FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[stanbob]

One of the few times I can watch the Twins (Fox Sports Northwest) and I have to work late, is there any justice in the world?  Now they better pull this one out.  Wasting runners seems to be the norm nowadays and who sent Mauer to third? Out by a mile.

[tmerton]

I don't mean to cause trouble but I feel that Oles recruiting from Florida mute issue.

I think you mean moot. 

And I think it still didn't make sense.

[finsleft]

Has the SCTimes started their Johnnie coverage yet?  I usually just read it from September through December, or rather during the Johnnie football season.  Hell I guess that is September through December.

Yes. (click here)

And here.

[finsleft]

Oles From Florida.......

I don't begrudge the Oles their FL connection. Get your best players for your program wherever you can. It's sorta like in WCHA hockey where the U of M takes all the MN blue-chip players, then gripe about other schools recruiting Canadians.

[stanbob]

Has the SCTimes started their Johnnie coverage yet?  I usually just read it from September through December, or rather during the Johnnie football season.  Hell I guess that is September through December.

Yes. (click here)

And here.

Thanks Fins, I'll get it put baack on my favorites.

[johnnie_esq]

Oles From Florida

Yeah one of the coaches did coach at Florida. I can understand that the Johnnies don't like that about 1/4 of the Roster is coming from the south, But that is what Coach Meidt has done for this program. In a competitive conference like the MIAC you have to step up your recruiting.

After playing with these florida boys for a while I can say that these guys had a much more serious high school football experience. These guys come as freshman ready to play. Why wouldn't you recruit there? If your answer is a lack of character, then I say to you that these are some of the classiest guys I know.

Saint John's.  Yes you have a great program. But how much effort is actually put into recruiting. My guess is little. It might catch up with you one day when the division one and two deserters stop coming to collegeville and there is no recruiting plan to fill the gap. Then all you have is those kids that came to saint john's just to stand on that sideline. That red sea of 200+ jerseys watching 11 Johnnies on the field for 4 years.

I don't mean to cause trouble but I feel that Oles recruiting from Florida mute issue. Meidt is looking to the future of the program. Yes we haven't broken through to the top of the MIAC in the last two seasons, But look at Saint Olaf football from 1979 to before coach Meidt. Those Oles were good men on and off the field, but maybe Meidter has brought that X-factor from the south that will make the difference for the next 20 years

Did you forget the Paul Miller era?  Seems to me that he had a few athletes from Florida himself with similar results until he left because the Stolaf administration wouldn't give him what they are giving Meidt.  Perhaps it's not a Florida issue at all.  Maybe the playing fields of Tallahassee don't translate to the Jake Christiansen in November?

We make fun of the Floridians because we question why anyone in their right mind would choose to spend four years in Collegeville or Northfield or Moorhead if they are from sunny, warm Florida.  It has nothing to do with their abilities as football players; if you haven't noticed, we rip on the Cobbers for their Montana contingent as well.  It has nothing to do with their character-- it's not like Floridians are more likely to be convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude.  It has to do with their sanity.  If they are really great football players, why would you choose to play in St. Paul when you can play in Gainesville?

You apparently haven't followed SJU football enough to understand recruiting Minnesota high school football.  Routinely, Minnesota all-state players have SJU on their short list, having us compete with schools like NDSU, UND, UMD and St. Cloud State for kids.  While that may not sound overly impressive, if a kid turns down a chance to play football for a free education to play at SJU, what does that say about SJU's recruiting?  We lost out on one all-state MN kid last year to Brown.  Another chose to walk on at Minnesota when Brewster took over. I think SJU does ok at recruiting, especially considering the results.

[dbhammel]

From Johnnie Tight end Saladin:

"It's going great," Saladin said. "I'm just glad to be back out there running routes.

"I had check-ups this summer and the doctors said I was at no greater risk than anyone else on the field of getting hurt again. Having them tell me that really put me at ease. Right now, I haven't thought about (the injury) once so far. My neck feels fine. I hope it stays that way the rest of the season."

I know that does in theory make sense, but I dont think I would be very much at ease knowing I was at just the same risk as everybody else on the field of getting hurt.  Just caught my attention as mildly humorous sitting at my desk at 7:15 bored out my mind, thats all.

I gotta stop coming in to work before 7 am.

[DuffMan]

I don't mean to cause trouble but I feel that Oles recruiting from Florida mute issue.

I think you mean moot. 

And I think it still didn't make sense.

True enough.

[DuffMan]

Hammel,

Where'd you read that?

[finsleft]

And here.

Duff-
Frank's blog from yesterday. Click link above.

[dbhammel]

Thanks fins for replying for me, too distracted by work over here 

Whats the thought on the freshman RB from Pierz?  Aside from the obvious associations (good and bad I suppose) he is coming off injury but posted a team best 40 time in practice already.  Im not one to put too much stock in 40 times (i.e. Blake Elliot) but could he be a potential go to guy in what may be a postion with a few question marks?

[kcreds]

I have been waiting patiently but the time is finally here to make plans. The Pioneers are Westbound headed toward Johnnie's country. Some of the wagons are new and not broke in but there are some rugged ones too. I have a feeling we are headed to an ambush but we are prepared to circle the wagons. My hope is that the Pios have enough fight in them until the end. Underdog the movie is coming out, that may be a sign, more likely it will be like the movie 300, Johnnies 30-0. I however believe the players have a Braveheart in them.

I need trip info. I would like to know where to stay and what to see. I'm pretty sure Mall of America is on the agenda. More importantly what time does the tailgating start and where do I need to park. This will be my first time in Minnesota so be gentle. Lets Goooooooooooo Pioneers!

[sju56321]

I like this Florida player thing-How many of those Florida players does Mount have on their team? Four last year. Um? But, perhaps it is not where the players come from, but the ability they possess. I would take a star player here in the Chicago Catholic League over a pretty good player from Florida. There is good high school football played in every state-are there more superior players in Florida, Texas and California, sure-but are those the players playing DIII?

[Pat Coleman]

Any of you guys want to help kcreds out? He's a pretty good guy, out of Ohio, looking for some advice. Pull out the Minnesota Nice, will ya?

[dbhammel]

Parking is available on SJU campus for free for visitors. 

SJU itself isnt in minneapolis, so if you plan on coming for a day or two then you should stay in St. Cloud or St. Joseph which are directly east of Collegeville.  Its about 1 hr 15 min northwest of minneapolis.

If you plan on spending additional time in MPLS...
St. Anthony main area near downtown is great
lakes are of mpls (lake of the isles, lake calhoun) is gorgeous with great restaurants and shopping in nearby uptown area
basilica of st mary near downtown is breathtaking (with a great farmers marker nearby)
im sure there will be lots more to come

more than anything though id spend most of your time at sju and the surrounding area.  the campus is solid gold thousands of acres of pristine woods and wilflife refuge.  take a hike and make it a weekend of spiritual enlightenment, youll thank yourself if you do that.