FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[GoldandBlueBU]

I don't know anything more than any other outsider would about BU...Hazzben might have more to offer, as he knows more folks who are involved with the team.

I also think Simmet could be a fun player to watch.  Think they'd ever try him at TE?  I'm sure he has the hands for it given his basketball background...could be a beast to try and stop from making catches in the middle.

edit:  Also had to mention that I toured the Surly brewery this past friday.  Aside from the tasty and free beer sampling, the founder / president has a lot of good stories surrounding getting the brewery off the ground.  You have to sign up on fridays a few weeks in advance, but it is worth the wait.  Furious is definitely one of my favorite beers out there right now.

[Tom Thumb]

I must admit that watching a kid who is 315 pounds running down the field catching passes would be fun to watch 

[repete]

News that Pam Ward is off ESPN football brought the predictable responses, plus a few unexpected gems, over on another board.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/index.php/topic,90231.25.html

Including one that I can guess the source ....

"I thought she was fine, too. In fact, she called perhaps my favorite college game ever: the 2003 Division III title game when St. John's ended Mount Union's 55-game winning streak (I'm sure everyone here remembers where they were...). Her partner was Spielman that day and he was the annoying one. "Can you believe they don't tackle in practice! That's no way to play defense!"

And another that's just a bit creepy ....

"Nobody would care if Pam Ward was named Tim Ward and had a penis."

[OzJohnnie]

And another that's just a bit creepy ....

"Nobody would care if Pam Ward was named Tim Ward and had a penis."

Calling Pam's husband... Nope, he doesn't care.  Creepy.

[Retired Old Rat]

Ouch.

[BDB]

Ouch.

So ROR is just minding his own business and somebody makes a post referencing his junk. Creepy is right.

[BDB]

Oz,

I'm thinking of coming over for the total eclipse of the sun in November down under.

Check with Mrs. Oz and see if I can use the guest bedroom. I'll have me fags, light bulbs and pens so I'll be sorted.

BDB

[USTBench]

Game in Winnipeg:

I was unable to make the game myself, but it appears UST faired pretty well in Winnipeg this past weekend, posting a score of 68 to 21. Of course, this info was fed to me second hand by a parent that happened to be in a restaraunt in GF.

He did say Matt O'Connell looked pretty decent. Very Tracy-esque.

[OzJohnnie]

Oz,

I'm thinking of coming over for the total eclipse of the sun in November down under.

Check with Mrs. Oz and see if I can use the guest bedroom. I'll have me fags, light bulbs and pens so I'll be sorted.

BDB

Check?  I don't need to stinkin' check!

It would be great to have a visitor.  Bring your clubs, if you've got 'em.

[BDB]

This Facebook IPO debacle is getting pretty interesting.

People ask me about being on Facebook. My response is "Facebook? I don't even want to be in the phone book."

I used to pay to be unlisted. Maybe I still do. 

[faunch]

St. Thomas VP Doug Hennes called into Saturday Morning SportsTalk with Reusse and Judd Zulgad.

Reusse: "When are you going to go to Division 2?"
Hennes: "We may not, we like division 1" -- Hennes corrects himself quickly to say something about Division 3 as Reusse interrupts to say "Well, They don't like you!"

Reusse then goes on to propose a solution the MIAC might like, St. Thomas should split into St. Thomas North and South and field 2 teams for every sport.

mp3 download (St. thomas talk starts at 10:30)

So I get Reusse's point on enrollment numbers, but what's the problem with UST having funding and facilities?  It's not like UST is just mopping the floor with DIII teams across all sports.  Some DIII schools have far more resources than UST and have historically had more dominant athletic programs (look at Williams, for example).  Are people calling for these schools to leave DIII?   

I'll give you my two cents...

#1.  They really don't fit the mold of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference anymore.  In other words...they've grown a bit too big for their britches.  To me it's not about how many national championships they've won.  If they want to be an MIAC school then act like one..but when you build an extension of the Mall of America on your campus it might be time to look for another conference.   

#2.  The end of point #1 actually leads to my second point....UST has become an even bigger pain in the ass for the neighborhood.  Student housing and parking in addition to traffic around UST is a huge pain in the ass.  Ironic that their football games are broadcast on the "Good Neighbor" while UST as an institution seems to function with blatant disregard for the surrounding community.

#3.  Normally I don't agree w/ Patrick Reusse but I think he might be onto something.  If UST's undergrad enrollment were split in half they would still be one of the larger schools in the MIAC.

I'll leave you w/ one of my favs:
What's the difference between a cactus and UST's shiny new facilities?
A cactus has only has pricks on the outside.

[Mr.MIAC]

St. Thomas VP Doug Hennes called into Saturday Morning SportsTalk with Reusse and Judd Zulgad.

