It is that time of year, the first tennis matches of the season are in the books, most soccer teams have a game in and most volleyball teams will have their first matches tonight and next week. The first football games (for most teams) are next week and 18 teams are playing their first games this week.
Everybody has high hopes and excitement is in the air, even for your truly after 21 years of broadcasting….it is still exciting and looking forward to another year of covering sports in northwest Minnesota. It really is the best job a guy could ask for! We look forward to chatting with our friends that coach, officiate, the Activity Directors and the fans. There are A LOT of great people in high school athletics and we look forward to continuing the friendships and telling people all about the action!!
Good luck to all fall sports teams. Play hard and enjoy a fun time in your life!
I am glad fall sports are back because I finished all eight seasons of Blue Bloods on Netflix this summer and I have nothing to watch. I loved Blue Bloods, it doesn’t hurt most of it is filmed in my favorite city.
As I say that, I started watching Cheers starting with the first season. I have seen every episode, but fun to go back and watch. One thing that hasn’t changed…..Coach is still one of the best all-time characters in a television series.
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Earlier this week my boys and I were across the street throwing the football around and towards the end, Blake (now a senior in high school) was punting the ball. He had been punting for 10 to 15 minutes or so when we hear somebody yell HOLY CRAP. A few seconds later, we see a kid (probably 3rd or 4th grade) walking over. Blake can kick the ball pretty well and he was booming some 45 to 50 yarders high in the air. The kid sat down and watched Blake punt for five to 10 minutes. It was at that point, Blake realized the impact older Pirates can have on younger Pirates.
Blake has always been good helping kids and volunteering, but it was the first time (I believe) it sank in that he is watched closely and can have a big impact on younger kids.
It was a pretty special moment and one I won’t forget for a while and a lesson to young Pirates, Green Wave, Rebels, Storm, etc. You are being watched closely by younger versions of yourself.
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Leo Blavin and yours truly have sent out the area coaches polls request to the Section 8A, 8AA, 8AAA, 8 9-man and 6 9-man coaches. In three days, we have had over half the coaches respond and will send out a reminder to the coaches that haven’t responded on Thursday. (Sometimes my emails go to spam or don’t make it…so we always try send a reminder)
Still waiting for the following –
Section 8AA – Hawley
Section 8AAA – DGF and Pequot Lakes
Section 6 9-man – Norman County East/UH, Rothsay, and Nevis
Section 8A – I just sent out on Wednesday so if you are an 8A coach check your email! Thanks!
Section 8 9-man – Warren-A-O, Clearbrook-Gonvick, and Kelliher-Northome
Next week we will have the five section coaches polls/preview. Thanks to the coaches that were quick to return the information. It is appreciated!
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Pine River-Backus Football has forfeited their football season leaving Fosston with an open date on August 30. Cass Lake-Bena is forfeiting their first two games due to ineligibility issues. Instead of taking the forfeited wins Fosston and Red Lake County will now play each other on August 30 in Fosston at 6:00 PM.
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Steve Bengston, Warroad High School Activities Director has been busy finding an opponent for their varsity football team on September 7. Mora High School will be coming to Warroad for a 6:00 start.
Bengston said – “Thanks to Mora High School for their cooperation and willingness to travel to Warroad.”
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Frank Fee has been working hard, in retirement, and has received the football schedules the fastest he has ever had EVERY team in NW Minnesota turn them in. So…Thank you to the AD’s and coaches for the quick response!!!!
With that said, Frank has put together the master schedules for each area section. They are listed below, just click on the section below to view…..or go to the sports page and click on the link there!
SECTION 8A FOOTBALL SECTION 8AA FOOTBALL
SECTION 8 9-MAN FOOTBALL SECTION 6 9-MAN FOOTBALL
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Crookston Pirate Football will be hosting Thief River Falls and Roseau for a scrimmage on Saturday morning at the Crookston High School.
Varsity Schedule start at 9:00 a.m.
Offense Roseau vs TRF Defense 15 Plays
Crookston Offense vs Roseau Defense 15Plays
TRF Offense vs Crookston Defense 15 plays
Roseau Defense VS TRF Offense 15 Plays
Crookston Defsense VS Roseau Offense 15 Plays
CrooKston Offense VS TRF Defense 15 Plays
Finish at 11:00 a.m.
