Wednesday, May 14,  2007  

Last week I talked about the possibilities of the new Ice Arena Complex to be built in Crookston. I had stated that Crookston Alderman Craig Buness had some from his ward already calling him and saying keep it a two arenas and no flood hazard money going toward the project.
Alderman Buness stopped in the office the next morning and was upset that I had misconstrued some the comments from him. I had said that he had received calls from some of the people in the ward he serves telling him that we shouldn’t build more than two arenas and use none of the flood hazard money on the project. Craig said I misunderstood that the calls he received didn’t come in the 18 hours after Crookston got the $10 million, but he has been taking calls since the Senate and Legislature put the Crookston bonding request into their bills, so they have raised their concerns in the last month or so.
Craig Buness wanted it to be well known that he is in favor of the Ice Arena Complex, was in the group that went to the Legislature to lobby and now we just have to figure out a way to get the amount of money over $10 million it will cost to complete a complex we can all be proud of and pay for.

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Another e-mail on the arenas and gym space in Crookston:

“Hey, Mr. Hockey:

I have a solution on the old arena and what to use it for that would appease everybody.

Take the steel walls and roof of the civic arena and move it up to the back of the high school.  The school would have to lay concrete for the floor and the beginning of the walls and whatever structural things you would have to do to make it solid and safe.  On the floor you lay a multipurpose flooring (like Bemidji State, Concordia-Moorhead etc all have) Use it to build a multipurpose activity center that could be used for ALL gym classes, Jr High and freshman Volleyball and basketball practice and games, a running track with six lanes would easily fit along with four courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball inside the running track, heck even soccer and football could use it.  Baseball and Softball could have their batting cages in the new center instead of gym where they are damaging the gym floor by consistently hitting the balls into the floor,  The uses would be endless....

I talked to Aaron Parrish about the idea he said they have had some farmers with interest but said the city would be willing to work with the school district if they wanted to use it for that.  It would also help out the city, they could hold soccer in the facility in the fall and spring, youth basketball and volleyball could all be at the same time.  Park and Rec Tennis could be moved into the facility when it rains, club kid could use it for various activities.  This would allow the hockey arena complex to be JUST A HOCKEY ARENA COMPLEX as it should be.  Let's build it right the first time so we don't have a cluster like a high school with only one gym!!!!

Mr. Gilman has said a new gym is not needed even after the Activities Director has said it is a must to get a new gymnasium.  Let's remember that 7th grade will now be at the high school meaning more gym time will be needed for gym class.  Yet the school has done nothing to add gym space after selling all their gymnasiums.  Every study ever done proves that gym class improves students grades, especially females.”

Thanks for the email and suggestions and it has some interesting/great possibilities. I must of missed it when Superintendent Gilman said we don’t need more gym space. I don’t remember him saying that!!!

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Speaking of GYM SPACE

The Crookston High School Athletic Department will again be introducing the weight program to the junior high kids.

Ed Nelson, is the weight room guy:

“Frank,
Attached is the info for the 7th & 8th grade intro weight program.  I am
talking to the 7th and 8th grade athletes Tuesday and Wednesday of this
week with a start date of Monday, May 19th.  The program will be completed
so that the athletes can lift with the varsity teams over the summer.
Thanks.
Ed”

Crookston Pirates Athletic Department

 Flexibility

 Agility

 Speed Training

 Plyometrics

 Strength Training: Emphasis on Safety, Lifts (core & auxiliary), Technique

 Monday, May 19 - 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Weight Room

 Tuesday, May 20 - 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Weight Room

 Wednesday, May 21 - 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Weight Room

 Thursday, May 22 - 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Weight Room

 Friday, May 23 - 3:30 to 5:00 PM - Weight Room

 Tuesday, May 27 – 3:30 to 5:00 PM – Weight Room

 Wednesday, May 28 – 3:30 to 5:00 PM – Weight Room

 Thursday, May 29 – 3:30 to 5:00 PM – Weight Room

 Friday, May 30 – 3:30 to 5:00 PM – Weight Room

 Monday, June 2 – 7:00 to 8:30 AM – Weight Room

 Tuesday, June 3 – 7:00 to 8:30 AM – Weight Room

 Wednesday, June 4 – 7:00 to 8:30 AM – Weight Room

Pirate Weight Program

Last Name: First Name:

Address: Apartment Number:

City: State: Zip:

Phone:

Height: Weight:

Grade:

Birth Date:

Parents (List address if not the same as above)

email address:

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The Crookston Pirate boy’s and girl’s Basketball coaching staff is again conducting their PIRATE HOOPS SKILLS CAMP. The Camp will be a skills centered basketball camp for beginners and advanced players. Skills taught will be shooting, ball handling, passing, team defensive and offensive skills and rebounding. There will be contests every day.

