FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[WithasilentK]

For my next soapbox subject...if the Scots can play UST and other MIAC schools, get back in the conference where you belong...this "Notre Dame" mentality(without the network) where they can decide which conference sports they can compete in has gone on long enough, this is not the Big East and you are not stealing millions from NBC so get back in the league and TRY to compete...

MIAC football is better without Macalester.  The opponent's winning percentage would clearly decrease for all of the MIAC schools and therefore lessen the chances at an at-large bid for the 2nd place MIAC team.  If you add MAC do you eliminate a non-conference game?  The Johnnies have definitely benefitted from playing two WIAC schools.

As has Concordia for playing a then top-10 team from the West Region, and a scholarship program.

I think most teams benefit from 2 non-conference opponents, but maybe they could work out where you only play 8 conference games still.  That would probably not be the best idea, because which team do you not play, but it might work.  And I agree that MIAC football as a whole is better without them.

For Mac's sake, it would probably help in the long run to be part of the MIAC.  While they would get pounded on for the first years, it would likely help recruiting to be able to say you are a part of the MIAC, and they MIGHT be able to compete down the road.

[sju56321]

VOJ-give me a break! I remember when you were with the other radio station and before you were hired, we did not have this problem. And, I am not the only guy to complain, why don't you try reading all of the posts,   Stanbob had comments also. I know of one parent who complained last year that he would miss his son's play on special teams. I think it would be nice if everyone wasn't so concerned about the money from advertising, from win a $10 dollar gift certificate from....at the game to the excessive commercials on radio. You can't tell me that they couldn't have a few sponsors agreed to one less commercial during the game. But hey, I guess I am an easy target for speaking the truth, so be it. I am not bashing you or what you can't control, as I am sure you do your best to get back to the action.

[VOJ]

VOJ-give me a break! I remember when you were with the other radio station and before you were hired, we did not have this problem. And, I am not the only guy to complain, why don't you try reading all of the posts,   Stanbob had comments also. I know of one parent who complained last year that he would miss his son's play on special teams. I think it would be nice if everyone wasn't so concerned about the money from advertising, from win a $10 dollar gift certificate from....at the game to the excessive commercials on radio. You can't tell me that they couldn't have a few sponsors agreed to one less commercial during the game. But hey, I guess I am an easy target for speaking the truth, so be it. I am not bashing you or what you can't control, as I am sure you do your best to get back to the action.

First of sorry to single you out...you are right others have said the same.  I do understand your frustration, but I have done all I can, unless you want me to eliminate extra point play by play to get back for the kickoff, then (and I dislike this phrase very much) it is what it is.  The sponsors love the Johnnies audience and the program, its why they advertise, so no, they will not agree to one less commercial.

[GoldandBlueBU]

VOJ;

I haven't said it yet this year (very remiss of me), so I'll say it now: this has been a great year in the broadcast booth.  It's tough to talk to something as complex as a football game, but I gotta let you know that I'm visualing really well.  FYI, I'm floating above the field like thos Matrix cameras floating on the wires.

Can I be bold enough to make one request?  If it comes to mind durig a home game, a short discription of how big the crowd is and where they are (particularly the sea of red) would be interesting.  Looking at the photos at johnniefootball.com and a couple shots with crowds in the background sre really full of character.  A short mention of the 12 Johnnie on the field, so to speak.

Thanks again for keeping Johnnie faithful far and wide hip to the Magic(tm).

Glad you have enjoyed the broadcasts...I will try to be more descriptive(especially at home) of the Johnnie Nation and where they are and how many there are...hopefully we will have a strong contingent on the road this Saturday.  We had a great crowd at UWRF, so much so they ran out of water and food at the concession stand.

Do me a favor and tell 56321 to lay off on the commercial issue on the in game update board.  What he might fail to understand is, if we didn't have those sponsors, his Saturday would consist of staring at a blank screen and empty speakers or calling the press box every 5 minutes to get an update from someone there...I TRY to get back as soon as possible so we do not miss kickoffs and have asked the MIAC for a MINIMUM of 90 seconds between the exta point and the kickoff, but because the rest of the MIAC does not operate the way SJU does, they will not climb on board with the idea. 

