Welcome to another Sports Feever column. As I finish up this weeks column, I am in Dallas getting ready to see if KROX will win the Marconi Award for the best Small Market Radio station in the country at the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Show. We are one of five finalists along with KFGO in Fargo. If we win, it will be pretty awesome. If we don’t win, it will still be pretty awesome. I have had several meetings as a Minnesota Broadcasters Association Board of Director and have met with other companies and have taken in seminars looking to make KROX better.
Thanks to everybody that has emailed, texted and called wishing KROX good luck. We will need it against the stiff competition we are going against.
Thanks for reading. We have a lot of info in this weeks column.
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Crookston’s Paul Bittner has had a wild ride this past week. The Columbus Blue Jackets waived him with the intent to play for the Cleveland Monsters and on Tuesday he found out he and eight other players were recalled to play in the preseason game Wednesday night! Paul had a great exit interview with the Jackets brass and he is looking forward to showing off his skills as he tries to make the big show.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled nine players from the Cleveland Monsters, Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today. The training camp roster now stands at 37 players, including 22 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders.
The Blue Jackets recalled forwards Paul Bittner, Zac Dalpe, Nathan Gerbe, Nikita Korostelev, Kole Sherwood and Kevin Stenlund along with defensemen Gabriel Carlsson and Anton Karlsson and goaltender Veini Vehvilainen from the Monsters.
Columbus, 2-2-0 in preseason play, returns to action tonight when it visits the Buffalo Sabres. Game time from KeyBank Center is 7 p.m. ET.
The Blue Jackets open their 19th regular season vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, October 4. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 7 p.m. ET.
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This week is a huge weekend for Crookston Pirate football and University of Minnesota Crookston football.
Crookston is looking for their first win after a hellish first four games with two ranked teams. They had a close game with East Grand Forks and West Central Area, but were hammered by Pillager and Barnesville. Crookston will take on winless Hawley on Friday and it is a MUST win for both teams. The winner will have a chance to move out of the basement of Section 8AA and actually move up a few spots to #5. The loser will stay in last place and will likely have a date with Barnesville in the first round of the playoffs, which nobody will want to do. Both teams struggle with speed and getting off the ball so it should be an interesting game.
UMC is also winless through three games and will host Minot State, a team UMC beat last year in Minot. This is a huge game for UMC because if they don’t win, they will likely have to wait until their final game to get a win. If the Golden Eagles win, you could see them having a chance in games against three or four other teams, including Upper Iowa, Northern State, and Mary. Having Minot State at home and coming off a decent performance in the mud last weekend, the chances for getting a homecoming win look promising.
Speaking of promising, I spotted the UMC Vice Chancellor taking pictures of the UMC football field after the game on Saturday and I am hoping he sent the pics to the U of M world headquarters. Some of the problem is the Red River Valley dirt that we have and while it is great for farming and growing grass, it creates a muddy mess when it rains and football games are played on the field.
The UMC facilities staff has been seeding, aerating and working hard on the field to make it playable for this weekends game and UMC Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson said the field is looking better.
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Last Friday was a challenging night for a lot of high school administration, football coaches, football players and fans with severe weather going through the area and a lot of lightning.
KROX’s Football broadcast team was in Barnesville for the Crookston vs Barnesville game on Friday night and lightning struck about 20 minutes before the game was scheduled to start. The game finally got going at 8:00 p.m., an hour after the scheduled kickoff.
I would like to commend Barnesville Activities Director Todd Hendrickson and all of his staff, including the Public Address Announcer and the trainer they had from Essentia Health. They did a perfect job of making sure the players, fans and everybody else were safe after the first lightning strike within the area was spotted. They immediately cleared the field, the stands (much to the dismay of the fans) and did everything they needed to do to protect everybody. It is never an easy decision to delay a game, but they did everything the right way and I wanted to make sure we pointed it out in this weeks column.
Hats off to the Barnesville staff and football event workers……now if you could only do something about the football team being better hosts and not beating up on the Pirates it would have been a perfect night;)
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We are officially over halfway through the high school football regular season. We only have a couple of weeks until the tennis and soccer playoffs start and football, volleyball, swimming and cross country will follow.
This week we will take a look at the area football standings – (All QRF standings from www.minnesota-scores.net). Next week we will have volleyball and soccer.
