FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[edward de vere]

Gosh, just think what the attrition would be if y'all had played any competition in the playoffs thus far 

Exactly!  Thank God the committee took pity on us!

[OldAuggie]

Bummed that Bethel couldn't get off to a better start, or seem to get all that much going on offense.  I had hoped that if BU couldn't advance, which I considered less likely, that SJU would still be available for MIAC bandwagon jumping, but oh well.

Have to wonder what next year will look like for the MIAC?  Obviously SJU will be top shelf again as long as Erdmann is slinging it, but I don't know enough about what they lose?  Brinker will leave a big hole, regardless of who steps in...what else isn't coming back for SJU?  Are we 1000% sure that Erdmann has another year of eligibility?   

I'm guessing that BU will take a step back on defense, with Kilgore, Anderson, Ragsdale, and Brown all finishing up their runs this season, but the offense brings back several lineman, QB, RB, most, if not all of the receiving corps, so they should take a step forward....

UST will be breaking in a new QB, and seems to always bring in plenty of talent.

Will Concordia recover from their down year, or are they on a downswing longer than a season?

St. Olaf?  Gustavus?  Old Auggies?

We will see next year if this "gap" between teams is even wider. I am afraid it will be at least the same size gap and the teams not called SJU, UST and BU will be fighting for life in the middle of the MIAC. As far as the Auggies next year I notice Quinn Frisell is tweeting his plans for a comeback next year so that should mean more wins for Augsburg. Who knows what Haege has up his sleeve for new players but he has a lot of ground to make up to catch the top teams in the middle tier of the conference.

[RoyalsFan]

Don't play the "what if" game. Edward was describing how it is. Maybe if your team gets to be halfway decent, they will have an easier path. 

Wow, pretty tough crowd. So making it to the semi finals doesn't count as being 'halfway decent'? 

Bethel is in the semi-finals? Don't see their name. 

Sorry, I meant the quarter finals. Still have to be half way decent to make the quarter finals, don't you think? And also ranked 11th on D3Football.

[MUC57]

Don't play the "what if" game. Edward was describing how it is. Maybe if your team gets to be halfway decent, they will have an easier path. 

Wow, pretty tough crowd. So making it to the semi finals doesn't count as being 'halfway decent'? 

Bethel is in the semi-finals? Don't see their name. 

Sorry, I meant the quarter finals. Still have to be half way decent to make the quarter finals, don't you think? And also ranked 11th on D3Football.

I apologize. I shouldn't have said "halfway decent". Bethel is certainly a top team. I should have said, "when you accomplish what Mount has"! Am I just getting in deeper? Don't even recall what started all this. Gonna go now. Good luck next year.

[Mr.MIAC]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

[Pat Coleman]

Allianz bought naming rights but I don't think they have ownership in the stadium or manage it.

[MiacMan]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

I'm sure Zesbaugh was a positive influence in the process. He is a big fan of Caruso and supporter of the program. As to what extent, I'm sure none of us will ever truly know. I do know that this deal has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, they started working on an alternative venue for this game almost immediately after the Target Field extravaganza. Believe it or not, it was not at all related to $$. The fact was that the administration thought that was it such a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with all of the logistics of that game (security, concessions, parking, ticket sales, etc..) that they didn't care if they even lost money (to a certain extent) It was stated that if at all possible they would never have that game on the UST campus again until if or when they have the proper facilities to host such a game. Thus, I woiuld view this as a permanent site for this game going forward as long as Allianz will have it. I do also know that the Viking's new facility/Satdium in Eagan was considered as well.

[jamtod]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

I'm sure Zesbaugh was a positive influence in the process. He is a big fan of Caruso and supporter of the program. As to what extent, I'm sure none of us will ever truly know. I do know that this deal has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, they started working on an alternative venue for this game almost immediately after the Target Field extravaganza. Believe it or not, it was not at all related to $$. The fact was that the administration thought that was it such a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with all of the logistics of that game (security, concessions, parking, ticket sales, etc..) that they didn't care if they even lost money (to a certain extent) It was stated that if at all possible they would never have that game on the UST campus again until if or when they have the proper facilities to host such a game. Thus, I woiuld view this as a permanent site for this game going forward as long as Allianz will have it. I do also know that the Viking's new facility/Satdium in Eagan was considered as well.

I know it's been the speculation that this would be a semi-permanent host, but has anything official been conveyed that this is more than a 1 time thing? Or will we have a new press release and announcement again in 2 years about the exciting move for the game to Allianz Field (again)

[MiacMan]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

I'm sure Zesbaugh was a positive influence in the process. He is a big fan of Caruso and supporter of the program. As to what extent, I'm sure none of us will ever truly know. I do know that this deal has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, they started working on an alternative venue for this game almost immediately after the Target Field extravaganza. Believe it or not, it was not at all related to $$. The fact was that the administration thought that was it such a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with all of the logistics of that game (security, concessions, parking, ticket sales, etc..) that they didn't care if they even lost money (to a certain extent) It was stated that if at all possible they would never have that game on the UST campus again until if or when they have the proper facilities to host such a game. Thus, I woiuld view this as a permanent site for this game going forward as long as Allianz will have it. I do also know that the Viking's new facility/Satdium in Eagan was considered as well.

I know it's been the speculation that this would be a semi-permanent host, but has anything official been conveyed that this is more than a 1 time thing? Or will we have a new press release and announcement again in 2 years about the exciting move for the game to Allianz Field (again)

Well, first, they (all parties) will want to see how the first game goes. It will need to meet the needs of both parties but if all are satisfied my guess would be that they will workout some sort of multi-year/game deal and then announce it.