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Stephen-Argyle Football will be hosting scrimmages on Saturday. The Storm, Kittson County Central, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Win-E-Mac, Northern Freeze, Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal, Warren-Alvarado-Oslo, and Grygla-Goodridge. The schedule is below-
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Blaming a rise in state tournament venue costs and a drop in ticket sales, the Minnesota State High School League recently said it cannot reimburse schools to help offset expenses.
More than 56,000 fewer tickets were sold for the 2017-18 fall and winter tournaments, about a 9.5 percent drop from the year before.
After ticket sales for 2016-17 were the league’s best in 10 years, the board approved $597,769 to reimburse schools. It represented an 8.7 percent increase after 2015-16, when the league returned about $550,000.
The first time the board did not reimburse schools was for the 2014-15 school year.
Rising costs to rent tournament venues played a role in the latest decision. The University of Minnesota raised its per-ticket facility fee charged to the league from $2 to $2.50 for 2017-18. And hosting the volleyball, wrestling and boys’ and girls’ hockey state tournaments at Xcel Energy Arena will cost about $750,000 next season and about $877,000 by the end of a recently signed five-year contract.
In June, the league approved raising state tournament ticket prices by $2 for adults and $1 for students to offset the rising cost of renting venues. The increase begins this school year.
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Evan Bushy, of Thief River Falls, has committed to play hockey at St. Cloud State University.
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McKenna Brand, a 2014 graduate of Park Rapids High School, and a 2018 graduate of Northeastern University, signed a contract last week to play professional hockey for the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League.
Brand was the 11th player selected in the 2017 NWHL Draft by the Metropolitan Riveters.
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The following UMC Volleyball preview for their first matches this weekend is by our friend and UMC Sports Information Director Shawn Smith.
The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball team will open up their 2018 season this weekend at the Parkside Hampton Inn Tournament at Desimone Gymnasium on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha, Wis.
Tournament Info
Fri., Aug. 24 – Desimone Gymnasium, Kenosha, Wis.
1 p.m. – Wisconsin-Parkside
5 p.m. – Purdue Northwest
Sat., Aug. 25 – Desimone Gymnasium, Kenosha, Wis.
9 a.m. – Bemidji State
3 p.m. – Saginaw Valley State
The Golden Eagles will play four matches at the Parkside Hampton Inn Tournament as they look to get ready for a daunting Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) season. Minnesota Crookston opens up the 2018 season Fri., Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. against the host institution Wisconsin-Parkside. The Golden Eagles continue play on Friday at 5 p.m. versus Purdue University Northwest. On Sat., Aug. 25, Minnesota Crookston will commence the day at 9 a.m. against NSIC rival Bemidji State University. The Golden Eagles will conclude tournament play at 3 p.m. versus Saginaw Valley State.
Minnesota Crookston Preview
Minnesota Crookston is heading into their second season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen. The Golden Eagles will have a young squad in 2018 with eight underclassmen and 10 players who are either first or second year players. The Golden Eagles will be led by their lone senior Callie Schapekahm (MH, Eagan), who averaged 1.28 kills and 0.54 blocks per set. Minnesota Crookston also returns Kaitlin Sikkink (Jr., MH, St. Charles), who averaged 1.47 kills and 0.59 blocks per set.
Defensively, Ali Schueler (Jr., DS/Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) guides the team after averaging 1.88 digs per set last season. Schueler shared the libero role last season and will be vital in the back row for the Golden Eagles as either a libero or defensive specialist. Katie Lienemann (Fr., DS/Lib., Rosemount) also saw time in the back row last season with 1.33 digs per set.
Also returning to the fray is Deaira Gresham (So., OH, Maplewood), who is the leading returnee offensively with 1.57 kills per set.
The Golden Eagles have five newcomers with Melissa Rodriguez (Jr., MH, Sarchi, Costa Rica), Lauren Ulibarri (Jr., DS/Lib., Flagstaff, Ariz.), Porsha Porath (Fr., OH, Windom), Hannah Stark (Fr., OH, Esko), and Natalie Koke (Fr., S, Caledonia). In addition, Minnesota Crookston boasts Lauren Wallace (Fr., OH, Bloomington), Sabrina Leuer (Jr., OH, Hamel), and Alyssa Thomas (So., OH, Marion, Iowa), who all sat out last season. Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S, Rochester) also returns after seeing limited game action as a freshman.
