Wednesday, April 4, 2007  

What a week, there is so much stuff going on, I don’t know where to start. So get another cup of coffee, or a soda, because this column will take you a while!!!!

First of all, on the death of Herb Carneal, the “voice” of the Minnesota Twins. In his later years, Herb might have waned a bit, but for over 40 years he was the epitome of a baseball broadcaster. He did everything right, and was the consummate professional. Over the years at different functions and in the press box, I was able to meet Herb many times, and he was the same off the microphone as he was on, a great gentleman, who remembered who you were each time, and would talk baseball with you for as long as you wanted. Many times, our family would attend games, and get some seats right behind Herb’s late wife, Kathy, and she would talk to us about Crookston and talk to our boys about their baseball prowess, and she certainly knew her Twins Baseball!!!!

When I was younger, which as most of you know is A LOT of years ago, I tried to patterned myself to a great degree to four broadcasters. Doug Tegtmeier, a sports broadcaster in Grand Forks, N.D., who I listened to a lot when growing up. Also growing up it was Herb Carneal and Al Shaver, who was the voice of the Minnesota North Stars NHL hockey team. When I came to Crookston, I learned a lot about the business of preparing yourself for games and working with the different aspects of just getting a game on the radio, from Jerry Dahlberg of KROX RADIO. I had the privilege of meeting all of them, and the honor of working with Jerry.

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Four more TREMENDOUS members have been selected for the Crookston High School Hall of Fame. Bob Strand, Ed Nelson, Garfield Reichert and Ardell Knudsvig.

Bob Strand and Ed Nelson will be inducted during the Crookston High School Athletic Awards Banquet on April 30th.

Garfield Reichert and Ardell Knudsvig will be inducted at the Crookston High School Fine Arts and Academic Banquet on May 7th.

Bob Strand:
Bob Strand is a 1940 graduate of Eveleth, MN High School. In 1948 he received his BA in education from St. Cloud State University. He received his Masters degree in education from the University of North Dakota. After serving his country in World War II, Bob came to Crookston. His career in physical education and coaching spanned a time frame of 36 years. In 1950 Bob started the Park Board program for the city of Crookston. In 1960 Bob was Crookston Central's first hockey coach, a position he held for ten years. He was athletic director for Crookston Central High School from 1957 through 1982. While Bob served in the capacity of athletic director, the following sports were introduced and started at Central High School: Boys wrestling, hockey, tennis and golf: Girl's volleyball, basketball, track, tennis and golf. In 1975 Bob was the winner of one of the highest awards of his profession. He was named "Minnesota Athletic Director of the Year." Bob retired from his career with Crookston Central High School in 1984. He was named the experienced American Citizen by the city of Crookston. He also received from the city of Crookston the "Outstanding Volunteer Award". Bob resides in Shoreview, MN in the summer time and in Scottsdale, AZ in the winters. He is married to Ella Strand. Bob and Ella have two children and two grandchildren.

Ed Nelson:
Ed Nelson has spent his entire teaching and coaching career in Crookston. He was a 1967 graduate of UND and received his Masters Degree from St. Cloud State University in 1973. Ed taught social studies and later became Director of Media Services, a position he held until his retirement in 2000. He just completed his 38th year as a basketball coach for the Crookston Pirates. During that time, he has coached in over 1,000 games at all levels of boys and girls including 15 years as Varsity Girls Head Coach. His 1998 team was Section 8AA Champion and he was an assistant on the 2005 Boys' Class AA runner-up team. He was the 2005 Minnesota Class AA Assistant Coach of the Year. As a varsity assistant or head coach, Ed has coached in 21 post-season championship games. He has also coached junior high football and was Head Boys Tennis coach for 8 seasons from 1968 until 1976 where his teams won two conference championships, 2 District 31 Championships and the 1972 Section 8 Championship. Ed is married to JoDee, who is a first grade teacher at Washington School. They have one son, Cody, a student at Bemidji State University.

Ardell Knudsvig:
Ardell Knudsvig grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota. He graduated from Buxton High School in 1956 and furthered his education by attending Concordia College in Moorhead. In 1960 he graduated with a teaching degree from Concordia and later that same year accepted his first teaching position in Ada, Minnesota. Immediately Ardell took on leadership roles in Ada athletics and the Ada Education Association. He received his first Teacher of the Year award in 1970 while working for the Ada School District. In 1976 he and his family moved to Crookston where he taught science classes for the next 24 years until he retired from teaching in 1998. He received his second Teacher of the Year award from Crookston in 1979 and his third in 1990. He also received the Distinguished Service Award for Community Service, Ada, 1969; was a Nominee for Ten Outstanding Men of Minnesota, 1969; played a major role in the success of Crookston's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and countess other accolades. For 38 years of teaching, Mr. "K", as many of his student's called him, believed in challenging his students through encouragement, commitment and working together. Along with his positive attitude in the classroom, Ardell was very successful as a coach for girls Tennis and Wrestling. Ardell resides in Crookston with his wife Sandy. They have four children, Fred, Sue, Jana, and Rod. All four children were graduates of Crookston High School.

Garfield Reichert: 
After graduating from his hometown high school in Hamilton North Dakota, Garfield Reichert earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from Mayville State University in 1949. He then taught music at Aneta and Minto, ND until 1955. While teaching he earned his Masters Degree from The University of North Dakota in 1954. It was in 1955 that Garf and his wife Joanne moved to Crookston where he was to head the vocal music department. Garf's concert choir and other choral units received star ratings at the district, regional, and state levels during his tenure. He believed that solos and ensembles were the "backbone" of his concert choir. After a career spanning thirty years and 10,000 students, Garf retired from teaching in 1985. Throughout his entire career, and many years after, Garf was very active in church choirs, community events, and judging for state solos and ensembles. Christmas was a special and busy time for Garf. For many years he directed the "Choraleers", a men's choir of about 20-30 men. WDAZ would tape the concert and play it back for the entire Red River Valley to enjoy. Garf was also a charter member of the Crookston Community Theatre and took part in many of the Theatre's productions. Garfield Reichert passed away in 1992. His wife Joanne currently resides in Crookston and all three of their children, Bruce, Joan, and Brent, are graduates of Crookston High School.

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A lot of news regarding athletics at the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)!!!!

In the terrific news department:

The University of Minnesota, Crookston football program, got a lot stronger this past weekend, when they announced that they have hired three assistant coaches for the football program!!!!

