New York, NY, March 16, 2004 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED highlights the sports scene in the state of Minnesota, marking the 35th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI's yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration.

Identifying the state high school hockey tournament as a sporting event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by Minnesota native Steve Rushin , plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The Minnesota edition begins hitting newsstands on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 . Newsstand copies in Minnesota will feature a cover-flap identifying the special state section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• Never mind the Twins, Vikings, T-Wolves and Wild-there's nothing in Minnesota to match the state hockey tournament, writes SI staff writer George Dohrmann in "High School Heaven."
• In "Goal Driven," SI columnist Steve Rushin describes growing up in the land of 10,000 kinds of hockey.
• The Poll: Minnesotans weigh in on their state's sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:
o Favorite major league baseball team......Minnesota Twins (79%)
o Favorite NFL team......Minnesota Vikings (75%)
o Favorite NBA team......Minnesota T-Wolves (64%)
o Favorite NHL team......Minnesota Wild (74%)
o Favorite sport to play......Golf (23%)
o State's Biggest Rivalry..........Vikings-Packers (66%)

Enemy of the State: Brett Farve, who was the Enemy in two other Vikings hotbeds, North and South Dakota, so his victory here is hardly a surprise. Minnesotans' most hated opponents are Favre's Packers (80%), Steinbrenner's New York Yankees (4%) and the University of Wisconsin (2%).

Greatest Moment - Editor's pick: Game 7 of the 1991 World Series kept going and going, and so did St. Paul native Jack Morris. The Twins pitcher held the Atlanta Braves scoreless for 10 innings; pinch hitter Gene Larkin finally singled home the run that gave Minnesota a 1-0 victory and its second World Series title in five years.

Sportstown: St. Paul earns Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown honors for having Minnesota's best community sports programs.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events and festivals in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy , MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Sheryl Spain, SI (212) 522-6905; Julie Sprich, Edelman (212) 522-9511