Where do we start? It has been a very busy sports news week this week!!! It looks like the weather will cooperate for the next week and it should be warmer so that is a good sign so the athletes can get back to a “normal” spring schedule if there is such a thing???
First thing is a recommendation on Netflix. 7 Yards (The Chris Norton Story) is the movie/documentary. It is about Chris Norton, a former college football player that became paralyzed from the neck down after a hit in a game. What he and his girlfriend/fiance/wife did was amazing, and inspirational. We heard a lot of parents throwing around that their kids were having mental problems because they couldn’t play sports in December of 2020. After watching 7 Yards, you will quickly realize that not playing sports for a month or two was nowhere near the end of the world (if you haven’t figured it out already).
It is a great movie and get the kleenex box out. Even yours truly (deep down inside under the layers of fat and heartlessness I am a softy) needed the sleeve of my shirt.
— — —
Click on the video below. Former Montana Tech Digger football coach Bob Greene is the master of the hilarious sound bites.
This will never not be funny pic.twitter.com/3VEual2Ztw
— Kendal Shell ???? (@Shell_Ken) April 21, 2021
— — —
The Minnesota State High School League has said enough of a centerfielder wearing a mask because it is so stupid and it doesn’t make any sense. Unless we find out butterflies can spread covid.
The MSHSL approved a position statement from the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee on the mask usage requirements during competition in spring activities. The committee brought forward the position statement to the Board of Directors and it was approved by roll call vote. League Staff will forward the position statement to the Minnesota Department of Health for their review and consideration.
I have heard from people in St. Paul and they said they expect the legislature to possibly look at it before the session is over, but who knows if they will do something. Let’s hope so.
— — —
A big congratulations goes out to Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey Coach Josh Hardy and his wife Cristin Hardy. They welcomed their third son on April 15.
— — —
Crookston Pirate Girls Hockey Coach Tim Moe has announced he will be stepping down from his girls hockey coaching duties. He broke the news on Sunday evening at the Crookston Pirate Girls Hockey end of the season banquet.
I asked Tim on Sunday if that means that he will be able to do some color commentary again and he said if we will take him back. So yay for KROX! Tim had three family members pass away the last year and a letter from his kids asking him to be home more is really tough to say no to. But, he is leaving the program in pretty good shape with a bright future and some competitive years coming up. It also sounds like one of the assistant coaches is interested in taking over, so the search shouldn’t last long.
Tim sent an email and it is below –
I have tendered my resignation as the Head Girls Hockey Coach. Many things came into the decision but the main thing was the desire to spend more time with my family. My kids are 8 and 4 years old now and I want to enjoy my time with them. When I took this job again I had 2 goals, 1 to bring our level of play back to where the program should be and to where the community wants it to be. And the 2nd was to find highly qualified assistants who share my passion for the girl’s hockey program. It has been one of the highlights of my professional career to help bring the program back from where it was a couple of years ago when it was in danger of being cut. We have better numbers now than we’ve ever had and our level of competition has gone up also. That is a testament to the time and effort the kids have put in. And the time and effort put in by my assistant coaches, Emily Meyer, Stacy Olson, and Nick Biermeier. I still plan on helping out in any way I can moving forward, but I have a desire to spend more time with my family also.
With the assistant coaches that we have, I know whatever direction comes next will be a positive one for the girl’s hockey program. I wanted to thank you both for your coverage these past years.
Moe’s resignation letter to Crookston Activities Director Greg Garmen is below –
To Mr. Greg Garmen
Please consider this to be my Letter of Resignation for being the Head Coach for Girls Hockey. It has been very rewarding to grow the program the past 4 years, and to help get it back to being a competitive team that represents Crookston, and Crookston High School in a positive way. When I became the head coach again 3 years ago this was not going to be a long term position for me. I have two young children and a wife at home that would like more of my attention. And that needs to be my focus going forward.
I’ve always felt that this program needs to be led by a female, now with Stacy Olson and Emily Meyer, two former players and two people in the school district who care deeply about the school and the Girls Hockey Program I feel that now is a good time to take a step back, enjoy my family, and see someone else’s vision for the future take hold.
I look forward to working with you, Stacy, and Emily to find the best options for the program going forward.
And I will be available to help with the transition in whatever ways the new head coach would like.