David Hennings, who had been a part-time assistant coach with the offense for the past six years, will now become a full-time assistant.
Hennings is a teacher at East Grand Forks High School, where he was head football coach for the Green Wave from 1992-1999 (8 seasons). His teams made it to the Section championship games twice, losing to Detroit Lakes in 1993 and then a tough overtime loss to Wadena-Deer Creek in overtime in 1997, the year they went 8-2.
Dave said his is asking the East Grand Forks School District for a 3-5 year leave of absence from teaching, which would allow him to pay into his teacher retirement fund and then he would “retire from EGF” when he reached the rule of 90.
So why become a full-time assistant coach now? “ Frank, I've really enjoyed the time I've coached at UMC on a part time basis, and having the opportunity to do what I really love to do on a full time basis, was just something I couldn't pass up.
From my point of view the coaching staffs (in all sports) have always maintained a positive and hard working attitude, despite not always having the "where-with-all" to work with. Now with the financial

commitment that Chancellor Casey and the administration has made, coaches and student athletes will have some "bullets in the gun". I can see the excitement on the part of the football coaches as we visit about the time we will be able to spend on all aspects of coaching, from game planning to recruiting.

Having Justin Schrieber back with his experience, loyalty and enthusiasm is a huge addition, and Jim Leclair...what else can you say...a coach with college head coaching experience, as well as his NFL background..WOW ! ...you bet there is excitement...certainly on my part !!

Obviously things won't do a 180 degree turn in a year or two, but now we have some of the tools necessary to start building things in a positive direction.”

Justin Schreiber, is a former quarterback for the UMC Golden Eagles football team, and in his senior season (2002) at UMC, he was a captain who rushed for 700 yards and five touchdowns, and passed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, plus caught 14 passes that season. Justin still holds many records for the Golden Eagles football program. After graduation, he was an assistant coach at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas for two seasons, and then was an assistant coach at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School, his alma mater.
Craig Anderson is the Athletic Director at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton High School and was a very successful football coach at D-G-F too, where he had Justin on his team. “Justin was one the best athletes that has come out of DGF. I think what he did at UMC in his football playing days justifies that. He brings great pride, and a strong commitment to the Golden Eagle Football. There was no difference in his play for the Rebels and when he was a member of the team at UMC.

I always believed that he would be a strong coach in football. His understanding of the game was great in high school, basically a coach on the field when he played for me. He ran our offense with the Rebels

this last year and did a great job of implementing those schemes to the program.

I think that UMC has found a great addition to the football program and his presents will only help develop the program in the future.”

Schreiber as we mentioned was a grad assistant at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and worked under the offensive coordinator at Washburn, Brian Miller, who was Justin’s offensive coordinator when he was the Golden Eagles quarterback!!!! We emailed Brian to get his thoughts on Schreiber. First of all Brian said his family is fine, with son Matt working for Disney in Orlando, Florida, while Bailey and Alex are 11 and 7, and wife Michelle is Director of Lead Poisoning Prevention for the State of Kansas.

”Frank, good to hear from you.
First, Justin was a very competitive player, and a quiet leader when he played.  He elevated his play against the tougher competition.  One of his first games as a starter, UMC played UND, Justin was the only player that we had, that could compete for 4 quarters with the UND team and players.  We had others who gave it their all, but couldn't sustain it the whole time like Justin did.  As a leader he kept the others into what we were doing, and never gave up, Another example of his competitiveness and his will,  is the triple overtime win against Concordia in 2001, where he led the offense to 2 scores late to force overtime.
As a graduate assistant here at Washburn and he had running backs, and was like a full time coach in what he did.  He contributed to the development of the players, and often had great insight when we were game planning.  The two years that he was here, we won the Mineral Water Bowl, the MIAA conference, and beat Pitt State and Northwest Missouri in back to back weeks.  During those seasons we had 2 different 1,000 yard rushers and a back that set the school's single season rushing record.  When Justin went back to Minnesota we tried to have another GA coach RBs, but it didn't work as well.  For 2007 we are moving a full time coach to that position.  Justin is a great coach and UMC is getting a great man.”

If you have followed football, the fellow that UMC has hired as a part-time assistant coach needs no introduction BUT:

Jim LeClair
As a young lad, LeClair came to the University of Minnesota Crookston in 1968 from South St. Paul, Minnesota. He led the 1968 UMC football team to a 6- 2 record and the team was at one time during the season ranked nationally. UMC won the Northern Conference Title of the Minnesota Junior College League. Jim was named to the NCJAA All-Region and All Minnesota football teams. LeClair was captain of the 1969 football team that finished second in the conference and for the second consecutive year was named to the Minnesota State Junior College All-Conference Team. 

Of course, his years at UMC were only the beginning of an illustrious career in football, as he went to the University of North Dakota where he was a Little All-America linebacker in 1971. He played two years with the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux and was named a two-time North Central All-Conference player and selected as the League’s most valuable defensive lineman in 1971, and named an All-American linebacker that year. Jim was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1972 and went on to play 14 seasons in professional football spending 12 years with the Cincinnati Bengals and two years with the New Jersey Generals. LeClair played in a Super Bowl game while with the Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49’ers.
Jim was inducted into the UMC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, the University of North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He also was a head coach for Mayville State University.
LeClair is currently a financial planner with LeClair and Associates in Mayville, North Dakota

"We are extremely excited about the additions to our football program," said UMC head coach Shannon Stassen, "and with Steve Olson moving from baseball/football to just football next season, we actually will have three new full time assistants to start next season. It's an exciting time on the campus, with our staff, but you can really tell it with the players, as they are really excited about all that's happening." The University of Minnesota, Crookston also has added the equivalents of five new scholarships to the Golden Eagles football program.  Coach Stassen added, "Not only can you see the excitement on the campus and the surrounding communities, but we are seeing the same excitement around the Upper Midwest about Golden Eagle football."
UMC football is in the midst of their Spring Football practice too. They will have 15 practices, which include three “scrimmages”, one at their field, also one at 10:00 PM at night (best time for ALL players to attend) inside at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. The Alerus charges them $450.00 for 1 ½ hours on April 9^th. The UMC football players and coaches raised this money, working the concessions at UMC during the Crookston Youth Basketball Tournament.

Who is going to be coaching what in football at UMC?

Offense
Offensive Coordinator - Stassen (who will also coach quarterbacks and tight ends)
Offensive Line - Scott Butt
Wide Receivers and Passing Game - Hennings
Running Backs - Jason Kremer (A former Golden Eagle, who is a Graduate assistant that the coaches are VERY HIGH on)

Defense
Defensive Coordinator - Mark Dufner (also coaches outside linebackers and recruiting coordinator)
Assistant Defensive Coordinator - Steve Olson (also special teams coordinator)
Inside Linebackers - LeClair
Defensive backs - Schreiber

The Golden Eagles will be playing just 10 games this season. One non-conference at Mayville State and then nine conference games.