It will be at the Crookston High School June 30-July 3^rd.
3-6^th graders (This is grade COMPLETED) will go from 8-11 AM
7^th-11^th grades - 11am-2PM

Cost: 1^st Child - $50.00; 2^nd Child- $40.00 and additional children from the same family FREE
NO FAMILY WILL PLAY MORE THAN $90.00
Registration deadline is May 30, 2008

You can send you registration to the Pirate Hoops Skills Camp to:
Pirate Hoops Skills Camp
Crookston High School
402 Fisher Avenue
Crookston, MN., 56716
Include with your fee:
Campers name, address, home phone, parents work phone, age and grade completed and also the child’s T-Shirt Size (Childrens M & L – Adults- S, M, L, XL)

Contact Greg Garmen at the Crookston High School for more information and questions. 218-281-2144 or
ggarmen@crookston.k12.mn.us

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An email:

“Frank:  I just wanted to send a note to thank the good folks from Crookston who helped us host the Section 8AA True Team track meet last Tuesday in Crookston.  Stephanie Helgeson and her staff at UMC,
Don Donarski at CHS and of course, Dave Barnum, Wayne Folkers and their assistant coaches.
Wes Knutson kept the timers in line and Ed Odland, Corky Reynolds and Chris Fee helped there as well. Rod Olson helped with the marshalling.  Through the combined efforts of these people and a bunch from East Grand Forks, we were able to put on a very good and well run track meet.   Thanks again and good luck to all the spring sports teams as they head into Section competition.

Jim Scanlan
Activities Director
East Grand Forks Senior High School”

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The Crookston kids are playing hockey RIGHT NOW!!!!

“HI Frank,

Just to let you and our youth hockey folks know about this past weekend and the tournament in Fargo.  Let me first begin by saying a couple things:

1)  It was a first for a team of just Crookston kids to play during the spring/ summer/ fall.  Usually, our youth hockey players scatter to all sorts of different AAA teams during these times but we have a desire to make OUR kids better and these types of tournaments are only one part of a multifaceted program for OUR Crookston players.  We are also incorporating:

a)  Summer teams (as mentioned), b)   Summer on - ice skills, c)  Off Season/ Off Ice conditioning and training, d)  Power Skating (in season)

We want to work with our kids with the idea of doing it cheaper/ better!
We also want to have a program going so when the new rinks are built, we can have our program up and running and slide it right into the new rinks.

This past weekend we played a tournament for the 94 birth year kids.  We took players in the order that they had signed up (either by mail from the flyer handed out to folks during equipment check in this spring) or on the internet at the Crookston Blueline Club web site.  The team consisted of not only 94 players (who had first shot at the roster and some could not make it due to prior or other commitments) but also 95 and 96 birth years to fill out the roster again on a first signed first to play basis so that we were as consistent as possible.

This is NOT an exclusive team just to "these" kids only!!!!!  Any and hopefully ALL of our players from Bantam to Squirt levels can get involved in this and the other 3 opportunities!  It is our goal to have 1 to 2
tournaments this spring/ summer/ fall for each level (Bantam, Pee Wee and Squirt) and also summer ice for skill development.  It does not matter if you are or were an "A" or "B" player!!!  Our goal(s) for this is to get
better, pure and simple, and have a blast learning the game.  If we win a game or two, that's great but we are not going to skip shifts or "not play" someone in crucial situations...Kids can try new positions, new skills and still COMPETE!  But, if you make a mistake and get scored on or miss something, we are going to teach/ instruct you as to options for doing things differently and then go back out and LEARN and play!!!

Its all about getting better!!!  It's all about having fun getting better!!!  Its all about taking care of Crookston kids for now and into the future!

I would like to thank our Crookston Blueline Club for their support and desire to begin the Player Development committee which has been meeting now about once a week since approximately March!  It takes a lot of time and willingness to complete the administrational framework so that each of the 4 area's of this program are successful!

We are taking baby steps but we're moving forward and having a blast from adults to kids!!!  Right now we are working on:

1)  Getting more games for each level this summer

2)  Getting ice time for on ice skills

3)  Completing the program for off ice training for this summer

Again, NO ONE from our program will be excluded if they want to be involved...just make sure you register on the BLC web site or contact one of the BLC Player Development Committee members (Jon Bittner, Brad
Brekken, Jason Wardner and Craig Morgan) to answer questions and get you involved.  Do you have to do this program to play hockey during the regular season and with our Crookston Parks and Rec program?  Absolutely not...but this is for those who would like to do MORE...for less...and help our players get better and, in turn, improve our entire program having fun doing it!

Thanks so much to everyone who is involved and who is administrating the program. Thanks to the players and parents as we had a great weekend! 

There will be an orientation meeting for summer off ice/ on ice and teams on Monday, 6/9/08 @ 6:30 PM at a site TBD.  We will let you folks know via the KROX/ the Times/ BLC web site and other outlets where that meeting will take place.

Thanks much Frank and the folks from our youth hockey program...we got better this weekend and had a ball!!!

