FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

The UST/BU rivalry has never been as big as the SJU rivalry in terms of interested fans, but it's always been significant for the players as far back as my first year in 2000. It was always the most physical game we played,  there was always some good back and forth in terms of wins in losses (even in the Roney years), not to mention the JV games. Essentially, some guys would be play BU 6 or 7 times in their college career.

It may be a "secondary rivalry" to the fans, but as far as the players are concerned, BU is as big as SJU.

I'd agree with this. The proximity is probably a piece of the BU/UST thing, but really I think it just comes down to two teams that play each other in a really hard, physical manner. That and the JV piece adds some spice to it as well. SJU was always a big game, simply because they were at the top for so long and it took us so long to get on an equal footing.

Personally, I think the last several years have been great for the MIAC. I'd love to see SJU jump back up and Concordia appears to be improving as well. If we could have UST, BU, SJU and Concordia all playing at the peak levels they achieved in the past decade or so, we'd have some remarkable football in the league. Same goes for GAC, St. Olaf and Carleton. I'd love to see a time when the MIAC is just one nasty gauntlet of games, we're trending that direction in my opinion. But I want it to be a nasty gauntlet because each year there are 3-5 schools who could make some noise in the playoffs.

[Chubbs]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

You beat me to it, Dusty.  The fact that WCCO is carrying U$T athletics says much more about how far the station has fallen than how much the school has risen.  Further, there is no way carrying U$T sports could be a profitable venture for CCO purely by ad sales.  That level of interest in the purple cat sports just isn't there fellahs, sorry to burst your bubble.  So if ad sales aren't enough to make WCCO money (they are in business to do that, after all), there's almost certainly some extra guaranteed cash coming in to make the deal sweet.  It doesn't take a "rocket surgeon" to figure out where that money is coming from.

Interesting to read how Bethel was so high on the rivalry meter for both SJU and U$T players on the board.  My list would go as follows:

1.  SJU
2.  U$T
3.  GAC
4.  Concordia
5.  Augsburg

[DuffMan]

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.

Then you are looking at different press than I. 

[Mr.MIAC]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

You beat me to it, Dusty.  The fact that WCCO is carrying U$T athletics says much more about how far the station has fallen than how much the school has risen.  Further, there is no way carrying U$T sports could be a profitable venture for CCO purely by ad sales.  That level of interest in the purple cat sports just isn't there fellahs, sorry to burst your bubble.  So if ad sales aren't enough to make WCCO money (they are in business to do that, after all), there's almost certainly some extra guaranteed cash coming in to make the deal sweet.  It doesn't take a "rocket surgeon" to figure out where that money is coming from.

Interesting to read how Bethel was so high on the rivalry meter for both SJU and U$T players on the board.  My list would go as follows:

1.  SJU
2.  U$T
3.  GAC
4.  Concordia
5.  Augsburg

Do you have any facts to back up this assertion?

[hazzben]

I'd put my list like this (graduated in 2004):

1. SJU
2. UST
3. Concordia (some great, physical games against Bobby Clark, Heibrink, et al)
T4. GAC (this was back when they were right on the cusp of being one of the best teams in the league)
T4. STO (Meidt had taken over by the end, which added some major flavor)

[Mr.MIAC]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

You beat me to it, Dusty.  The fact that WCCO is carrying U$T athletics says much more about how far the station has fallen than how much the school has risen.  Further, there is no way carrying U$T sports could be a profitable venture for CCO purely by ad sales.  That level of interest in the purple cat sports just isn't there fellahs, sorry to burst your bubble.  So if ad sales aren't enough to make WCCO money (they are in business to do that, after all), there's almost certainly some extra guaranteed cash coming in to make the deal sweet.  It doesn't take a "rocket surgeon" to figure out where that money is coming from.

Interesting to read how Bethel was so high on the rivalry meter for both SJU and U$T players on the board.  My list would go as follows:

1.  SJU
2.  U$T
3.  GAC
4.  Concordia
5.  Augsburg

Do you have any facts to back up this assertion?

As I said above, why would UST have to pay for WCCO broadcasting when they have a group of official sponsors for UST athletic games, including Land O Lakes and Sun Country?

[Retired Old Rat]

I'm betting that SJU shows up on Sat. and plays a good game against GAC.  Looks like a great day for football in that beautiful new stadium in St. Peter.  With fabulous accommodations for the visiting fans.

[DuffMan]

With fabulous accommodations for the visiting fans.

Much better than, say, UST???

[Retired Old Rat]

I was thinking Augsburg.   