August 30 @ Mayville State 7:00 p.m.
September 8 Open Date
September 15 SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE
September 22 BEMIDJI STATE
September 29 @ Wayne State
October 6 - UPPER IOWA (Homecoming)
October 13 @U of Mary
October 20 NORTHERN STATE
October 27 WINONA STATE
November 3 @ Minnesota State-Moorhead
November 10 vs Concordia-St. Paul (at Metro Dome in Minneapolis)

The Golden Eagles are doing well in the weight room too, as they had what they call their “max outs” and some of the top lifters were/are:

Shelton Dersima -Had a 405 Bench press, a 635 lbs squat, and a 275 lbs Power clean for a total of 1315 lbs

Jason Raupp had a 385 bench, a 565 squat, and a 310 power clean for a total of 1260 LBS

Trevor Haugh had a bench of 365, a squat of 480 and , a power clean of 330 for a total of 1175 LBS

Mitch Dolfuss had a bench of 335 lbs, a squat of 430 lbs and a power clean of 310 LBS for a total of 1075 LBS

Brent Messner had a 325 bench, a 480 squat and a 275 lbs power clean for a total of 1080lbs

Calvin McMullen had a vertical jump of 41.5 inches in his socks

Reggie Frazier had a 365lbs bench press

Jabari Williams and Taylor Michels both had 37 in vertical jumps

Williams is a junior college transfer from Itasca Community College, who is in school and participating in spring drills. He is 6’4 and as you can see, with his vertical, the wide-out will be tough to defend.

Right now the battle for Quarterback in the UMC spring drills is between, Josh Kreutner, a 6’2-220 lb senior from Revillo, S.D. Josh was a transfer from the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. and although he seen action last year, was battling the injury bug.
The other QB is David White. He was a red shirt last year after transferring from Itasca Community College. A native of Detroit, Michigan, the 6’-180 pound is a speedster, and one of the fastest on the Golden Eagle team.

The players that UMC have been getting from Itasca Community College have been a terrific addition. The head coach at Itasca is Steve King, former UMC football assistant.

The UMC Golden Eagles will have their final spring football scrimmage on Sunday, April 22^nd at Ed Widseth Field, and then a fund raiser after we told you about before involving Coach Stassen.
The UMC athletic fund raiser, Bill Tyrrell say’s, “Hi Frank, I wanted to elaborate on what you had mentioned last week in the Feever about Shannon going up in the lift to raise money for the Lysaker Endowment. He will be going up in the lift around noon on Monday, April 23^rd on the campus at UMC. On Tuesday he will be going up in the lift and he will be in the parking lot (former Super Valu lot) right across from KROX RADIO and then Wednesday he will back on campus. There will be a drop box so everyone has a choice of coming up to campus or dropping their money off downtown. All of this money will go to the Herschel Lysaker Endowment which raises money for all scholarship sports at UMC. The Lysaker endowment is now fully endowed which means there is over $25,000 in the endowment so anything we can add to this in those three days adds to the level of money that can be distributed from this endowment each year. We already have a $500 contribution for this event to get us started. We would appreciate all contributions for this event, anyone with questions should call me at 218-281-8436 and if you are interested in giving and will not be in the area on those three days you can also contact me and we can make arrangements to collect your contribution in advance. Thanks Frank.”

Also,

Tickets are available for this year’s UMC Teambackers Fun Nite which is scheduled for Friday, April 27^th. If anyone who has went in the past did not receive their letter or if anyone who has not ever attended and is interested and would like information sent to them, please contact Bill Tyrrell at 281-8436.  Tickets are $40.

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The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Commissioner Butch Raymond announced the results from the NSIC Board of Directors teleconference call dealing with expansion on Monday. The Board of Directors, consisting of the ten NSIC Presidents/Chancellors, voted to expand the NSIC to 14 teams with the addition of Augustana College (Sioux Falls, S.D.), the University of Minnesota-Duluth (Duluth, Minn.), Minnesota State University Mankato (Mankato, Minn.) and Saint Cloud State University (Saint Cloud, Minn.). These four institutions, which were all voted on individually, will begin participating within the NSIC in the 2008-09 season.

“The NSIC is pleased to welcome these four institutions into our league. We feel all four of these programs are a good fit with strong academic traditions in NCAA DII athletics. The competitiveness of these athletic teams will enhance all 17 sports that we currently offer,” commented Raymond.

Three of the four institutions are very familiar with the NSIC as they are former members. Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State and Saint Cloud State were all charter members of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC). With the four additions, the NSIC will now consist of 14 teams over a five state area with nine institutions hailing from Minnesota, two in South Dakota, and one in Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota.

The Northern Intercollegiate Conference (NIC) began in 1932 as the Northern Teacher’s Athletic Conference. Charter members included Bemidji State, Mankato State, Moorhead (MN) State, St. Cloud State and Winona State. In 1942 the conference name was changed to the State Teacher’s College Conference of Minnesota. The conference switched its name to the Northern Intercollegiate Conference in 1962. In the spring of 1992 the NSIC was formed out of the merger of the NIC, the men’s conference, and the women’s Northern Sun Conference (NSC). The NSC had existed since 1979. In the 1999-00 academic year, the NSIC became an expanded 10-team league from a previous seven-member conference by adding Wayne State College (Wayne, Neb.) Concordia University-St. Paul (St. Paul, Minn) and the University of Minnesota, Crookston (Crookston, Minn.). The conference featured eight members from 2004-05 until 2005-06 with the departure of Minnesota Duluth and Minnesota-Morris, but expanded back to 10 teams in 2006-07 as the University of Mary (Bismarck, N.D.) and Upper Iowa University (Fayette, Iowa) joined the league.

What does the UMC athletic department think of the expansion??

Stephanie Helgeson is the UMC Athletic Director:
“Well first of all they are solid institutions both academically and athletically and in many cases the coaches know those teams as we have played those teams in the past in some sports. Obviously it is a greater challenge for our program but we need to continue to work hard on improving what we have to do to become successful and moving forward. I think this enhances the conference and the exposure and media attention of being in the NSIC is just going to get better, not just for the athletic program but the University, the community and region as well. It is a great advantage to be in one of the top conferences in Division II.”

Shannon Stassen the head football coach for the Golden Eagles: “We have played those teams in the past without resources, so we will be excited to play them now that we have additional funding.”

Dave Simon the UMC Volleyball coach adds, “The NSIC has rapidly become a NCAA DII power conference and the addition of these four institutions will only further solidify that position. We have already been competing and recruiting against them as regional foes. Now as NSIC members, they will bring to the table great facilities, strong traditions and solid power rankings that can benefit the existing NSIC members. The competition will be fierce, but then again, it already has been.”

And finally, the Golden Eagle men’s basketball coach Jeff Oseth, “I think it makes the NSIC the best overall conference in D II. I think the NSIC has separated itself in men's basketball especially with what

Winona has done and how competitive the league is within and on the outside. With the expansion of the NSIC you know have football, softball, women's basketball and baseball with some very good programs.
For us, we have played these schools every year at least once anyways so we know what we are getting into. Obviously they are very good and should be with the size of there universities and communities and facilities. In basketball it is a little different once you start playing teams in the league. With the preparation and the back to back games you can usually close the gap some. We beat Augustana two years ago had a very good 1st half last year and then lost by three this year at home and should have beaten them but didn't. In the past we have had some very good games with UMD and St. Cloud. Can we have success against them on a consistent basis only time will tell, but we have to get better. These are very established programs that have been NCAA D II institutions for a long time and we are very new. Is it best for the overall league, probably. Is it going to be tougher for MSUM, UMC, BSU, for sure. We just need to keep raising the bar here.”

