan development and NBA Draft preparation.
A d d i t i o n a l l y, he will serve as an NBA advance scout and will do some college and NBDL scouting for
the team this season.
Haskins graduated with a sports management degree from Minnesota in 1996. A native of
Wa y z a t a ,M i n n . , the 30-year-old resides in Plymouth, M i n n .
Z a r ko Durisic begins his seventh season with the Timberwolves as a scout. D u r i s i c ,along with vice
president of player personnel Rob Babcock,will cover college and international scouting for the team.
A native of Montenegro (part of the former Yu g o s l a v i a ) ,Durisic played for the national teams of
Yugoslavia at all levels (cadets, juniors and seniors). He came to the United States in 1980 and
attended Wichita State University. Durisic was a member of two NCAA tournament qualifiers. H i s
1982 team lost to eventual national champion North Carolina State. Durisic's teammates at Wi c h i t a
State included former NBA standouts Cliff Lev i n g s t o n ,Austin Carr and Xavier McDaniel. After graduation
from Wichita State in 1984, Durisic played professionally for 11 seasons in Slovenia, where his
teams won six Slovenian national titles.
Following his playing career, Durisic coached in Slovenia. His 1995-96 squad included San
Antonio Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic, Miami Heat center Vladimir Stepania and former Phoenix
Suns forward Marko Milic. D u r i s i c, his wife, Tatiana,and their daughters,Jelena and Alexsandra,reside in Los Angeles.
53

54
MEDICAL STAFF
➡
GREGG FARNAM
ATHLE TIC T R A I N E R
Gregg Farnam begins his seventh season with the Timberwolves and his fourth as the team’s head athletic
trainer. He came to the organization from the St. Paul Saints Northern League baseball team, w h e r e
he served as trainer during the 1998 baseball season.
He was the athletic trainer for the gold medal-winning United States men’s basketball team at the
Goodwill Games in Brisbane, A u s t r a l i a ,in September 2001. He also provided medical coverage for the
women's volleyball team and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, C o l o . ,in July 2003.
In addition to being responsible for every aspect of the Wo l v e s ’training room operations, F a r n a m
works closely with the team’s medical staff in monitoring a player's physical condition as well as the
assessing and treatment of injuries. He is also responsible for coordinating team travel.
Farnam has also provided game coverage for the Institute for Athletic Medicine. He is a 1997 graduate
of St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine. He is a certified member
of the National Trainers A s s o c i a t i o n ,as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of
S p o rts Medicine.
Farnam and his wife,Ti f f a n y, along with their son, N o l a n ,and daughter, M a e ,reside in Champlin, M i n n .
➡
JOE SHARPE
STRENG TH A ND C ONDI TIONING COACH /ASS IST ANT T R A I N E R
Joe Sharpe is entering his second season as the team’s strength and conditioning coach/assistant
trainer. A specialist in the field for over 11 years,he is responsible for developing and prescribing
individualized training programs for the Wolves.
Sharpe has had previous experience working in the athletic department at the University of
Connecticut for nine years.He provided medical coverage for the men’s basketball team that won
a national championship in 1999.In August 2002,he worked at the Olympic Training Center in Lake
Placid,N.Y. Sharpe spent July 2002 working with the USA Basketball men’s junior national team.
He also had a stint with the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns.A certified member of
the National Strength and Conditioning A s s o c i a t i o n, he maintains certification in the National Athletic
Trainers Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Sharpe received both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in education with a concentration in sports medicine from
Old Dominion University. A native of Bedford, Va.,he resides in Edina,Minn.with his fiancee,Jennifer.
➡
ANDRE DELOYA
PHYSI CA L T H E R A P I S T
Andre Deloya is entering his fourth season as the team’s physical therapist.He joined the team
after serving for 10 years as a supervisor for the Institute for Athletic Medicine in Minneapolis.
Deloya has over 20 years of experience in the field of physical therapy. Deloya graduated with
a master's degree in physical therapy from Columbia University. He has extensive experience in
neuro-rehabilitation,orthopedic rehabilitation and sports and dance medicine.
He has worked with professional athletes from Major League Baseball’s Minnesota Twins and
the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League,as well as local and national dance companies
and touring musicians and figure skaters.