Reusse: "When are you going to go to Division 2?"
Hennes: "We may not, we like division 1" -- Hennes corrects himself quickly to say something about Division 3 as Reusse interrupts to say "Well, They don't like you!"

Reusse then goes on to propose a solution the MIAC might like, St. Thomas should split into St. Thomas North and South and field 2 teams for every sport.

mp3 download (St. thomas talk starts at 10:30)

So I get Reusse's point on enrollment numbers, but what's the problem with UST having funding and facilities?  It's not like UST is just mopping the floor with DIII teams across all sports.  Some DIII schools have far more resources than UST and have historically had more dominant athletic programs (look at Williams, for example).  Are people calling for these schools to leave DIII?   

I'll give you my two cents...

#1.  They really don't fit the mold of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference anymore.  In other words...they've grown a bit too big for their britches.  To me it's not about how many national championships they've won.  If they want to be an MIAC school then act like one..but when you build an extension of the Mall of America on your campus it might be time to look for another conference.   

#2.  The end of point #1 actually leads to my second point....UST has become an even bigger pain in the ass for the neighborhood.  Student housing and parking in addition to traffic around UST is a huge pain in the ass.  Ironic that their football games are broadcast on the "Good Neighbor" while UST as an institution seems to function with blatant disregard for the surrounding community.

#3.  Normally I don't agree w/ Patrick Reusse but I think he might be onto something.  If UST's undergrad enrollment were split in half they would still be one of the larger schools in the MIAC.

I'll leave you w/ one of my favs:
What's the difference between a cactus and UST's shiny new facilities?
A cactus has only has pricks on the outside.

Thanks for the reply.  A few comments/questions in reverse order...

#3.  I think it would be a good idea for UST to cut its enrollment.  If anything it would help them with their goal to dramatically increase selectivity.  However, there are plenty of DIII schools with comparable student numbers that don't have strong athletics programs.  In short, I don't see size of the student body as the primary concern.

#2.  UST has gone to extreme lengths to make the neighbors happy.  They have built parking ramps to keep student vehicles off the streets and new dorms to keep more students on campus (they even buy local houses from former landlords and convert them into family homes).  They have downsized building projects and some projects have been shelved.  Currently, the neighbors are upset because UST wants to build a new tennis complex on campus and the university has put plans on hold for nearly one year as a result.  No one can say UST has been less than a good neighbor.

#1.  A more philosophical question...you state that UST no longer fits the mold of a MIAC school.  You suggest that if UST wants to remain in the MIAC, then they need to act more like a MIAC school.  What is the nature of a MIAC school?  Aren't we all supposed to be striving for excellence?

[OzJohnnie]

Like shooting fish in a barrel...

Thanks for the reply.  A few comments/questions in reverse order...

#3.  I think it would be a good idea for UST to cut its enrollment.  If anything it would help them with their goal to dramatically increase selectivity.  However, there are plenty of DIII schools with comparable student numbers that don't have strong athletics programs.  In short, I don't see size of the student body as the primary concern.

BZZZ!  Arguing a point not in dispute.  Faunch's argument is that UST is too big for the MIAC, not for DIII.  Point Johnnies!

#2.  UST has gone to extreme lengths to make the neighbors happy.  They have built parking ramps to keep student vehicles off the streets and new dorms to keep more students on campus (they even buy local houses from former landlords and convert them into family homes).  They have downsized building projects and some projects have been shelved.  Currently, the neighbors are upset because UST wants to build a new tennis complex on campus and the university has put plans on hold for nearly one year as a result.  No one can say UST has been less than a good neighbor.

BZZZ!  All dissent is illegitimate.  Back in your hole, complainers!

Someone better tell John Hershey at Neighborhood Relations that his employment is not longer required and that this Neighborhood Disturbances Initiatives Action Plan can go in the incinerator.

Point Johnnies!

#1.  A more philosophical question...you state that UST no longer fits the mold of a MIAC school.  You suggest that if UST wants to remain in the MIAC, then they need to act more like a MIAC school.  What is the nature of a MIAC school?  Aren't we all supposed to be striving for excellence?

BZZZ! Striving for excellence in retail distribution!  Take that, Mall of America, with your carbon heavy single person transport culture and gangsta wannabe shootout after school specials!

Point, game, set and match Johnnies!

[OzJohnnie]

BDB;

It's Ok.  You can come over.

No lightbulbs, though.

[Tom Thumb]

Game in Winnipeg:

I was unable to make the game myself, but it appears UST faired pretty well in Winnipeg this past weekend, posting a score of 68 to 21. Of course, this info was fed to me second hand by a parent that happened to be in a restaraunt in GF.

He did say Matt O'Connell looked pretty decent. Very Tracy-esque.

That's good to hear. I think Matt will be just fine.  He's a pretty good athlete and has a great head on his shoulders.  Do you know who the backup is right now?