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A lot of hockey news!!!!

Crookston Pirate senior Brett Lien, has been selected to play for Team Minnesota in the Chicago Showcase, April 18-22 in Illinois. The purpose of the prestigious event is to allow high school hockey players from around the country, who do not traditionally get scouted due to geographic and budgetary constraints within the scouting circles, the opportunity to compete against the best of the best during a five-day period and be seen by every major hockey institution in North America.
Four other players from Section 8A/8AA  were named to the team, other defensemen, Sam Carr of Roseau and Erik Hedman of Moorhead, along with Kurt Weston of Roseau and Ross Trousdale of Buffalo.
By the way, in one poll, Brett is ranked the #1 senior defenseman in Class A in the State of Minnesota!!!! Brett is ranked 7^th overall, no matter what class or what grade. In that same poll, Cody Holtman of the Pirates was ranked the #36 forward in Class A.
Brett said he felt pretty good about the weekend series, even though Section 8A/8AA lost two of their three games, and finished sixth. He roomed with Carr, Hedman and Allen McBride of Warroad.

We are glad to see that the state and now the coaches/scouts from around the country will be able to see what we have for a number of years…..the Crookston lad has got game!!!
The Chicago Showcase has teams competing from: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky-West Virginia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, New England, NW U.S.A., SW U.S.A., Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas-Oklahoma, Washington and Wisconsin among others!!!

The two coaches for Section 8A/8AA team in the Great 8 were Scott Oliver of Roseau and Park Rapids head coach Pete Stahnke. We asked coach Oliver about Brett’s weekend.
“Frank: Section 8 put (5) players on Team Minnesota to represent in Chicago at the Showcase Tournament. Brett Lien, Sam Carr, Kurt Weston, Eric Hedman and Ross Trousdale.
Brett played very well on Friday and Saturday, had good gap control made good outlet passes and jumped up and joined the play when we were attacking in the offensive zone. Brett represented Crookston Hockey very well and will have some options for playing more hockey past High School...Scott”

The official release and roster from USA Hockey:

Team Minnesota will be looking to avenge last year’s semi-final defeat in the upcoming 2007 edition of the Chicago Showcase National High School Hockey Tournament April 18-22 at the Edge Arena in Bensonville, IL.

2007 TEAM MINNESOTA

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A lot of other Crookston youth hockey players, girl’s and boy’s participated this past weekend in the Minnesota Super Series and Selects this past weekend in the Twin Cities.
From what I have been able to gather for the “North” teams:

Boy’s Major Mites - Coaching were Rusty Remick and Brad Heppner and their team included Ethan Johnson and Doug Larson. A former Crookston Pirate, Paul Schwab’s son they say was a pretty nifty player for the West squad from Elk River. Two from Red Lake Falls, Bailey Schmitz and Tristan Knott.
**Note**- one of the coaches of the South squad was Brian Bellows (former North Star), and a son from Edina was on their roster.

Boy’s Minor Squirts - Chandler St. Michel was a member of the North squad. Troy Jutting, coach at Minnesota State-Mankato son was on South roster and Lance Pitlick, former Gopher, coached and had a son on the west team.

Boy’s Major Squirts - North team won it. They were coached by Bill Yon and Tim Bergland of Thief River Falls. Zach Yon was a member of the team and scored the winning goal in overtime in the championship game. Brady Heppner and Justin Cameron were also members of the team from Crookston. The north team had a Broten from Roseau, son of Aaron, Dixon Bowen (son of former Sioux Jeff) and Eddie Eades (son of Sioux assistant coach Cary), and Isak Bergland of Thief River Falls and son of coach Tim.

Minor PeeWee north team coaches included Jason Lovejoy of Crookston

Girl’s 10U team- Included Amber Trostad and Elizabeth Awender of Crookston. Elizabeth scored two goals for the team that took third place, while Amber also scored. Sydney Erickson of Fertile/Crookston was also a member of the team.

Girl’s 11U team – Roster included Brianna Breiland of Red Lake Falls. The team also has former Crookston-ites, Jon and Sherry (Larson)Drechsel’s daughter on the team.

Girl’s 12U team - Coached by Brad Epema, Paul Biermaier and Steve Erickson. They gave up eight goals in four games, and still lost three of them!!! Members of the team included Hayley Epema, Rachel Biermaier and Riley Erickson.

Girl’s 13U team - Coached by Tim Persson. The roster included Mandie Persson, Sophie Lien, Kailey Biermaier and Jessica Broekemeier.

Select ’93 Girl’s - North roster included Shannon Kaiser of Crookston

Select ’94 Girls – Caitlin Wahouske was a member of the North team

Select ’95 Girl’s - Natasha Skala of Red Lake Falls was a North member

Girl’s Select ’97 team - Coached by Tim Bergland of Thief River Falls. Roster included Leah Trostad.

Boy’s Select ’94 team – Coaches were Jon Bittner and Craig Morgan of Crookston and Mike Randolph, Duluth East head coach. Ryan Edevold, Connor Morgan and Ryan Bittner were on the North team.

Boy’s Select ’96 team - Paul Bittner and Taylor Brierley were members of the North team

Great representation for the Crookston kids. I should make another comment about this too. It wasn’t too many years ago, that it was hard to just get ONE Crookston kid to a weekend like this. But a couple things have happened. The Crookston Parks & Recreation and Crookston Blue Line Club took an aggressive approach to improve the coaching in Crookston, or to state it better, getting everyone on the same page. Plus the players/parents are working harder at it too. Then, we all have to tip our hat to Mike Gasper of Crookston. Mike did a lot of things getting teams together when his son Joel was going through the programs. After Joel left to head for juniors, and now in college at Robert Morris University, Mike didn’t quit working for the hockey youth. He became a Director of the Super Series/Select in girls and boy’s hockey. Don’t think there isn’t a correlation of the number of Crookston kids getting more opportunities. Good Job Mike!!!

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The Minnesota Owls junior hockey team, that includes former Crookston Pirates, Dusty Bruggeman and Derek Kaiser, ended up with a 1-2 record in the National Junior B Tournament last weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Owls won their first game over Valley Forge 3-1.

The Owls lost their second game to the Dubuque Thunderbirds, 6-0.

In their third game, the Owls lost to Fort Vancouver 5-3 with Dusty Bruggeman getting a goal and Derek Kaiser having an assist

The Owls season ends at 31-14-3!!!!