Deloya is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and
Conditioning Association.Deloya and his wife,Eileen,along with their daughters,Amanda and
Hailey, reside in Edina,Minn.
➡
DR.SHELDON BURNS
MEDICAL DIRECTO R
MEDICAL STAFF
Dr. Sheldon Burns returns for his 15th season as the Timberwolves’medical director. A doctor at
Edina Family Physicians, Burns is a Board Certified Specialist in Family Practice, Emergency
Medicine and Sports Medicine.
His duties with the Timberwolves include serving as team physician,coordinating medical care
and assisting in other club medical matters. Burns is also the team medical consultant for the
Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League and Medical Director for the Minnesota Lynx of
the WNBA and the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.He has served as team physician
for a total of eight United States Olympic or World Championship teams,most recently for USA
Basketball’s gold-medal-winning entry at the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament in San
Juan,Puerto Rico,in September 2003.Additionally, he has served as tournament physician for the
Minnesota State High School League.
Burns is a Clinical Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and is active in teaching sports medicine at
the Minneapolis Sports Medicine Center. He was a deputy medical commissioner of the International Olympic Committee and
has worked in six Olympic Games.
A native of Grand Meadow,Minn.,and raised in Nisswa,Minn.,Burns received his undergraduate degree from Hamline
University and earned his medical degree in 1974 from the University of Minnesota Medical School.Burns and his wife,Linda,
who reside in Minneapolis,have two children,Alicen and Evan.
➡
DR. DAVID FISCHER
O R T H O PA E D I C S U R G E O N
Dr. David Fischer is serving his 15th season as orthopaedic surgeon for the Timberwolves. Fischer
is a clinical associate professor with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of
Minnesota and the director of the Orthopaedic Center's Fellowship Program.
In addition to his duties with the Timberwolves, Fischer also serves as the team physician for the
Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.His resume includes work as team physician for
the 1992 United States Olympic men’s basketball team and the 1991 USA World University Games
men’s and women’s basketball teams.In 1990,he served as chairman of the local medical committee
for the U.S. Olympic Festival in Minneapolis.The previous year, he was a U.S. Olympic
Committee staff physician at the 1989 U.S.Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City. He is a trustee of
the National Gymnastics Foundation.
Fischer’s outstanding work was recognized by Mpls.St.Paul magazine,which rated him one of the top five orthopaedic
surgeons in the Twin Cities. Fischer completed his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and is a graduate of the
University of Minnesota Medical School. Fischer and his wife,Andrea,have two children,David and Katherine,and reside in
Edina,Minn.
55

EXECUTIVE STAFF
➡
ROGER GRIFFITH
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL O F F I C E R
Roger Griffith joined the Timberwolves in 1994 as executive vice president and CFO. In this role,
he is responsible for all accounting, box office,budgeting , finance and personnel operations for the
organization.In 1999,he added the duties of chief operating officer of the Minnesota Lynx to his
responsibilities.
Prior to coming to the Timberwolves,Griffith gained a variety of experience in public and private
industry. He previously worked for Taymark, a Taylor Corporation company, as division manager
of the ad specialty direct mail division.He also worked for Northwest Airlines as the director of
internal audit and spent time with a public accounting firm.
A native of Shakopee, Minn.,Griffith graduated magna cum laude from Augsburg College in
1984 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. In 1988,he
earned his MBA in general management from the University of Minnesota.Griffith resides in Eagan,Minn.,with his wife,Jean,
and daughters,Emma and Abby.
➡
CHRIS WRIGHT
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Chris Wright is entering his 14th season with the Timberwolves organization.As senior vice president
and CMO,Wright oversees the communications group (public relations,community relations,
website, Timberwolves Community Foundation and editorial content in publications),ticket sales
(season,partial season,group tickets),as well as the corporate sales group (suite sales,corporate
sales,corporate services and publication sales).
A native of England,Wright came to the United States in 1978.Prior to joining the Wolves,he
spent three years working for the state of Minnesota,first as a consultant working on bids for major
national and international events,including the programming for the $17.4 million National Sports
Center in Blaine.Prior to that,Wright also served as general manager for two Major Indoor Soccer
League teams,the Pittsburgh Spirit (1981-86) and the Minnesota Strikers (1986-87).