Jon Bittner”

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Another e-mail:

“OH BROTHER, NOT AGAIN..

What do tennis and hockey have in common?

Not much would be the likely answer, but the correct answer is "brothers". This year the hockey team had 3 sets of brothers and so does this years boys varsity tennis team. Same as the hockey, there are 3 seniors and 3 sophomores.

Two of the sets are the same, with Josh and Alex Prudhomme and Luke and Nick Biermaier, but we have now added Josh and Zach Mercil into the tennis mix.
All 6 of these kids started playing tennis for the Pirates in 7^th grade. They have all played Park & Rec tennis in the summer. All 6 of have also played hockey until a couple years ago when Josh Mercil decided to pursue some of his other interests, skateboarding and art. The others still play for the Pirates.

Josh Mercil didn't play tennis the last couple of seasons as he was an instrumental part in getting the skate park up and running in Crookston. He was in on the ground floor of this huge undertaking and very busy with fundraising and the planning stages in making this a reality for future skateboarders. Josh also has an interest in art and will be attending the state competition for art next month. His art piece received a perfect score at the high school level. He also recently took 2nd place in Roseau in an art expo. He isn't entirely sure what his future plans holds. Depending on the outcome in the state competition, he could possibly be attending the Art Institute in Minneapolis when he graduates in a couple weeks. But, if any of you know Josh, you know he'll do great and make his own mark in the world. Zach is a sophomore he plays hockey and he's followed his brothers' lead in skateboarding also. He's a strong competitive player and whether he's on the tennis court in the hockey rink or perfecting his jumps on the skateboard he's out to be the best he can
be.

Some of you might already know, but Mercil's and Biermaier's are also first cousins. And even if they might not like to admit it at times, families do matter. The younger brothers do look up to the older ones. The young guys liked what they saw in the sports their older brothers choose and they decided to follow in their footsteps, or maybe it's just a guy, sibling, competitive thing?! Whatever the reason, it works for them.

This probably won't happen again in Crookston for a long time and if you didn't make it to the arena this past winter to see the Prudhomme, Biermaier and Terpstra brothers play hockey, you still have a little time to check out the tennis courts before the seniors are done. And who knows you just might see the Prudhomme, Biermaier and Mercil brothers playing first, second and third doubles.”

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Tournaments start next week for Minnesota High School spring sports!!! Here is a look at some at the ones Crookston and others will be in. We have ALL SECTION 8AA and SECTION 8A Spring Sports Tournament schedules and information for you:

BOY'S TENNIS

There are only seven teams in Section 8A this year, so there is NO north/south sub-sections, just ONE Section 8A Team and Individual Tournament.

The seven teams are:  Crookston, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Park Rapids, Perham, Thief River Falls and Wadena-Deer Creek

The coaches will be seeding TONIGHT (Wednesday-May 14th) in Mahnomen. Crookston thinks they have a good case to be the number one seed ahead of Thief River Falls. It should be an interesting seeding meeting!!!

The TEAM tournament will have first round games on, Tuesday, May 20^th at the higher seeds. The number one seed will get a first round bye and on Tuesday, May 20th at 4:30 PM;
#7 will play at #2,  #6 at #3 and #5 at #4

Then EVERYTHING MOVES TO CROOKSTON, who will use the High School, Schuster and Highland courts:

Section 8A Semi-finals will be Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 AM withthe #5/4 winner playing the #1 seed and at the same time the #7/2 winner plays the #6/3 winner.
The Section 8A TEAM Championship will be about 1:00 PM and the winner advances to the Minnesota State TEAM Tournament

The Section 8A INDIVIDUAL Tournament consists of each team having two singles and two doubles playing down to the top two singles and top two doubles team advancing to state.

On Wednesday, May 21st the first round of Individuals will be played IMMEDIATELY following the Section 8A Team Championship, about 3:00 PM.

The Semi-Finals and Finals plus ANY TRUE SECOND MATCHES will be held on Thursday, May 22nd also in Crookston starting about 1:00 PM.

The Minnesota State Boy's Tennis Tournament is June 3-6th and the Class A will be at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis

The Section 8A TEAM winner will play the Section 7A winner in the first round on June 3rd at 10:00 AM and are in the same bracket as Section 1 and 6.
Eveleth-Gilbert in Section 7 is ranked, while Rochester Lourdes and Waseca are ranked in Section 1 and Foley in Section 6 is also ranked.

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BOY'S & GIRL'S GOLF

This the first year for THREE CLASSES of golf in Minnesota and Crookston is included in Section 8AA.

The format for the Section 8AA Golf Meets are a little strange in that they more or less let everybody play in the Sub-Sections and then pare it down for the Section 8AA Meet a week later on the same courses.

Section 8AA GIRL'S consists of:
Breckenridge, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, East Grand Forks, Frazee, Fergus Falls, Hawley, Park Rapids, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley and Warroad.