[jamtod]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

I'm sure Zesbaugh was a positive influence in the process. He is a big fan of Caruso and supporter of the program. As to what extent, I'm sure none of us will ever truly know. I do know that this deal has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, they started working on an alternative venue for this game almost immediately after the Target Field extravaganza. Believe it or not, it was not at all related to $$. The fact was that the administration thought that was it such a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with all of the logistics of that game (security, concessions, parking, ticket sales, etc..) that they didn't care if they even lost money (to a certain extent) It was stated that if at all possible they would never have that game on the UST campus again until if or when they have the proper facilities to host such a game. Thus, I woiuld view this as a permanent site for this game going forward as long as Allianz will have it. I do also know that the Viking's new facility/Satdium in Eagan was considered as well.

I know it's been the speculation that this would be a semi-permanent host, but has anything official been conveyed that this is more than a 1 time thing? Or will we have a new press release and announcement again in 2 years about the exciting move for the game to Allianz Field (again)

Well, first, they (all parties) will want to see how the first game goes. It will need to meet the needs of both parties but if all are satisfied my guess would be that they will workout some sort of multi-year/game deal and then announce it.

So your children at UST need to encourage their friends to keep the barfing at Allianz to a minimum? I've heard that the level of partying, drunkenness, and vomit at Target Field (probably by the Johnnies and Bennies, I presume) was not well received by the Target Field staff. I guess they don't get those same levels of debauchery for a Twins nap...errr game.

[MiacMan]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

I'm sure Zesbaugh was a positive influence in the process. He is a big fan of Caruso and supporter of the program. As to what extent, I'm sure none of us will ever truly know. I do know that this deal has been in the works for quite some time. In fact, they started working on an alternative venue for this game almost immediately after the Target Field extravaganza. Believe it or not, it was not at all related to $$. The fact was that the administration thought that was it such a breath of fresh air to not have to deal with all of the logistics of that game (security, concessions, parking, ticket sales, etc..) that they didn't care if they even lost money (to a certain extent) It was stated that if at all possible they would never have that game on the UST campus again until if or when they have the proper facilities to host such a game. Thus, I woiuld view this as a permanent site for this game going forward as long as Allianz will have it. I do also know that the Viking's new facility/Satdium in Eagan was considered as well.

I know it's been the speculation that this would be a semi-permanent host, but has anything official been conveyed that this is more than a 1 time thing? Or will we have a new press release and announcement again in 2 years about the exciting move for the game to Allianz Field (again)

Well, first, they (all parties) will want to see how the first game goes. It will need to meet the needs of both parties but if all are satisfied my guess would be that they will workout some sort of multi-year/game deal and then announce it.

So your children at UST need to encourage their friends to keep the barfing at Allianz to a minimum? I've heard that the level of partying, drunkenness, and vomit at Target Field (probably by the Johnnies and Bennies, I presume) was not well received by the Target Field staff. I guess they don't get those same levels of debauchery for a Twins nap...errr game.

If soccer here in Minny even remotely resembles the drunken spectacle displayed in Europe, this will be a walk in the park for the Allianz staff. However I'm guessing we take our "futbol" a little more subdued.

[BDB]

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

Rev, I know you have a sense of humor. This is frickin' funny!

[miac952]

This game is dead to me. Gary and Glenn already wore stupid soccer scarves at the press conference.

In all seriousness though, this is a better logistical setup for UST. Unless there is a major overhaul planned for O'Shaugnessy Stadium, it is a mess to do on-campus. Parking is brutal. The city complains incessantly about it. Its a squeeze to get the temporary bleachers in through the gates, and it doesn't quite meet the demand this game has built up to. It worked and fit nicely for the playoff game between UST and SJU a few years ago, but that was because the weather was frigid, students didnt get their free or reduced rate tickets, and the outcome was pretty well determined. Allianz is the perfect size, close to campus, and will provide an intimate setup. A football field is slightly narrower than it's soccer counterpart, so if we are talking 17 ft sidelines for soccer, we can probably double that for football. That is better than your typical 8 lane track and football sideline. The sight lines will be spectacular.

I wish UST could find a way to make some updates to the press box and grandstand however. Football is meant to be played on campus. Take that foolish money being spent to dig a stupid modern cave underneath the historic chapel. That project is an absolute abomination. It destroys the upper quad (Dowling Beach    and the historical look of the Chapel.

[miac952]

So how did the Allianz deal come about? Mark Zesbaugh, the former Allianz CEO, is a longtime UST trustee. Did he or anyone else help make this happen?

https://stthomas.edu/administration/board/

Bill McGuire, old UHG CEO, is the one man band behind the MN United FC, or the Loons, or whatever they call themselves. Bill did not get substantial public funding like the rest of the public stadiums. He did get a sweet land deal for the old bus maintenance shed and some modest tax breaks. Bill built the UHG empire through ruthless acquisitions and growth. A standalone MLS team isnt going to be a cash cow by itself, so Bill is going to be filling that stadium as often as he can.

[AO]

Personally, I would like to see permanent seating all the way around Clemens (get some architect to figure out how to maintain the "Natural Bowl" feel and incorporate the trees on the hill behind the visitor side and the grassy slope at the scoreboard end).   Also, the concession area needs a big, big boost, obviously.

Here is my design, please notice the stands behind the south end zone are shorter, allowing for views of the trees on the hill and some access to the grassy slope.   Please pay me $5 million dollars.