FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[tmerton]

What's the origin of Salem, VA being the site of the D3 championship games?  Why not some place more, uh, temperate and/or attractive?

[Willy Wonka]

tmerton - Salem is a great place. The basketball facilities are top notch and, I have to assume, the football facilities are the same way. Being a Gustie, I only saw the football venue on a drive by on the way to the gym -- I'm sure a few Johnnies can weigh in on the football side of things though. Not sure how or why it got picked in the first place though.

Also, is that case real? It's funny either way, but it'd be MUCH better if it's actually true...

[tmerton]

Also, is that case real? It's funny either way, but it'd be MUCH better if it's actually true...

Use the Snopes link at the top of the article.  I use Snopes to check on all the urban legend type stuff I receive; most of it is false, but this case is true.  The name of the landowner is wrong, and it happened in 97, not 2005, but otherwise it's real.

[tmerton]

tmerton - Salem is a great place. The basketball facilities are top notch and, I have to assume, the football facilities are the same way. Being a Gustie, I only saw the football venue on a drive by on the way to the gym -- I'm sure a few Johnnies can weigh in on the football side of things though. Not sure how or why it got picked in the first place though.

Is there a D3 school there?  It doesn't look all that easy to get to.  And in watching the D3 championship football games, the weather doesn't look great - pretty cold and sometimes wet.  Kinda suprised they didn't pick a small town in Florida or even CA where weather would be better.

[finsleft]

tmerton- Many high schools have nicer football facilities than does Salem. Other than "the people there are really nice", I haven't heard a real good argument for having it there. I suspect those who decide get nice perks from the Salem Chamber of Commerce to keep the deal going. I was there in '03 and flew in the night before the game, partied in the hotel, went to the game and flew out that night. If it were in a nicer place, I'd be tempted to extend my stay a day or a few. It was freezing there on game day.
This debate has been waged on this board and others last fall and before and Salem has a few fans. But the travel and other arguments don't sway me. I wish I had a vote. I'd head it south.

[MongolianWarrior]

And in watching the D3 championship football games, the weather doesn't look great - pretty cold and sometimes wet.  Kinda suprised they didn't pick a small town in Florida or even CA where weather would be better.

Unlike Pro or even D1 football, D3 programs realize that their players dont wear skirts and can actually play a Championship game in cold weather.  Now only if the Vikings could play outdoors...

[Touchdown Tommy]

Hey Mongo TDT here.

I saw a bit on the local news last night about a rather "notorious" promotion your own LV Wranglers conducted the other night.  Something along the lines of bright orange vests that said "Don't shoot me, I'm human".  Please elaborate for me it piqued my interest especially knowing my good buddy Mongo is an intern in Sin City for this squad...

In related news, Wonka did indeed call me again last night.  For the record, I was just about to hit the hay as I keep it pretty low key most of the time.  11:30 CST = 12:30 am EST.  Willy I will send Frank after your sisters if you aren't careful...

[tmerton]

tmerton- Many high schools have nicer football facilities than does Salem. Other than "the people there are really nice", I haven't heard a real good argument for having it there. I suspect those who decide get nice perks from the Salem Chamber of Commerce to keep the deal going. I was there in '03 and flew in the night before the game, partied in the hotel, went to the game and flew out that night. If it were in a nicer place, I'd be tempted to extend my stay a day or a few. It was freezing there on game day.
This debate has been waged on this board and others last fall and before and Salem has a few fans. But the travel and other arguments don't sway me. I wish I had a vote. I'd head it south.

Okay, well, I've posted the question on the general football board.  Let's see what people say.  There must be a story behind the story somewhere.

As I'm scoping the 10 day forecast, the weather on 25-27 seems to be getting worse.  We'll have first time fun no matter the weather but I'd like to see some sun.

[sumander]

As I'm scoping the 10 day forecast, the weather on 25-27 seems to be getting worse.  We'll have first time fun no matter the weather but I'd like to see some sun.

Tmerton, just wait a couple of days. The forecast will change. After all this is March in Minnesota!!!