The Golden Eagles will look to improve upon a 7-21 (4-16 NSIC) record. Minnesota Crookston battled several injuries last season, but they were able to compete in most of their matches as they tested some of the best teams in the nation’s toughest NCAA Division II conference.
Wisconsin-Parkside
The first opponent for the Golden Eagles will be Wisconsin-Parkside. The Rangers went 13-17 last season with an 8-10 mark in the GLIAC. Wisconsin-Parkside is in their first season under Leigh Barea, who was a Division I assistant at Jacksonville State University for the last three seasons.
Purdue Northwest
The Pride went 6-25 last season overall and 1-15 in the GLIAC. Purdue Northwest only averaged 9.77 kills per set in 2017. The top returnee offensively for Purdue Northwest is Jenna Pasko, who notched 1.81 kills per set. Carissa Jones averaged 1.80 kills per set last season.
Bemidji State
Bemidji State enters 2018 after finishing last season with a 3-26 record. The Beavers are in their third season under Head Coach Kevin Ulmer.
Saginaw Valley State
The Golden Eagles wrap up tournament play against Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals went 6-21 overall last season and 4-12 in the GLIAC.
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Former University of Minnesota Duluth and Bemidji State Men’s Basketball coach Matt Bowen has been hired as an Assistant Coach at Valparaiso.
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The Minnesota Twins will open the 2019 season at home for the fifth time in Target Field history against the Cleveland Indians on March 28! What are the chances of the Twins hosting Cleveland on March 28 at Target Field????
Premium home series include a four-game series with the Houston Astros (April 29-May 2), the border battle with the Brewers (May 27-28), the Boston Red Sox (June 17-19), and the New York Yankees (July 22-24).
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The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department announced the addition of Jordan Young as assistant soccer and assistant softball coach. Young was a NCAA Division III goalkeeper at Grinnell College in Iowa, and was also an assistant coach for the Pioneers. In addition, Young has previously volunteered as a coach at Cedar Falls High School and for the Thief River Falls Soccer Association.
“Jordan caught my eye because we both share the same passion for athletic development through training and nutrition,” said softball Head Coach Travis Owen. “She is eager to help and most importantly to me, is a high character person who leads by example. I am confident in Jordan’s ability to improve our athletes due to her extensive background both in athletics herself, as well as her schooling. We are excited to have her on board!”
“I am excited to have Jordan on staff this year,” said soccer coach Joe Alianiello. “Her playing and coaching experience at Grinnell will serve us well. I look forward to working with her and collaborating on a successful 2018 season.”
On the soccer pitch, Young played four years for Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. As a senior, Young started all 19 games and posted a 1.14 goals against average with 42 saves. Young was a three-year starter for the Pioneers. As a junior, she notched a 1.73 goals against average with 36 saves, while she put up a 1.22 goals against average with 66 saves.
Following her graduation from Grinnell, she served as an assistant coach for the Pioneers, helping the squad to a 10-8-1 mark during the 2014 season. While working as a volunteer assistant, Young designed, coordinated, and implemented goalkeeping training and also facilitated the team’s strength and conditioning plan. She also supported the head coach in practice planning and travel arrangements.
Young recently had a change of trajectory in her career after serving as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 2016-18. During that time, she has also served as a CrossFit coach for CrossFit Great North. Young has also served as a kickboxing and boot camp instructor for Next Level Extreme Fitness and served as a graduate assistant in the biology department at the University of Northern Iowa.
Young received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Grinnell College in 2014 after posting a 3.83 GPA. Young was an All-Academic honoree while playing soccer for the Pioneers. She received her Master of Science in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 2016 after posting a perfect 4.0 GPA. Young is also a certified USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach. Young resides in Thief River Falls, Minn. She is originally from Maplewood, Minn.
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With the start of the 2018 Minnesota College Athletic Conference football season just around the corner, Conference coaches took time recently to make their predictions for the upcoming fall campaign. Read on for more information regarding MCAC Western Division football teams in 2018.