They are also still in the dark ages with regards to recruiting conference sponsors.  I remember the WIAC having media timeouts during conference games(one per half, I think) where they would read a few messages from sponsors of the conference to the captive audience/crowd.  There is a chance for revenue to be made and help defray the costs of the various schools for the conference offices and their overhead.  Alas our pleas for advancement have fallen on deaf ears.

For my next soapbox subject...if the Scots can play UST and other MIAC schools, get back in the conference where you belong...this "Notre Dame" mentality(without the network) where they can decide which conference sports they can compete in has gone on long enough, this is not the Big East and you are not stealing millions from NBC so get back in the league and TRY to compete...

How is it then that other programs manage to have a broadcast without the large # of commercials?  I'm being sincere in asking this, no sarcasm intended.  Does the SJU broadcast include something extra?

[sju56321]

VOJ-fair enough. I look forward to an entertaining broadcast this Saturday-going to be an interesting game.

[BDB]

How is it then that other programs manage to have a broadcast without the large # of commercials?  I'm being sincere in asking this, no sarcasm intended.  Does the SJU broadcast include something extra?

Listeners and advertisers.    

[VOJ]

VOJ;

I haven't said it yet this year (very remiss of me), so I'll say it now: this has been a great year in the broadcast booth.  It's tough to talk to something as complex as a football game, but I gotta let you know that I'm visualing really well.  FYI, I'm floating above the field like thos Matrix cameras floating on the wires.

Can I be bold enough to make one request?  If it comes to mind durig a home game, a short discription of how big the crowd is and where they are (particularly the sea of red) would be interesting.  Looking at the photos at johnniefootball.com and a couple shots with crowds in the background sre really full of character.  A short mention of the 12 Johnnie on the field, so to speak.

Thanks again for keeping Johnnie faithful far and wide hip to the Magic(tm).

Glad you have enjoyed the broadcasts...I will try to be more descriptive(especially at home) of the Johnnie Nation and where they are and how many there are...hopefully we will have a strong contingent on the road this Saturday.  We had a great crowd at UWRF, so much so they ran out of water and food at the concession stand.

Do me a favor and tell 56321 to lay off on the commercial issue on the in game update board.  What he might fail to understand is, if we didn't have those sponsors, his Saturday would consist of staring at a blank screen and empty speakers or calling the press box every 5 minutes to get an update from someone there...I TRY to get back as soon as possible so we do not miss kickoffs and have asked the MIAC for a MINIMUM of 90 seconds between the exta point and the kickoff, but because the rest of the MIAC does not operate the way SJU does, they will not climb on board with the idea. 

They are also still in the dark ages with regards to recruiting conference sponsors.  I remember the WIAC having media timeouts during conference games(one per half, I think) where they would read a few messages from sponsors of the conference to the captive audience/crowd.  There is a chance for revenue to be made and help defray the costs of the various schools for the conference offices and their overhead.  Alas our pleas for advancement have fallen on deaf ears.

For my next soapbox subject...if the Scots can play UST and other MIAC schools, get back in the conference where you belong...this "Notre Dame" mentality(without the network) where they can decide which conference sports they can compete in has gone on long enough, this is not the Big East and you are not stealing millions from NBC so get back in the league and TRY to compete...

How is it then that other programs manage to have a broadcast without the large # of commercials?  I'm being sincere in asking this, no sarcasm intended.  Does the SJU broadcast include something extra?

St. John's and our station combine to sell advertising for the games, we sell out and have 58.5 minutes of commercialx from the pregame show to the end of the postgame show.  That is why we have more breaks and a heavy commercial lode.

+K to BlueDevil Bob

[Touchdown Tommy]

This weekend will be an excellent test.  Most people will be staying home (not making the trip to Moorhead) and will tune in on the radio/internet.  

