FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

Probably should mention that the Johnnies are ranked 13th in the D3Football.com pre-season poll.

Other notables are the Tommies at 22 (bets on the first team to drop from the 25 anyone?) and the Auggies picked up one point (Go Frank!  Frank Rajkowski is apparently one of this season's poll voters.)

[sfury]

Speaking of fish, this is my former boss, Dennis Hall.

http://www.dglobe.com/event/article/id/25768/

The king salmon he landed measured 33 inches around, 55 inches long and weighed more than 81 pounds, making it one of the largest fish taken from the river.

[tmerton]

Speaking of fish, this is my former boss, Dennis Hall.

http://www.dglobe.com/event/article/id/25768/

The king salmon he landed measured 33 inches around, 55 inches long and weighed more than 81 pounds, making it one of the largest fish taken from the river.

Great story.  Big fish. 

[bennie]

Yet another example of "Thems who shouldn't always do!"

http://www.canada.com/Kamloops+yoga+instructor+told+shorts+short/1854267/story.html

As opposed to what doesn't happen nearly enough!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/27/ricky-berens-splits-swims_n_245780.html

[Generic Dude 75]

I figured since the only thing you see on ESPN now is talk about training camp and QB controversies...it might be time for a little football talk? (Don't judge me.)

I just came across these articles on the St. thomas website:

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Ostrue_July28.html

http://www.tommiesports.com/ftbl/news/Poll_Aug4.html

Anyone believe the Tommies will actually match up to the hype? It's kind of strange to say that considering there's never really been hype about the program this early for the last 20 years....

Any thoughts on the rest of the teams from the MIAC? Predictions? Anything...I need my MIAC football fix.

(And here come the insults....)

[snoop dawg]

I know a couple of you guys are attorneys in Minnesota.  I have a client who was injured there and need some info on the no fault law.

If you pm me I with your contact information i will call you.  Thanks for the help.

[tmerton]

Rats.  Just heard from Frank that the Times isn't going to be streaming the Kickoff Luncheon on the internet as they did last year.  Understandable given the way things are these days, especially with newspapers, but still disappointing.   Maybe SJU will record it and put it up on gojohnnies.  Who's going?

John Quinlivan now informs me that the Kickoff Luncheon will be streamed again this year, courtesy of the Daily Planet.  Kudos to them if it comes off.  I haven't seen a link to it yet; Ryan has been out but returns tomorrow, so I'd expect him to put it up on gojohnnies.com.  Broadcast supposed to start at 11:30 CDT, but if it's like last year you'll spend the first half hour watching them eat and listening to John do his table rounds.

[OzJohnnie]

Anyone believe the Tommies will actually match up to the hype? It's kind of strange to say that considering there's never really been hype about the program this early for the last 20 years....

Almost seven hours and still no response?  Well...

I'm sure someone believes they will live up to the hype.  I'm uncertain as to when the bus will be making a trip down from the Moose Lake State Hospital, however, but if you keep checking the tommiesports.com I'm sure they have an update.  Time it right and you just might get a glimpse of one or two of those believing someones.

EDIT: After posting, I see that Moose Lake has closed since I left for these sunny shores.  Lord knows where the Tommie believers will come from now.

[sportsknight]

Greetings from the Iowa side of the border!

I'm taking a long weekend to the Land of the Sky Blue Waters starting tomorrow, and have a trip to Collegeville to check out the SJU campus planned for Saturday.  Any Johnnie alums or locals have suggestions on things to do in Collegeville or on the trip there?  I'm definitely planning on stopping by the football stadium, and maybe finding a gift shop/bookstore to buy a souvenier to prove I was there, but other than that, my day is pretty wide open.

Thanks in advance.

[DuffMan]

Sportsknight,

Collegeville is pretty much nothing but SJU, so aside from the D3 toursity things, you won't find a ton to do.

Of course, you'll need to check out the stadium.  Be sure to give us your impressions.  Also, wander around the Warner Paelestra, which is the athletic facility right next to Clemens Stadium.  You might even bump into Gagliardi.  The gift shop isn't far away in Sexton Commons.  Aside from that, if you're looking to kill time, there is a nature boardwalk on University property between I94 and the campus.  Also, there's a trail around Lake Sagatagan that leads to the Stell Maris Chapel on the other shore of the lake.  I think it's about a 3 mile trek.  Since you're there, you should probably check out the church--it's pretty unique, and you can't miss it.  That's all I can think of off the top of my head.  Hope you enjoy the visit.

[DuffMan]

Anyone believe the Tommies will actually match up to the hype? It's kind of strange to say that considering there's never really been hype about the program this early for the last 20 years....

Any thoughts on the rest of the teams from the MIAC? Predictions? Anything...I need my MIAC football fix.

After seeing what Caruso did with that team last year, I think the Tommies will be tough this year.  For years, UST has had a lot of things going in their favor--except Roney.  If Caruso can continue what he started last season, the Toms will be at the top of the MIAC before too long.

Things are going the same direction at Carleton.  Ramler has a tougher battle due to location and admission standards, but he is steadily bringing Carleton out of the cellar. 

I think the MIAC could be a pretty wide-open race this year.  UST and Carleton are showing leaps of improvement.  Although Bethel has dropped off a little the past year or so, they are still a top contender.  Concordia is always tough, although they have struggled a bit with consistency.  St. Olaf, too, struggles with consistency, but they have been improving drastically.  The Johnnies have been a bit down (for them, anyways) in recent years, but you never know when the perfect storm will come together for them again.

Hamline and Gustavus are pretty much the only teams on the SJU schedule that I'm not worried about.  Right now, I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the other teams take the conference title.  I could foresee some odd 4-way tie happening, too.

[Johnnie Red]

Sportsknight, I would also take in the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library so you can see the St. John's Bible display. The library is right next to the stadium.

For those of you who enjoy town ball in Minnesota, go to startribune.com and watch the video on town ball. Very nice.

Carver County Fair is going on in Waconia. Hairball is playing tonight in the entertainment center at 8:30 p.m.

[tmerton]

Sportsknight, I would also take in the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library so you can see the St. John's Bible display. The library is right next to the stadium.

Sportsknight - I concur on this.  But you'll have to ask someone for help finding it.  The Hill looks like a basement entrance to the rear of the main library.

[tmerton]

Rats.  Just heard from Frank that the Times isn't going to be streaming the Kickoff Luncheon on the internet as they did last year.  Understandable given the way things are these days, especially with newspapers, but still disappointing.   Maybe SJU will record it and put it up on gojohnnies.  Who's going?

John Quinlivan now informs me that the Kickoff Luncheon will be streamed again this year, courtesy of the Daily Planet.  Kudos to them if it comes off.  I haven't seen a link to it yet; Ryan has been out but returns tomorrow, so I'd expect him to put it up on gojohnnies.com.  Broadcast supposed to start at 11:30 CDT, but if it's like last year you'll spend the first half hour watching them eat and listening to John do his table rounds.

Watch the Kickoff Luncheon here starting at 11:30 (click on "watch live").

[DuffMan]

Hey TMerton, I am going to be in your neck of the woods in November.  Can I stay at your house?