Minnesota Gopher Pitching Coach Todd Oakes passed away Thursday morning surrounded by his family. Oakes had been suffering from acute myeloid leukemia since 2012, and after achieving remission twice finally succumbed to the disease. Oakes was 55 years old.
Oakes' family announced last week that he was entering hospice care and choosing not to fight any longer. He got to spend last Sunday with the Gophers who brought him the Big Ten Regular Season Championship Trophy before heading to Omaha for the Big Ten Tournament.
Oakes had shaped a number of Gophers during his time as pitching coach including notable professionals such as Glen Perkins and Seth Rosin.