Mark writes:
>
>Dave D. asks:
>>        I'm wondering if anybody out there knows whether Rob Lurtsema
>>(spelling changed from earlier posting) is a son of former NHL linebacker
>>Bob Lurtsema (early '70s).  The ages would be about right.
>
>        The answer is yes, ex-pro Bob L. is Rob's dad (thanks for the
>        spelling correction).  Recruiting this kid for the football
>        team was a big coup for Wisconsin.  He had lots of offers from
>        top 20 football programs.  What's he doing coming to Wisc?
>        Who knows?
>
>        --mg
>
First off, Lurtsema was a defensive lineman, (so the size is definitely in
the family).  He was "Benchwarmer Bob" for the Vikings in the late Purple-
People-Eater days, until he got traded to the then-expansion Seattle Seahawks
where he actually started, but the "Benchwarmer Bob" label stuck, and he
continued to do many commercials around here and now owns a sports bar (what
else?) called Benchwarmer Bob's.
 
As for his son, I saw him play for Burnsville in the North Stars Classic as a
junior and was pretty impressed (he DID have his hands full checking current
Gopher Brian Bonin, however, even though Bonin's only 5'9", 170 or so).
He may have been looking for a school where he might also have an opportunity
to play hockey, thus his choice of Wisconsin over Iowa (his dad's alma mater).
If he wanted to stay within driving distance and go to a school with Div I
football and hockey, that leaves him only two choices:  Minnesota and
Wisconsin.  He was quoted as saying he'd like to go away from home (and
having a local celebrity for a dad probably contributes to that), thus he
chose Wisconsin.
 
Pam Sweeney
Go Gophers!!!
1993 WCHA Playoff Champions!!!