FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OzJohnnie]

https://news.stthomas.edu/tommie-johnnie-football-2019-to-be-held-at-allianz-field

Officially, I can't stand the money grubbing Tommies.

Unofficially, I'm glad to see them playing in this facility just up the road which is shaped to hold a football field and 19k fans.  It should make the event feel like a genuine game and not a novelty.  If they can manage to get some other contests in there, like maybe GAC or BU, then that could be a real evolution for UST and the MIAC.   Heck, it could even put Minnesota on the NCAA map for a Stagg one day.

I was perfectly OK with one novelty, though, too. It was definitely cool and different and good for D-III.

Sure, a novelty that is novel is interesting.  A novelty that is overused becomes Carrot Top, a punchline.  The fear with the Target Field event was that the tradition of the Johnnie/Tommie game would be sold out for a few bucks in order to become the Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant of DIII, a money grubbing shadow of its real nature.

Allianz stadium is smaller than Target and built for rectangular games.  Plus it's near UST.  All those things have the mix of making the game a DIII showcase instead of a DIII gimmick.  And that, as much as is begrudges me to admit it, is a good thing for all concerned.

[MiacMan]

Bravo Oz!  +k

[MiacMan]

https://news.stthomas.edu/tommie-johnnie-football-2019-to-be-held-at-allianz-field

Officially, I can't stand the money grubbing Tommies.

Unofficially, I'm glad to see them playing in this facility just up the road which is shaped to hold a football field and 19k fans.  It should make the event feel like a genuine game and not a novelty.  If they can manage to get some other contests in there, like maybe GAC or BU, then that could be a real evolution for UST and the MIAC.   Heck, it could even put Minnesota on the NCAA map for a Stagg one day.

I was perfectly OK with one novelty, though, too. It was definitely cool and different and good for D-III.

Oh paaleeeze, Allianz only holds 20k. UST doesn't have a venue big enough to handle this game. Renovations to O'shag is way to costly.  It's been looked at.  Any additional seating will require total compliance with the ADA which means  a total tear down/rebuild and they are totally land locked. This is  meant to be a permanent home field for UST for this game only. Trust me the only ones making any money on this solution will be whoever owns Allianz. UST is making this deal so sweet for them  that they will welcome it every other year when the Tommies host this game.

UST couldn't even add-on or renovate their press box without making the whole facility ADA compliant.

[repete]

I'm good with this. Even if it draws 8-10K ... I'm guessing 95 percent of the seats will be better (comfort/view/ concessions) than O'Shag. According to the stadium website, the closest seat is 17 feet from "the pitch" and the farthest is 125 feet. Nice, tight, new venue. But I'm an old guy and I like those things. I also don't mind hitting the light rail to either to the downtowns, where I stay when I'm in town. (Of course, the out-of-town Tommies book the Midway Motel long in advance.)

[BDB]

Bravo Oz!  +k

MiacMan, are you giving Oz kudo's for his thoughtful opinion on the subject, or the fact that he managed to put Carrot Top and Bubba Gump Shrimp references all in one post?      

[MiacMan]

Bravo Oz!  +k

MiacMan, are you giving Oz kudo's for his thoughtful opinion on the subject, or the fact that he managed to put Carrot Top and Bubba Gump Shrimp references all in one post?      

BDB

Good point. It was for seeing the big picture! But I actually like your kudos even better! so +k to you too!

[MiacMan]

[quote(Of course, the out-of-town Tommies book the Midway Motel long in advance.)][/quote]

Repete

I will try to beat Bench to the comeback here.

Only when we're hosting our Johnnie friends. We want to make sure they feel at home when they're in the "Big City"

[OzJohnnie]

Bravo Oz!  +k

MiacMan, are you giving Oz kudo's for his thoughtful opinion on the subject, or the fact that he managed to put Carrot Top and Bubba Gump Shrimp references all in one post?      

BDB

Good point. It was for seeing the big picture! But I actually like your kudos even better! so +k to you too!

I'll make one more good point.  It's about time that UST stepped up and delivered on it's half of the tradition.  We love Clemens and that place packed out has unrivalled atmosphere.  But SJU delivered all the atmosphere for the rivalry.  The Shag shagged in that respect.  If the Tommies want to participate then they need an answer to Clemens.  If if that answer is something better than "Let's bleed the Johnnie Army dry" then they are rising to their responsibilities.

[Retired Old Rat]

I expect St. Thomas to do what is good for them.

I expect St. John's to do what is best for them.

Regarding the Target Field game, good for St. Thomas. That was an event. People came in from all over the country for that game. With 2/3 of the crowd being red it felt like a home game for the Johnnies. Hopefully any high school recruits at the game noticed that.

I'm pleases with the move to Allianz. I expect it to be an excellent facility for a football game. One concern of mine is the tailgating situation. I don't see this as a money grab. Difference between SJU home game and profit at Allianz will likely not be significant. Big improvement in fan experience. UST campus and stadium are just not set up for the crowds this game draws. As visitors it will be nice to have seating on our side of the field that is actually for the visiting team and not Tommie high rollers.