SECTION 8AA FOOTBALL –
| Team | QRF | Record |
| 1. Barnesville | 40.4 | 4-0 |
| 2. Pelican Rapids | 36.1 | 3-1 |
| 3. Frazee | 25.9 | 2-2 |
| 4. Warroad | 20.2 | 2-2 |
| 5. Bagley | 9.9 | 1-3 |
| 6. United N. Central | 9.0 | 1-3 |
| 7. Crookston | 6.6 | 0-4 |
| 7. Hawley | 6.6 | 0-4 |
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SECTION 8A FOOTBALL
| Team | QRF | Record |
| 1. Mahnomen-Waubun | 46.4 | 4-0 |
| 2. Ada-Borup/West | 38.7 | 3-1 |
| 3. Polk County West | 35.1 | 3-1 |
| 4. Red Lake County | 19.6 | 2-2 |
| 5. Cass Lake-Bena | 9.7 | 1-3 |
| 6. Red Lake | 3.5 | 0-4 |
| 7. Fosston | 2.9 | 0-4 |
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SECTION 8 9-MAN
| Team | QRF | Record |
| 1. North Central | 27.9 | 4-0 |
| 2. Stephen-Argyle | 22.2 | 3-1 |
| 3. Warren-A-O | 20.5 | 3-1 |
| 4. Kittson Co. Central | 18.7 | 3-1 |
| 5. Badger-Greenbush-MR | 15.5 | 2-2 |
| 6. Lake of the Woods | 11.2 | 2-2 |
| 7. Googridge/Grygla | 8.0 | 1-3 |
| 8. Northern Freeze | 2.6 | 0-4 |
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SECTION 6 9-MAN
| Team | QRF | Record |
| 1. Win-E-Mac | 28.9 | 4-0 |
| 2. Blackduck | 22.3 | 4-0 |
| 3. Fertile-Beltrami | 20.0 | 3-1 |
| 4. Nevis | 12.0 | 2-2 |
| 4. Park Christian | 12.0 | 2-2 |
| 6. Norman Co. East/UH | 11.9 | 1-3 |
| 7. Clearbrook-Gonvick | 3.1 | 0-4 |
| 8. Laporte | 3.1 | 0-4 |
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SECTION 8AAA
| Team | QRF | Record |
| 1. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton | 52.1 | 4-0 |
| 2. Perham | 48.9 | 4-0 |
| 3. Pequot Lakes | 36.9 | 2-2 |
| 4. Fergus Falls | 24.7 | 1-3 |
| 5. Roseau | 24.6 | 2-2 |
| 6. East Grand Forks | 21.4 | 2-2 |
| 7. Thief River Falls | 11.1 | 0-4 |
| 8. Park Rapids | 6.8 | 0-4 |
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Dave Peterson has provided us with the District 9 and the Northwest District football stats again this week. They are listed below.
CLICK HERE For the Northwest District stats
For the District 9 stats, CLICK HERE
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On Saturday at the Crookston Pirate Volleyball Invitational, I was talking to Warroad Volleyball coach Jeremy Culleton. We were chatting and got talking about Grant Slukynsky. The outstanding Warroad Boys hockey player has committed to Northern Michigan after he scored 25 goals and added 27 assists last year.
I would like to congratulate Slukynsky on the commitment and it was great to hear from Coach Culleton that Grant is a great kid and student too! Easy to cheer for a kid when you are the complete trifecta.
If you’re not familiar, Slukynsky is the great-grandson of Cal Marvin.
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Warroad’s Hannah Corneliusen recently committed to play hockey at Merrimack College. Another D-1 commitment for a Warroad Warrior hockey player!
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Head coach Mike Roysland and the University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program announced their 2019-20 schedule earlier this month.
The question of the season will be…….How will the Golden Eagles fill the void of the loss of Caitlin Michaelis and Isieoma Odor.
Returners – Stephanie McWilliams (Sr., G, Grand Forks, N.D.), Paige Weakley (Sr., G/F, Kearney, Neb.) and Abby Guidinger (Jr., F, Waukesha, Wis.), Kylie Post (So., G, Corcoran), Bren Fox (So., C, Norwood Young America) and Paige Cornale (So., G, Oak Creek, Wis.). Are all of the above returners ready to be a CONSISTENT scoring option?
Since the Northern Sun Conference switched to a North and South division it has been beneficial to UMC, especially for travel. Playing Minot State, Mary, Duluth, and Bemidji State twice a year is much better for the travel.
