FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

Did you actually watch the game?  If you did you had to have noticed how physical it was.  These were two teams beating the crap out of each other.  You don't have to play in snow for the game to be physical. 

I'm not saying anything about the physicallity of UWW or MUC. I'm just saying it stole a piece from what could have made the game even more memorable. I look at the rule changes in recent years and can't help but think the game is trending away from its tough roots. Some of the all time classic games have been those that took place in ridiculous weather. I think we missed out on what could have been the icing on the cake Saturday.  

And did they actually postpone for parents or to ensure that it would be clear for the ESPN broadcast?

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Did you actually watch the game?  If you did you had to have noticed how physical it was.  These were two teams beating the crap out of each other.  You don't have to play in snow for the game to be physical. 

I'm not saying anything about the physicallity of UWW or MUC. I'm just saying it stole a piece from what could have made the game even more memorable. I look at the rule changes in recent years and can't help but think the game is trending away from its tough roots. Some of the all time classic games have been those that took place in ridiculous weather. I think we missed out on what could have been the icing on the cake Saturday.  

And did they actually postpone for parents or to ensure that it would be clear for the ESPN broadcast?

They postponed the game to get the roads in Salem Safe for travel from the hotels to the Stadium.  We left our hotel at 2:00pm and it was still treacherous to travel to the stadium (5 miles away).  Roads were still covered with ice that was ridged like a shoulder rumble strip.  They were still plowing the parking lot at the stadium and clearing the stands when we arrived.

[Northern WinterHawk]

I know no one cares about this other than me but the Johnnies finished 12th 14th in the nation in the final D3 poll.

Fixed it for you! Don't wanna give credit where it isn't due!

[Mr. Ypsi]

I know no one cares about this other than me but the Johnnies finished 12th 14th in the nation in the final D3 poll.

Fixed it for you! Don't wanna give credit where it isn't due!

Sorry to break it to you, NWH, but THE d3 poll (i.e., d3football.com) has SJU at #12.

Coaches' Polls are a crock - any coach who knows diddley-squat about any team he isn't playing isn't doing the job he's paid to do!

[Northern WinterHawk]

I know no one cares about this other than me but the Johnnies finished 12th 14th in the nation in the final D3 poll.

Fixed it for you! Don't wanna give credit where it isn't due!

Sorry to break it to you, NWH, but THE d3 poll (i.e., d3football.com) has SJU at #12.

Coaches' Polls are a crock - any coach who knows diddley-squat about any team he isn't playing isn't doing the job he's paid to do!

Thanks Mr. Ypsi

[tmerton]

Clark I watched that.  I was very impressed by the quality of the play.  Incredible athletes on both squads.  How many classes of HS football are there in California?  What class/level was the Serra/Marin game?

California is somewhat like the Balkans.  There are ten sections in the state, based on geography, and each section is free to set and name the classes for its teams, so it has historically been a mess.  Most sections have five classes, but there are 3 city sections (SF, Oakland and LA) that don't have any classes at all.  Classes are generally set by school size, but those can differ, too.  Since schools in Southern California are generally larger, their class limits usually have larger numbers than in Northern California.  And the kicker is that it all changes again for the state "championships."  So, for example, a school that plays at Class III for its section might be too large or too small for Class III in the state championships.  And finally, you can play up a class in your section and, to some extent, in the state.  The state championship itself has 5 divisions: a small school division, and then, counting up, Divisions III, II and I.  The fifth and last division is the "Open" division, in which a team can play regardless of school size.  Oaks Christian, for example, is pretty small and would ordinarily play in Division III, but they were ranked in the top 5 in the nation and had they qualified for the championships they would likely have been the Southern California representative in the Open Division and played DeLaSalle.  However, they lost in their Section Championship - to Serra - and thus did not qualify for the state championships.

Finally, as noted, there are five sections each in Southern and Northern California.  So what happens is that after the section champions are determined, a committee of the state sports body picks from the section champions to determine who plays in the state championship.  So in that respect it's not a true playoff; it's more of a BCS bowl type arrangement, including all the controversy that goes along with those selections.  (Cal and NJ are the only states without true state playoffs.)

As for Marin Catholic and Serra, they were in Division III.  Both schools are coed and have about 700 to 750 students total in grades 9 through 12.  

State and national ranking info can be seen at http://www.calpreps.com/

[Pat Coleman]

One of 40 AFCA pollsters had UW-Whitewater No. 1 entering the playoffs.
Six of 25 D3football.com pollsters had UW-Whitewater in the top spot.

[OzJohnnie]

I know no one cares about this other than me but the Johnnies finished 12th in the nation in the final D3 poll.