Sincerely
Tim Moe
— — —
I received an email from UMC Chancellor Mary Holz-Claus after I talked about COVID testing after UMC Baseball had a positive test or two. I had a few things wrong, and her email explaining what UMC is doing is below.
Dear Chris,
I am responding to provide clarity to the Sports Feever article today someone forwarded to me. Your piece contained several errors.
You referenced testing for basketball. It is different from baseball. For basketball we had to test on a specific cadence and all of the tests had to be submitted to the conference office prior to the start of the game. Since we had to test the day before the game due to the cadence, we had no other choice but to use the rapid antigen tests.
The rapid antigen tests are at times unreliable and have a lower sensitivity than the PCR tests. We used the Crookston Armory for basketball tests too, but they were typically only open two days per week and frequently, their open times did not fall on our cadence testing day.
Regarding baseball, the MDH requirement is only two times per week, and with the midweek game we sometimes do not have results back prior to leaving. An option would have been to wait before leaving, but as you know it is a long drive and this is the first time this has happened all year. The coaches made the decision based upon prior experience to travel.
Your statements concerning our testing of student-athletes are incorrect. We are still doing PCR testing on-campus in the Wellness Center every Thursday with the baseball team. This testing is being conducted by our Sports Medicine staff. We are only using the Crookston Armory once per week (same as basketball) and not for ALL their tests. In regards to insurance, students are asked to provide insurance at the armory testing site, but the cost is still free.
In regard to our other spring sports, testing protocols are determined based on risk and are in accordance with MDH and the NCAA Policies. I would be happy to provide details if you want them.
UMN Crookston athletic administration and Sports Medicine staff have gone above and beyond to do everything they could to ensure our student-athletes could play this year.
Chancellor Holz-Claus, thank you for the clarification. I know the training staff has been great through all of this and I appreciated the free testing before every basketball game I broadcast for UMC this winter.
With that said, I wanted to get clarification and clear things up with UMC Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson. I asked if the baseball team is being tested the day before the games (on campus) like the basketball teams were and her answer is below –
Hi Chris,
Hope this clarifies some of your questions.
Testing for basketball was different in that we had to test on a specific cadence (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday) and all of the tests had to be submitted to the conference office prior to the start of the game. Since we had to test the day before the game due to the cadence, we had no other choice but to use the rapid antigen tests. The rapid antigen tests are at times unreliable (resulting in several false positives) and cost the University significant financial resources. We used the Crookston Armory for basketball as well, but they were typically only open two days per week and frequently, their open times did not fall on our cadence testing day.
Regarding baseball, the MDH requirement is only two times per week, and with the midweek game we sometimes do not have results back prior to leaving. Coach Gust could have waited for results prior to leaving or traveled on game day to avoid this (as recommended by Sports Medicine staff). The team had the option to test on Monday, which would have allowed their tests to come back on time, but most opted to test on Tuesday.
In regard to our other spring sports, testing protocols are determined based on risk and are in accordance with MDH and the NCAA Policies. Softball is PCR tested two times per week and is on the same regimen as baseball (once at the armory and once on campus). Our other spring sports (tennis, men’s golf, women’s golf, equestrian) fall into the low risk category and get tested once every two weeks unless they are competing in a specific tournament/event that requires differently. We give them a choice of testing at the armory on Monday-Tuesday or at UMN Crookston on Thursday.
The other aspect that should be mentioned is baseball/softball are getting tested two times per week so they can play unmasked as per MDH guidelines (still required to stay masked in the dugout so they can avoid being close contacts). If the team wanted to avoid testing multiple times per week, they could play masked and thus would only need to follow NCAA rules which state that intermediate risk sports only need to get tested one time per week.
Thanks,
Steph
Thank you Steph, I appreciate the clarification and sorry you had to deal with questions from leadership after last week’s column. So yes, the baseball and softball team are being treated differently, but that is because there are different risk factors with playing outside and having natural distancing. So that is where the misunderstanding comes from. So what I was told from a couple different people, including a parent was partially true and partially incorrect.
