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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Honestly now, CUT IT OUT!!!!
I checked with my doctor and just to make sure that everyone might know something about me that I don’t know!!! But, he says I’m in good health and everything is great…..As I don’t like to talk about these things and certainly bring attention to myself, but I am putting this press release out there because some very good people are being recognized and honored and I am both very humbled, touched and honored to be part of another great group.
I don’t feel real comfortable talking or announcing this, but it’s been quite a year with everything going on in my family and what is happening to me as well:
Last September, entered the University of Minnesota, Crookston Athletic Hall of Fame.
October 9th, will be inducted in the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Minneapolis and now!!!!
September 1, 2010
For Immediate Release:
From: Tom Critchley; MBCA Executive Director
For further information: http://www/mshsca.org/boysbasketball
Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) Creates Hall of Honor
The MBCA Hall of Honor has been established to honor those persons who have helped to improve/promote/ and or serve basketball in Minnesota. Honorees have been longtime supporters of their local teams or have given outstanding service to the game of basketball. Awards are given in four categories: Officials, Media, Coach - Head/Assistant, and Friend of Basketball. To be eligible for the Hall of Honor, a person must have been involved with basketball for at least 20 years. That person must be nominated by a MBCA member, the MBCA Executive Board, or the MBCA Hall of Fame committee.
The following individuals will be inducted as the initial members of the MBCA Hall of Honor in 2010:
Jim Geske; Coach - First basketball coach at Mounds View H.S. and a “founding father” of the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association.
Frank Fee; Media - Broadcast career spanning over 36 years as the “Voice of the Crookston Pirates.” Member of the MSHSL Section 8 Committee and statistician for 8AA Boys and Girls basketball.
Brad Larson, Assistant Coach – Served 38 years as an Assistant Basketball Coach at Owatonna H.S. , including ’88-’89 and ’89-’90 State Championship squads. State Assistant Coach of the Year in ’98-’99.
Ken Lien, Friend of Basketball - Founder and Chairman of Mr. Basketball Committee for the 35 years of its existence. Recipient of MBCA Distinguished Service Award, 2001.
Kwame McDonald, Media/Friend of Basketball – Columnist for Minneapolis Spokesman-Recorder and promoter/supporter of High School activities. Recipient of MBCA Distinguished Service Award, 2005.
The honorees will be honored guests, recognized, and presented with a plaque at the MBCA Fall Clinic Awards Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis on Friday, October 29, 2010.
The 2010 Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Fall Clinic will be held on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis.
The 2010 clinic will feature Tubby Smith and the University of Minnesota staff, 2010 NCAA Tournament participant coaches Ben Jacobson of Northern Iowa and Mike Young of Wofford, Spencer Wood of Ice Box Athletics, skill development specialist Brett Ledbetter, and Minnesota High School coaches including Vern Simmons of St. Paul Johnson and Broderick Powell of Park Center.Exhibitors will also be present with displays to provide coaches with information and assistance in current or future needs. The annual Awards Luncheon, a coaches’ social, and awarding of door prizes, including several major prizes, will also highlight the event.
The annual Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Sunday, October 31st beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Clinic registrants are invited to attend for a minimal cost of $10.
The yearly gathering of basketball coaches will tip off at 9:00 a.m. on Friday with UNI coach Ben Jacobson. In 2009-10, the fourth year head coach led the Panthers to a 30-5 mark to eclipse the school record for wins by seven games, to their second consecutive MVC League and Tournament championships, and the program's first-ever Sweet 16 appearance by knocking off the No. 1-ranked Kansas Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament's second round. Coach Jacobson’s teams make defense a priority and several Minnesota athletes have played significant roles in their success.
Tubby Smith will follow the opening sessions at 11:15 with a presentation including providing coaches with an outlook for the coming season for his Golden Gophers. With over a 70% winning percentage for his career his prowess as a coach speaks for itself. Combined with his commitment to the athletes, the universities, and the communities in which he serves and his leadership role within the coaching profession it is readily apparent to observe why Coach Smith is one of the most highly respected and successful coaches in the nation. We are proud, fortunate, and honored to have him as the coach of the Golden Gophers.