Wright, who graduated from Carnegie College of Physical Education in Headingly Leeds,
Yorkshire,England,is very involved with a number of local charities and youth sports programs.He resides in Eden Prairie,
Minn.,with his wife, Walla,their sons,Jeff and Ned,and their daughter, Christy.
➡
CONRAD SMITH
VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE SALES
Conrad Smith is entering his 10th season with the Timberwolves organization and his third as vice
president of corporate sales.In his current capacity, Smith oversees the day-to-day activities of the
corporate sales (television and radio advertising and arena signage),corporate services,publication
sales and suite sales staffs.
A native of Woburn,Mass.,Smith came to the Twin Cities in 1983.Prior to joining the Wolves,
he spent four years working as the director of corporate sales for Major League Baseball’s
Minnesota Twins.Prior to that,Smith held the same job title for four years with the National Hockey
League’s Minnesota North Stars.He also served as the director of public relations/marketing for
the Minnesota Strikers of the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1983-87.
Smith is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston,Mass.He serves on the board of directors
for the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities.Smith resides in Eagan,Minn.,with his wife,Carla,their daughters, Tara
and Christine,and their son,Brenton.
TED JOHNSON
D I R E C TOR OF COMMUNICAT I O N S
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Ted Johnson enters his first season as director of communications.Johnson oversees the strategic
development and day-to-day operations of the public relations,community relations and foundation,website
and publications aspects of the team.He also serves as the primary liaison to the
community, local and national media outlets,local government agencies and the NBA.
Prior to joining the Timberwolves,Johnson was employed by the public relations agency Weber
Shandwick.Before that,he spent eight years in government service and political campaign management.Johnson
served as deputy campaign manager for Hubert H.Humphrey III’s 1998 gubernatorial
campaign and held management roles in other national,statewide and legislative campaigns
in Minnesota. Johnson also spent time between 1994 and 1996 on the White House
advance staff organizing official visits for President Bill Clinton and the First Lady.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with degrees in political science and
history. A native of Coon Rapids,Minn.,Johnson,his wife,Lisa,and son,Thor, reside in Shoreview,Minn.
56 57
➡
➡
SKIP KRUEGER
D I R E C TOR OF BROADCASTING
➡
JASON LAFRENZ
D I R E C TOR OF MARKETING
Skip Krueger joined the Timberwolves as an intern in the broadcasting department at the beginning
of the inaugural season in 1989-90.In January 1991,Krueger was promoted to Broadcast
Coordinator, where he served for four seasons.
In October 2002,Krueger was promoted to his current job.In this capacity, Krueger oversees
all aspects of the broadcast department,including the in-house radio and television broadcasts
and the team’s in-house broadcast facility, and serves as the liaison between various broadcast
partners.He also produces the broadcasts on WFTC-UPN29.
A native of Aberdeen,S.D.,Krueger graduated from Creighton University in Omaha,Neb.,where
he majored in mass communications/broadcasting. Krueger resides in St.Louis Park,Minn.,with
his wife,Nikki,and daughter, Olivia.
Jason LaFrenz ranks near the top of the Timberwolves' longest tenure list,as he joined the organization
directly out of college in June 1989.He was a corporate account supervisor for several years
before being promoted to corporate services manager in 1994.He moved to corporate sales manager
in 1998,where he was responsible for selling advertising and corporate sponsorship packages.
In August 2001,LaFrenz was promoted to his current position as director of marketing. In that
capacity he oversees all aspects of the marketing department,including advertising, promotions,
branding, game operations,graphics and information systems.
A native of Eden Prairie,Minn.,LaFrenz graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire,
where he earned a degree in marketing . LaFrenz and his wife,Naomi,reside in Edina,Minn.,with
their daughter, Emma Grace.

58
EXECUTIVE STAFF
➡
JEFF MUNNEKE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FAN RELATIONS/GUEST SERV I C E S
Jeff Munneke is the Timberwolves employee with the longest tenure,having been hired on June 20,
1988.He is entering his first full season as executive director of fan relations/guest services after
serving 12 years as the team's director of ticket sales.
Munneke oversees all aspects of the fan relations/guest services department, which is
designed to serve as the primary contact for all requests,questions and feedback with a focus on
Timberwolves season ticket holders.Munneke’s staff will also renew all season ticket accounts.