I would like to thank Steph Helgeson. There is nobody on campus that will try to do more for the coaches, students and staff than Steph. I know if it was up to her and if she won the lottery, things at UMC would be different, but she is trying to do the best she can do with the limited resources she has. I have had many talks with Steph over the years and I feel for her every day. It is frustrating trying to do your job and not being able to do it to the full capacity you and the coaches are capable because of a lack of the correct level of funding. She had great plans for a wellness center that would have helped the campus and the athletic teams much better, but her plans were never used and they built the underwhelming/disappointing wellness center they have know thanks to Fred Wood. She works her butt off for athletics and can only do what she can.
My frustration is with Minneapolis because nobody down there gives a crap about Crookston or Morris – that is why one person is now overseeing both schools). Also in Crookston outside the athletic department. The campus was basically shutdown for nine months. Very few prospective students were on campus (if any), hell employees and leadership weren’t on campus most of the time either.
At the same time Grand Canyon University flew my son and two of his friends down to Phoenix to tour their campus at NO CHARGE to us. Guess what University is the one of the fastest growing and one of the nicest University’s in the country? Grand Canyon! Yes they almost closed 20 years ago or so and now after some changes they are one of the most successful education institutions. Athletics is important to them and they have pumped millions and millions into their athletic teams and they went from Division II (I actually broadcast two UMC Women’s Basketball games there 20-plus years ago) to a big time contender in Division I, but it took money.
Back to baseball, their success can be directly linked Steve Gust and also to the Crookston Baseball Association. They have helped with two or three more scholarships. They have given money to help build the press box/team locker room at the field. They have given money to help get the bleacher project complete, and so much more. Without the Crookston Baseball Association the UMC baseball program wouldn’t be where it is today.
— — —
The Section 8A Baseball tournament bracket has been released. To see the bracket, CLICK HERE.
8A Baseball Tournament Home Team Criteria
*Higher Seed is the home team.
#1 Seeds = Sub-Section Champions
*When sub-section champions meet, the home team will be the location of the site.
1. When the east hosts (BSU), the east champion will be the home team.
2. When the west hosts (NCTC), the west champion will be the home team.
#2 Seeds = Sub-Section Runner-Up
*The #2 seeds will be the home team when opposing a winner from the loser-out bracket. (These are the first two games at the section tournament site)
*If both sub-section runners-up meet, the home team will be the location of the site.
*If both non-runners-up meet, the home team will be the location of the site.
Championship Game
*The home team is the undefeated team.
*In case of an “if” game, the home team is the winner of the first championship game.
— — —
The Section 8A Softball tournament bracket has been released. To view the bracket CLICK HERE.
SUB-SECTION
First-round – Highest Seed
Second Round – Highest Seed
Subsection Championship and loser-out game – Highest Seed
SECTION
Highest seed based on subsection finish. Basically the # 2 seed from north and south
would be home and #3 seeds would be visitors.
Undefeated game (Two subsection champions) – Flip of coin
Second loser-out game- lf equal seeds flip of coin…lf it is a 2 versus 3 it would be the high seed.
Third loser-out game – Home team would be high seed which would be a #1 seed
First Championship game home team would be the undefeated team.
lf game home team would be flip of a coin
— — —
It’s official! The legendary Ruth Hayden is retiring after 41 years of teaching and coaching. Anyone that has had the pleasure of having her as a teacher, co-worker, friend, family member, or coach knows about her handwritten notes of encouragement and messages of good luck. We are asking EVERYONE to handwrite a letter to Ruth to celebrate her amazing career and dedication to our kids and school. These letters will all be put into a binder and given to her on the final day of school as A SURPRISE!!!
If you have any pictures you can send them too.
Please send your letters to:
Ada Borup School
Attn: Emily Lee
604 W Thorpe Ave
Ada, MN 56510
Please share this so it makes to as many family, friends, and past students as possible.
— — —
The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team announced the signing of Dylan Hushaw (G, 6-2 170, Las Vegas, Nev./Miles C.C. (Mont.).
Hushaw has averaged 17 points per game for Miles Community College during the 2020-21 season. Hushaw is a 40 percent three-point shooter, and an 80 percent free-throw shooter. He is averaging 6 rebounds per game, and 3 assists per game for the Pioneers.
Hushaw was a Second Team All-Conference selection at Miles C.C. He played his freshman season at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.