The noon luncheon for all clinic participants will begin at 12:15 p.m. The luncheon will include the presentation of coaching awards, including: 2009-10 Section Coaches of the Year, 2009-10 Assistant Coaches of the Year, 2009-10 State Coaches of the Year, coaching milestone awards, and achievement awards. Legendary Cold Spring Rocori coach, Bob Brink, will be honored with the Legends of the Game Award. Don Shelby of WCCO television will be presented with the MBCA Ambassador of Basketball Award. The 2010 Hall of Fame inductees in attendance will be introduced and recognized. Members of the HOF Class of 2010 are; Bill Baumann, C.R. “Chuck” Gulsvig, Bruce Kugath, Jerry Litfin, and Roger “Shorty” Schroeder. The luncheon will also feature the induction of the initial members of the MBCA Hall of Honor; Frank Fee, Jim Geske, Brad Larson, Ken Lien, and Kwame McDonald.
An opportunity to visit the exhibitor booths will follow the noon luncheon and precede presentations by Spencer Woods, of Ice Box Athletics, “Mental Toughness and Training,” and Brett Ledbetter, “Skill Development.” The gathering will be split into two groups for the back to back sessions.
Icebox is one of the premier resources for coaches looking to teach their athletes immediately-applicable mental toughness skills and expand their own expertise in an area that all acknowledge is critical to peak athletic performance and overall success. Mr. Spencer Wood has worked with Olympic and professional teams, outstanding college programs from conferences including the ACC, Big Ten, Big East and Big 12, and major sports conventions such as the NCAA Final Four and Nike Coach of the Year.
For any further needed information please contact Ron Larson, MBCA Clinic Director, at ronlar@stfrancis.k12.mn.us or Tom Critchley at hctirc@earthlink.net.
As I told Coach Critchley, it’s a surprise, an honor and very, very humbling!! Thanks to the Minnesota Basketball Coaches, I TRULY appreciate the award- - - -
The Crookston Pirate football team plays in the Heart O Lake Football Conference and the conference will have some more changes next year. Detroit Lakes and Hawley are joining the Heart of Lakes in Football, while Wadena-Deer Creek and West Central Area are leaving. The Heart O Lakes will be divided up into the following divisions and were set up by geography, enrollment and history in the conference.
North Division
Crookston (enrollment of 362)
Detroit Lakes (745)
East Grand Forks (509)
Park Rapids (400)
Pequot Lakes (448)
Perham (454)
Thief River Falls (560)
Classic Division
Breckenridge (283)
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton (328)
Hawley (269)
Pelican Rapids (295)
Roseau (393)
Staples-Motley (422)
Warroad (335)
As you can see, Crookston is the smallest according to enrollment in the North Division and by quite a bit too. The North is where Crookston SHOULD be, but you have quite a disparity of more than double the enrollment between Crookston and Detroit Lakes!!!
Detroit Lakes is in Class 4A in football, while all the other teams in the North Division are in Class 3A as well as Roseau and Staples-Motley of the Classic Division. The rest are in Class 2A.
Crookston is only 13 students from being in Class AA in football!!!! Currently in Section 8AA are Bagley, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Frazee, Hawley, Pelican Rapids, United North Central (Menahga-Sebeka), Walker-Hackensack-Akeley and Warroad, so it would be no picnic in this Section either.
I’m the eternal optimist, but it appears the numbers have steadied at Crookston and some good numbers in the lower grades, which bode well for the future and say it came down to, that Crookston could play in Class AA football, I would probably vote or suggest that the Pirates stay in AAA with EGF, TRF, Park Rapids, Pequot Lakes, Perham, teams that we have always played and have that rivalry with and you can’t get better competition than this group!!!!
The proposed football schedules for the Heart O Lakes Football Conference for the next two years, 2011 and 2012 can be viewed on this link.
