FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Mr.MIAC]

Quick Question: Has anyone here ever done the Tommie-Johnnie game up in Collegeville with a toddler? If so, how did it go? I'm thinking about flying in with my son this year, and want to make sure it's an enjoyable experience for all involved. I'm not sure if he can handle prolonged merrymaking without having a meltdown or two.

Given that we have an infant in our house now (someday I have to get around to changing my username to incorporate the new initial), I am planning to bring a kid or two up to Collegeville for the game this year. I'll probably have the 8 and 6 year old with me (potentially a 4 year old, but not likely all 3), so we can make Tommie-Johnnie Tailgate Part 2 kid friendly. My kids can help entertain your little guy and there's a chance some of the folks that joined us last time would join again with some children. We are past the napping stages though, so it's a little easier to manage the merrymaking without meltdowns.

Sounds good. I'll let you know how the trip plans progress as we get closer. He'll be just under the age of two on game day. He's very extroverted, but when he hits his limit he lets you know. 

[Mr.MIAC]

Quick Question: Has anyone here ever done the Tommie-Johnnie game up in Collegeville with a toddler? If so, how did it go? I'm thinking about flying in with my son this year, and want to make sure it's an enjoyable experience for all involved. I'm not sure if he can handle prolonged merrymaking without having a meltdown or two.

I've done it both ways.  One year, we brought the kids, one year, they stayed with Grandma and Grandpa.  The year we brought them, it was hot.  We went into the Paelestra at the half to cool off.  Let's just say they were using the gym as a detox facility, and a quite inebriated young fella asked me if I could help him get his buddy out of lockup.  I'm not sure why he thought a guy wrangling a 2 and 4 year old would be a good target, but I had to decline.

The next year, we sent solo.

I'd say it's possible depending upon the toddler, but it makes for a very long day, and you won't get to see much of the game.  Also, it sound like it would just be the two of you--it would be easier going 2-on-1, but I would be that your wife likely doesn't want to be seen in public with you, and you wouldn't want to risk loser her to a Johnnie.

Sorry to disappoint. I think it would be just the two of us making the trip.

My wife's a Harvardian who avoids slumming, so being around all those Johnnies wouldn't be much of a problem. All joking aside, though, she's not exactly a football fan. It's sort of like how I'm not really into her poetry readings, which can be enjoyable only in small doses.

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

[Robert Zimmerman]

Quick Question: Has anyone here ever done the Tommie-Johnnie game up in Collegeville with a toddler? If so, how did it go? I'm thinking about flying in with my son this year, and want to make sure it's an enjoyable experience for all involved. I'm not sure if he can handle prolonged merrymaking without having a meltdown or two.

Sometimes it is easier bringing them to the Johnnie-Tommie game before they are able to read the t-shirts!

[DuffMan]

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

Does any school offer that? 

[AO]

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

Does any school offer that? 

Gustavus and Northwestern bring out bounce houses and petting zoos for homecoming.  Can always nap on the way home.

We brought our 10 month old to the 2015 Tommie Johnnie game, made it to halftime.

[MiacMan]

Quick Question: Has anyone here ever done the Tommie-Johnnie game up in Collegeville with a toddler? If so, how did it go? I'm thinking about flying in with my son this year, and want to make sure it's an enjoyable experience for all involved. I'm not sure if he can handle prolonged merrymaking without having a meltdown or two.

I've done it both ways.  One year, we brought the kids, one year, they stayed with Grandma and Grandpa.  The year we brought them, it was hot.  We went into the Paelestra at the half to cool off.  Let's just say they were using the gym as a detox facility, and a quite inebriated young fella asked me if I could help him get his buddy out of lockup.  I'm not sure why he thought a guy wrangling a 2 and 4 year old would be a good target, but I had to decline.

The next year, we sent solo.

I'd say it's possible depending upon the toddler, but it makes for a very long day, and you won't get to see much of the game.  Also, it sound like it would just be the two of you--it would be easier going 2-on-1, but I would be that your wife likely doesn't want to be seen in public with you, and you wouldn't want to risk loser her to a Johnnie.

Now that is funny stuff, Duff and a solid comeback with the slumming it line, Rev! +k to both of you! Makes me sad that I can't participate in the toddler banter. My baby will be standing on the UST sidelines in streetclothes as he just had shoulder surgery and is taking a medical redshirt year.

Old Auggie, Thanks for the Auggie update. Some under the radar transfers there should make for an interesting season for the Auggies.

[Mr.MIAC]

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

Does any school offer that? 

They had nap facilities at the UST homecoming game last year. I'm not sure if that's an ongoing thing, though. Given how many people attend that Tommie-Johnnie games and the desire to create a family-friendly environment, it seems like something SJ2 might offer.

[GoldandBlueBU]

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

Does any school offer that? 

They had nap facilities at the UST homecoming game last year. I'm not sure if that's an ongoing thing, though. Given how many people attend that Tommie-Johnnie games and the desire to create a family-friendly environment, it seems like something SJ2 might offer.

Really?  Impressive.  What did that entail?  Multiple little rooms?  I can't imagine much success in getting lots of littles to nap in one space...