Section 8AA BOY'S consists of:
Breckenridge, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Frazee, Hawley, Park Rapids, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley and Warroad.

Each team can have six golfers participate in the Sub-Section Meets, which will be held on Tuesday, May 20th:

The girl's will play at the Wildflower Golf Course, which is about 10-12 miles southwest of Detroit Lakes. It’s a par 72 course that will play about 5,301 yards for the girls.

The boy's will play at Long Bow Golf Course, six miles north of Walker that is an 18 holes, 6500 yard course that is a par 72.

The SUB-SECTION Tournament will play 18 holes and the top SIX TEAMS and the top 12 INDIVIDUALS NOT ON THE TOP SIX TEAMS will advance to the Section 8AA Meet which will be on Tuesday, May 27th at the SAME COURSES for each.

From the Section 8AA meet the top TEAM and the top FIVE INDIVIDUALS NOT on the winning team will advance to the Minnesota State Meet, which will be held June 5 & 6 at The Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan.

Crookston boy's finished 3rd in the State Class A meet last year
Roseau girl's finished 5thin the State Class A meet last year


CLASS A BOY'S AND GIRL'S GOLF

Section 8A golf is divided into two sub-sections

North
Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, Kittson County Central, Lake of the Woods (BOY'S ONLY), Red Lake County, Stephen-Argyle, Tri-County-Marshall County Central and Warren-Alvarado-Oslo

South
Bagley, Cass Lake-Bena, Climax-Fisher, Fertile-Beltrami, Fosston, Red Lake, Win-E-Mac

Sub-Section Meets are on Monday, May 19th
North at Roseau
South at Thief River Falls

The sub-section champion and runner up will advance to the Section 8A meet and the top 10 golfers WHO ARE NOT ON THE TWO TEAMS

Section 8A meet on May 27th at Bemidji's Town & Country Club

Top team and the top five players NOT on the winning team advance to the Minnesota State Class A Golf Meet which is June 4 & 5 at Pebble Creek Golf Course in Becker

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GIRL'S FASTPITCH SOFTBALL

The Section 8AA Tournament will start on Tuesday, May 20th.

Section 8AA consists of two Sub-Sections:
North
Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Park Rapids, Roseau, Thief River Falls and Warroad

South
Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, Frazee, Ottertail Central, Pelican Rapids, Perham, Staples-Motley and Wadena-Deer Creek

The teams are to be seeded using a points ratio.  During the season, they have been getting one point for a win over a Class A team, two points for a win over at Class AA team and three points over a Class AAA win, while you receive no points for a loss. 
You then take the total number of points and divide them by the total number of games played and you have a ratio.

Crookston had a big three point win over Bemidji on Monday and after having the doubleheader with Roseau canceled for good (Third time they tried to play) on Tuesday, certainly didn’t help either Crookston or Roseau to lose a possible four points.

THIS IS WHAT I’VE COME UP WITH as far as point ratio’s for the eight teams in the North.. AGAIN, I’VE COME UP and NOT OFFICIAL. There are a number of teams playing games on Saturday that will count and some playing doubleheaders on Saturday, so the seeds and pairings probably won’t come out UNTIL SUNDAY for a Tournament THAT STARTS TUESDAY!!!!

Ratio’s through Monday’s games APPEAR TO BE LIKE THIS:
Thief River Falls-1.429
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton - 1.250
Detroit Lakes & Crookston - 1.143
Warroad - .929
Park Rapids - .833
Roseau - .667
East Grand Forks - .438

IF this held true, Crookston could finish anywhere from second to fourth and would get a home game for the first round with Warroad, Park Rapids or possibly Roseau, but AGAIN UNOFFICIAL and Crookston could really help their cause with a win over D-G-F on Friday in Crookston.

First Round will be on May 20th in each sub-section
#8 seed plays at #1,  #5 at #4, #7 at #2 and #6 at #3

the EIGHT LOSERS on May 20th WILL BE ELIMINATED

While the EIGHT WINNERS then advance and IT'S ALL DOUBLE ELIMINATION from then on!!!!

Thursday, May 22nd will be the next rounds:
North - 2nd and 3rd rounds at Thief River Falls
South - 2nd and 3rd rounds at Frazee

Saturday, May 24th will be the 4th, 5th and semi-finals all at Thief River Falls

Thursday, May 29th will be the Championship game or games if necessary at a SITE TO BE DETERMINED depending on who is playing

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton is the defending Section champion.

The Minnesota State Girl's Softball Tournament is June 5 & 6th in North Mankato and Section 8AA will play Section 7AA in the first round at 1:00 PM on June 5^th.