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We DIDN’T see THIS PLAY on Friday in the Thief River Falls at Crookston football game, but it is interesting!!!!! View it on the following link:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=azXcaxjFgF8&feature=player_embedded
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I’ m voting again on the Associated Press (AP) High School Football polls this year and voting on Class 3A, 2A, A and 9-Man polls. The first week is a tough one, but I like to think I keep current on what is happening and listening to other newspaper/radio people from around the state that email their thoughts and I always want to make sure area schools that deserve to, get their due recognition. With this in mind, this is how I voted the first week and the polls I believe will come out each Wednesday:
Class 3A
1. Glencoe-Silver Lake
2. Pequot Lakes
3. Albany
4. New London-Spicer
5. Belle Plaine
6. Thief River Falls
7. LeSuer-Henderson
8. Fairmont
9. St. Anthony Village
10. Dassel-Cokato
Class 2A
1. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown
2. Luverne
3. Eden Valley-Watkins
4. Moose Lake/Willow River
5. Pierz
6. Caledonia
7. Pelican Rapids
8. Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop
9. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton
10. Breckenridge
Class A
1. Minneota
2. Fosston
3. Dawson-Boyd
4. Mahnomen
5. Wabasso
6. Barnesville
7. Red Lake County
8. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
9. Goodhue
10. Royalton
9-Man
1. Stephen-Argyle
2. Nicollet
3. Grand Meadow
4. Goodridge/Grygla-Gatzke
5. Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley
6. Kittson County Central
7. Edgerton/Ellsworth
8. McGregor
9. Truman
10. Lyle/Austin Pacelli
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Don Donarski, the Activities Director at Crookston High School will have a Minnesota State High School League rules and Crookston School District Rules meeting concerning ALL sports just ONE time this year. A one-time parent meeting regarding the Minnesota State High School League and Crookston Public School rules TONIGHT (September 8) at 6:30 PM.
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If I were ranking/seeding Section 8AAA football right now!!!
1. Thief River Falls (Still have the size and speed, will get better as it goes along)
2. Pequot Lakes (impressive opening win over Staples-M)
3. Crookston (I was impressed and they deserved a winning fate on Friday)
4. Staples-Motley (Should rebound from tough loss on Friday at Wadena)
5. Roseau (Nice opening win against rival, know more about them on Friday)
6. East Grand Forks (played much tougher than 19-0 loss would indicate)
7. Perham (not sure about these guys!!!)
8. Park Rapids (can rebound at Perham on Friday?)
If I were ranking/seeding Section 8A football right now!!!
1. Fosston
2. Mahnomen
3. Warren-Alvarado-Oslo
4. Red Lake County
5. Lake of the Woods
6. Fertile-Beltrami
7. Badger-Greenbush-Middle River
8. Cass Lake-Bena
9. Blackduck
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Picking against the ‘Master’ could actually cost the great prognosticator some money this year, as he has decided to deep into the coffers and give T-Shirts to those that beat him in picking football scores this fall and early winter!!! Knowing how cheap the great one is, he has changed his way of picking the games this year:
1. ALWAYS’S PICK THE HOME TEAM/GOOD GUYS (No discussion on this)
2. No more dart boards
3. No more asking the grandkids
4. No more hanging out at Widman’s Candy MORE in the fall and eavesdropping on the ‘experts’ that come in each day.
So, the master is actually doing some research this year. He is studying the offensive and defensive traits of each team that are among the 20 in each weeks games. He is checking out each coach and like Fox News digging into their backgrounds, finding any dirt that you can and if it will be beneficial to the Republicans, then that’s who will be the winner. This of course will be fair and balanced!!! Or vice/versa on CNN!!!
Last week, the master tried most of this new strategy out and although he only went 5-5 in the games, four of the five losses were by a touchdown!!!
The real strategy was asking a couple Activities Directors to participate!!! These fellows are SO BUSY at this time of year that they didn’t have time to research the games and they really didn’t believe the master would give them a T-Shirt if they beat him and the results are proof:
Mike Biermaier of Thief River Falls was 4-6 and Don Donarski, the A.D. at Crookston was 3-7!!!! We want to thanks the two lads for even making the master LOOK GOOD!!!
The second week we decided that two FORMER head football coaches should get a shot at the ‘great one’. In fact, two former East Grand Forks head football coaches!!!!
Bruce Nelson was with the East Grand Forks football program for 14 years and his last five as the head coach and won the Minnesota State Class AAA football championship in 2004!!! The current Assistant Principal at the East Grand Forks Senior High and Central Middle School, is an East Grand Forks graduate in 1986, where he played football, ran track, played legion baseball. Bruce graduated and played football at Valley City State. He has been married to Kari for 18 years and they have two daughters, Karly-14 and Kayla-11. “Frank, thanks for everything KROX does for the youth of the area and I’m pretty sure that last time I picked, I beat the Master by 2 games?”