In 2017, Northland Community & Technical College featured one of the most prolific offenses in the county, led by All-America quarterback Shannon Patrick. The Pioneers were able to peak at the right time last season, hitting their form in the playoffs to beat North Dakota State College of Science at home 17-10 and regular-season Eastern Division champion Central Lakes College 31-21 on the road to land a spot in the MCAC State Championship Game. Patrick and his offensive arsenal maintained their momentum into November, capturing the State Championship hardware and a bid to the 2017 Graphic Edge Bowl. Northland (9-3) concluded their season with a 55-14 setback to Ellsworth CC (4-8) in the opening game of the Graphic Edge Bowl.
This fall, Division coaches offered their thoughts as to how teams would fare in 2018-
#1 Northland CTC
#2 Dakota College-Bottineau
#3 North Dakota State College of Science
#4 Ridgewater College
#5 M State-Fergus Falls
#6 Minnesota West CTC
NCTC Key Returners:
Dwayne Taylor, WR, St. Louis, MO
Ethan Halvorson, OL, Thief River Falls, MN
Edgar Chavez, OL, Mesquite, TX
Ethan Hill, DE, Elba, AL
Marquavious McCatty, DT, Palm Beach, FL
Hunter Roller, DE, Warren, MN
Daryl Smith, LB, Willmington, DE
Marquail Alexander, Gainesville, FL
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Some rules changes have been approved to high school basketball, including an exception to the backcourt violation. The latest rule changes are below-
An exception to the backcourt violation and a clarification regarding specifications of the ball comprise the changes approved for the 2018-19 high school basketball season.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee recommended the changes at its April 9-11 meeting in Indianapolis, and all changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Rule 9-9-1 states that “a player shall not be the first to touch the ball after it has been in team control in the frontcourt, if he/she or a teammate last touched or was touched by the ball in the frontcourt before it went to the backcourt.”
An exception was approved to note that any player who was located in the backcourt may recover a ball that is deflected from the frontcourt by the defense.
Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and officials, said the committee approved the exception to ensure that a team is not unfairly disadvantaged on a deflected pass.
The other change approved by the Basketball Rules Committee involved more clearly defining the cover of the ball in Rule 1-12-1c, which now states that the ball “shall have a deeply-pebbled granulated surface . . .”
Wynns said the term “granulated surface” should provide manufacturers a better idea of what a deeply-pebbled cover should look like.
In addition to the two rules changes approved by the committee, several points of emphasis were identified for the coming season, including concussion recognition, proper procedures for blood issues and coaches monitoring injury and research trends.
“The committee wanted to stress continued education in recognizing signs and symptoms of concussions for coaches, athletes, parents and officials,” Wynns said. “In addition, concern of overuse injuries due to sport specialization should be monitored, and recognition of blood on players and uniforms and the proper procedure for removal of blood and return to play are other areas for education.”
Wynns noted that coaches have primary responsibility for making sure players are wearing legal uniforms and are legally equipped. She said emphasis will be given to rule enforcement in the areas of traveling, legal guarding position and establishing possession during loose-ball situations. Lastly, the committee believes official professionalism and use of proper terminology should be emphasized.
“Overall, the committee believes the rules of the sport are in great shape. These changes provide more clarification in areas where there has been inconsistency in interpretation and will help manufacturers in producing basketballs that meet NFHS specifications,” said Francine Martin, NFHS Basketball Rules Committee chair and assistant executive director of the Kansas State High School Activities Association. “The committee evaluated input from the NFHS basketball rules questionnaire, which is available for all coaches and officials to complete and provide input for future rules changes during the meeting. The points of emphasis are geared toward sports medicine issues and consistent interpretation of playing rules.”
A complete listing of all rules changes is available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Basketball.”
Basketball ranks third in popularity for both boys and girls with 550,305 male participants and 430,368 female participants, according to the 2017-18 NFHS Athletics Participation Survey.
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The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Wednesday approved giving baseball coaches two video review challenges per game where the technology is available. The change will be effective for the 2019 season.
The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee recommended expanding the use of available technology in certain situations to improve the chances that the correct call is made.
The following plays will be reviewable by the crew chief at his discretion or with the use of a coach’s challenge:
· Deciding if a batted ball is fair or foul. The ball must first touch the ground or a fielder beyond the initial position of the first or third baseman.
