http://www.morris.umn.edu/athletics/View.php?itemID=6067

30 Football athletes announce intentions to enroll at Minnesota, Morris
Posted by Brian Curtis on Thursday, Jul. 24, 2008

For Immediate Release: July 24, 2008 – University of Minnesota, Morris Head Football Coach Todd Hickman has announced that 30 athletes have announced their intentions to enroll at the University of Minnesota, Morris this fall to play football for the Cougars.

Of the 30 athletes, a total of 24 are from Minnesota, with 20 of those being high school freshmen.

There are seven transfers on the list, three from Texas and one from California.

Coach Hickman led UMM to a 4-5 overall record in his first year as Cougar head coach last year and a 4-3 mark in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).

Listed below is a listing of the athletes.

Ted Hoffman QB- Paynesville HS
Ht: Wt: 6'2 175 lbs
Mom: Janell Hoffman
Dad: Dan Hoffman
Other Sp: Bask/Base
Stat: 79-158 1232yds 15 TDs
Post Honors: All Conf(FB), All Conf (Bk)

Jordan Gegen FB- Anoka HS
Ht: Wt: 6'0 185 lbs
Mom: Brenda Gegen
Dad: Pat Gegen
Other Sp: Bask/Base
Quote: "Plays Bigger, Best blocker, Never missed Practice"

Ernest Tucker LB- Vermillion HS
Ht: Wt: 5'11 200 lbs
Mom: Jacqueline Tucker
Dad: Ernest Clark
Other Sp: Baseball
Quote: Very Aggressive, Nose for the Ball

Todd Gramenz WR/DB- Harding HS
Ht: Wt: 5'10 150 lbs
Mom: Diane Gramenz
Dad: Darryll Tilmon
Post Honors: 2X All Conf, Capt
Stat: 6 Ints 10 TDs
Quote: Explosive

Gabe Sturtz OL- Blue Earth HS
Ht: Wt: 5'11 235 lbs
Mom: Jane Sturtz
Dad: Robert Sturtz
Other Sp: Base
Post Honors: 2X All Area/ All Conf
Quote: Get the job done

Branden Livingston QB Hanks HS, El Paso TX
Ht: Wt: 6'4 260 lbs
Mom: Melissa Livingston
Dad: Michael Livingston
Stat: 169-337 2392 yds 24 TDs
Post Honors: HM all-district, HM all-city, 25th ranked QB in Texas, El Paso All Star Game

Alex Berglund DL- Litchfield HS
Ht: Wt: 6'0 165 lbs
Mom: Carla Rick
Dad: Larry Rick
Other Sp: Wrestle/Track & Field
Stat: 33 Tackle/ 31/2 Sacks
Post Honors: All Conf, All Area, 3 Sport Captain

Beau Mangen LB- Sleepy Eye HS
Ht: Wt: 5'11 187 lbs
Mom: Kris Mangen
Dad: Dennis Mangen
Other Sp: Track/Basket
Stat: 2nd on Team in Tackles
Post Honor: All Conference LB/RB
Quote: Quietly Aggressive

Tyler West OL- Elk River HS
Ht: Wt: 6'0 215 lbs
Mom: Laura West
Dad: Randy West
Post Honors: Lineman of the Year
Quote: Aggressive & Gym Rat

Jamin Ivers WR/DB- Zimmerman HS
Ht: Wt: 6'0 160 lbs
Mom: Gail Ivers
Dad: John Ivers
Post Honors: All Conf, All Sect
Quote: Take Everything, Leave Nothing

Devon Johnson-Creamer WR- Hibbing HS
Ht: Wt: 6'2 180 lbs
Mom: Darcia Johnson
Dad: Chuck Creamer
Other Sp: Bask/Base
Post Honors: All Conf/All Sect
Stat: 30 Catches 300 yards

Roger Conen LB- Bel Air HS (El Paso, TX)
Ht: Wt: 6'2 225 lbs
Mom: Ester Conen
Dad: Troy Conen
Stat: 17 Sacks(Lead District), 30 Career Sacks, 102 Tackles
Post Honors: All-District, All-City, 2nd Team All-State, Participant El Paso All Star Game


Cole Baker LB- Mendocino College (CA)
Ht: Wt: 5'9 185 lbs
Mom: Melinda Baker
Stat: 10 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 Pass Def
Post Honors: Conf Player of the Week

Vincent Patton OL- Andover HS
Ht: Wt: 6'2 225 lbs
Mom: Elaine Patton
Dad: Chuck Patton
Other Sp: Lacrosse, Bask
Post Honor: All Conf, Academic All Conf

Thomas Sullivan WR- Brandon HS
Ht: Wt: 6'0 165 lbs
Mom: Deb Sullivan
Dad: Tim Sullivan
Other Sp: Bask, Base
Post Honors: All Conf (Foot, Bask, Base), Dallas Hanson Hustle + Desire Award (Bask, Foot)