He played his high school basketball at Foothill H.S. in Henderson, Nevada. He was a multi-sport athlete competing in basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track. He was a Second Team All-Conference pick during his junior season. Hushaw was named First Team All-Conference as a senior. He was twice named to the All-Academic Team. His high school basketball team was two-time Division Champions.
— — —
The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team also announced the signing of Ron Kirk, Jr. (G, 6-4 176, Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Kirk is the first signee for the Golden Eagles for the 2021 class.
Kirk was a WBCA Honorable Mention All-SDtate selection at Dominican H.S. He was a Second Team All-Metro Classic Conference pick. As a senior, Kirk averaged 21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal per game. He shot 44 percent.
He is the son of Makyda Booker. Kirk plans to major in health sciences at UMC. He was born December 29, 2002.
— — —
The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the signing of Bailey Schaefer (OH, 5-9, Brandon, Minn./Brandon-Evansville H.S.) to a National Letter of Intent. Schaefer is the second signee for the Golden Eagles, joining Layne Whaley (DS/Lib., 5-8, Ashland, Neb./Ashland-Greenwood H.S.).
Schaefer reached over 1,000 kills for her career, the first player in school history to do so. She averaged double-digit kills in her career at Brandon-Evansville H.S. She also competed in basketball and softball for Brandon-Evansville H.S.
— — —
Jenson Beachy, a Perham High School grad and current Minnesota State Moorhead football player entered the transfer portal. Beachy was at Moorhead for two years, and he announced Wednesday evening that he will stay in town and play football for the Concordia College Cobbers.
— — —
East Grand Forks Senior High Cross Country Runner Tyson Mahar has signed to run cross country at North Dakota State University.
— — —
A REMINDER
Due to Covid restrictions, protocol, and risk for large groups, it has been decided to cancel Lace ’em Up Basketball Camp in Red Lake Falls for 2021. Hopefully, things are back to normal in 2022 as we plan to have Lace ’em Up Basketball Camp continue once again from June 6-10th of the summer of 2022 for all age groups. Please mark June 6-10, 2022 on your calendars for Lace ’em Up Basketball Camp in Red Lake Falls.
— — —
The Minnesota State High School League Board of Directors held a meeting last Thursday and the meeting synopsis is below.
Lobbyist Report
- League Lobbyist Roger Aronson shared updates from the State Legislature.
- The K-12 Education Bills will go to the House and Senate floors soon and are expected to receive numerous amendments.
- The Governor’s Emergency Powers were extended another 30 days.
- Mask usage discussion may take place on the House and Senate floors as part of education bills.
Legal Counsel Report
- Legal Counsel Kevin Beck reported one pending case.
Executive Director’s Report
- Executive Director Erich Martens greeted the Board of Directors and expressed gratitude to them and the Executive Committee. The thanks extended to many groups for standing together and standing strong in the face of so many challenges in the past year. The thanks continued to member schools and the League programs that make opportunities possible. The thanks concluded with officials and the many League partners that run venues, cover programming, be it broadcasting or streaming, and those that are families and fans of the League, its members schools, participants and communities.
- The MnIAAA recently held its Spring 2021 Conference in a virtual format. Assistant Director Laura Mackenthun presented four learning sessions as the League’s website and technology presence continues to grow.
- Associate Director Bob Madison hosted a LEAD Network meeting within the conference. He is the primary host for the weekly LEAD informational meetings that continues to draw 250-300 participants per session.
- Executive Director Martens shared several key points during his presentation at the conference:
o We have and will survive this pandemic.
o The League is much better when we are unified.
o We are a cooperative; we work together to provide for our students.
o It takes all of our schools participating to have our regular seasons and tournaments.
o We need the variety of programming we offer to help students have the opportunity to exercise their passions.
o This pandemic has pushed us to question many things, yet our principles, beliefs and mission have remained strong throughout.
- Associate Director Jody Redman has been selected as the keynote speaker for the St. Paul Area Athena Awards on April 21.
- League Staff provided reviews on winter state tournament events and awards programs.
Executive Committee Report
- The Executive Committee has met three times prior to this board meeting.
March 8
- The Executive Committee certified the member school vote for a Constitutional Amendment to place two superintendents permanently on the Board of Directors.
- Approved moving the start of the Summer Coaching Waiver Period from June 1 to June 7.