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We had heard that Lon Boike, applied and accepted the Crookston Pirate head volleyball job, while Mike Geffre did the same thing for the head girl’s tennis coaching job. Both of them confirmed that indeed and you would think both should be confirmed by the Crookston school board on Monday.
Tom Speltz, Crookston activities director, did confirm that he offered the jobs, but wouldn’t say to whom, but both Lon and Mike confirmed it was them!!!
Speaking with Mr. Speltz, he did say that he didn’t have any applications for the girl’s head soccer coaching job, so he will probably have to re-open it, but he has been talking to a few people that have shown some interest. Tom said he did have one applicant for the 7^th Grade football coaching job, and we mentioned last week that Chris Coauette was going to apply for it, and they had one applicant for the 7^th grade volleyball coaching job. The volleyball people told me they think it’s former Pirate Janae Rasmussen.
Mr. Speltz did say that he would be opening up the assistant volleyball position, now vacated by Boike!

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The SCHEDULED opening contests for the OTHER Crookston spring sports teams as I watch more snow coming down!!!!
Baseball – April 9^th hosting Sacred Heart
Softball - April 9^th - at Sacred Heart
Boy’s Tennis - April 10^th – hosting Bemidji
Boy’s Golf - April 11^th – at Detroit Lakes meet
Girl’s Golf - April 13^th - at Perham meet

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We have previewed the track teams at Crookston High School. Let’s preview the other Spring Sports at CHS:

GIRL'S SOFTBALL

The Crookston Pirate softball team is looking to get past the first round of their tough sub-section tournament this season. The Pirates have opened up with Warroad or Roseau for seemingly every year in the tournaments, and either Warroad, who beat the Pirates 10-0 in the first game of the tournament last year and has won the Section 8AA Tournament the last two seasons, or Roseau have won the Section 8 AA tournament.

Crookston is in Section 8AA and in their sub-section is, Crookston, East Grand Forks, Roseau and Warroad.

The Pirates have veterans returning in the pitching department, which is key in girl's fast pitch softball. Brittany Jahn is now a junior, after seeing considerable action on the mound last season. The experience gained should go along way to helping this year. Brittany's twin sister, Ashley is also expected to see time on the mound, and the starting shortstop, Sydney Epema can also throw. Sydney and Jennifer Meyer will probably see some time on the mound to start the season.

Catching is a position the Pirates haven't had to worry about for many years, as Amy Burke (now at UMC) was a starter since eighth grade. So how do you fill it? Pirate head coach Jana Epema, in her sixth season, will take her best outfielder, Marlee Wheelhouse, and put her behind the plate. With her tenacity and very strong arm, Marlee should be able to keep the base runners, who like to take the extra bases in softball, honest. To spell Marlee, coach Epema will use Marlee's sister, Erika, who did catch a bit on the varsity last season, and also can play the infield. When one is catching, the other Wheelhouse will be in left field.

Roaming center field again this season will be Brittany Morris. The other outfielders will be Danielle Persson and Bethany Donarski. The Pirate infielders will include Epema, Persson, Rachel Proulx, Heidi Steinbrink, Rachel Buchmeier among others. Coach Epema is assisted again this season by Chad Hitchen and the JV coach is Tim Moe.

The Pirates open up on Monday, April 9th at East Grand Forks Sacred Heart and their first home game is the following Monday, April 16^th when Red Lake Falls comes to town.

BASEBALL

The Crookston Pirates lost most of their infield and top of their batting order, and most of their pitching as well!!!!

Jeff Chandler, Peter Curran and Justin Hasbrouck did the majority of the Crookston Pirate pitching the last two seasons and have graduated.
Who will be called upon on the mound this year? Cole Johnston did throw 20+ innings last season and will have his number called a lot this spring. Joel Stegman, Matt Leblanc and others will be called upon, and the “Big Unit”, Andrew Anderson, a 6'7 left hander will be a imposing presence on the mound for the Pirates this season.

Crookston senior, Brent Reierson, who pitched in four games last season and was 1-0 with a 2.63 E.R.A. is still recovering from a shoulder injury in wrestling, and will start the season at second base and will be questionable of how much, if at all, pitching he will be able to do.

The infield could have Johnston and Anderson at first base, Reierson at second, Matt Yeager is getting a look-see at short and Elliot Hulst will be the third baseman.

The Pirate outfield will have a mix of Nic Follette, Zack Bruer (goes to Fisher High School), Leblanc with any experience.

Catching will be in terrific hands, with Ethan Hulst, who as a sophomore, showed he is one of the better catchers in this part of the state.

The Hulst brothers will be expected to provide the pop at the plate. Elliot was a .400 hitter, leading the team in extra base hits and rbi's. Ethan batted .275 and will be expected to move up in the batting order this year.

Johnston batted .286 last season and Reierson was in that area as well, and LeBlanc showed some pop at the plate on occasion too. They will hope for a couple younger players to step up and help too.
The Pirates lost to Warroad in the first round of the Sub-Section last season, while Roseau won the Section 8AA championship and went on to the consolation champions in Class AA last year.

The Rams lost Biermaier and McMillin, but will be tough again with Joe Benke on the mound, while Warroad lost only two players off their tournament squad last year, and has Kyle Nowacki and Andy Larson both back on the mound.

Crookston head coach Brian Follette is back for his 7^th season, and will be assisted again by Chris Trostad, while they have a new junior high coach, Dan Halland.
The Pirates are slated for their season and home opener on Monday, April 9^th with Sacred Heart.

BOY'S GOLF

The Crookston Pirate boy's golf team has had a lot of success over the past seasons, winning the sub-section last season, then lost a heartbreaking one-stroke loss to Roseau for the Section 8A championship. Roseau went on to finish second at state!!!

The Pirates did have three that advanced individually to the State Meet, seniors Travis Ross (golfing at St. Cloud State) who was 5th at state and Wes Hanson (wrestling at St. Cloud State) who finished 57th. Also at State and back for his senior season is Jake Sanders. Jake finished seventh at state last year, with an opening round of 80, which he shaved to a 73 in his second round. Jake, who along with Travis was named All-State, is one of the top golfers back from the State Meet and he should be one of the top golfers in EVERY meet he participates in this spring.

Crookston only lost two from the Section team, while Roseau lost one, so the two teams should be in the thick of the Sectional hunt again this year. Crookston probably has a little tougher sub-section, with

East Grand Forks having a lot of talented golfers returning as well. Sanders will lead the Pirates, along with juniors, Ryan Remick and Ty Nimens, who were part of the Pirate tournament team last year. Seth Kalin, a junior, was a member of the tournament team his sophomore year. Another golfer who was on the Section team last year, Baba Maiga, is not out for golf this year.
Crookston has some very talented youngsters that will challenge for spots too. They were a number of youngsters that competed in the summer “tour” last year. I think there are some more Sanders, Ross and Hanson’s coming up.

The Pirates roster:

Jake Sanders 12^th grade
Seth Kalin 11
Ty Nimens 11
Ryan Remick 11
Marcus Brekken 10
Henry Fisher 10
Max Lien 10
Ethan Nimens 10
Mykl Palmer 10
Mickael Perry 10
Christian Pester 10
Josh Baldock 9
Derek Janssen 9
Matt Johnson 9
Dominic LeBlanc 9
Dylan Porter 9
Seth Heppner 8
Kolton Walker 8

Steve Kofoed will be in his first year as head coach for the Pirate boy's squad, replacing the very successful coach Greg Garmen.