· Deciding if a batted ball is either a ground-rule double or a home run.
· Any catch or no-catch ruling in the outfield or foul territory.
· A no-catch ruling in the infield in some instances. With runners on base, a no catch within the infield can be changed to a catch only if it results in a third out. With no runners on base, a no catch within the infield can be changed to a catch at any time.
· Spectator interference.
· Deciding scoring plays at home plate inclusive of collisions (illegal and/or malicious slides) or time plays.
The following plays will be reviewable only by a coach’s challenge or at the crew chief’s discretion beginning in the last two innings of regulation and extra innings:
· Force and tag-play calls at any base.
· Calls involving whether a base runner passes a preceding runner; determining whether a base runner scored ahead of a third out; and upon an appropriate appeal by the defensive team, determining whether a base runner touched a base.
· Plays involving a hit by pitch.
· Deciding if a runner failed to retouch a base after a fair or foul ball is legally caught.
· The umpire’s placement of runners following a boundary call.
· Deciding if interference occurred on a runner’s attempt to break up a double play.
When centralized video review is used, the off-field video review official will be considered an extension of the umpiring crew and will have the ability to notify the umpires on the field that a review should be initiated. The video review official will be permitted at any time to initiate a review for plays included in the first list above. For the second list, the video review official can initiate review beginning in the final two innings of regulation and extra innings.
Other rules changes approved include:
· Defensive players will not be allowed to block a base without possession of the ball at any time.
· A batter cannot make a movement to intentionally be hit by a pitch. A player who leans or sticks a portion of his body to be hit by a pitch will have a strike awarded to the count, regardless of where the pitch is located.
· Pitchers will not be allowed to fake a throw to third base and then throw to first. A balk will be called for this type of pick-off attempt.
· Pitchers will no longer be required to throw four pitches on intentional walks. Instead, the defensive team can inform the umpire that it is walking the hitter.
· Teams will be limited to six defensive conferences on the mound per game. Base runners will not be allowed to leave the bases they are occupying during a defensive conference.
· To be considered in a wind-up position, a pitcher must stand with his chest and shoulders generally facing the batter, with the pivot foot on or in front of and touching the pitcher’s plate. The pitcher’s free foot must be touching or be behind the plane of the front edge of the pitching plate.
· For a pitcher to be in a stretch position, the pitcher must stand with his chest and shoulders generally facing the respective foul line. The pitcher’s pivot foot must be in contact parallel with the pitching plate, and his free foot must be in front of the pitcher’s plate. It is permissible for the pitcher to turn his shoulders and face the batter while getting the sign and before bringing his hands together in the set position.
· Any umpire ruling on intentionally hit batters cannot be argued.
Proposals not approved by the panel
The panel did not support a recommendation from the Baseball Rules Committee to add two visible 20-second play clocks. The rule would have become effective in 2020 in Division I and in 2021 for Divisions II and III.
In its opposition to the proposal, panel members cited feedback from the membership regarding the cost of installing the clocks, the fact that some NCAA teams play in off-campus facilities where they may not be able to add the clock, and not being convinced it will improve the sport.
While panel members supported a proposal regarding altercations, panel members had questions about a recommendation that would have ejected any team personnel, other than coaches, who left their positions, the dugouts or the bullpens at the time of a dispute. Those players or team personnel would be suspended from the team’s next game. Panel members would like to have more clarification about the proposal, particularly about players leaving their positions on the field.
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Minnesota Wild single-game tickets for the 2018-19 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season will go on sale at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, and at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com).
The Wild will host the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the club’s regular season home opener at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota plays seven of its first 10 games of the season on home ice (Oct. 4-27) before hitting the road for a seven-game road trip – the longest road trip in franchise history (Oct. 29-Nov. 11). The Wild’s home schedule features 18 weekend games (two on Friday, 12 on Saturday and four on Sunday).
Fans can sync the Wild’s schedule to their smart phones and electronic calendars and sign up for game alerts by visiting wild.com/DownloadSchedule. Fans are also encouraged to download the NHL App and select the Wild as their favorite team to view Minnesota’s schedule and access videos, articles, stats and other information about the club.