- Approved the postseason COVID-19 Interruption Guidance which defines the process should a team encounter interruptions.
March 15
- The major portion of this meeting was to review and approve the classification appeals as recommended by the ADs Advisory Committee. All recommendations were approved based on the information provided and the rationale provided in the rubric.
- The committee also discussed options for working with sponsorships and marketing in the future. Two organizations have continued to provide options for management of League sponsorship programs and have different plans for consideration.
- The committee visited with representatives of the U.S. Council on Athlete’s Health regarding the benefits of entering into a partnership to broaden and deepen the focus on student health, safety, wellness and well-being through a variety of programming options.
April 14
- The Executive Committee heard a presentation by Associate Director Bob Madison and Assistant Director Laura Mackenthun that summarized the Competitive Placement process and the maps that are created. The committee had the opportunity to discuss the process and hear key decision-making information in the ways that consistencies are reached. The process meets the requirements of Class Competition policy.
- The committee voted to approve the recommendation of the ADs Advisory Committee and the League Staff for the placement of schools and to move the recommendation to the full Board of Directors for their approval.
- The committee discussed concerns that some teams were not compliant with the masking requirements within state tournament competitions. Notice of non-compliance with League requirements will be provided to schools and officials involved in those contests and require a response from the schools and officials.
- The committee discussed the Representative Assembly Proposed Amendments results of the Region responses to the proposed bylaw changes. Two amendments are on the agenda: Boys Volleyball and Girls Wrestling. Both of those amendment proposals were approved by the required nine of 16 regions. The proposal of Unified Sports was approved by eight of the 16 regions and will not move forward in the Representative Assembly process.
- The committee heard updates from League Staff on the work that has been done with following up with member schools that have been deemed not in good standing because of overdue invoices for 2021-2022 membership dues. These actions have included letters specific to their situation as well as the legal standing for the Board of Directors to set the membership dues. League Staff will continue to work with these member schools.
- Finance Committee chair Troy Stein provided an update on the five meetings have been held with the Finance Advisory Committee. The Finance Advisory Committee has established a consensus of $4.5 million membership responsibility for the coming year with confidence that tournament revenues will exceed costs by an estimated $750,000. At the next meeting of the Finance Advisory Committee, discussion is planned to focus on a formula for membership dues and a formula for reducing dues when excess revenue exists.
- The committee discussed the best methods for establishing a committee focused on the Strategic Direction of Diversity and Inclusion. More work will be done with the assistance of a sub-group of Board of Directors members and staff members. The committee is expected to be initiated at the next Board of Directors meeting in June. Board members are encouraged to be a part of the sub-group for planning.
- The committee discussed the format for the board workshop in August. The committee advocates for an in-person gathering, citing the value in working and learning together.
- The Executive Committee approved the extension agreement of independent contractor Craig Perry for an additional 10 weeks.
- The committee approved a position statement from the League’s Sports Medicine Advisory Committee on the mask usage requirements during competition in spring activities. The committee brought forward the position statement to the Board of Directors and it was approved by roll call vote. League Staff will forward the position statement to the Minnesota Department of Health for their review and consideration.
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the Executive Committee report.
Action Items (Roll call votes were used on all Action Items because of virtual meeting protocol)
9A: MSHSL 2021-2022 Calendar
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the 2021-2022 Calendar of Activities. These dates are traditional timelines for seasons and maintain the number of weeks for each season.
9B: MSHSL 2021-2022 Meeting Dates
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote a calendar of meeting dates for the Board of Directors, the Representative Assembly, and Area Meetings.
9C: Administrative Region Placement
- The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote the placements of schools in Administrative Regions. Using data provided by the Minnesota Department of Education, Administrative Regions are established based on their enrollment and geographic location.
9D: Competitive Section Placement
- Following a presentation that included the viewing of maps, process and rationale, the Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote the Competitive Section Placements. Maps detailing the placement of teams will be available for viewing on Friday, April 16 on the League’s website www.mshsl.org
9E: Constitutional Amendment Vote
- The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote to certify the member school vote to amend the MSHSL Constitution that would add two superintendents to the League’s Board of Directors. There were 430 schools that participated in the vote, which met the quorum requirement.