First I have to take VOJ to task that we'd be looking at a blank screen and empty speakers without the sponsors.  I hope this was a facetious statement, but don't believe it was based on the context of the previous post from VOJ.  This is BEYOND ridiculous.  How does every other school in the MIAC and for that matter Division 3 produce a broadcast without the cadre of sponsors chomping at the bit to get a piece of the rabid audience?  There is no reason to continually bombard the listeners with the same commercial over and over and over again.  In reality, it is creating an advertising backlash where in effect people listening do exactly the OPPOSITE of the intended purpose of the advertiser.  In essence, they boycott the establishments who have ruined the sanctity of Johnnie football through the sheer number and constant yapping of the SAME advertisements week after week and year after year.  SJU has tried (and some may argue succeeded) in becoming a Faux-Division 1 program in the name of the almighty dollar.  The game experience has certainly NOT improved proportionally speaking.  In fact, on Saturday when I sat in the Veek VIP seats on the 50 yard line I could not have a conversation with Veek Sr. without yelling (this is not hyperbole) over the new Bose speakers where Timo was in the press box announcing at EVERY SINGLE break in play to check so and so page in the Johnnie GameDay Program to see if you won the latest widget that nobody really wants.  Absolutely downright impossible to actually have a conversation and/or enjoy the game with this going on.

The issue with listeners missing the plays coming out of kickoffs, punts, timeouts, etc. should be easily fixed.  You do what every other broadcast in the world does (Is Collegeville really that outta touch these days??).  There is a person on the sidelines who has a towel or a flag or the ear of a key official with a stopwatch.  They start the watch immediately at the break for the pre-determined specified time (60 secs, 90 secs, 120 secs, whatever).  They wave the towel or flag at the Referee when play is supposed to begin as the broadcasts are out of there "commercial breaks".  Now if the MIAC doesn't wanna cooperate with this request then someone has to bend.  Either VOJ and the Bear have shorter commercial breaks in order to allow all listeners to hear ALL the plays during the game or the MIAC has a set amount of time between each break in play.  Now I understand this ultimately hits home in the pocketbook for VOJ and SJU, but at some point enough is enough.  People are tired of the barrage of advertising whereever they go related to St. John's.  While I attend most of the games these days, I know there are people who would pay to listen to the broadcast uninterrupted (silence is bliss on the "commercial breaks").

The bottomline is that SJU/The Bear have sold their soul in the name of ever-increasing the revenues from advertisers (both in the stands where Timo bellows out "turn to page so and so for a Johnnie stamp to win a free can koozie" and in the broadcast booth as SJU56321 and many others (examples can be provided if needed) have so ably stated).

Caveat: TDT is the world's biggest capitalist so please do not misconstrue this rant.  I am, however, a firm believer that at some point (SJU is way past the point of saturation) Enough is Enough!!

Cue JohnnieEsq who I know has very very strong feelings on this topic as well...

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Nice Rant  TDT  gave you  -K for it

Wildcat 11 and I are heading out of PDX on Friday to tear it up in So Cal

Phone it in

GHC

[Touchdown Tommy]

Appreciate that GHC you know that is what I want.  Enjoy the scenery in LA.  TDT has hired Snoop Dawg to serve as your Official Chaffeur for the weekend festivities.  Make sure to take along your finest duds (CC to 11: Khaki Dockers pants and a cheap polo from Marshall's does NOT count) as you know you'll be frequenting the best spots of Hollywood and hanging with the social elite!!!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

I would really like to accept your offer TDT, but we are booked for the weekend.  We will be hitting a number of sports bars tailgate partys  and other places that can't be put on this board.

Then we are going to head out to see ROCKETMAN Take Oxy apart.

Peace Out

GHC

[OzJohnnie]

Many other DIII radio programs suck and are a half a step above a student project.  Ours is professional and sounds like it.  Money.

Many other small town radio stations are really struggling and have a very hard time making a buck.  The Bear does well enough off Johnnie football (and basketball) that they can cover hockey as well with professionals rather than the freshman class of acne, inc.  Money.