[Retired Old Rat]

Hey Mongo TDT here.

I saw a bit on the local news last night about a rather "notorious" promotion your own LV Wranglers conducted the other night.  Something along the lines of bright orange vests that said "Don't shoot me, I'm human".  Please elaborate for me it piqued my interest especially knowing my good buddy Mongo is an intern in Sin City for this squad...

Mongo, if this is true I MUST have one of these vests.

Please let me know.

P.S.  Remember Carver, not Chaska.

[Retired Old Rat]

Best line from the LV Wranglers press release announcing orange vest night:

"We thought it might be fun to announce the event for Friday night's game, but not actually hand them out until the next day," said Wranglers vice president and COO Billy Johnson. 

[MongolianWarrior]

I've talked to a few people in my office with contacts to the Wranglers hockey team and apparently the vests are a hot item here in Vegas.  I still have a couple of options I'm checking out this week, so there is hope.  Funny thing is, wearing an orange vest out here wouldn't be a bad idea seeing how much crime and shootings there are.

"Note to self: Avoid Chaska" has been recorded on my personal note-to-self-recorder.  That is recorded right after "Note to self: Avoid the Noid"

[tmerton]

As I'm scoping the 10 day forecast, the weather on 25-27 seems to be getting worse.  We'll have first time fun no matter the weather but I'd like to see some sun.

Tmerton, just wait a couple of days. The forecast will change. After all this is March in Minnesota!!!

I remember a few days in Colorado - 70 degrees in the morning and snow on the ground by late afternoon.  The Rockies hide the weather until it's on top of you.  In MN I suppose the weather is always coming down from the north.

[Willy Wonka]

The basketball page has degenerated into discussing March Madness picks, so I'll post this funny here. I know you'll all enjoy it.

While covering the girls state basketball tournament, I came to a very solid conclusion: media people are retarded. Let's weigh some examples.

1) My personal favorite, and the reason I called to wake TDT up...at the Class AA state title game, an FSN reporter, who happened to be an attractive female, sat next to me in press row. I was excited...until she talked the entire game and didn't even bother occassionally glancing at the court. Afterwards, she told her boss "Oh, I can do the interview. I wasn't really paying attention, so I'll just wing it." Naturally, he gave her the thumbs up.

As we watched the all-tournament team announced, she continued blabbing about nothing. Twenty seconds after the MVP was announced -- and while the winner had the award in her arms 10 feet away -- she came and asked me, "So, who won the MVP again?"

Seriously?

2) While interviewing said MVP afterwards, the Strib guy breaks off someone else's question to ask, "Did you know the Gophers (women) lost today?"

The proper response would have been, naturally, "Who cares?" He was clearly angling to start a controversy since she's to be a Cornhusker next fall.

3) Another reporter asked, "Are you playing in college?"

You are going to sit courtside and watch her average 25 and 15 in the state tourney and not ask someone for background details before an interview? Do your homework and quit asking retarded questions.

4) Another, "Why did you lose six games this year?"

Ummm...yeah.

5) Another, "You got ahead by a lot early. Why did you let them back into it?"

Even the girl laughed at this question.

6) After winning the quarterfinal game, Cannon Falls went into the locker room so the coach could talk to the team. I, along with the other four media types, waited in the hallway for the team to emerge, as is expected of us. The Strib guy had somehow cornered said MVP right after the game and made her miss the team meeting by interviewing her on the court.

I laughed at how bogus it was, but the other guys - all older and more experienced - were pissed at the move. Haven't these people ever been athletes? Actually, after looking at most of their, um, physiques don't even bother answering that question. The best part? Apparently the old dude didn't even identify himself before he started asking questions.

I love this job!

[finsleft]

Mongo:
Speaking of trades, if you can get one of these vests, I'll trade you a case of Hamm's for it...
http://articles.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20060313165209990014

Hey ROR and TDT! I asked first five days ago. And at least I had the decency to try and bribe Mongo with a case of Hamm's. You beggars go away!