9F: Spring Seasons
Calendar
- The Board of Directors in a roll call vote approved the calendar for the 2021 spring season of activities. These dates will allow member schools to schedule regular season contests and allow sections to schedule the postseason.
Guidance Documents
- The Board of Directors in a roll call vote approved updated guidance documents for member schools that meet the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Health.
9G: Golf Rules and Policies Formatting
- The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote the approval of an updated Golf Rules and Policies manual which separated playing rules from the administrative rules and policies.
9H: Officials Registration Fees and State Tournament Compensation
- The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote a recommendation by the Officials Advisory Committee to set the Officials Registration fee for the 2021-2022 school year at $60 for officials with three or more years of experience. The registration is $20 for each additional sport.
9I: Dance Rules Book
- The Board of Directors approved in a roll call vote the approval of using the Dance Rules Book for another year. The recommendation is supported by the Minnesota Dance Coaches Association and JAM.
Discussion Items
10A: Representative Assembly Amendments
- The Representative Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2021, and will be held in a virtual format. There are two items on the agenda for consideration. The Board of Directors had the opportunity to discuss the two agenda items. Feedback will be forwarded to the Representative Assembly via Board President Blaine Novak.
- Boys Volleyball
This request came in the winter of the 2019-2020 school year and was approved by the Regions to advance to the 2020 Representative Assembly for a vote. The proponents of Boys Volleyball, however, requested that this item be tabled until the spring 2021 meeting on May 11, 2021. If approved, this activity will be enacted for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Girls Wrestling
This request has followed the process through the region committees this past winter and was approved by nine of the 16 regions. If approved, Girls Wrestling would be conducted as a separate division at the state tournament. If approved, this activity will be enacted for the 2021-2022 school year.
10B: Membership Dues Discussion
- League Staff shared that more than 80% percent of the member schools are in good standing with their membership dues. With the support of the Executive Committee, League Staff has taken next steps in working with the remaining member schools in bringing their membership dues current to remain in good standing, per League guidelines.
Committee Reports
Eligibility Committee (Meeting held via virtual platform on Thursday, April 15)
- The Board of Directors denied by roll call vote a motion that refers the eligibility of Student A to the Executive Committee.
- The Board of Directors denied by roll call vote a motion to grant varsity eligibility of Student A.
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the committee meeting minutes as presented.
Audit/Finance Committee (Meeting held via virtual platform on Wednesday, April 14)
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the financial statements from February and March 2021.
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the July 31, 2020, Annual Audit Report.
- The Audit/Finance Committee recommends that all 16 Regions would receive $10,000 of the $250,000 earmarked from a grant from the Minnesota State High School League Foundation. The remaining $90,000 will be distributed to the Regions based on ongoing operational needs.
Marketing and Communications Committee (Meeting held via virtual platform on Wednesday, April 14)
- League Staff reported on website tools that were instrumental in the creation of competitive sections for website use.
- League Staff reported on schedules, rosters and results that are syncing with the website and rSchools Today.
- League Staff reported a peak of 185,685 website page views on Wednesday, March 31. During March, the website daily views range from 70,000-100,000. In a typical month, daily page views are 20,000-25,000.
- League Staff provided data from the online state tournament programs and photo services.
- League Staff reported that Wells Fargo will continue its partnership with the League for another year at its current level of support. Wells Fargo has been a League sponsor for the past 17 years.
- Spalding has also renewed its partnership with the League for another five years. Under terms of the agreement, Spalding will provide game balls for the softball, basketball and football state tournaments.
- League Staff is working to renew sponsorships with Wilson Sports and Baden, as well as establishing a new partnership with GameChanger Media. GameChanger will assist the League with pitch-count reporting in baseball.
- League Staff is preparing a sponsorship proposal for a new sports medicine partner. The current partnership with M Health Fairview will end on June 30.
Education and Leadership (Meeting held via virtual format on Wednesday, April 14)
- The League continues to provide Coaches Education courses to assist member schools with a way to train head coaches to meet the requirements of MS 122A.33 — Head Coach licensure. The League has provided 18 courses and trained 574 head coaches during the 2020-2021 school year.
- The Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Bill Roberts, continues to provide meaningful and ongoing support to League Staff and member schools.