The Pirates open the season on Wednesday, April 11th, when they travel to a Detroit Lakes Invitational.

The Crookston Pirate Invitational is scheduled for Monday, April 16^th at Minakwa Golf Club in Crookston.

The Crookston Pirate girl's golf team won the sub-section team last year, but have had a two year absence of advancing to the State meet. They did have two that qualified individually to state last year, both were seniors, Carmen Pester (now at St. Cloud State) and Koko Yamazaki (back in Japan).

The Pirates only have two back from last years tournament team, Marley Hanson, a veteran who is looking to get back to state, after a disappointing finish last season, and Lindsay Morgan, now a sophomore. Senior Jackie Reitmeier was in a playoff last year for a tournament spot, and will be expected to lead and contend this season. Morgan's twin sister, Laura also had some good meets on varsity last year. The rest of the squad, will be young and inexperienced as far as the varsity is concern.

Roseau won the Section 8A team title last season and the Rams have their entire squad back and will be a big favorite. Fosston lost to the Rams by one stroke, but the Greyhounds graduated the best golfer not only in the Section, but one of the best in the state in Kristi Lucken.

East Grand Forks and Crookston should battle for the Sub-Section 31 team spot again this season.

Crookston girl's golf also has a new face at the controls, as Jeff Perreault will be in his first year as the head coach, after serving as a junior high golf coach. Coach Perreault succeeds the Section 8A girl's golf coach of the year Jim Gunnerson.

Crookston’s roster:

Marley Hanson - 12^th grade
Jackie Reitmeier- 12
Stephanie Bjorgo- 11
Brittny Boetcher-11
Sonia Caputo – 11
Hilary Skjei – 11
Megan Wagner – 11
Jennifer Gregg- 10
Cassie Kawlewski- 10
Laura Morgan – 10
Lindsay Morgan- 10
Kalie Persson- 10
Samantha Schear- 10
Michaela Holsinger- 9
Jordan Rauner- 9
Rachel Sanders- 9
Rachel Wold – 9
Andrea Wright- 9

The Pirate girl’s first meet is scheduled for Friday, April 13^th at the Perham Invitational. The Crookston Pirate Invitational is Thursday, April 19^th at Minakwa.


BOY'S TENNIS

The Crookston Pirate boy's tennis team has finished runner up to the Thief River Falls Prowlers in Section 8A Team Tournament the last two year, 4-3 last year with a third setter at #2 doubles with the Prowlers winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-5!!!!

It appears it won't be any different this year, as both teams are expected to challenge for the title and a trip to the state tournament.

Section 8A consists of: Crookston, East Grand Forks, Park Rapids, Perham and Thief River Falls.

Crookston lost three players from last years squad, Kirby Johnson (now playing at Concordia), Derek Kaiser (playing junior hockey) and Ben Sullivan (playing junior hockey).

Johnson and Kaiser went to the State Individual Tournament last year in doubles, where they finished 4th.

On the other hand, Thief River Falls only lost two players off their Section Team championship , but arguably the top player in the Section in Justin Pyle.

Crookston has to find some singles players, as most of their squad likes to play doubles.

From last years Section team tourney:

Crookston has back at singles- #3 Jake Thompson, #4 Nick Sylvester ; #1 doubles-Cody Brekken/Alex Kiel #2 doubles- Kopper Andringa-Brett Lien and #3 doubles - Luke Biermaier

We should mention that Luke Biermaier and Jake Thompson combined in doubles in the Section Individual last year and took Cody Bottom and Jordan Swanson of TRF, to three sets.

Brent Umlauf is another senior that seen action on the varsity last year, as did Ryan Erickson. Some youngsters that had terrific records on the JV/Junior High squads, were a some ninth graders, Carter Denison, Wade Johnston and Nick Biermaier to name a few.

Crookston Pirate head coach is Mike Geffre in his 22nd season, and he will be assisted again by Lee Meier. The Junior High will be coached again by Tyler Derosier who will be helped by another former Pirate, Chris Coauette.

Crookston opens up on Tuesday, April 10th when they host Bemidji. This will be the FIRST match the Pirate boy's will play on the new tennis complex at the High School. The following Saturday, April 14th at the Pine City Tournament. The Pirates could get some early match ups with Thief River Falls, as Pine City tells us the teams involved in that tournament will be Crookston, Litchfield, Winona Cotter, Waseca, St. Peter, Minnehaha Academy, Thief River Falls and Pine City.

Crookston’s roster:
Seniors - Kooper Andringa, Cody Brekken, Alex Kiel, Brett Lien, Nick Sylvester and Brent Umlauf
Juniors - Luke Biermaier, Jared Gilstad, Tyler Hviding, Josh Prudhomme, Ivan Santellanes and Taylor Terpstra
Sophomores - Khris Johnson and Jake Thompson
Freshmen - Dillan Altepeter, Nick Biermaier, Carter Denison, Ben Dufault, Jared Johnson, Wade Johnston, Kohl Klinge, Zach Mercil, Alex Prudhomme, Cole Sondreal, Morgan Terpstra and Kevin Welter.

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The Crookston Girl’s basketball team had their post-season banquet last week and we having the following:
MVP -  Kamille Wahlin
Best Defensive Player -  Macy Hanson
Carla Johnson Memorial (Most Dedicated Player) -  Marley Hanson
Rookie of the year -  Sam Plooster
Votes as captains for next year -  Taylor Davis, Molly Simmons and Kamille Wahlin

Crookston girl’s basketball school records set by this squad this past season:
TEAM

1. Most points per game 71.1
2. Best 2 pt. FG% Season 50%
3. 500th Win all time in Program History...Overall Record for CHS GBB is 503-301!
4. 2nd most wins in a season (24)
5. Highest winning % since 1981-82
6. Most 3pt. FGA in a game 35 vs. DGF
7. Most 3pt. FGM in a game 13 vs. DGF (had 12 against Warren which is 2nd)
8. Most points in a game 95 vs. Warren
9. Most points in a half 60 vs. Warren
10. Spent 7 consecutive weeks at #1 in the AP polls to start the season.
11. Most FGs in one game 38 vs. Warren

Individual Records

1. Kamille Wahlin Scoring 1,660; Assists 489 ; Steals 299 ; 3pt. FG made 131; Total FG Attempts 1,219 ; Total FG made 672 ; Consecutive FTs 47 ; FT % season 91%

2. Molly Simmons
Best 3pt.% season 53% for the season.

The CURRENT list of the TOP 25 scorers in Crookston High School Basketball HISTORY from Pirate basketball coach/Historian Ed Nelson: Note that Taylor Davis has cracked the top 25.