[DustySJU]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

You beat me to it, Dusty.  The fact that WCCO is carrying U$T athletics says much more about how far the station has fallen than how much the school has risen.  Further, there is no way carrying U$T sports could be a profitable venture for CCO purely by ad sales.  That level of interest in the purple cat sports just isn't there fellahs, sorry to burst your bubble.  So if ad sales aren't enough to make WCCO money (they are in business to do that, after all), there's almost certainly some extra guaranteed cash coming in to make the deal sweet.  It doesn't take a "rocket surgeon" to figure out where that money is coming from.

Interesting to read how Bethel was so high on the rivalry meter for both SJU and U$T players on the board.  My list would go as follows:

1.  SJU
2.  U$T
3.  GAC
4.  Concordia
5.  Augsburg

Do you have any facts to back up this assertion?

As I said above, why would UST have to pay for WCCO broadcasting when they have a group of official sponsors for UST athletic games, including Land O Lakes and Sun Country?

Yes, ok well then.... Land O Lakes is paying for the broadcast but I think you get my point... nobody is paying UST for their broadcast rights.... this is bought and paid for advertising.

[Johnnie Red]

To TheManWhoRidesAlone: here you go with another MIAC school. Auggie Tech - Hip Hop and Rap of the MIAC.

[Pat Coleman]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

Right, so now UST is paying for press...no offense but sounds a bit delusional.  Also, why would UST have to pay for WCCO broadcasting when they have a group of official sponsors for UST athletic games, including Land O Lakes and Sun Country.

Not delusional at all, Mr. MIAC. Buying time is how most D-III schools get onto major broadcast outlets.

[USTBench]

Today the Grand Forks Bar Association took us on a field trip to the new center for forensic pathology. Through various government contracts they do autopsies for much of North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. I was extraordinarily impressed with breadth of their reach when I went into the meat locker, and saw, to my horror, right there on the gurney...SJU's playoff chances.

I was less impressed with their turn around time however, because those have been dead for weeks.

[DuffMan]

I'd put my list like this (graduated in 2004):

1. SJU
2. UST
3. Concordia (some great, physical games against Bobby Clark, Heibrink, et al)
T4. GAC (this was back when they were right on the cusp of being one of the best teams in the league)
T4. STO (Meidt had taken over by the end, which added some major flavor)

Since we're making lists, here's mine (1999-2002):

1. Bethel (beat us my freshman and sophomore year, so there was a lot of bad blood there)
2. Concordia (never beat us, but always a tough, physical game)
3. St. Thomas (big rivalry, usually had better players, but had the handicap of Roney)
4(tie). St. Olaf (beat us my junior year and it still chaps my butt)
         Gustavus (Ryan Hoag...no need to say more)
6. Augsburg (never much of a challenge, but they liked to run their mouths)
7(tie). Carleton (they were bad)
         Hamline (they were probably even worse than Carleton)

[AO]

I think you read a whole lot more into the rivalry than the average fan.

...the big Catholic school in the Twin Cities that gets all the major donations and hogs the attention.

Hogs all the attention?  Sorry to burst your ever-expanding Tommie head, but aside from UST or maybe MIAC alumni, I don't see the general MSP population giving a rat's arse about UST, nor any other MIAC institution.  I hardly think they are "hogging attention".

Take a look at the amount of press coverage UST (the university, not just football) gets in the Twin Cities.  The short answer is that it's a lot.  UST is the largest private university in MN by a long ways and the alumni base is huge, second only to the U of M, in the Twin Cities.  If UST develops or merges with a major medical school, as has been talked about for some time, their profile will jump even higher. 

The general population seems to have enough interest to warrant a major media provider, WCCO, seeking them out for exclusive broadcasting rights to UST athletics.  Over time this will further expand the fan base outside the Twin Cities and across the Midwest.

I'm going to take a guess and say UST is paying the "good" neighbor to broadcast their games and all that UST press is paid advertising.  Take it to the bank.

Right, so now UST is paying for press...no offense but sounds a bit delusional.  Also, why would UST have to pay for WCCO broadcasting when they have a group of official sponsors for UST athletic games, including Land O Lakes and Sun Country.

Not delusional at all, Mr. MIAC. Buying time is how most D-III schools get onto major broadcast outlets.

my crack research team at google has come up with this article.  http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/121677289.html

Terms were not disclosed, but Dienhart said St. Thomas will pay WCCO a "very reasonable" fee to carry the games. The move allows WCCO to continue broadcasting college football, which it has done since 1924. While St. Thomas doesn't have the same regional appeal as the Gophers, the school does have a "certain amount of financial robustness," Dienhart noted, with "donors deeply involved in the community." Those donors could be potential advertisers.