The Wild utilizes demand-based pricing, which dynamically adjusts the price of individual tickets based on demand factors like rivalries, day-of-week, and marquee teams or superstar players. It does not apply to full season tickets, which feature the lowest prices for ticket packages.
Minnesota Wild single-game tickets for the 2018-19 NHL preseason will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23 at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office and through Ticketmaster(800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com). The Wild play three preseason games at Xcel Energy Center, against the Dallas Stars on Thursday, Sept. 20, the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Sept. 22, and the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
Minnesota will also host the St. Louis Blues in a preseason game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the preseason game in Des Moines can be purchased at www.iowawild.com, the Wells Fargo Arena box office or participating Hy-Vee stores, or by calling 1-844-55-HYVEE or visiting www.hy-veetix.com.
For information about Minnesota Wild Season Tickets or to join the Wild Warming House, the only way to secure priority access to future season tickets, visit tickets.wild.com or contact a Wild Ticket Sales Representative at 651-222-WILD.
Visit www.wild.com/pressbox for the latest news and information from the team including press releases, game notes, postgame notes, multimedia content and daily statistics.
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Villa St. Vincent’s Foundation is sponsoring its sixth Annual Glow Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 8 at the Minakwa Golf Course. Registration is at 3:30 with a prompt 4:00 shot gun start. 9 holes of golf will be played in the day light; with the last 9 holes played in the dusk/dark. Registration is limited to 18 teams. All proceeds will be applied to the purchase of updated and safer furniture for resident/tenant lounges, libraries, and lobbies. For more information to register a team or sponsorship, please contact Cindy Hulst, Foundation Development Director. 281-9713. Email: cindy.hulst@bhshealth.org.
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The 14th Annual Crookston Blue Line Club Golf Scramble will be held August 17 at Minakwa Golf Course.
There will be five-person teams with registration at 8:00 a.m. and a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m.
Team sponsorship is $350 and individual entry is $70. With the entry fee you receive lunch, a t-shirt, and prizes. For more information, contact Kristy Swanson at 218-470-0423 or email crookstonhockey@gmail.com. Or visit www.crookstonbluelinehockey.com.
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The Crookston Pirate Booster Club is gearing up for its annual membership drive. PIRATE BOOSTERS exists to support Crookston High boys’ and girls’ athletic programs.
The PIRATE BOOSTERS provide financial assistance which allows student-athletes to obtain equipment, uniforms, warm-ups and facilities enhancements. Your annual investment will help the athletic needs of the Crookston High School student-athletes.
With your contribution of $100.00 or more, you will have your name placed on the PIRATE BOOSTERS sustaining membership board which is located in the CHS Commons. In addition, your name will be placed in all printed programs for CHS athletic events.
The Contribution levels are broken down as follows:
$100.00-$249.00 – Blue Club Member
$250.00-$499.00 – Gold Club Member and will receive recognition as an event sponsor during the 2018-2019 academic year.
$500.00-$999.00 – Pirate Club Member and will receive recognition as a multiple event sponsor during the academic year 2018-2019.
$1,000.00 or more – Captain’s Club Member and will receive special recognition throughout the entire 2018-2019 academic year.
Although giving levels have been established, any contribution to PIRATE BOOSTERS will be greatly appreciated.
As a part of your annual membership, you are assured CHS athletic team members will not solicit you or your business with smaller fundraisers. You will have a choice to approach a specific team if you desire to provide additional support. If you are interested in joining PIRATE BOOSTERS, please make your check payable to PIRATE BOOSTERS by April 30, 2018. You may bring your donation to Greg Garmen at Crookston High School or Charles Reynolds at Fitzgerald, Reynolds, Harbott, Knutson & Larson, PLLP. If you would prefer to have your donation picked up, please contact Greg Garmen or Charles Reynolds. You can send a check to Crookston Pirate Boosters – 402 Fisher Avenue, Crookston MN 56716.
The Crookston High School Athletic Department student-athletes and coaches and the entire PIRATE BOOSTER CLUB appreciate your generous support.
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There has been a lot of interest from people after we posted this so we will post it again. If you have any info on Pirate sports records or want to help to track them down read below!
Crookston High School, namely Ed Nelson, has been working on getting all the records for the Pirate Sports teams updated and it has been a process. Ed is looking for any records, stats, state participants, etc from the following sports.