The schedule is below –
October
30 – Concordia College (Exhibition)
November
1 – At North Dakota State (Exhibition)
8 – Nebraska-Kearney (at Kearney)
9 – Northwest Missouri State (at Kearney)
16 – Hawaii-Pacific (in Honolulu)
17 – Chaminade University (in Honolulu)
30 – Bemidji State (NSIC season starts)
December
6 – at Minnesota State Moorhead
7 – at Northern State University
13 – Augustana
14 – Wayne State
21 – at Bemidji State
January
3 – at St. Cloud State
4 – at University of Minnesota Duluth
10 – Northern State University
11 – Minnesota State Moorhead
17 – at Winona State Univesity
18 – at Upper Iowa University
24 – University of Mary
25 – Minot State University
31 – Southwest Minnesota State
February
1 – University of Sioux Falls
7 – at Minnesota State Mankato
8 – at Concordia St. Paul
14 – at University of Mary
15 – at University of Mary
21 – University of Minnesota Duluth
22 – St. Cloud State University
26 – First round of NSIC tourney
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The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) is proud to announce its strategic plan for 2019-24. The plan includes a revised mission along with a focused vision statement for the league. The strategic plan reflects the NSIC’s current values and is built around strategic positioning outcome areas, with goals and action steps to achieve those objectives.
“This new strategic plan is the roadmap for the NSIC to follow for the next half-decade,” said NSIC Commissioner Erin Lind. “I would like to thank our board of directors, all of the administrators, coaches, and student-athletes that were a part of the strategic planning process over the last year. This plan reflects the core values of what it means to be a part of the NSIC and the bright future it holds.”
The strategic planning process included a partnership with Double L Consulting. The result was a clear, concise vision, along with a vibrant public document illustrating the plan’s components.
“We are proud partners of the NSIC and incredibly proud of the work and effort the conference put into establishing a mission, vision and value statements that will take the NSIC to the next level,” said Double L Consulting’s Jill Willson.
The 2019-24 NSIC Strategic Plan was approved during the Fall NSIC Board of Directors meeting held on Monday, September 23.
“As acting chair of the NSIC Board of Directors, I would like to thank all those involved in the strategic planning process. Many hours were spent in constructing the roadmap towards the future NSIC. The strategic initiatives that will be focused on over the next five years will continue to solidify the NSIC as one of the model NCAA Division II conferences,” stated Dr. Brett Bradfield, president of the University of Sioux Falls and 2019-20 chair of the NSIC Board of Directors.
Strategic Plans Components
Our Mission – The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders.
Our Vision – We will create a culture that inspires personal and professional growth for all student-athletes, coaches and administrators, and we will operate with integrity to ensure fair, equitable and enriching athletics competitions.
NSIC Value Statements
Opportunity – Our member institutions offer comprehensive athletics programs that allow student-athletes to achieve their full potential in and beyond competition and provide coaches and administrators with the resources and professional development necessary to fulfill career goals.
Well-Being – We promote a balanced, safe and healthful experience in which student-athletes, coaches and administrators can achieve their personal and professional goals.
Leadership – Our athletics programs prepare student-athletes, coaches and administrators to serve as engaged citizens and leaders.
Respect – We support diversity in all of its forms to foster an inclusive environment of cohesiveness and collaboration that values all persons.
Character – We believe in how participation in college sports builds personal integrity and accountability.
Community – We exemplify servant leadership and celebrate the student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, alumni and supporters who embrace and enhance their local communities as part of the NSIC family.
Strategic Positioning Outcome Areas:
Academics and Life Skills – We foster the holistic development of student-athletes, coaches and administrators through leadership and life skills that produce healthy and productive lifestyles, meaningful engagement with community and long-term contributions to society.
Athletics Operations and Compliance – We expect a commitment to compliance and integrity from all NSIC stakeholders and strive to provide operational consistency for athletics competitions.
Diversity and Inclusion – The NSIC prides itself on its collaborative approach to pursuing shared goals. We commit to creating environments in which diversity and inclusion are recognized and valued.
Game Day and Championships – We provide outstanding game day experiences and create fair and equitable conference championship competition.
Membership and Positioning Initiatives – We commit to enhancing the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the NSIC, and we support Division II’s strategic position and philosophy.
Each of these strategic focus areas contain specific goals and strategies within the plan that will be addressed and achieved over the next five years.
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JOKES
Three guys found themselves in Hell: we will call them Carl, Bob, and Brett, they were a little confused at their present situation, and they were startled to see a door in the wall open, and behind the door was perhaps the ugliest woman they had ever seen. She was 3’4″, dirty, and you could smell her even over the Brimstone.
The voice of the Devil was heard, “Brett, you have sinned! You are condemned to spend the rest of eternity in bed with this woman!” And Brett was whisked through the door by a group of lesser demons to his torment.