Todd Schumacher is a native of Grand Forks and graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1986 and played football, hockey and ran track. He is a graduate of UND in 1991 with a master's degree from St. Thomas in 1995. Todd did coach some football and hockey in college and officiated hockey during that time as well.He coached football for 24 years, first at Grand Forks Central, Larimore, N.D. and the last 17 at East Grand Forks, where he was the head coach for the last five years. He was an assistant for coach Nelson on the 2004 State Championship team.
The Science and Driver's Education instructor at East Grand Forks senior high has started officiating football this year to stay in the game. He also teaches a college physics class for Lake Region Community College at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. Todd is an assistant golf coach at EGF and he helps out with the youth hockey program as a coach.
Shoey and his wife Tami (elementary special education teacher) have three children, daughters, Ashton, a freshman and McKenzie, who is in 5th grade and their one son Sam started Kindergarten this year.
The master took care of a couple A.D.’s and now are a couple ‘former coaches’ on his list? Truth be told, I’m thinking that Bruce and Todd don’t even care if they beat the wise one, but surely want to beat each other!!!!
Master
Bruce
Todd
Vikings at New Orleans
Vikings
Saints
(Farve will not make it the entire game. A.P. will put it on the turf 2 times!!Saints
Crookston at East Grand Forks
‘THE’ Pirates
Green Wave
(Coach Oliver’s 1st win as a Wave coach)East Grand Forks
Pelican Rapids at Breckenridge
Vikings
Pelican Rapids
(Valley City State grad is head coach)Breckenridge
Stephen-Argyle at Win-E-Mac
Storm
Stephen-Argyle
(Still the show)Stephen-Argyle
UMC at Wayne State
Golden Eagles
Wayne State
(Close one on the road)Wayne State
NDSU at Northern Iowa
Thundering Herd
UNI
(in overtime)Northern Iowa
UND at Northern Illinois
Huskies
UND
(Big Upset)Northern Illinois
Michigan at Notre Dame
Fighting Irish
Michigan
(10 point win)Michigan
Miami (Fla) at Ohio State
THE Buckeyes
Ohio State
(The Pryor factor)The Ohio State
Penn State at Alabama
Crimson Tide
Alabama
(Home Field)Penn State
ffee@rrv.net or 218-281-1140.
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I have four tickets left for the South Dakota at U of Minnesota football game on Saturday, September 11th 11:00 AM at the TCF Stadium. Let me know if you want a few of them!!!
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We were helping out one of the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) football captains, Cody Brekken with a question for one of his classes in media relations at the college. The 4.0 student-athlete, captain and senior is one of the products of the Crookston school system. We also asked Cody about the Golden Eagles win last Thursday over Mayville State and the prospects for the Golden Eagles in his final college football season and what his future plans are:
“Frank,
The game on Thursday is exactly what this team needed. Our defense may have given up more big plays than we wanted, but we kept them out of the end zone until the final 4 minutes. Our Offense moved the ball well both on the ground and in the air so that was promising. The game has the team feeling pretty good and ready to face Wayne. I really like how the team looks this year. Everyone seems to know their role and practices are going very smoothly. The group of guys on the team gel better than any other team I
can remember being on. Since my Senior class has very few people left (Tim Ennis and I are the only original two) it's nice to see the even distribution among the junior, sophomore and freshman classes. It's very nice to see such a group seriously committed to sticking around and making a difference.
I've really enjoyed my stay at UMC. The Sport Recreation and Management program has been very interesting to me and I have loved it thus far. The football program has also been a great experience for me. Although on-the-field success has been tough to come by as a team. I think everything is being done the "right" way and good things are on the horizon.
As far as plans after college, that area is still pretty foggy. I would love to be a collegiate football coach and hope to be that some day. If my grades are where I want them to be at the end of the year, I could also go to graduate school which could be a good option. It would be nice to get my foot in the door at any sport organization for any sport to work in sport business which I understand is tough as well. So I will weigh my options and talk to my advisor this spring to see what's best. That got a little long but thanks for the interest.”
