Jeff Belzer's Chevrolet is proud to partner with Gopher Athletics to celebrate the fans, student-athletes, and communities that make the Twin Cities special. From unforgettable game-day moments to exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, this partnership is all about showing up for maroon & gold - on campus, around the metro, and everywhere Minnesota drives.
From ticket giveaways to VIP moments, we're helping Gopher fans get closer to the action. Watch for opportunities to score seats to upcoming events and enjoy game day with a little extra Belzer hospitality.
Gopher Ticket Giveaways
Go beyond the final score with Driven to the Diamond, our behind-the-scenes spotlight series featuring Gopher Athletics leaders, coaches, and student-athletes. It's a closer look at the preparation, passion, and people powering Minnesota sports.
Driven to the Diamond
Gopher pride is built for the long run. Through youth-focused initiatives and community partnerships, we're committed to supporting the next generation of athletes and fans - helping keep Minnesota sports strong for seasons to come.
Volley SquadJeff Belzer's Chevrolet is proud to sponsor Driven to the Diamond - a video series that puts Gopher fans in the driver's seat with the people behind Gopher Baseball. From coaches to key players, you'll get a closer look at the stories, routines, and mindset that keep the program rolling. Meet the team by browsing the features below.
In this first episode of Driven to the Diamond, Minnesota Twins All-Star and University of Minnesota alum Glen Perkins (Class of '03) sits down with Ty McDevitt, the head coach of Gopher Baseball, for a ride around the bases and a conversation about what the program—and the opportunity to lead it—means to them.
A former Gopher pitcher and longtime member of the Minnesota coaching staff, McDevitt shares how his path to the University of Minnesota was an easy decision at the time, and how his journey from pitching coach to head coach has shaped the way he sees the game. That transition, McDevitt explains, broadened his perspective beyond one part of the field and reinforced what it takes to build a complete, sustainable program.
When it comes to culture, McDevitt keeps it simple: tell the truth all the time—no matter what. He describes the kind of team he wants as a “decked out pickup truck,” built for the long haul and capable of doing the hard work required over a full season. And for recruits and fans, the message is clear: fundamentals matter—and Gopher Baseball is focused on making them “cool again.”
In this episode of Driven to the Diamond, Johnathan Dobis takes viewers back to where it all started—Minnesota MASH in Savage, the home of the Jeff Belzer’s Performance Center and the setting for this conversation with MASH Baseball Development’s Tony Vocca. Walking the bases at the facility where his career began, Dobis reflects on the people and places that helped shape the player—and person—he’s becoming.
A homegrown pitcher from Eagan, Minnesota and a St. Thomas Academy graduate, Dobis shares how much his tight-knit circle and his parents’ support meant through the early years, especially the time spent together on the road. He also talks about why the University of Minnesota felt like the right fit—built on genuine relationships with the coaching staff and a deeper bond than what he felt elsewhere. With his father also having pitched for the Gophers, Dobis describes the pride that comes with representing his home state and continuing a family connection to the program.
As the conversation turns forward, Dobis opens up about growing more comfortable and confident as he gains experience at the college level. When asked what legacy he wants to leave, his answer goes beyond performance—he wants to be remembered as a good player, but even more importantly, a good person and teammate. And when it comes to what keeps him driven on and off the field, he points right back to his “why”: his family, and the motivation to work hard enough to give back to them and build for the future.
In this episode of Driven to the Diamond, Gopher catcher Weber Neels starts at home plate and shares what “home” means beyond the field—Cottage Grove, Minnesota, where they’ve lived since childhood. Filmed in a relaxed walk around the bases, the conversation highlights the roots that shaped Neels’ baseball journey and the family influences that have stayed constant along the way.
Neels credits that foundation to the people closest to them, and to a strong baseball bloodline—highlighting a grandfather who pitched professionally for the Milwaukee Braves in the 1950s, and a dad who played college ball at Minnesota State Mankato. They also point to a pivotal early moment that helped set everything in motion: starting high school on the ninth-grade team, earning a call-up to varsity, and being part of a state championship run that helped prove what was possible with patience and work.
When asked what it means to wear the “M,” Neels describes it as an honor—stepping into a tradition filled with great names and representing their home state alongside a group of dedicated teammates. Looking ahead, the goals are simple and direct: win every day, win the moment, and push the program toward postseason opportunities—starting with the Big Ten Tournament and ultimately Omaha.
Gopher fans know a winner when they see one - Chevrolet is the Twin Cities' #1 selling new vehicle make! Shop your next ride at Jeff Belzer's Chevrolet and find the Chevy that's ready to tackle your roadtrip adventures, pre-game tailgates, and daily commutes!
Jeff Belzer's Chevrolet is a proud sponsor of the Gopher Volleyball team's Volley Squad! This program recognizes the hardworking youth athletes that support the maroon and gold throughout the volleyball season.