CLASS A GIRL'S SOFTBALL

Section 8A softball is divided into East and West and then into four sub-sections:

Northwest
Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, Kittson County Central, Marshall County Central-Tri-County, Red Lake County Central and Red Lake Falls

Southwest
Ada-Borup, Fertile-Beltrami, Norman County West and Sacred Heart

Northeast
Blackduck, Indus, Kelliher-Northome, Lake of the Woods and Red Lake

Southeast
Bagley, Fosston, Norman County East-Ulen-Hitterdal, Waubun and Win-E-Mac

First Round -  May 20th at High Seeds

Then play down to three teams in the West and three teams in the East on May 22nd
East  at  Twin Valley  and  West  at Sacred Heart

The Finals are May 28th and 29th  at  Red Lake Falls

Sacred Heart is the defending Section 8A Champion and lost twice at state last year, including 2-1 in their consolation game.

The Minnesota State Class A Tournament is June 5 & 6th at North Mankato
The Section 8A winner will play Section 5A winner at 1:00 PM on June
5th
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BOY'S AND GIRL'S TRACK

Section 8A Track is divided into THREE SUB-SECTIONS

Sub-section 29
Bagley-Fosston, Cass Lake-Bena, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Kelliher-Northome-Blackduck, Mahnomen-Waubun, Nevis, Park Rapids, Red Lake County and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley

Sub-section 30
Ada-Borup, Climax-Fisher-Sacred Heart, Crookston, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, East Grand Forks, Fertile-Beltrami, Hawley-Ulen-Hitterdal, Lake Park-Audubon and Park Christian (Moorhead)

Sub-section 31
Badger-Greenbush-Middle River-Tri-County, Goodridge, Grygla, Lake of the Woods, Marshall County Central, Roseau, Thief River Falls, Warroad and West Marshall (Stephen-Argyle-Warren-Alvarado-Oslo)

All three Sub-section meets will be on Thursday, May 22nd starting at 3:30 PM
Sub 29  will be in Park Rapids
Sub 30  will be in Ada
Sub 31  will be in Roseau

The top five in each event advance to the Section 8A meet
The top five PLUS ANY TIES in the field events advance to the Section
The top two relay teams advance to the Section PLUS the next two fastest times taken from the three sub sections.

Section 8A Track Meet will be held in Thief River Falls on Saturday, May 31st starting at 11:00 AM.
The top two in each event and top relay teams advance to the Minnesota State Meet, which will be held on June 6 and 7th at Hamline University in St. Paul.
A contestant or relay team can also qualify for the State Meet by what they call QUALIFYING BY STANDARD. For instance, the qualifying standard for the 100 dash for Class A boy's is 11.42.  The top two in the Section 8A 100 dash boys advance and If ANY other runner has a time of 11.42 OR BETTER will also advance to state.

The Section 8A meet future sites are:
2009 -  Warren
2010 -  Park Rapids
2011 -  Baudette
2012 -  Crookston
2013 -  Roseau
2014 -  Mahnomen
2015 -  Walker

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BASEBALL

The Section 8AA is made up of 16 teams and divided into North and South

North Sub-section
Bagley, Crookston, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Park Rapids, Roseau, Thief River Falls and Warroad

South Sub-section
Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, Frazee, Ottertail Central, Pelican Rapids, Pequot Lakes, Perham and Wadena-Deer Creek

The first round of the Section will be on Thursday, May 29 at thehighest seeds for both sub-sections:
#8 at #1,  #5 at #4, #7 at #2 and #6 at #3

The second Round (Quarterfinals) will be on Saturday, May 31st at Higher Seeds in each sub-section

THEN the Section tournament goes to DOUBLE ELIMINATION

The Semi-Finals will be on Tuesday, June 3rd at Breckenridge

Finals will be on Thursday, June 5th AT SITE TO BE DETERMINED
IF NECESSARY another Championship game COULD be played on Friday, June 6^th

The Minnesota State Class AA Tournament will be held June 12 and 13 in St. Cloud at the Dick Putz and Joe Faber Baseball Fields.
Section 8AA will play Section 6AA in the first round game at 10:00 AM at Faber Field on June 12^th.

Park Rapids is defending Section champion and the Panthers were the consolation champions at State last year.


CLASS A BASEBALL

Section 8A baseball is divided into West and East Sub-sections:

West
Ada-Borup-Norman County West, Badger-Greenbush-Middle River, Fertile-Beltrami, Kittson County Central, Marshall County Central-Tri-County-Stephen-Argyle, Norman County East-Ulen-Hitterdal,
Red Lake County, Sacred Heart, Waubun and Win-E-Mac

East
Blackduck, Cass Lake-Bena, Fosston, Kelliher-Northome, Lake of the Woods, Laporte, Nevis, Red Lake and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley

Three play in games and first round games will be on May 27th at the High Seeds

Sub-Section semi-finals and final will be on May 29th
West at  East Grand Forks
East  at  Bemidji State

Two teams from each sub-section advance to the Section 8A meet

Section semi-finals June 3rd at Bemidji State

Section championship on June 5th at Bemidji State

Red Lake County (Red Lake Falls/Oklee-Plummer) is defending Section champions and took third place last year at state.