UST, do you need to change your handle to STC old Bench, or SOB for short?

If you want to get a seat stop swilling beer at the tailgate a little earlier and get your ass over to Clemons a little earlier. Seriously, yes some added seating for that game would be a good thing.  As far as wholesale changes, I am not in favor of that. Clemons unique charm must be preserved.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Congrats to Evan Clark!

https://www.bluebombers.com/2018/12/04/bombers-add-four-roster/

Clark (5'10, 190, St. John's University, August 6, 1995 in Phoenix, AZ) played five seasons with the St. John's University Johnnies, totalling 29 touchdowns. In 44 games played, Clark had 90 receptions for 1701 receiving yards, the 14th most all time at St. John's. In 2018, Clark participated in the Kansas City Chiefs rookie camp.

Five Seasons...  Hmmmm

Joking!

[Retired Old Rat]

Congrats to Evan Clark!

https://www.bluebombers.com/2018/12/04/bombers-add-four-roster/

Clark (5'10, 190, St. John's University, August 6, 1995 in Phoenix, AZ) played five seasons with the St. John's University Johnnies, totalling 29 touchdowns. In 44 games played, Clark had 90 receptions for 1701 receiving yards, the 14th most all time at St. John's. In 2018, Clark participated in the Kansas City Chiefs rookie camp.

Five Seasons...  Hmmmm

Joking!

Medical redshirt.

[repete]

[quote(Of course, the out-of-town Tommies book the Midway Motel long in advance.)]

Repete

I will try to beat Bench to the comeback here.

Only when we're hosting our Johnnie friends. We want to make sure they feel at home when they're in the "Big City"
[/quote]

MiacMan: Then again, Bench measures all hotels by the unreachable standards of the fabulous Westward Ho.

[MiacMan]

[quote(Of course, the out-of-town Tommies book the Midway Motel long in advance.)]

Repete

I will try to beat Bench to the comeback here.

Only when we're hosting our Johnnie friends. We want to make sure they feel at home when they're in the "Big City"

MiacMan: Then again, Bench measures all hotels by the unreachable standards of the fabulous Westward Ho.
[/quote]

True,  and he's referred to the Midway Motel as an option in the past.

[repete]

And for some odd reason, Rev keeps calling the Midway ... "The Minneapolis Club."

[edward de vere]

Whoever advances from UWW/UMBH will have likely played in two dog-fights against Top 5 type competition. They then will get to turn around on a short week (Friday night final), and have to play another great team to win it all. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, UMU is slaughtering the lambs. From a physical attrition standpoint, that is a huge disadvantage.

No disputing the above.

Also no disputing:

   1)  Geography + $$$ triumphs all in D3 football, as we know.  Still, the top seed is supposed to have the easiest route. 

   2)  Re attrition:  Mount Union has several very concerning injuries, only three of which I will mention here.

   3)  Re attrition:  One of two Mount Union stud receivers has one good hamstring.

   4)  Re attrition:  Mount Union's stud quarterback has one good ankle.  Is the same true of WWW and UMHB?

   5)  Re attrition:  Mount Union's #1 quarterback has one good ankle.  (See above.)  Mount Union's #2, #3 and #4 quarterbacks all transferred.  Mount Union's quarterback #5A is inexperienced,       
        can't pass and, oh by the way, is injured; Mount Union's quarterback #5B is inexperienced, and, well, #5B.  (I.E.  He tries hard.)

   6)  Mount Union's backup quarterback, based on last week's game, is its starting tailback.  (As in hike the ball to him and we'll run left, right or center.)  I'm not entirely sure how that would
        play against WWW or UMHB, assuming Mount makes it that far.  (I'm thinking not so well.)   

So, for the moment, spare me the crocodile tears.  (Now if the winner of WWW/UMHB enters the Stagg Bowl with a busted-up quarterback, bring 'em on.)

UMHB's QB has been playing with a shoulder injury since the last game of the regular season and "baby sprained" his ankle vs SJU. One of their deep threats/returners has a cast on his right hand for a broken knuckle, #2 QB had season ending surgery on his foot, #3 QB played WR for 3 years before becoming a backup QB this season #4 QB is a freshman that saw no varsity time until the last game of the season when #2 was out.

Okay, if UMHB makes it to the Stagg Bowl, you can cry me a river.  You have this in Official Internet Writing.

Maybe these guys can play at halftime:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bandaged+revolutionary+war+fife+and+drum+image&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=k22IuZWJY1HsDM%253A%252C67vIReH2xUQGTM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kRoriVBhtp3581F9fr1mRxHMcaEFw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIr9Gu34ffAhUJq1kKHShdBs0Q9QEwBHoECAEQDA#imgrc=9cDj6-GvMKzGKM: