FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Walter Eagle]

A very good article by Shawn Fury to give Tommie fans an idea of what it will take to win on Friday.  It can be done.  I was there in '03 when the Johnnies did it.  But, I was also in Alliance in 1993 for the rude awakening of the "Massacre in the Mud" that Shawn describes in his opening.

http://tvfury.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/mount-unions-dominance-an-appreciation/

[johnnie_esq]

first impression of previous coach, which was that it was going to be a disaster. And it was.

Mine too. How can it be so apparent that a hire is going to be a disaster and yet a school still makes the hire?

If I recall correctly, the stated reason HU went with their previous coach was an institutional desire to "recruit nationally".  I think that had less to do with football competitiveness (not that they didn't want to win; rather, to broaden their student population), and their previous coach's experience at Georgia Southern seemed to indicate that he could do the best of both worlds-- win and bring in kids from the South.  They were willing to put up with the personality if their institutional mission would still be fulfilled.

Unfortunately for Hamline, I think just about everyone could say that the experiment did not work.  They are very lucky that Rogo (who likely should have been their hire then) is still available.

[pg04]

Purple and AO fight it out for the most outlandish (and perhaps dumb) statements of this page

I'm just surprised you'd still be posting.  Being from the East, I'm sure you were shocked to find out there are more than 3 rounds in the d3 playoffs.

I'm just surprised you are able to use a computer.

[Johns Knees]

Good read (for a small business blog) about Gagliardi's success and how to translate it to business success.

http://bit.ly/SRvtlc

[DustySJU]

Okay- my brother and I will be on the UST charter flight (Salem bound!)....    Any Johnnies, Warhawks, or Purple Raiders that can recommend some good local establishments to enjoy a few beverages?

Also, is there anything that's a must see we should add to our list of to do's for this trip?

In Salem, I would recommend Mac & Bob's. If you're staying in Roanoke, I would recommend Awful Arthur's and Corned Beef & Company, each of which is within stumbling distance from the Hotel Roanoke, where the teams are staying. The hotel also has a bar with limited options but convenient, and the hotel restaurant is a good place for breakfast.

Good cajun place near the hotel too, although I don't remember the name at the moment.

Thanks for the recommendations Pat!

My experience for the two trips we took is that unless you have a car, you're gonna pretty much stay at the hotel restaurant/bar.  The 2003 trip we drank the bar dry of beer before 10pm and had to go to the local liquor store and bring in our own cases.  The school called and told the hotel be ready because our people drink lots of beer and they either didn't heed their warning or thought that having an extra case would do the trick.  Go figure.....

And if you happen to be staying at the Roanoke Holiday Inn don't forget The Waffle House right next door for great late night eats. 

One of my favorite memories prior to the '03 bowl was joining SJU Presidnet/Brother Diechtrich Reinhart around 1:30am for eggs, waffles, hashbrowns, sausage and coffee.  May his soul RIP.

[wildcat11]

For any MIAC'ers on twitter, Keith pointed out that Anish Shroff will be working the Stagg Bowl call for ESPN.  His twitter handle is @AnishESPN.

Looks like he's putting in his work for this Friday night.

[AO]

Item:  Reusse revealed on the radio that a Hobart assistant coach got very upset with him and wanted him kicked out of the press box because he thought Reusse was stealing plays as he jotted in his notebook.  Without Reusse's help Hobart wins for sure...

[Olinemom]

Olinemom welcomes the Tommies to Salem and the Stagg Bowl this week.  To the fans, please come by Stone Station for some good eats. I'm in charge of the brownies which I also make for both of the teams that play in the game.  We represent Bridgewater College which belongs to the ODAC, the conference that hosts the Stagg Bowl.  If you ask  the fans of UWW or MU, UMHB or Linfield, they will tell you we have a pretty good tailgate the day of the big game.  I leave tomorrow as I like to attend all the activities of the week:  the Gagliardi banquet, the Championship banquet and the game. Since my #1 and #2 teams didn't make it this year, I'll need to decide for whom to cheer.  I plan on choosing a table of players at the Gagliardi and sitting with them and asking them for which team they play.  That seems as fair a way as any.  As it's the usual ALL PURPLE STAGG BOWL, I'll be wearing purple.  I'm quite interested in watching you'all (yes, I'm southern) play as you beat the team that beat my 2 teams (UWW and Linfield).  I saw Oshkosh play this fall and was impressed with them so beating them the way you did makes this Stagg Bowl very interesting for me.  See you'all this week. Safe travels.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Olinemom, shouldn't that be y'all to a true Southerner?

[mac77]

A very good article by Shawn Fury to give Tommie fans an idea of what it will take to win on Friday.  It can be done.  I was there in '03 when the Johnnies did it.  But, I was also in Alliance in 1993 for the rude awakening of the "Massacre in the Mud" that Shawn describes in his opening.

http://tvfury.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/mount-unions-dominance-an-appreciation/

I assume Caruso has called John to gain insight on how SJU dominated MUC in 2003......probably not???

The Massacre In The Mud.... was not pretty.....

[sjusection105]

Reusse reporting this morning that Chad Rogosheske will be returning to Snelling and Hewitt as Head Coach, to be announced as early as this morning.

Rogo is a 1998 Hamline grad, a former OC and DC of the Pipers, and has experience coaching at Wartburg, Bucknell and Ohio State.

Good hire for the Pipers-- Rogo is an energetic and talented coach who should breathe some life and tradition back into the Piper program.  Note to SJU-- it's another head coach in the conference under the age of 50...

Yeah my cousin's hubby mentioned this to me last week. He played with Chad and says he is a great hire (compared to his first impression of previous coach, which was that it was going to be a disaster. And it was).

Yes indeed, I read the press release on the HU website- the guy has had some pretty invaluable experience especially  at tOSU with Tressel. Do you think that in 3-5 years HU turns into another contender in the increasingly tough MIAC? This puts a little more pressure on the Committee to absolutely make sure they the get the hiring of the next coach at SJU right for reasons too numerous to list here.

[raiderpa]

The massacre in the mud is quite vivid in my mind.  Coach John was so pi##ed that the field and sideline was a quagmire, but it always was at that time of year.  I would guess that nowadays the game may have been moved.  It did not, however, bother Jim Ballard who just kept chucking the leather downfield to open receivers and SJU never knew what hit them.  If memory serves me, we were inundated with stories of Willie Seiler who had thrown 7 tds the week before and the legend of Coach Gagliardi and his daisy picking practices.  We were written off as a major underdog, and made to feel like we did not belong, and there was genuine fire in the eyes of every Raider player and fan that day.  It appeared to me from the stands that Seiler could not hold onto the ball, we surmised maybe he had smaller hands. The ball was greasy and had to weigh a ton.
But at that time, at least for a week, it was the greatest win in Mount history and we have since watched that many times on tape.
I believe that this game is one that is used to make sure we do not overlook anyone, as at this point anyone can beat you.
I am quite positive that no Mount Union player, coach, or fan will sell the Tommies short and will have the greatest respect for them when they take the field Friday night.
As for the tailgate: O-line mom's brownies are world-class as is the company of the Stone Station crew.  They are the BEST fans in the south and their hospitality is unmatched.  Raiderpa will attend plus one.
Safe travels and here's hoping that every player plays his best ever.  Good luck.

[sju#57]

I'm still thinking that the best route to go is with Mike G. and Rambler as Off Cord. grooming him to eventually become HC. Leaving Jerry and Gary to run the Def.    No one will be able to step into Johns shoe's but you should atleast hire someone with the same sized feet.  Mike would be an easy transition, Very Well known/liked Name in MN/SJU, connections with top HS programs, proven winning ablility, SJU alum.....ect.   Granted, I may be a little biased as I played under Mike, and he was a great coach 25 yrs ago, but more than that, he is a great person. 

[USTBench]

Finally made it back to North Dakota. Unfortunately the extra night having to stay in the Cities will probably preclude me from attending the Stagg Bowl live. Damn blizzards.

Anyway, it was truly special to see UST make the semifinals live, and I am so proud of the program. It is great to see potential realized, I hope the alumni of the less than glamorous era can move on and truly support what's happening and appreciate how amazing this is.

Raiderfans: As always, the second we make it a little further than we've ever have before some fly-by-night knuckleheads start treating this like an espn flame war message board. Not indicative of the tribe, but I can assure you that if you get to meet DC Tom Cat or 2115 Summit you'll meet two nice guys and very good players in their hay day.

[Retired Old Rat]

Finally made it back to North Dakota. Unfortunately the extra night having to stay in the Cities will probably preclude me from attending the Stagg Bowl live. Damn blizzards.

Anyway, it was truly special to see UST make the semifinals live, and I am so proud of the program. It is great to see potential realized, I hope the alumni of the less than glamorous era can move on and truly support what's happening and appreciate how amazing this is.

Raiderfans: As always, the second we make it a little further than we've ever have before some fly-by-night knuckleheads start treating this like an espn flame war message board. Not indicative of the tribe, but I can assure you that if you get to meet DC Tom Cat or 2115 Summit you'll meet two nice guys and very good players in their hay day.

Bench, and any other St. Thomas fans, I highly recommend you attend the Stagg Bowl.  It is an unbelievable experience.  Especially if your team wins.  You might never have this opportunity again.