The winner advances to the Minnesota State Class A which will be June 12 & 13 in
Jordan and Chaska

The Section 8A winner will play the Section 5A winner at 10:00 AM in Chaska on June 12th
- - - -

Crookston’s Allison Schumacher will be signing a Letter of Intent this week to attend Jamestown College where she will play Volleyball and Basketball for the Jimmies. Allison was a member of the Crookston Pirate girl’s basketball team that finished 3^rd at the State Class AA Tournament this past winter and also was a member of the State runner up team her sophomore year. She was a captain in volleyball and led the Pirates from the back row with digs and was near the top in most categories, which reflected her overall play.

- - - -

Three Red Lake County baseball players have signed letters of intent with Northland College in Thief River Falls.
Casey Cardinal, Nolan Knott and Jeff Weiss signed their two-year intents with Pioneer head coach Steve Gust last Thursday morning in Red Lake Falls.
“All three of them were at the top of our recruiting list as three of the area’s best ball players,” Gust said. “We’re delighted to have them join what we expect to be a very good Northland baseball team next
season.”
The three helped Red Lake County to a third place finish at last year’s Minnesota state baseball tournament. They also led the Red Lake Falls American Legion team to a third place state finish a year ago.
“They have a lot of talent, but just as important, they have a lot of desire. That’s something you can’t teach.”
Cardinal is an all-conference catcher with one of the area’s top bats.
“We expect Casey to contribute right away,” Gust said. “If he works hard at it, he can be an impact player.”
Weiss is a shortstop and right-handed pitcher.
“Jeff is an all-around good athlete. We can never have enough athletes on the team,” Gust said. “He gives us some good depth up the middle.”
Knott is a hard-throwing right handed pitcher.
“Anytime we can sign a guy who throws in the 80s, it’s a good thing,” Gust said. “He can throw with the best of them, but he’ll have to learn how to pitch better to succeed at this level. He has the potential to be one of our top pitchers.”
Northland Community College by the way is coming off one of its best seasons on record. The Pioneers
finished with a school record 27 wins and captured second place at the Minnesota Community Conference state tourney and third at the NJCAA Region 13 tourney.
It was Northland’s first appearance in the regional tourney since 1994.

- - - -

North Dakota State head women's soccer coach Pete Cuadrado has announced the addition of Christie Chappell as assistant coach for the 2008 season. Chappell replaces Randy Jewett, who accepted a job
as the Director of Coaching for Red River Soccer in Fargo.
Chappell was a graduate assistant at St. Cloud State last season after playing semi-professional soccer with the FC Muri in Muri, Switzerland, in 2007. She previously served as an assistant coach with the women's soccer team at Minnesota-Crookston in 2006, where she also was a captain and four year starter for Minnesota-Crookston.

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The Crookston Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will host their 27^th Annual Texas Scramble Golf Tournament at the Minakwa Golf Course in Crookston.
It will be Saturday, June 21, 2008 with registration deadline at NOON on Friday, June 20^th.
It’s a best ball format and for ages 18 and over.
Entry fee: $50.00, which includes your green fees, coffee and rolls, lunch, soft drinks on the course, door prizes (Merchandise Prizes, Most Accurate Drive and Closest to the Pin) and ALL THE PROCEEDS go to the FCA, which are used for the Crookston High School and University of Minnesota, Crookston FCA huddles during the school year.
Mail entries to: Ed Amiot, 112 South Main Street, Crookston, MN., 56716
For more information contact in Crookston: Ed Amiot, Bob Johnson, Scott Kleven, Ardell Knudsvig, Joe Lessard, Lee Meier, Rod Olson or John Scheving.

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UMC women’s basketball coach, Mike Roysland has put together the First annual UMC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SHOOTING AND SCORING CAMP  that will run June 10-12. The camp will be split into two groups:  3-6 graders that will run from 1 to 3 p.m. while 7-12 graders will be from 10 a.m. to Noon.   Kelly Roysland, a former Gopher and also Leslie Knight, who just completed her senior season at the University of Minnesota and was a member of the Gopher team that made it to the NCAA Tournament this year will be at the camp all three days along with UMC’s Jamie Zelinsky who was named NSIC co-newcomer of the year this year. The camp will be June 10-13th and will be for girl’s in grades 3-12. For more information on the camp contact Mike Roysland at 218-281-8416 or email roysland@umn.edu.

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The Crookston Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Free Tennis Block Party!  Saturday, May 17^th at the Highland Courts.  Join, United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis Professional, Jesse Christianson.  Prizes and fun for all kids and all skill levels.  10:00 1^st-3^rd grade; 11:00 4^th-6^th grade; 12:00 7-9^th grade. This is a USTA event.