The Johnnies have a boundary-rider (side-line color commentary, Aus style) for goodness's sake.  Money.

There's only one way to get that money: commercials.  So while I lament the missed play (and have surely commented on it), I don't want to see the money spigot dry up.  The hair-brained MIAC officials won't make the time and the responsibility for the decision surely rests with them.  More frustrating, is that almost assuredly the reason for their negative answer is that other programs could not benefit as well.  How is Augsburg going to fill 90 seconds?  Student broadcasters reading the alphabet?  The thought occurred to me this last weekend after a missed play that the players should walk the ball back after a score, fumble it around, trip a bit and generally cause a delay.  If the officials won't do it, maybe the Johnnies can take up that job as well.

[wildcat11]

(CC to 11: Khaki Dockers pants and a cheap polo from Marshall's does NOT count) as you know you'll be frequenting the best spots of Hollywood and hanging with the social elite!!!

So what does TDT wear out on the town?  An extra small Affliction T-shirt with a new gold chain?  Thanks for the pointer but I'll take my fashion tips from someone who didn't wear a dress to football games in college.

***This TDT insult post was brought to you by Cash Wise Foods.***

[BDB]

Many other DIII radio programs suck and are a half a step above a student project.  Ours is professional and sounds like it. Money.

Many other small town radio stations are really struggling and have a very hard time making a buck.  The Bear does well enough off Johnnie football (and basketball) that they can cover hockey as well with professionals rather than the freshman class of acne, inc.  Money.

The Johnnies have a boundary-rider (side-line color commentary, Aus style) for goodness's sake.  Money.

There's only one way to get that money: commercials.  So while I lament the missed play (and have surely commented on it), I don't want to see the money spigot dry up.  The hair-brained MIAC officials won't make the time and the responsibility for the decision surely rests with them.  More frustrating, is that almost assuredly the reason for their negative answer is that other programs could not benefit as well.  How is Augsburg going to fill 90 seconds?  Student broadcasters reading the alphabet?  The thought occurred to me this last weekend after a missed play that the players should walk the ball back after a score, fumble it around, trip a bit and generally cause a delay.  If the officials won't do it, maybe the Johnnies can take up that job as well.

Right on, Oz. And, the Johnnies have a network to boot. We just had the example of Duffman listening to the game up on the North Shore last Saturday.

I'd have to venture a guess that it's a top 3 broadcast situation in D3. I can make that guess as someone who sponsors a remote 2 hour live radio show every Saturday morning from my business and has helped the local university negotiate it's broadcast rights by tying it in with the show for max effect.

Johnnie fans should be thankful for what they have radio-wise. Having said that part, when I was at the Natural Bowl I also found the constant Public Address announcements to "turn to some page" very annoying, and I was way up in the finsleft luxury suite.

[VOJ]

This weekend will be an excellent test.  Most people will be staying home (not making the trip to Moorhead) and will tune in on the radio/internet. 

First I have to take VOJ to task that we'd be looking at a blank screen and empty speakers without the sponsors.  I hope this was a facetious statement, but don't believe it was based on the context of the previous post from VOJ.  This is BEYOND ridiculous.  How does every other school in the MIAC and for that matter Division 3 produce a broadcast without the cadre of sponsors chomping at the bit to get a piece of the rabid audience?  There is no reason to continually bombard the listeners with the same commercial over and over and over again.  In reality, it is creating an advertising backlash where in effect people listening do exactly the OPPOSITE of the intended purpose of the advertiser.  In essence, they boycott the establishments who have ruined the sanctity of Johnnie football through the sheer number and constant yapping of the SAME advertisements week after week and year after year.  SJU has tried (and some may argue succeeded) in becoming a Faux-Division 1 program in the name of the almighty dollar.  The game experience has certainly NOT improved proportionally speaking.  In fact, on Saturday when I sat in the Veek VIP seats on the 50 yard line I could not have a conversation with Veek Sr. without yelling (this is not hyperbole) over the new Bose speakers where Timo was in the press box announcing at EVERY SINGLE break in play to check so and so page in the Johnnie GameDay Program to see if you won the latest widget that nobody really wants.  Absolutely downright impossible to actually have a conversation and/or enjoy the game with this going on.

