FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Retired Old Rat]

Any SJU fans wearing their Johnnie red to the game?

I saw a few Johnnie hats and sweatshirts at the UWW/UST game last year in Whitewater. 

Always.   

[Redtooth]

A couple pages back there was some discussion regarding the committee vs. AD in the selection of a new FB coach at SJU.  I am not a fan of the committee approach and had an opportunity to question Tom Stock when this started two weeks ago.  I also questioned the lack of Football people and the heavily weighted administration types.  Tom stated that both the process and the people had been "in place for a couple years."  If that is the case, I am more than a little surprised that no one identified the lack of football expertise on the committee as a concern.  I was also told that "the process" would identify and select the best coach available.  I told Tom the process would very little to do with finding a great coach and that great candidates would have opted in regardless of the process.  I also told him that "the process" they are following will have little bearing on whether the new coach is successful or not.

One thing that is needed at SJU immediately is a determination on what the importance of athletics is and how they are willing to demonstrate that to both the public at-large and also to prospective students.  It takes more than lip service from administrators to do so, it takes commitments.  Commitments to student athletes and coaches first.  Commitments to facilities and recruiting.  Commitments to financial aid via growing the overall pool of endowment resources that support this area for the entire student population (as an example; currently the best scholarship package a SJU student could receive totals just north of $18,000 against a sticker price of $40,000 while that same student could be eligible for up to $35,000 at UST against $40,000). 

These are commitments SJU has failed to make recently, instead committing to the Bible Project and the Abbey Guest House among others.  Not bad choices, just different priorities.  Priorities that have little to do with the student life experience (keep in mind students and their families are the clients that SJU receives the vast majority of its revenue from) along with the increase in academic profile for incoming students has had a significant impact on SJU Football and the school as a whole.

BTW- If I was AD (and had the appropriate decision making authority that most ADs have) I would have identified, at most, 5 prospective coaches to visit with immediately.  I would have asked John to join me on these visits and done these interviews on or off campus at the pleasure of the candidates.  On campus visits would be offered to only those coaches I was interested in hiring after our initial interview and on campus activities would be isolated to those that would be helpful in determining fit with students, athletic staff and appropriate administrators.  No punch and cookie socials for everyone!!  Those are stupid and offer no meaningful insight into anything relevant.  I would hire the best coach at the conclusion and offer the necessary financial support toward ensuring programmatic success.

My top three candidates would be:
Mike Grant- for all the obvious reasons.
Mike Van Diest- Carroll College (MT) HC.  6 National Titles (been to 8 title games)  Career record of 157-22.  It worked to poach from Carroll last time.
Vince Kehres- Mount Union DC.  Player or coach on 8 Nation Title teams.  Larry's son.  Been part of only 7 loses in his coaching career.

[DuffMan]

Any SJU fans wearing their Johnnie red to the game?

Johnnie fans proudly wear their red anywhere and everywhere! 

[DuffMan]

My top three candidates would be:
Mike Grant- for all the obvious reasons.
Mike Van Diest- Carroll College (MT) HC.  6 National Titles (been to 8 title games)  Career record of 157-22.  It worked to poach from Carroll last time.
Vince Kehres- Mount Union DC.  Player or coach on 8 Nation Title teams.  Larry's son.  Been part of only 7 loses in his coaching career.

I'd add - Jeff Bretherton, Sheriff

[sjusection105]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

As much as I'd like to have a few cold ones with you Bench, family obligations (I have to fold socks) will prevent me from making my way to the shrine that Lee & Penny Anderson built. 

[DoubleO]

Alcohol allowed when tailgating for UST games?

Officially, "no." http://www.stthomas.edu/athletics/tailgating/

Which is really stupid because it is a wet campus.

pity

The policy is absolutely ATROCIOUS & an utter embarrassment. Actually, the key is finding purple solo cups. If you park on South Campus (short walk to the stadium) and pour into purple (red cups will be harassed for obvious reasons) you will be fine. I do recommend a libation and lunch at Tiffany's (Cleveland & Ford Parkway) should time allow. Outstanding food and better beer selection. Wish I could be there to partake! 