As director of ticket sales,Munneke oversaw a staff that was responsible for selling and servicing
full and partial season ticket accounts,group sales events and promotions and also running
the Timberwolves youth basketball program.
A native of Lake City, Minn.,Munneke graduated from Huron (S.D.) University, where he earned
a degree in communications and was captain of the basketball team.Munneke broke into the
sports industry as a sales representative in 1987 for the Minnesota Strikers,an MISL soccer team.
Munneke and his wife,Julie,reside in Champlin,Minn.,with their son, Ty, and daughter, Megan.
➡
BRYANT PFEIFFER
D I R E C TOR OF TICKET SALES
➡
C O N T R O L L E R
JEAN STANKOSKI
Bryant Pfeiffer is entering his 10th season with the Timberwolves,having started in July 1994.As
director of ticket sales,Pfeiffer oversees all aspects of season and group ticket sales development,
including the team's regional sales program and telemarketing department.
Prior to becoming director of ticket sales last season,Pfeiffer served as ticket sales manager.
In that capacity, he helped oversee the sales processes for the largest department in the Wolves
organization.He was responsible for maintaining and increasing the team's fan base through full
and partial season ticket sales and group ticket promotions. Before he was promoted to ticket
sales manager, Pfeiffer was one of the NBA's top ticket sales executives.
A native of Woodbury, Minn.,Pfeiffer has a degree in business management from St.John's
(Minn.) University. He and his wife,Julie,reside in Eden Prairie,Minn.,with their daughter, Elizabeth.
Jean Stankoski has served 13 seasons with the Timberwolves,joining the team in May 1990.As
controller, Stankoski generates financial statements,oversees all accounting functions,including
payroll and accounts payable/receivable,and coordinates outside audits.Additionally, she administers
all benefits for staff and players and prepares special reports required by the NBA.
Prior to starting with the team,Stankoski managed the accounting departments for two local
cable television companies and was the accounting manager at Merrill Lynch Realty.
A native of Crosslake,Minn.,Stankoski has a degree in accounting/business administration
from St.Cloud Business College.Stankoski and her husband,Dave,reside in Eagan,Minn.,with
their daughters,Erin and Kaitlin.She also has two step-children,Jeremy and Trisha.
ACCOUNTING
MARCI SCHWEN
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
TARA MCCOY
RECEPTIONIST
LEA OLSON
TIMBERWOLVES AND LYNX BROADCAST
CHRIS ROOKS
CORPORATE SALES MANAGER
RYAN SEMANKO
BROADCAST COORDINATOR
VICKY REYNOLDS
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/ACCOUNTING CLERK
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
TERRELL BATTLE
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MANAGER
C O R P O R ATE SALES
ETHAN CASSON
MANAGER OF CORPORATE SALES
MARY BOHMBACH
SALES AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
SUZANNE RYSAVY
CORPORATE AND SUITE SALES COORDINATOR
ADMINISTRATION
SUSAN EITEL
MGR.OFFICE SERVICES/
EXEC.ASST. TO THE PRESIDENT
KAREN EILAND
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
ADMINISTRATOR
C URT MOSEL
CORPORATE SALES MANAGER
CORPORATE SERVICES
SCOTT COLEMAN
CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER
FAN RELATIONS/GUEST SERVICES
MOLLY TOMCZAK
BOX OFFICE MANAGER
TIMBERWOLVES STAFF
CHRIS JOHNSON
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
BROADCAST
BILL HOHENECKER
RADIO PRODUCER
CHAS VAN SLYKE
CORPORATE SALES MANAGER
JESSE SIMON
CORPORATE ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR
ERIC CAULFIELD
FAN RELATIONS/GUEST SERVICES EXECUTIVE
MEGAN MURPHY
LYNX OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
PAUL LOOMIS
A/V PRODUCER
BOB McGAHIE
CORPORATE SALES MANAGER
JON CARLSON
CORPORATE ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR
TONY WOLVERTON
FAN RELATIONS/GUEST SERVICES EXECUTIVE
59

60
TIMBERWOLVES STAFF
A N DY MUELLNER
FAN RELATIONS/GUEST
SERVICES EXECUTIVE
HENRY MOORE
GRAHIC DESIGNER
MIS/TELECOM
JEFF CREAMER
IS/COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
TEAM OPERATIONS
SANDY CUNNINGHAM
EXECUTIVE BASKETBALL ASSISTANT
JIM BUFFO
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
M O L LY LOOM IS
FAN RELATIONS/GUEST
SERVICES EXECUTIVE