This understandably shook up the other two, and so they both jumped when a second door opened, and they saw an even more disgusting example of womanhood gone wrong. She was over 7′ tall, monstrous, covered in thick black hair, and flies circled her.
The voice of the Devil was heard, “Carl, you have sinned! You are condemned to spend the rest of eternity in bed with this woman!” And Carl, like Brett, was whisked off.
Bob, now alone, felt understandably anxious, and feared the worst when the third door opened. And as the door inched open, he strained to see the figure of … Cindy Crawford. Delighted, Bob jumped up, taking in the sight of this beautiful woman, dressed in a skimpy bikini. Then he heard the voice of the Devil saying:
“Cindy, you have sinned.”
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“Don’t be angry,” the Mother says, “Your little sister doesn’t realize that pulling hair hurts.”
A short while later, there’s more crying, and the Mother goes to investigate.
This time the sister is bawling and her brother says…
“Now she knows.”
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A Blonde Redneck Guy finds a lamp. He rubs it and a Genie emerges. The Genie tells him he will be granted three wishes. The Guy thinks for a moment and says, ‘First, give me a bottomless mug of beer.’
A mug of beer appears in his hand. He sips it once, then again and the mug is magically refilled. The Guy is thrilled and continues to drink. The mug never empties.
Then the Genie says, ‘And what about your other two wishes?’
The guy thinks for a moment and says, ‘Give me two more just like this one!’
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The drunk staggered up to the hotel reception and demanded his room be changed.
“But sir,” said the clerk, “you have the best room in the hotel.”
“I insist on another room!!” said the drunk.
“Very good, sir. I`ll change you from 502 to 555. Would you mind telling me why you don’t like 502?” asked the clerk.
“Well, for one thing,” said the drunk, “it’s on fire.”
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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 email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Cade Salentine, is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota. UND was off last week and will travel to #21 ranked Eastern Washington on Saturday.
Ben Trostad, is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team. UMC will travel to the Augustana Invite September 28 and 29 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team. Winona State travels to the Super Regional preview at Owensboro, Kentucky this weekend.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Elise finished tied for 38th place at the North Central Regional with a two-round total of 194. Elise finished second place with an 87 at the Northwestern Invite, one stroke behind the medalist.
Northwestern will travel to the Bethany Lutheran Invite in Mankato this weekend.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown. The Jimmies didn’t have a match the past week and will be back in action on September 28 when they host Morningside.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska. Rachel is playing on the J.V. team. The varsity team is 7-7 on the year.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s. The first event of the year is at St. Kates Pentathlon October 11.
Kate MacGregor, a Sophomore, is swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead. The first meet of the year will be at the University of Mary on October 14.
Ally Tiedemann, a Sophomore, is playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The season will start in February.
Paul Bittner, is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.
Aleece Durbin, is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Junior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Brady Heppner, is a Senior, playing hockey at St. Johns University in Collegeville.
Bailey Folkers, is a Sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Superior women’s basketball team.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at University of Minnesota Morris.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Brody Davidson is an Assistant Pirate Football coach.
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Cody Brekken is the Head Pirate Girls and Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreault is the Pirate Girls Golf head coach
Wes Hanson is the Pirate Wrestling Head Coach and assistant boys golf coach
Wade Hanson is the 8th grade boys basketball coach
Travis Ross is the 7th grade boys basketball coach
Kevin Weber is a Pirate Boys Basketball volunteer assistant coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Sam Melbye is the Pirate Boys J.V. Hockey coach
Chris Dufault is an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Nate Merten is an Assistant Wrestling Coach
Tori Demarais is the Pirate Girls Hockey assistant coach.
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
Justin Johnson is an assistant softball coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Josh Edlund is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson, is Head Volleyball coach at Little Falls High School.
Katy Westrom, is Head Girls Tennis Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Monticello High School.
Matt Harris, is a Director of Athletics at the British International School of Houston.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of Wyoming
Mike Hastings is the Minnesota State Mankato Men’s head Hockey coach
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Thief River Falls High School
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football and volleyball and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for the Bison media relations
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College
Chris Myrold is a Tennis Pro on Nevis Island in the West Indies
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jarrett Butenhoff is serving our country with the U.S. Navy
Joshua Butenhoff is serving our country on a Submarine with the Pacific Fleet with the US Navy.
Peter Cournia is a 2002 Crookston High School Graduate and also a grad of West Point and is currently is serving in the U.S. Army.
Erik Ellingson is serving our country with the U.S. Air Force at Minot.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004 from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Scott Riopelle is head of Crookston Parks and Recreation
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com
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