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The Northern Sun Conference (NSIC) has four football teams ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Division II and two more that have received votes in the polls:
No surprise that Grand Valley State (MI) is ranked #1
2. Minnesota-Duluth (in Crookston on November 6th)
18. Minnesota State-Mankato (at UMC on Saturday, September 18)
19. Winona State
22. Wayne State (UMC at Wayne this Saturday, September 11th)
Bemidji State (UMC at Bemidji, Nov. 13th) and Augustana College also received votes in the poll
- - - -
Wayne State had to replace their quarterback, as Silas Fluellen graduated as the All-Time leader in total offense and passing yards at Wayne State.
They handed the ball to a sophomore, Cyle (evidently you have to have a different type of first name to be QB at Wayne!) Schultz (6’2-195-Plainfield, IL) and he performed admirably in the Wildcats ‘upset’ of Nebraska-Kearney 24-17 in overtime in their season opener. Schultz led them in rushing with 79 yards and threw for 205 yards and two long touchdowns of 78 and 59 yards. He used seven different receivers including one pass for six yards to his twin brother, Chris.
The Wildcats have a pre-season Division II All-American wide receiver in Frederick Bruno, a 5-8, 210 pound senior from Miami, Florida. He caught 77 passes for 1,163 yards last year and only caught two passes for 11 yards in the Kearney win, but rushed the ball five times for 39 yards and had a long return on a kickoff and might be the premier kickoff returners in the conference.Wayne State’s Richard Daniel (6’1-210-Soph) was named the conference and NCAA Division II defensive player of the week after his play against Kearney as the ‘light’ DE is quick and amassed 7 tackles, 2 sacks, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble!!
- - - -
Another note on the chances that UMC will get artificial turf for their football field…..UMC Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson said, “In our strategic plan for our
facilities a new wellness center is first on our list and turf on the field and locker/team room facilities, etc is second. Obviously funding is the key to get both of those projects completed.
- - - -
St. Cloud State is going to ask the Northern Sun Conference if they can be in the conference even if they drop football!!!! If that is granted by the conference, who is next?
Some of the people in Fargo-Moorhead told me Minnesota State-Moorhead will be next to drop football??? I told them I doubt it, as the school has talked about adding Division One Men’s Hockey to their program!!!!
- - - -
University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) Athletic Department announced that Crookston Pontiac-Buick-GMC, in conjunction with the “Golden Eagles on Wheels” program will donate a car for Golden Eagle athletic coaches to use during the recruiting season. UMC Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson said, “This type of sponsorship is vital to the overall success of a growing NCAA II athletic program as the vehicles are used by coaches during their peak recruiting seasons and can save the athletic budget up to $5,000 annually.”"The University of Minnesota, Crookston athletic department and the UMC Teambackers would like to once again thank Crookston Pontiac-Buick-GMC for their generosity in contributing a recruiting car to the athletic department to be used by our coaching staff,” says Director of Athletic Fundraising Bill Tyrrell. “The continued support of Crookston-Pontiac-Buick-GMC is greatly appreciated by the coaching staff and all the Golden Eagle Athletics programs.”
The Crookston Noon-Day Lions are sponsoring their 2nd Annual HOOPS ON HALLOWEEN 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament.
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Boys and Girl’s - Grades 3-9th
It will be on Saturday, October 30th at the Crookston High School Gym
Check-in at 7:30 AM and starting at 8:00 AM.
Registration deadline is Monday, October 25th and it’s limited to the first 8 PAID teams per bracket.
3-Game Guarantee with medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd
Door Prizes, Hot Shot Contest, Team Costume Contest, T-Shirts and there will be concessions.