CED FUNCHES
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
CARLOS ORTEGA
IS/COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
AMY PETERSON
BASKETBALL ASSISTANT
RICK NARVAEZ
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
GAME OPERATIONS
GREG V A N D E R W I LT
GAME OPERATIONS MANAGER
DAVE SHERMAN
TOP REGIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
P U B L I C AT I O N S
DAN BELL
PUBLICATIONS MANAGER
TICKET SALES
LEAH FOREMAN-KEISER
TICKET SALES EVENT COORDINATOR
SHANE STURGES
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
TONY K AMPS
GAME OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
M A R K E T I N G
LIZ HOGENSON
ADVERTISING MANAGER
PAUL KEMBLE
PUBLICATIONS SALES MANAGER
KONNI HIBICKI
GROUP SALES MANAGER
GRETCHEN SAGMOE
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
G R A P H I C S
S U I T E S
JOHN SCHISSEL
GRAHPICS MANAGER
ERIN FREYERMUTH
MARKETING COORDINATOR
KRISTEN ROSE
SUITE SALES EXECUTIVE
CHRIS PALAIA
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
MATT HANDY
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
TICKET SALES
.JODEY REIS
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
AARON STEELE
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
M ATT BARE
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
LARRY TRAVERSIE
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
NOT PICTURED
JON BARTHELME SUITE SALES EXECUTIVE
JIM GARDNER INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
KAREN KOOS PRODUCER/EDITOR
MIKE LINDAHL ASSISTANT VIDEO COORDINATOR
SCOTT McKONE INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
NICK RUGE INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
MARCUS C ARPENTER
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
RODJOHNSON
OUTSTATE TICKET SALES
COLIN PERKINS
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
LISA RASMUSSEN
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
S H E L LY BREEN
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
J.G.PRESTON
OUTSTATE TICKET SALES
CHERYL PFEIFER
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
NICK MAURER
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
DAVID SCHMID STAFF ACCOUNTANT
DAN SCHULTZ INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
REBEKAH SEVERSON CORPORATE ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR
ERIN TORRES INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
TRACEY VOGELPOHL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR
TIMBERWOLVES STAFF
TIM SENSION
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
COLLEEN SNYDER
DATABASE DEVELOPMENT &
SALES COORDINATO R
W E B S I T E
JEFF BERRYHILL
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
CRYSTAL COLBY
INTERNET MANAGING EDITOR
BOB HOHRMAN
TICKET SALES EXECUTIVE
R YAN TA N K E
INSIDE SALES MANAGER
JOEL ANDERSEN
INSIDE SALES EXECUTIVE
61

62
COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
➡
KENT WIPF
CO-MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELAT I O N S
➡
MIKE CRISTALDI
CO-MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELAT I O N S
Kent Wipf joined the Timberwolves media relations department in June 1989 and was promoted
to media relations manager in July 1993.
Wipf and Mike Cristaldi will team to oversee the daily operation of the club’s media relations
department,including maintaining day-to-day contact with the local,national and international
media,arranging interviews and overseeing the coordination of all player and coach appearances.
Wipf worked the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta as tribune manager, overseeing all the
courtside media for basketball and gymnastics.He earned bachelors’degrees in mass communications
and speech communications from the University of South Dakota.He attended graduate
school at Mankato State University while working in the sports information office.
The native of Huron,S.D.,lives in Minnetonka,Minn.,with his wife,Laura,and their children,
Lindsay, Kyle,Kevin and Lisa.
Mike Cristaldi enters his first season as co-manager of public relations with the Timberwolves,after
serving three seasons as manager of public relations for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.In that capacity,
Cristaldi oversaw the daily operation of the Lynx media relations department.
