KMSP FOX 9 Teams with the NSC Minnesota Stars to Raise Money for Tornado Relief this Saturday, June 18th

Djorn Buchholz, CEO of the NSC Minnesota Stars, was watching the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final at Brit’s Pub in downtown Minneapolis on May 28th with hundreds of other soccer fans. Like other soccer supporters throughout the metro area, he was frustrated that the game was difficult to watch with the split screen storm coverage from KMSP FOX 9. So he understood people’s frustration, the Tweets and the Facebook comments. But he also understood the station had a job to do.

Leonard with FOX 9's storm coverage during the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final

It was that event that got the Stars CEO thinking. He contacted FOX 9 station manager Carol Rueppel and proposed an idea. He invited Fox 9’s Ian Leonard, who was the meteorologist on air that day, to attend an NSC Minnesota Stars match against FC Edmonton. During the superseded Champions League event Leonard, had professed to being a Manchester United fan and stated his parents were from Manchester, England. Buchholz’s hope was to bring the two sides together to raise money for the American Red Cross to help victims of the North Minneapolis tornado that ran through that neighborhood the prior Sunday.

“I understand it as a soccer fan, and I relate with feeling slighted during the biggest game of the year, but I also understand Fox 9 has a severe weather policy that it upheld and that particularly resonated after the events a week before the game,” Buchholz said. “I’m a little embarrassed and disappointed at some of the comments that were directed toward Fox 9, and I hope now we can shake hands, have a little fun with the whole ordeal and raise some money for our North Minneapolis neighbors who are recovering from the tornado on May 22.”

Station manager Rueppel told IMS that she thought Buchholz idea was a good one and supported it. She stated that she also planned on sending a film crew to the event.

“KMSP FOX 9 is excited to be partnering with the NSC Minnesota Stars and Twin Cities soccer fans,” said Rueppel. “We’re looking forward to having some fun and raising money for the American Red Cross to help the victims of the North Minneapolis Tornado.”

The Stars have committed to donating $1 from every ticket sold to the June 18 game to the Red Cross and will station collection boxes throughout the stadium on game day. Fox 9 chief meteorologist Ian Leonard, who was on air for much of the weather coverage, has agreed to help further the fundraising efforts.

With a donation of at least $2, fans can take three shots at plunging Leonard into a dunk tank on the plaza at NSC Stadium. Soccer fans will have their shot at revenge from 7 p.m. until the game’s 7:30 kickoff.

Leonard said he too was conflicted when the Champions League game, which he called, “the greatest match I have watched in years,” had to be broken into for storm coverage. He said he was actually out watching the game himself while keeping an eye on the developing storm situation.

“The commitment we have made to all Minnesotans is this: If severe weather strikes we will be on the air to keep you safe…no matter what,” said Leonard.

“A few years ago we cut into a NASCAR race for severe weather coverage on May 25th, 2008 which was Memorial Day. Viewers were upset with us but a tornado destroyed multiple neighborhoods in the North East Metro area and the result was a 2-year-old boy was killed from that storm. That is why we have to go on the air – to try and protect lives.”

Leonard, the Chief Meteorologist at FOX 9, truly is a soccer fan. He told IMS that he comes from a soccer/football crazed family that is split down the middle between Manchester United and Manchester City. He says his family immigrated back in the 50s but his father’s passion for the sport stayed with him. His parents moved to Edmonton and when the Drillers of the old NASL were launched, Ian’s father became the radio color commentator for the team back in the late 70s and early 80s with the great Graham Leggat.

“My parents are from Sale, a city just outside Manchester and they emigrated from England in 1954,” explained Leonard. “Growing up with British parents meant three things: The Two Ronnies and all British humor, HP Brown sauce on everything and above all else soccer.”

“My father was a goalkeeper and played a high level soccer in England. He came home every day for lunch and my school was across the street from our house. So I played soccer with my dad every lunch hour out on our front lawn. He took shots on me while he ate his lunch. The only position I have ever played is goalkeeper. My father was my first coach and continued in that capacity into club soccer in my teens. He came to every game even as I played into my 30s and continued to shout instructions to me from the stands. I was lucky enough to play Men’s Premier Division and parts of one glorious season in Men’s Major League before bad knees and my family and career took over.

Leonard says soccer and even more so, goalkeeping, runs in his new family as well. “The woman I am lucky enough to be married too…was also a goalkeeper.”

The FOX 9 Chief Meteorologist said he’s now content to remember his glory days and instead focus on the future by coaching his 6-year-old daughter’s soccer team.

Leonard concluded by saying, “I think this is a great way to bring together two sides in the common good of helping the people affected by the North Minneapolis Tornado. Come out and dunk me, take out your UEFA frustrations and make money for a worthy cause.” Leonard, who is being a good sport about the event, concluded by saying, “Throw a bar of soap in the dunk tank and I can call it my weekly bath!”