The issue with listeners missing the plays coming out of kickoffs, punts, timeouts, etc. should be easily fixed.  You do what every other broadcast in the world does (Is Collegeville really that outta touch these days??).  There is a person on the sidelines who has a towel or a flag or the ear of a key official with a stopwatch.  They start the watch immediately at the break for the pre-determined specified time (60 secs, 90 secs, 120 secs, whatever).  They wave the towel or flag at the Referee when play is supposed to begin as the broadcasts are out of there "commercial breaks".  Now if the MIAC doesn't wanna cooperate with this request then someone has to bend.  Either VOJ and the Bear have shorter commercial breaks in order to allow all listeners to hear ALL the plays during the game or the MIAC has a set amount of time between each break in play.  Now I understand this ultimately hits home in the pocketbook for VOJ and SJU, but at some point enough is enough.  People are tired of the barrage of advertising whereever they go related to St. John's.  While I attend most of the games these days, I know there are people who would pay to listen to the broadcast uninterrupted (silence is bliss on the "commercial breaks").

The bottomline is that SJU/The Bear have sold their soul in the name of ever-increasing the revenues from advertisers (both in the stands where Timo bellows out "turn to page so and so for a Johnnie stamp to win a free can koozie" and in the broadcast booth as SJU56321 and many others (examples can be provided if needed) have so ably stated).

Caveat: TDT is the world's biggest capitalist so please do not misconstrue this rant.  I am, however, a firm believer that at some point (SJU is way past the point of saturation) Enough is Enough!!

Cue JohnnieEsq who I know has very very strong feelings on this topic as well...

TDT...you make some good points, I trust you like what you hear for the most part, correct?  IF the Bear and SJU were not partners, and we did away with sponsored broadcasts, you might not be able to have road games broadcast.  I am not sure Bethel does road games, for example.  Here is the other thing, think about WHO would be doing the broadcasts, probably students maybe someone in the athletic department, would you have a second person to do color, maybe, would you have a sideline person, doubtful.  The magazine and pregame shows which I think provide some good information with Coach and player interviews, This Day in Johnnies Football History, Around the MIAC, etc would be a memory.

I have nothing to do with the game day atmosphere at Clemens, and I have heard your complaint from numerous Johnnies fans, and I think you know where your complaints need to be sent regarding those types of things, but I know this, if SJU wants to stay competitive with others at this level, these things need to continue.


Your point about the commercial breaks:

The issue with listeners missing the plays coming out of kickoffs, punts, timeouts, etc. should be easily fixed.  You do what every other broadcast in the world does (Is Collegeville really that outta touch these days??).  There is a person on the sidelines who has a towel or a flag or the ear of a key official with a stopwatch.  They start the watch immediately at the break for the pre-determined specified time (60 secs, 90 secs, 120 secs, whatever).  They wave the towel or flag at the Referee when play is supposed to begin as the broadcasts are out of there "commercial breaks".  Now if the MIAC doesn't wanna cooperate with this request then someone has to bend.

This would be perfect in an ideal world...however the MIAC is not going to budge(believe me I have tried) and we have bills to pay so you can enjoy what we think is a pretty good product with slight inconveniences or boycott it I guess, the choice is yours. 

I love what I do and love the interaction with the fans, so don't see this as a rant, we try very hard not to miss anything on air...but unless we get better cooperation from the MIAC in the future with regards to conference games, some things will be missed I am sorry to say or I do a re-creation as soon as we come back from the timeout, this to Johnnies Fans wearing headsets at home games might sound strange.  I do like to see the headsets in the crowd, it inspires me to be as perfect as possible on my call each and every Saturday.

+K To OZ and BDB thanks for the understanding...like I said we will TRY VERY HARD not to miss action I do take you constructive criticsm to heart, feel free to personal message me with any other concerns or ideas of how to make things better.