$60.00 per team payable to the Crookston Lions. Mail registration form to:
Crookston Noon Day Lions
P.O. Box 1, Crookston, Mn., 56716
For more information, Contact Garrett Borowicz at 218-521-0936
Registration:
Player 1: _________________ Age: ____ Grade: ____
Address _____________________ City: _______________ State: ____ Zip: _______
Player Signature: ___________________ Parents Signature: ______________________
Shirt Size:
Player 2: _________________ Age: ____ Grade: ____
Address _____________________ City: _______________ State: ____ Zip: _______
Player Signature: ___________________ Parents Signature: ______________________
Shirt Size:|
Player 3: _________________ Age: ____ Grade: ____
Address _____________________ City: _______________ State: ____ Zip: _______
Player Signature: ___________________ Parents Signature: ______________________
Shirt Size:
Player 4: _________________ Age: ____ Grade: ____
Address _____________________ City: _______________ State: ____ Zip: _______
Player Signature: ___________________ Parents Signature: ______________________
Shirt Size:
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YOUTH SPORTSMAN DAY
Will be held on Sunday, September 12 at Crookston Gun Club with registration starting at 12:00 pm and shooting events from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. To register and reserve your t-shirt, call Bill Kresl at 281-5805. In addition to the many activities that have been featured in previous years, such as archery, trapshooting, BB and pellet gun, 22 cal. target shooting, laser shot education, door prizes and giveaways, two NEW and Exciting events have been added: a Sporting clays station and a 22 cal. moving targets shooting gallery. Free Coke products and a meal will be served, free Youth Sportsman Day T-Shirts for the first 175 registrants and free drawings for a limited edition NWTF mountain bike and youth shotgun will be featured, as well as a 4H Shooting Sports presentation. All boys and girls, ages 6 to 18 are welcome to attend, and moms and dads are encouraged to stay, learn and have fun with the kids. Sponsors include National Wild Turkey Federation-Team Camo, West Polk County Deer Hunters Association, Crookston Gun Club, Coca Cola, Cabela’s, Scheels, Titan Machinery, Crookston Visitor’s Bureau and Fisher American Legion.
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The RiverView Health Auxiliary is currently seeking teams to participate in their first
annual Kickball Fundraiser on Saturday, September 18th beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland Softball Complex. All proceeds from the tournament will go toward RiverView Health Auxiliary’s current fundraising goals.The tournament will feature 10 teams, with the championship game slated to begin at 4:00 p.m. Registration fee is $250 per team. For more information, or to register your team, contact Kari Moe at
kmoe@riverviewhealth.org or 218.281.9211.
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1st Annual Russell Rocks Golf Scramble
Saturday, September 11th, 2010 at Minakwa Golf Course in Crookston
4 person teams
9:30 am: Registration
10:00 am: Shotgun start
$35.00 per person- includes green fees and a t-shirtCall Minakwa to reserve carts!
There will be contest and games on the course with prizes following the scramble.
Pre-registration is appreciated.
Contact Jaclyn Martin at 218-280-1713 or
martins@gra.midco.netALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE RUSSELL ROCKS FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE AWARENESS!
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Some emails….
SUBJECT: A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ADDRESSES THE STUDENTS
You won't be wasting your time reading this. In fact, it ought to be framed and hanging on every wall, in every room, in every school in America.
This speech was given by a new HS principal in Florida.
To the students and faculty of our high school:
I am your new principal, and honored to be so. There is no greater calling than to teach young people.
I would like to apprise you of some important changes coming to our school. I am making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in America have worked against you, against your teachers and against our country.
First, this school will no longer honor race or ethnicity. I could not care less if your racial makeup is black, brown, red, yellow or white. I could not care less if your origins are African, Latin American, Asian or European, or if your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower or on slave ships.
The only identity I care about, the only one this school will recognize, is your individual identity -- your character, your scholarship, your humanity. And the only national identity this school will care about is American. This is an American public school, and American public schools were created to make better Americans.
If you wish to affirm an ethnic, racial or religious identity through school, you will have to go elsewhere. We will end all ethnicity-, race- and non-American nationality-based celebrations. They undermine the motto of America, one of its three central values -- e pluribus unum, "from many, one." And this school will be guided by America's values.
This includes all after-school clubs. I will not authorize clubs that divide students based on any identities. This includes race, language, religion, sexual orientation or whatever else may become in vogue in a society divided by political correctness.
Your clubs will be based on interests and passions, not blood, ethnic, racial or other physically defined ties. Those clubs just cultivate narcissism -- an unhealthy preoccupation with the self -- while the purpose of education is to get you to think beyond yourself. So we will have clubs that transport you to the wonders and glories of art, music, astronomy, languages you do not already speak, carpentry and more. If the only extracurricular activities you can imagine being interesting in are those based on ethnic, racial or sexual identity, that means that little outside of yourself really interests you.
Second, I am uninterested in whether English is your native language. My only interest in terms of language is that you leave this school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. The English language has united America's citizens for over 200 years, and it will unite us at this school. It is one of the indispensable reasons this country of immigrants has always come to be one country. And if you leave this school without excellent English language skills, I would be remiss in my duty to ensure that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the American job market. We will learn other languages here -- it is deplorable that most Americans only speak English -- but if you want classes taught in your native language rather than in English, this is not your school.