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Not sure yet WHO will be coming, but the Minnesota Wild Summer Caravan will be in Crookston on Tuesday, June 10^th from 4:00-5:00 PM at the Crookston Arena. More on what will happen forthcoming.
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Stephen-Argyle coaches are having an OLD COACHES REUNION Golf and Social on Thursday, June 26^th from NOON to midnight at the Riverside Golf Course in Stephen.
This is from the flyer:
Old Coaches always say the thing they miss the most about coaching is getting together with other coaches and sharing experiences. So join us to share old stories, tell lies, blame the refs and have fun.
Includes: Old coaches, young coaches, retired coaches, active coaches, inactive coaches, wannabe coaches, referees, officials, A.D.’s, sportscasters, sportswriters and whoever else is interested.
Medal Tourney and two man scramble. Hole in one for a Harley Motorcycle
All day golf for a 9 hole price
Special discounts for coaches wearing: SanKnit Shorts, Knee High stripped socks or ripple soled SpotBilt white shoes!!!!
To register or more information contact:
Kevin Kuznia 218-478-3314 or kkuznia@sac.k12.mn.us
Mark Kroulik markkroulik@sac.k12.mn.us
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The Twins Community Fund announced this week its 2008 Twins Youth Clinics schedule. A total of 35 communities including Crookston throughout the Upper Midwest will host free clinics in 2008.

The Twins Youth clinic will be in Crookston on Wednesday, July 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Jim Karn Field.

The clinics will also be in the area at:
Karlstad on June 27^th
Grand Forks on June 28^th
Fosston on July 3^rd
Moorhead on July 18th

The Twins Youth Clinics program provides boys and girls from throughout the Upper Midwest with the opportunity to enhance their baseball and softball skills, while also hearing positive messages about staying in school and away from drugs and alcohol. Twins Youth Clinics are funded and administered by the Twins Community Fund. Clinics are open to boys and girls ages 6 to 16 and divided into two 90-minute sessions; the first for 6 to 9 year olds and the second for 10 to 16 year olds. Clinics will focus on hitting, fielding and throwing. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children. The Twins Youth Clinics program was created in 1961 by longtime Twins scout Angelo Giuliani. Since then, more than one million Upper Midwest and Southwest Florida youth have participated in a Twins Youth Clinic.

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They are looking for some items from the 1988 Crookston Boys Basketball team that made it to state run for their reunion.
“I am a 1988 graduate from CHS and am currently helping to organize our 20^th class reunion.  If memory serves, the boy’s basketball team went to State that year and took 3^rd place.  I would be very grateful for any stats, pictures, articles or other resources you may have or are able suggest regarding the 1988 Boys State Basketball Tournament.   

If you can help Lori out email at lnystad@pcphealth.org

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From the Crookston High School boy’s soccer coach, Don Cox,

“I am coordinating the arrangements for a weeklong British soccer camp in Crookston the week of June 9-13.  We just got the online registration link activated on the CYSA web site.  I'm looking for a way to let the community know about the camp and about the registration link. 
Here is what I'd like to get out to the community:
 
Crookston Youth Soccer is hosting a British soccer camp in Crookston June 9-13,2008.  Go to www.crookstonsoccer.com to find the link to the online registration or you may get a registration form by contacting one of the board members listed on the web site.”

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Jay Thoreson (Former Crookston Pirate) is the Fargo, ND director of Christian Hockey Camps International.  The camp this summer is July 6 - 11.  Three boys from Crookston attended last year and had a great week.  Call Jay at 701-429-7829 or go to www.hockeyministries.org for more information.

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Warroad is having a 3 on 3 basketball Tournament on June 7, 2008

Boy’s and Girl’s Divisions: 5^th/6^th, 7^th/8^th, 9^th/10^th and 11^th/12^th
$50.00 per team (must have 4 players per team) and each team guaranteed 3 games.
Contact Darin Spenst 218-689-0201 and forms on are their website: www.warroadbasketball.com

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Wadena-Deer Creek is also having a 3 on 3 Wolverine Basketball Weekend on June 29^th.
Boys and girls divisions from grade 5 through ADULT divisions. They play outdoors at Pearl Park, right next to the local pool in Wadena. $50/ team get’s you a minimum of 4 games.
Travis Hensch, the head boy’s basketball coach at Wadena-DC is Tournament Director and say’s you can find more details and a registration form at: www.wdc2155.k12.mn.us

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The 2008 15^th Annual Lace’em up Basketball Camp will be held in Red Lake Falls June 2-6^th this year.
For any boys and girls from any community who are in Grades K-11 as of the 2007-08 school year.
Students currently in Grades 6-11 will attend camp from 8-11:30 AM
Students currently in K-6 will go from NOON to 3:30 PM. (6^th graders have option of coming to either session and can attend BOTH for just one price)
Steve Philion in Red Lake Falls says the camp stresses fundamental and include numerous games, contests, stations, skull session and many other basketball skills.
Cost: $50.00 and if it is paid before May 15, 2008, the camper receives a free camp T-Shirt. Maximum of $100.00 for a family. Send your registration to:
Steve Philion
518 Champagne Avenue
Red Lake Falls, MN., 56750
218-253-2499

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Some e mails:

Rude Parrot
David received a parrot for his birthday. This parrot was fully grown with a bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was an expletive. Those that weren't expletives were, to say the least, rude.