Ross Kigner DB/K– Mound Park Academy
Ht: Wt: 5'9 140 lbs
Mom: Laurie Kigner
Dad: Jonathon Kigner
Other Sp: Bask
Post Honor: 2X Coach Choice Award, Capt, Most Improved Player

Max Matthews TE- St. Paul Arlington
Ht: Wt: 6'1 220 lbs
Mom: Yvette Kasner
Dad: Joe Kasner
Other Sp: Bask/Golf
Quote: Never give up attitude

Mitch Zimmer DL- Little Falls
Ht: Wt: 6'3 220 lbs
Mom: Judy Zimmer
Dad: Monty Zimmer
Post Honors: All Conf, Athlete of the Month, MVP Lineman
Quote: Fast, Aggressive

Matt Privratsky K – Walker Area ('07)
Ht: Wt: 5'10 145 lbs
Mom: Jean
Dad: Scott
Other Sports: Soccer
Post Honors: Captain

Garrett Mensing RB – Blue Earth Area
Ht: Wt: 5'9 155 lbs
Mom: Diane
Dad: Mark
Other Sports: Basketball, Baseball
Honors: Defensive Back of the year (08), FB all Conference (2X), HM all Conference Basketball
Stats: 1000 yards rushing, 10 TD's. 2 ints, 2 FR.

Seth Hubbard QB – Becker HS, U of River Falls
Ht: Wt: 6'5 195 lbs
Mom: Sherry
Dad: Tony
Other Sports: Basketball
Honors: All-Conf (06), All-Section (06)

Adam Fragodt WR – Becker HS, Rochester Community Technical College
Ht: Wt: 6'4 165 lbs
Mom: Beth
Dad: Tom
Other Sports: Basketball
Honors: All-Conference (06)

Jason Nomsen LB – Jefferson HS (Alex), Gustavus College
Ht: Wt: 5'11 210 lbs
Mom: Mel
Dad: Dave
Honors: All Conference (06) Academic All-Conference (06)


Bryan Dean WR - McNicholas HS (Cincinnati, OH), U MN Crookston (JR)
Ht: Wt: 6'0 200 lbs
Mom:
Dad:
Sports:
Honors:

Theo Powell OL – Oshkosh West HS, U MN Crookston (JR)
Ht: Wt: 6'2 260 lbs
Mom:
Dad:
Sports:
Honors:

Tommy Leon OL – Hanks HS (El Paso, TX)
Ht: Wt: 6'0 255 lbs
Mom: Alma
Dad: Martin
Honors: HM All-city, Player of Week

Cameron Kramer QB – Concordia Academy
Ht: Wt: 5'11 185 lbs
Mom: Mary
Dad: Carlyle
Sports: Wrestling, Baseball
Honors: All-Conference, MVP, "O" player of year

Zach Gertken DL – Rocori HS
Ht: Wt: 6'2 250 lbs
Mom: Sharon
Dad: Ken
Sports: Wrestling
Honors: 2nd team All-Conference

Justin Towle DL – Rush City HS
Ht: Wt: 5'10 170 lbs
Mom Jeanette Carmichael
Sports: Wrestling, Track
Honors: All-Conference, Defensive MVP

Robert Koranda RB – Becker HS, St. Cloud St
Ht: Wt: 5'6 155
Mom:Joanne
Dad: Lloyd
Sports, Wrestling, Basball
Honor: All-Conference (06), MVP (06)

Dome Day:

UM - Morris 41
Maranatha  12

That's the only score I've heard.

I am a Morris alumnus who also played football (93-98).  I was at the game and witnessed the tragedy.  I don't know how to describe it other than to say that it will haunt me for quite some time.  However, my feelings are nothing compared to what Rick Rose's family and friends are going through.

First, I want to thank the Crown players and coaches for their prayers on the field.  I'd also like to thank Johnnie, tbcfootball, scott, coekohawk, Ralph, and others for their prayers.

I want to address the report in some articles that it was a "rowdy" crowd.  Some folks might have negative connotations with that description.  These kids weren't drunk or out of control.  I also don't think that reflects well on Rick's character.

Rick was hanging on the goalpost when the support snapped at the bottom.  If it's any consolation, I believe he didn't suffer.  I know a lot of people out there probably thought to themselves "what a stupid thing to be doing."  However, I would've been doing the same thing, just like most other college-aged males.

I never met him, but I understand Rick was well-liked and a good student who hoped to attend medical school.  He played on the basketball team and had battled cancer.  This alone speaks to his character.

In other words, he was a lot like you and me and our friends in college.  He was also a student at my alma mater, which attracts a certain kind of person.  In that way, I feel like I knew him, and I mourn his death as a friend.  I hope that doesn't sound overly dramatic, but I only say that here because the members of this board (I've been lurking for years) understand the tight-knit communities of small colleges, especially small college athletics.

Please keep up your prayers for Rick's family and the Morris community.  Rick is missed by many.