FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OldAuggie]

I see a resurgence with St. Olaf athletics in the near future.  New football coaches, new field turf and they hired former Badger coach Mike Eaves as a hockey coach one year ago.  The on campus hockey arena they have planned is going to be nice if they ever build it. Basketball competes well in the MIAC. The campus looks great, they are now on the southern outer ring of suburbs compared to when I played in the 80's and it seemed like you were traveling out of town to play St Olaf. The school itself has a lot to offer on the academic side too as they have pulled away from the other LAC in the MIAC and are now closer to Macalester and Carleton. A lot of positives coming up at STO these days.

[miac952]

I see a resurgence with St. Olaf athletics in the near future.  New football coaches, new field turf and they hired former Badger coach Mike Eaves as a hockey coach one year ago.  The on campus hockey arena they have planned is going to be nice if they ever build it. Basketball competes well in the MIAC. The campus looks great, they are now on the southern outer ring of suburbs compared to when I played in the 80's and it seemed like you were traveling out of town to play St Olaf. The school itself has a lot to offer on the academic side too as they have pulled away from the other LAC in the MIAC and are now closer to Macalester and Carleton. A lot of positives coming up at STO these days.

A lot of this has been in place for some time (- Mike Eaves) and there has been no noticeable change in performance or success. They were one of the first in the new facility wave, building a beautiful new Indoor athletic fieldhouse and training center, as well as a top notch student commons building. Both of those facilities are still ahead of their time and compete with all others in the MIAC and D3. They hired a D1 track coach from the Gophers as well. While they have had some success in certain sports, nothing has really changed or improved in the last decade. With St Olaf's academic aspirations there has come a new price tag, that goes well beyond UST, SJU, GAC, etc. 15 years ago they were on par with those schools price wise. There are more selective admissions and pursuit of international students too. Furthermore, there is some unrest on the campus with race relations and the fabricated story that hit this winter/spring. Football cant get worse than it has been, so yes, they will probably improve, but I dont expect any giant leaps. And this is coming from someone who thinks they hit a quiet home run in their HC hire of Killian.

[art76]

Finally had a moment to listen to the latest podcast and was intrigued to hear that Oshkosh still has 3 open weeks to play up to 2 additional games in their schedule this fall. It will be interesting to see if, and if they do, who they can get to play this far into the summer.

[badgerwarhawk]

Finally had a moment to listen to the latest podcast and was intrigued to hear that Oshkosh still has 3 open weeks to play up to 2 additional games in their schedule this fall. It will be interesting to see if, and if they do, who they can get to play this far into the summer.

We discussed this on the WIAC forum back in early May when it was reported that Oshkosh was paying $25K to the University of Faith (or something like that) to fill one of their open dates.  Though I don't know if that actually happened because U of F is not listed on the schedule they have posted on their website.  It reminded me of a time when we paid Livingstone $25K to fill a date back in the early 90's.

[art76]

We discussed this on the WIAC forum back in early May when it was reported that Oshkosh was paying $25K to the University of Faith (or something like that) to fill one of their open dates.  Though I don't know if that actually happened because U of F is not listed on the schedule they have posted on their website.  It reminded me of a time when we paid Livingstone $25K to fill a date back in the early 90's.

Pat and Adam mentioned Finlandia had some open dates as well, and it looks like one of them is also open for Oshkosh - and they're within the 500 mile playoff radius, so a one and one two years in a row could be a possibility as well.

So, did the WIAC board have any insight into what the Titans are going to end up doing to try to round out their schedule? I'll take a gander at May's discussion after posting this.

Edit: Read over what's posted over on the WAC board, then looked at Oshkosh's site and I don't see "The Household of Faith" on the schedule yet. Is it safe to assume that clearer heads prevailed in setting up a game for one of the two remaining potential games?

[badgerwarhawk]

Sorry art76 but we were basically clueless as to what they should do.  The discussion tended to focus more on two other things.  One being the University of Faith which doesn't seem like a real school and the other being comments made by Oshkosh representatives which suggested they were a tad confused about the NCAA does or doesn't require of playoff teams.  What we've done in the past is the obvious...schedule either NAIA or D2.   

[sjusection105]

Happy Summer Solstice to us, longest daylight of the year. Happy Winter Solstice to Oz, the shortest daylight of the year!

[BDB]

Happy Summer Solstice to us, longest daylight of the year. Happy Winter Solstice to Oz, the shortest daylight of the year!

Yes, but starting tomorrow he'll be gaining on us!  GAAAAHHH!!!

[Tom Thumb]

Gabe Green will move to WR this season. Should be interesting to see how that plays out: http://www.twincities.com/2017/06/10/charley-walters-all-signs-point-to-minnesota-twins-drafting-kyle-wright/

UST picked up a nice LB from North Dakota. Cole Spies, St. Mary's HS: http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/sports/4284410-team-north-dakota-eyeing-montana-qb-badlands-bowl

Hudl: http://usatodayhss.com/2016/2016-all-usa-north-dakota-football-team

[OzJohnnie]

Hey, duffman. Do you know what's up with this? http://www.gojohnnies.com/news/2017/6/22/sju-wrestling-coach-resigns-headed-to-augustana-ill.aspx

It's not often that staff get pulled away from SJU.

[DuffMan]

I have no clue, and I had the same thoughts as you.  Johnnie wrestling is struggling and could use some help,
that is for sure.  It'll be interesting to see what direction the athletic department goes with this position.

Hey, duffman. Do you know what's up with this? http://www.gojohnnies.com/news/2017/6/22/sju-wrestling-coach-resigns-headed-to-augustana-ill.aspx

It's not often that staff get pulled away from SJU.

[OldAuggie]

I have no clue, and I had the same thoughts as you.  Johnnie wrestling is struggling and could use some help,
that is for sure.  It'll be interesting to see what direction the athletic department goes with this position.

Hey, duffman. Do you know what's up with this? http://www.gojohnnies.com/news/2017/6/22/sju-wrestling-coach-resigns-headed-to-augustana-ill.aspx

It's not often that staff get pulled away from SJU.

Guys because I read the wrestling board I know about this development, at least the time line of events leading up to this point. If you want me to post the timeline from Dan Willaert I will do that. It's public as of this afternoon.

[DuffMan]

Please do!

[DuffMan]

Thanks for sharing, OA. 

[OldAuggie]

Thanks for sharing, OA. 

Of course.