David tried to change the bird's attitude and was constantly saying polite words, playing soft music, anything he could think of to try and set a good example. Nothing worked. He yelled at the bird and the bird got worse. He shook the bird and the bird became angrier and even more rude.

Finally in a moment of desperation, David put the parrot in the freezer. For a few moments he heard the bird squawking and kicking and screaming then suddenly there was quiet. David was frightened that he might have actually hurt the bird and quickly opened the freezer door.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto David's extended arm and said, "I'm sorry that I might have offended you with my language and actions and ask for your forgiveness. I will endeavor to correct my behavior."

David was astounded at the bird's change in attitude, and was just about to ask what had made such a drastic change, when the parrot continued,

"Now, if I may ask, what did the chicken do?"

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No Tapping
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window.

For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, “Look mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!”

The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.”

The driver replied, “Its okay, that’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver. I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.”

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How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
**** LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST *****

Jake Sanders is a freshman who plays golf for UMC. Jake played in the NCAA Central Super Regional in Findlay, Ohio. Jake had rounds of 76, 76 and 80 and finished 16 over par for the three day meet and finished 26^th overall.

Travis Ross is a sophomore who golf’s at St. Cloud State. The Huskies team and Travis played in the NCAA Northwest Super Regional in California. The Huskies finished fifth as a team, while Travis shot rounds of 73, 73, 76 and was just five over par for the meet and finished in Seventh Place!!!

Mike Hastings is the head coach/general manager/Owner of the Omaha Lancers in the United States Junior Hockey League (USHL). The Lancers won their seventh Clark Cup championship, and their third title under coach Mike Hastings in a 4-3 overtime win over Waterloo and won the series three games to two, and this goes with claiming this year's Anderson Cup championship as regular season winners.

In addition to earning the league post-season title with the five-game triumph, the Lancers became the Tier I Junior national champions, the team's first national championship since earning the Junior A national crown in 2001.

Elizabeth Crane is a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and a member of the Bulldog track team. Elizabeth and the Bulldogs competed in the North Central Conference LAST TRACK MEET.
She was 6^th in the Shot Put (40-7), 9^th in the Hammer Throw (130-9) and 20^th in the Discus (96-10).

Lee Sims is a senior at Wisconsin-Superior and a member of their track team. Lee participated in the University of Wisconsin in Madison meet last weekend and finished 10^th in the 800 run (1:58.68)

Barbora Ungermannova is a junior at North Dakota State and participates in track. She and the Bison will compete in the Summit Conference Meet this weekend in Macomb, Illinois.

Amanda Bakken is a sophomore at Concordia College in Moorhead and a member of the Cobber track team. They were in the MIAC Conference outdoor meet at Hamline last weekend. Amanda’s 15-4 ¼ in the long jump did not qualify for the finals and she jumped 32-9 in the triple jump and did not get in the finals.

Emily Kanten is a freshman at Concordia College in Moorhead and a member of the Cobber track team. Emily ran the 1,500 meter race in a time of 5:27.69 in the MIAC Conference outdoor meet last weekend and did not place.

Amy (Boll) Huie is an assistant track coach at Crookston High School

Tyler Brekken is an assistant track coach at Crookston High School

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

Chris Trostad is an assistant baseball coach at Crookston High School

Jason Kuehn is head girl’s golf coach at Howard Lake-Waverly

Ted Hasz is the head baseball coach at Pine City

Jeff Olson is assistant baseball coach at Delano

Jake Olson is a junior high baseball coach at Delano

Erik Ellingson is serving our country in the U.S. Air Force in Germany

Brandon Pankow is serving our country with the Army in Iraq

Marc Schultz is serving our country with the Army in El Paso, Texas

Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School

Jay Thoreson is the Fargo, ND director of Christian Hockey Camps International.  The camp this summer is July 6 - 11. Call Jay at 701-429-7829 or go to www.hockeyministries.org for more information.

Brian Schumacher  is coaching the Crookston Youth Basketball Association (CYBA) 9th grade girls

Jim Reitmeier  is coaching the CYBA 7th grade girls

Eric Samuelson  is coaching the CYBA 6th grade girls

Allison Schumacher  is coaching the CYBA 4th grade boys

Dan Cymbaluk is coaching the CYBA 9th grade boys

Scott Riopelle is with the Crookston Parks and Recreation and manager of the Crookston arenas.

Jon Oman is the coordinator of media relations and marketing with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College

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

Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome

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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.  Email Frank at ffee@rrv.net.

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