I took the older of my two kids (3 yr old last fall) to her first game last September...she was pretty focused on the game in the first half, had lots of fun running around on the field at halftime, and was ready to go home about halfway into the third quarter.  Didn't help that it was pretty hot out.  Going to try again this fall and see how long we can make it work.

[Mr.MIAC]

Does SJ2 offer any sort of childcare facilities during games? I'm not talking about checking him in for the game, but rather a place where he can take a nap if needed.

Does any school offer that? 

They had nap facilities at the UST homecoming game last year. I'm not sure if that's an ongoing thing, though. Given how many people attend that Tommie-Johnnie games and the desire to create a family-friendly environment, it seems like something SJ2 might offer.

Really?  Impressive.  What did that entail?  Multiple little rooms?  I can't imagine much success in getting lots of littles to nap in one space...

I took the older of my two kids (3 yr old last fall) to her first game last September...she was pretty focused on the game in the first half, had lots of fun running around on the field at halftime, and was ready to go home about halfway into the third quarter.  Didn't help that it was pretty hot out.  Going to try again this fall and see how long we can make it work.

It wasn't a dedicated facility, but rather a couple of quiet rooms in the Anderson Student Center with cushy chairs and mats. I kept my son in a carrier most of the time, but it was nice to take a load off at halftime. Speaking as a first-time parent who likes to attend football games, I think it's a really good idea to have a quiet space for young ones. 

[OldAuggie]

Old Auggie, Thanks for the Auggie update. Some under the radar transfers there should make for an interesting season for the Auggies.

Over the years, when Haege has time to develop a QB and that QB reaches his senior year, the Auggies have made it up to 5 or 6 wins (Ayrton Scott, Marcus Brumm). Scott shocked the MIAC his freshman year and made it to 7 wins but the MIAC Def Coordinators planned for him the next season and back to 5 wins we go. Quinn Frisell (senior) is clearly in the same tier as Brumm so yes MiacMan I agree it will be interesting. He can really sling the ball, he is a mature QB, he has good receivers and two good RB's.

The 2014 Bethel guys and the 2011 and 2012 SJU guys can relate! Now in 2018.......

[GoldandBlueBU]

Old Auggie, Thanks for the Auggie update. Some under the radar transfers there should make for an interesting season for the Auggies.

Over the years, when Haege has time to develop a QB and that QB reaches his senior year, the Auggies have made it up to 6 wins (Ayrton Scott, Marcus Brumm). Scott shocked the MIAC his freshman year and made it to 7 wins but the MIAC Def Coordinators planned for him the next season and back to 5 or 6 wins we go. Quinn Frisell (senior) is clearly in the same tier as Brumm so yes MiacMan I agree it will be interesting. He can really sling the ball, he is a mature QB, he has good receivers and two good RB's.

The 2014 Bethel guys and the 2011 and 2012 SJU guys can relate! Now in 2018.......

Augsburg knocked of Bethel in 2015 as well, basically all on the shoulders of Ayrton Scott.  Over his 4 years, he had some pretty impressive efforts against Bethel, even in the two losses.

As I said back when he was playing, it would have been really interesting to see what he could have accomplished with a better supporting cast on offense, and with a competent defense that didn't require him to put up 50 points in order to have a good chance of winning.

[OldAuggie]

Old Auggie, Thanks for the Auggie update. Some under the radar transfers there should make for an interesting season for the Auggies.

Over the years, when Haege has time to develop a QB and that QB reaches his senior year, the Auggies have made it up to 6 wins (Ayrton Scott, Marcus Brumm). Scott shocked the MIAC his freshman year and made it to 7 wins but the MIAC Def Coordinators planned for him the next season and back to 5 or 6 wins we go. Quinn Frisell (senior) is clearly in the same tier as Brumm so yes MiacMan I agree it will be interesting. He can really sling the ball, he is a mature QB, he has good receivers and two good RB's.

The 2014 Bethel guys and the 2011 and 2012 SJU guys can relate! Now in 2018.......

Augsburg knocked of Bethel in 2015 as well, basically all on the shoulders of Ayrton Scott.  Over his 4 years, he had some pretty impressive efforts against Bethel, even in the two losses.

As I said back when he was playing, it would have been really interesting to see what he could have accomplished with a better supporting cast on offense, and with a competent defense that didn't require him to put up 50 points in order to have a good chance of winning.

Forgot about that one and I was at the game! Yeah he was a full grown man that game and he clearly had a grudge against Bethel actually, he had a grudge against every MIAC team and if you followed him on twitter back then you could read about it! I agree, if only he had a better supporting cast.

[OzJohnnie]

I've done it both ways.

[sowilson]

Well new turf this year at GAC, looks real nice.  They're also practicing with padded helmet covers on; suppose to reduce the frequency and severity of concussions as well reduce temperatures.  They also have some new addons to their helmets.  GAC signed a contract with Nike, the football swag is now Nike, don't know if/when they're doing new uniforms.  From other sources, IIRC St. Olaf has all new, top of the line Ridell helmets.

[DuffMan]

I've done it both ways.

I'll just leave that up to your imagination.