[USTBench]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

95%.  Will be at O'Gara's prior to the game.

I'm a Plum's guy myself, might stop in there before the game. Haven't decided. Took up OAS on his NCAA Fan Block offer at the Crowne Plaze, something tells me it will be all UWO fans.

[2115 Summit]

Alcohol allowed when tailgating for UST games?

Officially, "no." http://www.stthomas.edu/athletics/tailgating/

Which is really stupid because it is a wet campus.

pity

The policy is absolutely ATROCIOUS & an utter embarrassment. Actually, the key is finding purple solo cups. If you park on South Campus (short walk to the stadium) and pour into purple (red cups will be harassed for obvious reasons) you will be fine. I do recommend a libation and lunch at Tiffany's (Cleveland & Ford Parkway) should time allow. Outstanding food and better beer selection. Wish I could be there to partake!

Okay - Everyone just relax - for the Tommies posting that do not already know - and those wanting to tailgate this Saturday -  UST actually had its liquor license approved for hosting events/games on campus.  This obviously can only be done in designated areas - I.E. - in the south lot behind the Frey Science and Math Building.  And usually eyes are turned when seeing any suspicious beverages...  Also - you can join us in the quad for (Purple on the Plaza) for a few summit beers - I know it's not quite the same experience you get at SJU or UWW - but it's all we can do - Gotta keep those STP residents in the neighborhood happy!! 

[wildcat11]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game?

Count me out.

I hear Duff is going to be Santa at his office Xmas party this weekend.

[CobberHawkeye]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

In, but on the sidelines.

[OzJohnnie]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

Not this time.

[faunch]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

Not a chance....short list of things I'd rather do....root canal, watch 5th grade vollyball, attend a Carleton/Hamline fooseball game.

[SUMMIT!!!!!]

Can i get a pulse on how many MIAC PPers will be at the game? Not to often USTBench makes the trek from St. Paul and he might like to see some of you guys.

Game for sure, Plums after is enticing

[oldsju67]

A couple pages back there was some discussion regarding the committee vs. AD in the selection of a new FB coach at SJU.  I am not a fan of the committee approach and had an opportunity to question Tom Stock when this started two weeks ago.  I also questioned the lack of Football people and the heavily weighted administration types.  Tom stated that both the process and the people had been "in place for a couple years."  If that is the case, I am more than a little surprised that no one identified the lack of football expertise on the committee as a concern.  I was also told that "the process" would identify and select the best coach available.  I told Tom the process would very little to do with finding a great coach and that great candidates would have opted in regardless of the process.  I also told him that "the process" they are following will have little bearing on whether the new coach is successful or not.

One thing that is needed at SJU immediately is a determination on what the importance of athletics is and how they are willing to demonstrate that to both the public at-large and also to prospective students.  It takes more than lip service from administrators to do so, it takes commitments.  Commitments to student athletes and coaches first.  Commitments to facilities and recruiting.  Commitments to financial aid via growing the overall pool of endowment resources that support this area for the entire student population (as an example; currently the best scholarship package a SJU student could receive totals just north of $18,000 against a sticker price of $40,000 while that same student could be eligible for up to $35,000 at UST against $40,000). 

These are commitments SJU has failed to make recently, instead committing to the Bible Project and the Abbey Guest House among others.  Not bad choices, just different priorities.  Priorities that have little to do with the student life experience (keep in mind students and their families are the clients that SJU receives the vast majority of its revenue from) along with the increase in academic profile for incoming students has had a significant impact on SJU Football and the school as a whole.

BTW- If I was AD (and had the appropriate decision making authority that most ADs have) I would have identified, at most, 5 prospective coaches to visit with immediately.  I would have asked John to join me on these visits and done these interviews on or off campus at the pleasure of the candidates.  On campus visits would be offered to only those coaches I was interested in hiring after our initial interview and on campus activities would be isolated to those that would be helpful in determining fit with students, athletic staff and appropriate administrators.  No punch and cookie socials for everyone!!  Those are stupid and offer no meaningful insight into anything relevant.  I would hire the best coach at the conclusion and offer the necessary financial support toward ensuring programmatic success.