That's an honorable finish for the boys.  I really liked this year's team - they played with a lot of grit and overcame a lot of adversity and injury.  And they beat the Tommies.  Again.  Yes, the finish was disappointing (I'm sure it's impacted me less than the players) but it was still a good year overall.

[VOJ]

Clark I watched that.  I was very impressed by the quality of the play.  Incredible athletes on both squads.  How many classes of HS football are there in California?  What class/level was the Serra/Marin game?

Ok it is December 21st the shortest day of the year and the 1st day of winter.  TDT hasn't done a drop of Christmas shopping.  I need help.  What do you old guys like? (Rhetorical question I know, the answer is a 24 yr old with Double Ds who brings you cold bevies on request).  I refuse to fight the "weekend warriors" at the local malls, so the shopping commence tomorrow.  Help TDT out.  Bennie: What is a good present for my mom?  I am clueless.  I don't do candles, perfume, clothes, etc.  Something imaginative.  Make TDT a star!!

Hi Veek.  Hi VOJ.

A massage or a day of pampering at a salon...maybe they have a special where you both can get the same package...you can wear her old coat, your murse and make a day of it.  (ok...I know this is a take off on Bennie's suggestion, had not scrolled down far enough to read hers at the time I wrote this)

You know you have really limited yourself if you don't do candles, perfume, clothes, your down to gift certificates...jewelry or the experiences idea that bennie had.

[tmerton]

 Bennie: What is a good present for my mom?  I am clueless.  I don't do candles, perfume, clothes, etc.  Something imaginative.  Make TDT a star!!

TDT, I drink scotch, listen to heavy metal, watch action flicks and follow hockey and D3 football. Am I really the best person to offer advice on gifts for your mom?  That being said, my personal feeling is that once a person gets to a certain age, they don't really need more "things", so I like to give experiences instead. Maybe a gift certificate for a spa day/massage (pampering is always good!), tickets to a concert, the ballet or the theater, or a gift certificate to a nice restaurant. If you don't get to spend much time with her, maybe pick something you can do together. Maybe even indulging a guilty pleasure. A couple of years ago I got my mom a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. She loves her, but she wouldn't buy the magazine for herself. If you want to PM me more info about your mom and her likes/dislikes, I will try to come up with some other suggestions.

TDT - I like bennie's recommendations here for "experiences" for your mom.  I'd suggest taking her to a Tommie game or bungee jumping.

[Touchdown Tommy]

Ha can't wait to see you in January at a Hoops game VOJ!!  Save some time on your halftime show for TDT...

Clark: Great information about the California football system.  Very impressed with your posting lately.  What are you cooking for the Johnnies on Christmas at your palatial mansion?  Hope you splurged for some "top shelf" liquor so the boys get a little break from Glueks and Busch Light.

Mega snowstorm headed to Minnesota.  Possibility of upwards of 2 feet.  Tickets have been booked for Spring Training.  Pitchers and Catchers report in 50 days...

[finsleft]

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and Tommies on MIACPP!

Here's a little Finsleft Christmas Karma for all of you and a joke for you to memorize and be the life of the family Christmas party...



A Mexican woodpecker and a Canadian woodpecker were in Mexico arguing about which country had the toughest trees. The Mexican woodpecker claimed Mexico had a tree that no woodpecker could peck.

The Canadian woodpecker accepted his challenge and promptly pecked a hole in the tree with no problem. The Mexican woodpecker was amazed.

The Canadian woodpecker then challenged the Mexican woodpecker to peck a tree in Canada that was absolutely 'impeckable' (a term frequently used by woodpeckers ). The Mexican woodpecker expressed confidence that he could do it and accepted the challenge.

The two of them flew to Canada where the Mexican woodpecker successfully pecked the so-called 'impeckable' tree almost without breaking a sweat.

Both woodpeckers were now terribly confused. How is it that the Canadian woodpecker was able to peck the Mexican tree, and the Mexican woodpecker was able to peck the Canadian tree, yet neither was able to peck the tree in their own country?

After much woodpecker pondering, they both came to the same conclusion:

Apparently, Tiger Woods was right when he said, "your pecker gets harder when you're away from home."

[57Johnnie]

Breath easy folks. The Guinness Brewery fire is under control and there will be no interruption of deliveries.

[DuffMan]

Duff, have you had any of the beers from Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater? I tried the Farm Girl Saison and was not particularly fond of it. Was wondering about their Cross Cut Pale Ale?

Sumander, I was in a little shop over lunch and found a few of the Lift Bridge beers.  I will post my opinions soon...

[cobbernation]

Breaking News:  Bobby Hauck head coach at Montana was just hired as the head coach at UNLV.  Hopefully he can do as well as he did at Montana.  His record in 7 seasons was 80-17 with 7 Big Sky Conf. Champs and 3 Nat'l Title game appearances, sadly enough they didn't win any!