Prior to joining the Wolves/Lynx organization,Cristaldi served as director of public relations
and the radio voice for the Continental Basketball Association’s Rockford Lightning for the 1998-
99 and 1999-2000 campaigns.Additionally, Cristaldi spent the summer of 1998 working in the
public relations and marketing departments for the Pacific Coast League’s (triple-A baseball) Las
Vegas Stars.
Cristaldi and Kent Wipf will team to oversee the daily operation of the club’s media relations
department,including maintaining day-to-day contact with the local,national and international
media,arranging interviews and overseeing the coordination of all player and coach appearances.
Cristaldi earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and English from Marquette University. The native of Dedham,Mass.,
lives in Eden Prairie,Minn.,with his wife,Heidi.
➡
PAUL THOMPSON
A S S I S TANT MANAGER OF PUBLIC RELAT I O N S
Paul Thompson begins his fourth season with the Timberwolves.He assists the co-managers of
public relations in handling all player interviews and media requests.Thompson is executive editor
of the team’s media guide and writes a majority of the team’s press releases.He also travels with
the team in a public relations capacity, splitting those duties with the co-managers.
Before joining the Wolves,Thompson spent three seasons as manager of media relations for
the Sacramento Kings. He was the public relations manager for the Continental Basketball
Association league office in St. Louis for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 campaigns. Prior to that,
Thompson was a member of the San Antonio Spurs’ media relations department during the 1994-
95 season.
Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in mass communications/print journalism from Moorhead
State University and a master’s in sports administration from Western Illinois University. The native of Hutchinson,Minn.,
resides in Eden Prairie,Minn.
MEDIA INFORMATION
CREDENTIALS: Press seating at Timberwolves home games at Target Center is available to accredited media on
tables located on court level,baseline and the upper-level press box.Single-game credentials must be requested
no later than noon the day before the game (Friday noon for Sunday games).Requests should be made in writing
to Paul Thompson,Assistant Manager of Public Relations, Minnesota Timberwolves, Target Center, 600 First Ave.
North,Minneapolis,MN 55403; fax requests will also be accepted at (612) 673-8385.Credentials are good for
admittance to Target Center, the arena floor, the locker rooms,the media work room and the media dining room.
Those requesting single-game credentials will be seated on a first-come, first-served basis. Those holding
Timberwolves or NBA season credentials may enter the building through the Target Center Press Entrance located
on the Sixth Street side of the building . Single-game credentials must be picked up at the Media Entrance,located
at the corner of Sixth Street and Second Ave. ALL MEDIA WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESENT A PHOTO IDENTI-
FICATION PRIOR TO RECEIVING THEIR CREDENTIALS.ALL BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION PRIOR TO RECEIV-
ING A CREDENTIAL. Media members holding season passes should notify the public relations/communications
department if planning to cover a game in order to reserve seating. A media credential cannot be used to sit in
spectator seating areas.
DINING ROOM: Accredited media is invited to have a meal before each game in the Minnesota Timberwolves
media dining room located on the arena bowl level.Cost of a meal is $5 per person.The dining room opens two
hours before each game.Dining room usage will be limited to members of the media with valid Timberwolves or
NBA media passes.It is impossible to accommodate family members,friends,guests or others. ANY ABUSE OF
DINING ROOM PRIVILEGES WILL CAUSE FORFEITURE OF YOUR MEDIA PASS.
SERVICES: Complete statistics,along with pregame media notes,lineup information regarding injuries and other
pertinent facts,will be furnished by the Timberwolves public relations/communications department.Play-by-play
sheets,halftime and final box scores and postgame coach/player quotes will be delivered to working media areas.
There are sufficient electrical outlets available,and telephones are located at various points along press row and
in the media work room.Preference for telephone use will be given to writers and broadcasters filing stories on
deadline.The Timberwolves also provide one fax machine, which is available for complimentary use by working
media.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Only those photographers on assignment will be allowed space on the floor, and their media
credentials must be worn prominently at all times.Credentials are good for admittance to Target Center, the arena
floor, locker rooms (only if assignment warrants),media work room and media dining room.Photographers are only
allowed within the designated photographers area at each end of the court,unless permission is granted through
the Timberwolves public relations department to shoot in other areas of the arena.Spaces will be reserved for local
dailies and wire service photographers.Other spaces are available on a first-come,first-served basis.Positions may
be switched or rotated upon agreement of all parties involved.Professional courtesy should apply in all cases. ALL
BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION PRIOR TO RECEIVING A CREDENTIAL.