- The SMAC updated several position statements for dates: Anabolic Steroids and Supplements, Helmet Cover, Flu and CV, Heat Stress Guidelines and Football Preseason and Heat Acclimatization Policy.
- The SMAC updated the Heat Stress Guidelines with a new wet bulb resource. This will be posted on the website for spring activities.
- The SMAC discussed changing the term “physician” in Bylaw 107 to “medical professional” working within the scope of their licensure. This will be moved to the Eligibility Committee for their consideration.
- The committee recommended an Action Item to the board to approve the updating of date of the MSHSL Sports Qualifying Physical Form and Health Questionnaire for 2021-2022 school year. No other changes were made to the form. The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote the committee’s recommendation on the updated document.
- League Staff, members of the Steering Committee and the Minnesota Vikings will begin putting a plan in place to launch Phase 2 of the InSideOut Initiative in the fall of 2021. There will be six trainings available to ADs and Coaches during Phase 2.
- Officials registration for the 2021-2022 school year will open May 17.
- All ADs have access to monitor officials’ eligibility through Arbiter. The League provides training on this.
- Three regions used Arbiter this winter to assign and pay officials. The plan is to incorporate more regions for spring activities.
Informational
- Board Officer Candidates for 2021-2022 School Year were shared.
- Election of Officers will take place at the June meeting.
- Next Meeting: Tuesday, June 1. In-person options will be explored.
- The Board of Directors approved by roll call vote adjourning the meeting at 1:24 p.m.
— — —
JOKES
Q: How do you make Minnesota Timberwolves cookies?
A: Put them in a bowl and beat them for four quarters.
— —
There was an Irishman, a Mexican, and a blond guy who worked construction together. They were working on top of a building one day, and it was lunch time. The Irish man opens his lunch pail and he sees he has cabbage and beef, and he says, ‘If I get one more beef and cabbage for lunch I’m gonna jump off of this building!’
Then the Mexican opens his lunch pail and he gets a burrito, he says, ‘if I get one more burrito for lunch I’m gonna jump off this building!’
The blond man opens his lunch pail and gets a bologna sandwich. He says, ‘if I get one more bologna sandwich I’m gonna jump off of this building!’
The next day the Irish man opens his lunch pail and finds cabbage and beef so he jumps off the building to his death.
Then the Mexican opens hid lunch pail and finds a burrito so he jumps off the building to his death.
Then the blond guy opens his lunch pail and finds a bologna sandwich, so he jumps off to his death as well.
The next day at their funeral the Irish man’s wife said, ‘If I only knew he was sick of cabbage and beef I would have packed him something else.’
Then the Mexican’s wife then said, ”If I only knew he didn’t like burritos, I would have packed something else.”
Finally, the blond man’s wife said, ‘I don’t know what his problem was! He packed his own lunch!”
— —
And lo, in the year 2021, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said:
“Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.”
“Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans.”
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, “You have 6 months to build the ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but there was no ark.
“Noah! I’m about to start the rain! Where is the ark?”
“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed.”
“I needed a building permit.”
“I’ve been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system.”
“My neighbors claim that I’ve violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.”
“Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.”
“Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl.”
“I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls, but no go!”
“When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.”
“Then the EPA ruled that I couldn’t build the ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.”
“I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m supposed to hire for my building crew.”
“Immigration and Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.”
“The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with ark-building experience.
“To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.”
“So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”
Suddenly, the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”
“No,” said the Lord. “The government beat me to it.”
— — —
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
Paul Bittner is playing professional hockey in Sweden for Vasby IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan league.
Aleece Durbin, is a Junior on the University of North Dakota Women’s Track and Field team.
Ben Trostad is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Ty Hamre is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Brandon Boetcher is playing Club Hockey at UMC.
Brady Butt is a freshman playing football at the University of Jamestown.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Senior on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Rachel Hefta, a Sophomore, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Nick Garmen is a sophomore playing tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a sophomore, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Emily Meyer is a girls hockey and softball assistant coach.
Lacia Hanson is the Junior High softball coach.
Carrie Clauson is a Junior High girls tennis 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 a Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Ben Halos is a Pirate Baseball assistant coach.
Alex LaFrance is a 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
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 a youth wrestling Coach
Colton Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching –
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown
Kaylee Desrosier is a softball coach for Fargo Davies Middle School.
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 an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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