Rank Name                         Class     Notes     Points
1. Kamille Wahlin                 2008     1,660
2. Kenley Wahlin                     2005     1,438
3. Jenny Boll                            1999     1,393
4. Mary Biermaier                    1982 Mount St. Benedict 1,353
5. Jamie Reese                         2001     1,318
6. Carl Hunt                             2001     1,314
7. Jenny Bruun                         1996      1,188
8. Steele Senske                       1988     1,092
9. Lexi Schaar                           2004    1,085
10. Hilary Hasz                         1991     1,037
11. Jeremy Voeller                    1998     1,033
12. Tiffany Hasbrouck               2000     1,029
13. Andy Hughes                       2005        911
14. Meg Schnabel                      1978        894
15. Elliot Erdmann                      2001        852
16. Taylor Davis                      2008        743
17. John Huseby                        1990        723
18. John Vorachek                     1993        714
19. Nick Brorson                        1997       712
20. Nick Pankow                        2002       697
20. Lisa Rodela                           1987       697
22. Jake Coauette                        2005      686 
23. Matt Proulx                            1992      661
24. Christine Boll                          1990      641
25. Chris Rongen                          1986      620

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The Crookston Sparks, the 4th grade girls CYBA basketball team, traveled to the Grand Forks Grand Am tournament this past weekend and won the championship. In their first game they beat Larimore 29-8. In the second round they beat the Grafton Blitz 33-4. In the semifinals they beat the Grand Forks Wildcats 23-16. In the championship game, which was played at the Betty Engelstad Arena they beat the Devils Lake Flames 22-12. They were coached by Dylane Klatt and Brenda Froeber and the team consisted of: Madison Crane, Danica Brekken, Shelby Solheim, McKenzie Klatt and Allison Reinhart, Brooke Heggie, Brooke Panzer, Taylor Bushaw, Amber Froeber and Sydney Boike.

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A good group of Crookston wrestlers competed in the NYWA State Wrestling Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota last weekend. Crookston had three young men that placed:
6^th Grader - Wyatt Hanson took 5^th at 108 pounds. Wyatt won three matches, and lost two, including a 1-0 match.
6^th Grader - Josh Edlund took 4^th at 140 pounds. Josh won two and lost two matches, including a 2-0 loss
8^th Grader - Anthony Caputo also took 4^th place at 115 pounds. Anthony won four matches and lost twice in the two days. His losses were 9-5, and lost a tough 4-2 match for 3^rd Place

Congratulations to them all, and to the other Crookston wrestlers that also qualified and competed, but didn’t place:
8^th Grade - Brody Davidson (235 lbs) who did win one match
8^th Grade - Cody Osland (l05 lbs)
8^th Grade - Nick Mertens (235 lbs) , who won a couple matches by pins
4^th Grade - Cody Weiland (72 lbs)
Kindergarten - Brendin Morlan (50 lbs) won one match by pin
Kindergarten - Damian Hodgson (60 lbs)

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Crookston Youth Soccer is having a Spring Soccer Orientation.
Don Cox, Crookston Pirate boy’s soccer coach say’s,
“Crookston Parks and Recreation Soccer and Crookston Youth Soccer Association are presenting a FREE orientation clinic for parents, players and coaches of youth soccer players on Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the hockey arena in Crookston.  This is an orientation clinic for you to learn all about the beautiful game of soccer. If your child plays soccer or if your child wants to play soccer or if you coach youth soccer, this clinic is for you!
On behalf of the CYSA board and all the fine people at Crookston Parks & Recreation who provide this wonderful program, thank you both for your time and support.  Go Pirates Soccer!”
 
Cheers,

Don Cox
CYSA Coach/Player Development Coordinator
and CHS Boys Varsity Soccer Coach”

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Steve Philion in Red Lake Falls sends information for the 14^th Annual Lace ‘em up Basketball Camp in Red Lake Falls.
It will be June 4-8^th at the Robert Matzke Gym in the Red Lake Falls High School. The camp will stress fundamentals, including numerous contests, stations, skull sessions, and may other basketball skills.

It is open for any boy or girl who are currently (2006-07) in Grades K-11.
Grades 6-11 will attend camp from 8-11:30 AM
Grades K-6 will attend camp from NOON-3:30 PM
*** Sixth graders have the option of either time or can do BOTH for the one cost ***

Cost is $50.00 for the camp and if paid BEFORE May 15, 2007, the camper will also receive a FREE camp t-shirt.
There is a MAXIMUM family fee of $100.00.
For more information contact the Red Lake Falls Schools or
Steve Philion
518 Champagne Avenue
Red Lake Falls, MN., 56750
(218) 253-2499

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Some e-mails:

The Story of Two Houses

LOOK OVER THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FOLLOWING TWO HOUSES AND SEE IF YOU CAN TELL WHICH BELONGS TO AN ENVIRONMENTALIST.

HOUSE # 1:

A 20-room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house all heated by gas. In ONE MONTH ALONE this mansion consumes more energy than the average American household in an ENTIRE YEAR. The average bill for electricity and natural gas runs over $2,400.00 per month. In natural gas alone (which last time we checked was a fossil fuel), this property consumes more than 20 times the national average for an American home. This house is not in a northern or Midwestern "snow belt," either. It's in the South.

HOUSE # 2:

Designed by an architecture professor at a leading national university, this house incorporates every "green" feature current home construction can provide. The house contains only 4,000 square feet (4 bedrooms)

and is nestled on arid high prairie in the American southwest. A central closet in the house holds geothermal heat pumps drawing ground water through pipes sunk 300 feet into the ground. The water (usually 67 degrees F.) heats the house in winter and cools it in summer. The system uses no fossil fuels such as oil

or natural gas, and it consumes 25% of the electricity required for a conventional heating/cooling system. Rainwater from the roof is collected and funneled into a 25,000 gallon underground cistern. Wastewater

from showers, sinks and toilets goes into underground purifying tanks and then into the cistern.
The collected water then irrigates the land surrounding the house. Flowers and shrubs native to the area blend the property into the surrounding rural landscape.

HOUSE # 1 (20 room energy guzzling mansion) is outside of Nashville, Tennessee. It is the abode of that renowned environmentalist (and filmmaker) Al Gore.

HOUSE # 2 (model eco-friendly house) is on a ranch near Crawford , Texas . Also known as "the Texas White House," it is the private residence of the President of the United States, George W. Bush.

So whose house is gentler on the environment? Yet another story you WON'T hear on CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC or read about in the New YorkTimes or the Washington Post. Indeed, for Mr. Gore, it's truly "an inconvenient truth."

NO KIDDING

- - - -

Subject: Husband & Wife

Husband and wife in bed together.

She feels his hand rubbing her shoulder.

She: "Oh, that feels good."

His hand moves to her breast.

She: "Gee, honey, that feels wonderful."

His hand moves to her leg.

She: "Oh, honey, don't stop."

But he stops.

She: "Why did you stop?"

He: "I found the remote."

- - - -

Best Chicken Joke Ever!!!