LOCKER ROOM: Both the Timberwolves and visitors locker rooms will be open up to 45 minutes before game time
and will re-open 10 minutes after the game.
COURTESY: Your cooperation is asked in maintaining a working atmosphere in the media room,at courtside and
in the locker room areas.During postgame interviews,preference for obtaining players and coaches will be given
to game broadcast crews conducting live postgame shows,newspapers writing on deadline and television stations
doing live reports.
63

64
TARGET CENTER STAFF
RICH BEST
TALENT BUYER
BOB GOEDDERZ
DIRECTOR OF SECURITY
JUSTIN HAY E S
CHANGEOVER CREW LEADER
STACY NATHAN
DIRECTOR OF TICKETING
JENNIFER SPRINGER
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
AMY CARRIER
MARKETING COORDINATOR
DARIN GRAF
STAFF ACCOUNTANT
REID KAT Z U N G
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
LORI SCHWEDER
TICKET SELLER
PETER STENE
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
MARK CHRISTO P H E R S O N
ELECTRICIAN
SARA GRUENWALD
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TICKETING
K EVIN KULAS
TALENT BUYER
JAIME SEELEY
RECEPTIONIST
MEGAN TEBRAKE
ASSISTANT MANAGER OF SUITE OPERATIONS
TIM DUFFY
DIRECTOR OF EVENTS
MARISSA HACKER
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
STEVE MAT T S O N
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JERRY SKINAWAY
OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR
NIKKI TRACY
GRAPHIC ARTIST
LAURA FULLER
BOX OFFICE SUPERVISOR
COURTNEY HASKO
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
CARLA JO MEHL
GUEST RELATIONS COORDINATOR
CURVELL SMITH
CHANGEOVER CREW LEADER
LAURA VIRKUS
ACCOUNTING MANAGER

66
TIMBERWOLVES DANCE TEAM
ABBY
2 nd Year
4th Year 1st Year 1st Year 3rd ALLYSON ANDREA EMILY HEATHER
Year
1st Year 1st Year 2nd Year 1st Year 1st JEN KARLA KRISAN KRISSY KRISTI
Year
3rd Year 1st Year 1st Year 1st Year 3rd NATALIE SHANNON SHAYNA STACEY STACY
Year
4th Year Director 4th MELISSA SAX TURA HALLBLADE
Year Director
For more information, contact directors Melissa Sax
and Tura Hallblade at 612-673-8322.
The 2003-04 Timberwolves Dance Team will debut this
season with a new look and an even greater focus on
entertaining Timberwolves fans.
The fresh look of the team will involve costuming each
dancer to best represent the stylish trends in the NBA
today. From classic outfits embellished with the Wolves
logo to trendy, hip-hop attire styled in Wolves colors,the
team will show off its skills while looking better than
ever! It will also involve the continued effort to target the
entertainment preferences of Timberwolves fans through
a broad range of music selections,costume choices and
appearance representation.
Focus will revolve around the combination of each
woman’s elite talent and each dancer’s beauty, athleticism
and style.The dancers will be recognized by their
established,entertaining technical and hip-hop skills,as
well as their commitment to representing the most
beautiful,intelligent and professionally talented women
involved in the NBA today.
Fans can look forward to seeing the Timberwolves Dance
Team at events in Minnesota and around the country
throughout the 2003-04 season.

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CRUNCH
The Timberwolves and Nestlé proudly present CRUNCH,
the Timberwolves’ official mascot. CRUNCH joined the
team in 1989 and is in his 15th season of delighting
Timberwolves fans.Noted for his thunderous, acrobatic
dunks and hilarious interaction with the fans,CRUNCH is
an important part of an evening with the Timberwolves.
CRUNCH has built himself a reputation as not only
one of the most exciting mascots in the league, but
throughout the world.He has performed internationally
in England,Australia and Japan.
C R U N C H , who has appeared at Major League
Baseball games, National Hockey League games,NCAA
basketball,and CBA basketball games,performs at every
Timberwolves game,as well as promotional and charity
events throughout the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest.
For more information on how you can schedule
CRUNCH for your event,please call 612-673-8372.