My top three candidates would be:
Mike Grant- for all the obvious reasons.
Mike Van Diest- Carroll College (MT) HC.  6 National Titles (been to 8 title games)  Career record of 157-22.  It worked to poach from Carroll last time.
Vince Kehres- Mount Union DC.  Player or coach on 8 Nation Title teams.  Larry's son.  Been part of only 7 loses in his coaching career.

AMEN!  I was at the luncheon and the overwhelming feeling from those I talked to was this needs to be Stocks decision and his alone.  I'm sure he had no choice and that it's some silly political requirement the school has in place to make sure no one is alienated, so that's the cards he has to play with.  Why even have an A/D if he's not allowed to make his own decisions?

The other item gaining steam from the luncheon is that we as former players and alums need to step up our efforts to help the new coach and staff with identifying and promoting new recruits to SJU.  As Dusty SJU would say, developing...

As far as the new coach, there will never be another John.  PERIOD!  Whomever the new coach is, they will have the full support of the past players and alums to do it their way, not John's way or half of John's way but their way!  Heck, the mention of blocking sleds having to be purchased was even addressed!

Bottom line, SJU Version 2.0 is being made now.  It will have some of the old as well as some new and if it's done right, it has the ability to be better and stronger version than SJU football 1.0 and THAT version was pretty dam good if I say so myself!!!!!!

Count me in at U$T on Saturday and I will be wearing as much SJU red football gear as I possibly can!!  The "old" #67 red sideline jacket is even comming out of storage for this one...

[johnnie_esq]

A couple pages back there was some discussion regarding the committee vs. AD in the selection of a new FB coach at SJU.  I am not a fan of the committee approach and had an opportunity to question Tom Stock when this started two weeks ago.  I also questioned the lack of Football people and the heavily weighted administration types.  Tom stated that both the process and the people had been "in place for a couple years."  If that is the case, I am more than a little surprised that no one identified the lack of football expertise on the committee as a concern.  I was also told that "the process" would identify and select the best coach available.  I told Tom the process would very little to do with finding a great coach and that great candidates would have opted in regardless of the process.  I also told him that "the process" they are following will have little bearing on whether the new coach is successful or not.

+K, Redtooth.  Great post!

Glad you could question Stock a bit.  I am a bit concerned about the statement that "this process has been in place for several years."  Does that mean this is a figurehead and the choice is already made?

I would disagree with you on commitments to a point, however.  I think we'd be hard pressed to question the commitments made to the facilities, since the school has, in the past 15 years, built a fieldhouse, turf the field, refinish the press box, add a second level of suites to the refinished press box, complete a weightroom, and put lights on the field. Oh yeah, announce a new renovation to renovate the weight room that was new and top notch 15 years ago too, in addition to other athletic improvements too. It's difficult to say that SJU isn't among the top 2-3 in the MIAC right now in terms of facilities currently, and the new additions will put us solidly in 2nd position.  Will that be enough to overtake UST?  Not likely.  But right now, Bethel, Augsburg and St. Olaf-- all of whom have facilities at a level that don't exceed ours in some cases or are clearly inferior to SJU's in others are beating us on the field perennially.  So I don't worry too much about the facility commitment.  But I do agree with you on a commitment to recruiting-- I believe UST has changed the game in that arena and we're still trying to operate under the old rules.

But I will give UST some credit-- no matter how many resources you have at your disposal, it comes down to hard work, and UST has been very good at that too.  They have been regularly visible at our HS games in the Tri-Metro (which has some very, very mediocre teams in it)-- and kids love when they know they're playing for scouts.  Even if UST has no intention of pulling any of the kids in that game, they've done a nice job of recruiting HS coaching staffs-- and that's where SJU has to do better.  And now I feel like I need a shower after complimenting the Tommies.