Third, because I regard learning as a sacred endeavor, everything in this school will reflect learning's elevated status. This means, among other things, that you and your teachers will dress accordingly. Many people in our society dress more formally for Hollywood events than for church or school. These people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at this school.
Fourth, no obscene language will be tolerated anywhere on this school's property -- whether in class, in the hallways or at athletic events. If you can't speak without using the f-word, you can't speak. By obscene language I mean the words banned by the Federal Communications Commission, plus epithets such as "Nigger," even when used by one black student to address another black, or "bitch," even when addressed by a girl to a girlfriend. It is my intent that by the time you leave this school, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene.
Fifth, we will end all self-esteem programs. In this school, self-esteem will be attained in only one way -- the way people attained it until decided otherwise a generation ago -- by earning it. One immediate consequence is that there will be one valedictorian, not eight.
Sixth, and last, I am reorienting the school toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about sexual harassment or global warming. No more semesters will be devoted to condom wearing and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no more attempts to convince you that you are a victim because you
are not white, or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. We will have failed if any one of you graduates this school and does not consider him or herself inordinately lucky -- to be alive and to be an American.
Now, please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our country. As many of you do not know the words, your teachers will hand them out to you.
- - -SUBJECT: EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
A young guy from Wisconsin moves to Florida and goes to a big everything-under-one-roof department store looking for a job.
His first day on the job was rough, but he got through it.
After the store was locked up, the boss came down. 'How many customers bought something from you today?'
The kid says, 'One.'
The boss says, 'Just one? Our sales people average 20 to 30 customers a day. How much was the sale for?'
The kid says, '$101,237.65.'
The boss says, '$101,237.65? What the heck did you sell?'
The kid says, 'First, I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fishhook. Then I sold him a larger fishhook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing, and he said down the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat, so we went down to the boat department, and I sold him a twin engine Chris Craft.
Then he said he didn't think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4x4Expedition.'
The boss said 'A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a BOAT and a TRUCK?'
The kid said 'No, the guy came in here to buy Tampons for his wife, and I said, 'Dude, your weekend's shot, you should go fishing.
- - -SUBJECT: NEVER TRUST A SAILOR
A beautiful young Italian New York woman was so depressed that she decided to end her life by throwing herself into the ocean. But just before she could throw herself from the docks, a handsome young man stopped her "You have so much to live for," said the man. "Look, I'm a sailor, and we're off to Europe tomorrow, and I can stow you away on my ship. "I'll take care of you, bring you food every day, and keep you happy."
With nothing to lose, combined with the fact that she had always wanted to go to Europe, the woman accepted.
That night the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a lifeboat. From then on, every night he would bring her three sandwiches and make love to her until dawn.
Three weeks later she was discovered by the captain during a routine inspection.
"What are you doing here?" asked the captain.
"I have an arrangement with one of the sailors," she replied. "He brings food and I get a free trip to Europe."
"I see," the captain says.
"Plus," she adds, "He's screwing me."
"He certainly is," replied the captain. "This is the Staten Island Ferry."
- - -
SUBJECT: OLD LOVE
I threw the kite up in the air, the wind would catch it for a few seconds, then it would come crashing back down to earth.
I tried this a few more times with no success.
All the while, Karen is watching from the kitchen window, muttering to herself how men need to be told how to do everything.
She opens the window and yelled to me,
'You need a piece of tail.'
I turned with a confused look on my face and said,
'Make up your mind. Last night, you told me to go fly a kite.'
- - -
SUBJECT: SOON IT WILL BE SEPTEMBER 11TH
MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been
knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the
smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
During the next 60 seconds, stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it
is only 1 minute.) All you have to do is the following:
Stop and think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to
Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, follow the instructions. Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of Me, I will be ashamed of you before My Father'
If you are not ashamed, copy and send this message...only if you believe 'Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He Keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength.'
- - -
SUBJECT: FOR THE GRANDPARENTS
A must read for Grandparents.. (Those who aren't will love it, too.)
At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old baseball players aside and asked, 'Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?'The little boy nodded in the affirmative.
'Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?'The little boy nodded 'yes'.