A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken is leaning against the headboard smoking a cigarette, with a satisfied smile on its face. The egg, looking a bit PO’ed, grabs the sheet, rolls over, and says, "Well, I guess we finally answered THAT question.

If anyone needs it explained - read it a second time.

- - - -

An email from someone that has golfed with me before!!!!

Subject: New Golf Book

 Finally a Golf book for us that really addresses our game...
 
Chapter 1 - How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt
Chapter 2 - How to Hit a Nike from the Rough When You Hit a Titleist from the Tee
Chapter 3 - How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a Bunker
Chapter 4 - How to Get More Distance Off the Shank
Chapter 5 - When to Give the Marshall the Finger
Chapter 6 - Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings
Chapter 7 - Crying and How to Handle it
Chapter 8 - Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 10 AM
Chapter 9 - How to Rationalize a 6 Hour Round
Chapter 10 - How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the Water
Chapter 11 - Why Your Spouse Doesn't Care That You Birdied the 5th
Chapter 12 - How to Let a Foursome Play through Your Twosome
Chapter 13 - How to Relax When You Are Hitting three off the Tee
Chapter 14 - When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent
Chapter 15 - God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey Three Putt
Chapter 16 - When to Re-grip Your Ball Retriever  

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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?

Ted Hasz is the head baseball coach at Pine City High School

Chris Trostad is the assistant baseball coach at Crookston High School.

Shawna Steinbrink is a junior with the University of Minnesota, Crookston women’s softball team. The Golden Eagles lost three games in the Morningside Tournament last weekend. Shawna had a good weekend at the plate, going 3-7.

Amy Burke is a freshman with the University of Minnesota, Crookston women’s softball team. The Golden Eagles lost three games in the Morningside Tournament last weekend. Amy was 2-7 at the plate in the three games.

Travis Ross is a freshman at St. Cloud State. He shot a 73 in the University of South Dakota Invitational on Monday, which was one stroke from the medallist.

Derek Kaiser is playing junior hockey for the Minnesota Owls (Coon Rapids) in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. The Owls won one game, and lost two games in the National B Tournament last weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Derek had an assist in one of the games.

Dusty Bruggeman is also playing junior hockey for the Minnesota Owls (Coon Rapids) in the Minnesota Junior Hockey League. The Owls won one game, and lost two games in the National B Tournament last weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dusty had a goal on the weekend.

Mike Hastings is the head coach/general manager/Owner of the Omaha Lancers in the United States Junior Hockey League (USHL). They were 3-0 this past week, and have a seven point lead for the Anderson Cup in the USHL, which is for the best record.

Kirby Johnson is a freshman at Concordia College-Moorhead, and playing men’s tennis for the Cobbers.
Concordia beat Hamline 7-2 last weekend. Kirby won at #5 singles 6-3, 6-3, and lost at #3 doubles 5-8.

Jacqueline Noah is sophomore in her first year of playing tennis for the University of Minnesota, Crookston. UMC lost to Augustana College 9-0, Jacqueline played #1 singles and #1 doubles

Alonzo Jalan is a senior with the Concordia-Moorhead men’s track team. They were at St. John’s last weekend. Alonzo didn’t place, but jumped 16’ 8 ½ in the long jump and Pole Vaulted 10’ 10.

Amanda Bakken is a freshman with the Concordia-Moorhead women’s track team. They were at St. John’s meet last weekend, and didn’t see Amanda in any of the sprints, and not sure if she ran on any relays!!

Colin Reynolds is a senior at Valparaiso University in Indiana. They are 5-15 on the season. They were 1-3 this past week with Colin was 0-2 in the first game, and rolled his ankle and had missed the other three games. He is OK now and should be back in the lineup this week. NEXT WEEKEND, April 14 & 15^th. Valparaiso will be in FARGO, N.D. for a pair of doubleheaders with the N-D-S-U Bison!!!!

Nick Wheelhouse is red shirting as a freshman for the Mayville State baseball team.

Jeff Perreault is the head girl’s golf coach at Crookston High School.

Tyler Derosier is a junior high boy’s tennis coach at Crookston High School.

Chris Coauette is a junior high boy’s tennis coach at Crookston High School.

Amy Boll is an assistant track coach at Crookston High School

Mike Biermaier is an assistant track coach at Crookston High School and also Assistant Activities Director at CHS.

Lee Sims is a junior at the U of Wisconsin-Superior and running track. They open their outdoor season last weekend at the St. John’s Meet. Lee was 16^th in the 1500 meter run with at time of 4:14.60

Maria Gonzales is a freshman at South Dakota State and a member of the Jackrabbit track team. They started their outdoor season last weekend in Columbia, Missouri in the Missouri Relays. Maria was 23^rd in the Discus with a throw of 97’ 11, 39^th in the Hammer Throw at 97-9 and she fouled

Barbora Ungermannova is a sophomore at North Dakota State and a member of the Bison track team. The Bison participated in the Texas-Arlington meet last weekend. Barbora was 5^th in the Hammer Throw (155-0), 10^th in the Shot Put (45-4 ½) and 16^th in the Discus (134-4).

Mandy (Johnson) Cymbaluk is a Figure Skating Coach in Detroit Lakes

Kristy (Myrold) Morris-Lies is the Figure Skating Coach in Crookston

Matt Genereux is serving our country in Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard

Nick Genereux is serving our country in Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard

Juan Garcia is serving our country in Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard

Ross Oliver is serving our country in Iraq as a member of the Army National Guard

Jordan Reese was serving our country in Iraq, when he suffered a foot/leg injury in Iraq last week. Jordan is recovering in the United States.

Erik Ellingson served our country in Iraq, and is now being deployed as a member of the U.S. Air Force

Greg Widseth is the 5th Grade boy’s basketball coach for the Crookston Youth Basketball Association (CYBA)

Brian Schumacher is an 8th Grade Girls basketball coach for CYBA

Sue Anderson (Sprague) is an 8th Grade Girls basketball CYBA Coach

Dan Cymbaluk is an 8th Grade Boys basketball CYBA coach

Dave Simon is a 4^th Grade Boys Basketball CYBA Coach

Eric Samuelson is a 5th grade girls basketball CYBA coach

Jim Reitmeier is a 6th Grade Girls basketball CYBA coach

Deb Wold ( Rongen) is a 9th Grade Girls basketball CYBA coach

Scott Riopelle is with the City of Crookston’s Park and Recreation and the Crookston Ice Arena’s Manager

Erin Wohl is a sophomore and a member of the University of North Dakota marching band and pep band for Sioux football and hockey.

Mitch Bakken is the Sports Information Director at UMC/Women’s Softball coach

Jon Oman is in the Sports Information Department at Michigan Tech

Jason Bushie is an athletic trainer at Minnesota State-Mankato

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargo Dome

If you have any to add to the list etc., please let me know.

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That is all I know for now…….Except, continue to keep Pirate mom, Kori in your prayers!!!!

- - - -

^{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.}

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