'So,' the coach continued, 'I'm sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the umpire, or call him a pecker-head.Do you understand all that?'
The little boy nodded 'yes' again.
He continued, 'And when I take you out of the game so another boy gets a chance to play, it's not good sportsmanship to call your coach 'a dumb ass', is it?The little boy shook his head 'NO'.
'GOOD', said the coach.
'Now go over there and explain all that to your grandmother.'
- - - -How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
**** LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST *****
Cody Brekken is a senior football player at UMC, playing free safety on defense and a captain. UMC opened with a 37-6 win over Mayville State and Cody was in on one tackle.
Ashleigh Erdmann is a freshman playing soccer at UMC. The Golden Eagles played to a 0-0 two overtime tie at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana and then lost 5-0 to Indiana Wesleyan. Ashleigh has had a minor injury and did not play.
Tori Rhode is a freshman playing soccer at UMC. The Golden Eagles played to a 0-0 two overtime tie at St. Joseph’s College in Indiana and then lost 5-0 to Indiana Wesleyan. Tori played in the Indiana Wesleyan game and did not score.
Andrew Anderson is a sophomore freshman football player at St. Cloud State playing in the offensive line. The Huskies opened up with a 32-23 loss at Augustana College last weekend and Andrew did not play.
Zach Coauette is an assistant football coach at Fargo Shanley High School.
Lindsay Morgan is a sophomore at Bemidji State where she is playing golf and they open up September 10th at Concordia-Moorhead Meet.
Rachel Wold is a freshman at Bemidji State where she is playing golf and they open up September 10th at Concordia-Moorhead Meet.
JaNae (Rasmussen) Staples is the head Volleyball Coach at West Central Area High School in Barrett, Minnesota.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Volleyball Coach at Little Falls.
Jake Sanders is a senior playing golf at UMC. Jake shot a 77 in the Golden Eagles first meet at Jamestown College and then this past weekend, Jake WON the Ernotte Hiller Memorial/Red River Valley Golf Tournament in Crookston!!!
Sarah Reese is the head girls soccer coach at Crookston High School.
Michelle (Shelly) Erdmann is an assistant girls soccer coach at Crookston High School
Katy Westrom is head girls tennis coach at Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa.
Joshua Sanderson is an assistant men’s and women’s soccer coach at Wartburg College in Iowa.
Emily Kanten is a senior running cross-country at Concordia College in Moorhead. They opened up last weekend at a North Dakota State meet and Emily finished 41st and a time of 24:37.17.
Travis Ross is a senior playing golf at the University of New Mexico. The Lobo’s first fall match will be at a Challenge Match Tournament at Burlington, Iowa starting September 19th.Dave Simon is the head women’s volleyball coach at Winona State
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High SchoolChris Trostad is the head football coach at Crookston High School.
Chris Bruggeman is an assistant football coach at Crookston
Jeremy Lubinski is a 7th grade football coach at Crookston
Joel Brekken is an assistant football coach at Duluth East.
Eric Longtin is the head football coach at North St. Paul High School, where he teaches math.
Joel Stegman is a senior and a Sports Management major at North Dakota State. He is currently working with Bison football and is the Director of Video Operations.Jake Olson is an assistant girls tennis coach at Delano High School
Mike Hastings is an assistant coach for the Nebraska-Omaha men’s hockey team.Amy (Boll) Huie is the assistant girls volleyball coach at Crookston
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relationsSue (Sims) Tiedemann is the Junior High girls tennis coach at Crookston
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Mitch Bakken is the Sports Information Director at UMC/Women’s Softball coach
Derek Martin is the Sports Editor for the Crookston Daily Times
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Brent Stahlecker is a football referee
Trent Stahlecker is a football official
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro in Lanai, Hawaii
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force Iraq
Brandon Pankow is serving our country with the Army in Iraq
Cole Perry is serving our country with the Army in Iraq
Marc Schultz is serving our country with the Army in El Paso, Texas
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston Central has recently graduated from basic training at Fort Benning, GA. He will be stationed at Hohnfels in Germany for the next 2 or 3 years.
Matt Wallace is the head groundskeeper for the Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks pro baseball team
Scott Riopelle is with the Crookston Parks and Recreation and manager of the Crookston arenas.
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
- - - -
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO. ffee@rrv.net
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