Boys Tennis
Girls Tennis
Football
Girls Soccer
Volleyball
Baseball
If you have Crookston Times articles with information, yearbooks with team and/or individual records, scrapbooks, or anything with any information that you might think would be of interest to Ed email him at ednelson12@yahoo.com.
With that said we have links to the Crookston Pirate records pages for the following sports. If you see something that is incomplete, or maybe an updated record let Ed know at the above email address. I have listed the team and click on the team to see their records.
Here is an update on the various sports covered by the website as of December 1, 2016
Sports that are done and will not change without additional information:
Boys’ Basketball
Girls’ Basketball
Boys’ Golf
Girls’ Golf
Boys’ Soccer (Poor or no records were kept over the years.)
Girls’ Soccer
Boys’ Track & Field
Girls’ Track & Field
Wrestling
Softball
Swimming
Volleyball
Girls’ Hockey will be complete by the end of 2016 and join the above. I am currently looking for “Team: Game” and “Player: Game” records for the first 5 years of the program.
Sports being worked on:
Baseball (Justin Johnson is doing the research and has completed the last 16 years)
Boys’ & Girls’ Tennis (Mike Geffre has the information and is scanning everything. When he is done, the records will be posted.)
Sports not yet started:
Football (I will be starting Football this winter.)
Boys’ Hockey (Frank Fee has agreed to research the records.)
Fall Sports –
Boys Soccer Girls Swimming Girls Soccer Volleyball
Incomplete records Girls Tennis Football
Winter Sports –
Boys Basketball Girls Basketball Boys Hockey Girls Hockey Wrestling
Spring Sports-
Softball Boys Track Girls Track Boys Golf Girls Golf –
Incomplete records Boys Tennis Baseball
Sports that are no longer offered-
Boys Swimming Girls Cross Country Boys Cross Country
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JOKES (Do you have any good jokes – email them to chrisjfee@yahoo.com and I will put them in the feever
Two old guys, one 80 and one 87, were sitting on a park bench one morning. The 87-year-old had just finished his morning jog and wasn’t even short of breath. The 80-year-old was amazed at the guy’s stamina and asked him what he eats to have so much energy.
The 87-year-old said, “Well, I eat rye bread every day. It keeps your energy level high and you’ll have great stamina with the ladies.”
So, on the way home the 80-year-old stopped at the bakery. As he was looking around, the saleslady asked if he needed any help.
He said, “Do you have any rye bread?”
She said, “Yes, there’s a whole shelf of it. Would you like some?”
He said, “I want five loaves.”
She said, “My goodness, five loaves! By the time you get to the 3rd loaf, it’ll be hard.”
The old man says to himself, “I can’t believe everybody knows about this shit but me.”
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I will start updating athletes and coaches next week. Let me know if you have anybody to list!
How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST *****
Cade Salentine, a Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Paul Bittner,
is playing for the Cleveland Monsters (AHL – minor league affiliate of Columbus).
Marietta Geist, a Junior on the Carleton College Women’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams.
Luke Edlund, is a Senior linebacker on the Crown College football team.
Elise Tangquist, is a Sophomore golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Northwestern will be off until the spring.
Isaac Westlake, a Junior playing golf for the Winona State Warriors.
Haley Roed, a Junior swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Kate MacGregor, a Freshman swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Merran Dingman, a Freshman swimming at Minnesota State Moorhead.
Brita Fagerlund, is a Sophomore on the University of Jamestown Jimmy Women’s Track team.
Aaron Hollcraft, is a Senior playing basketball and baseball for the UMC Golden Eagles.
Amanda Trandem, is a Sophomore on the University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Softball team.
Bobby Tiedemann, is a Junior on the St. Mary’s University Men’s Tennis team in Winona.
Ryan Bittner, is a Senior playing hockey for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Brady Heppner, is a Junior playing hockey at St. Johns University in Collegeville.
Haley Roed, a Junior on the Minnesota State Moorhead Women’s Swim team.
Josh Edlund, is an assistant football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Crookston School District Coaches –
Brody Davidson is an Assistant Pirate Football coach.
Tyler Brekken is a Pirate C team football coach and junior high Pirate Softball coach
Jeremy Lubinski is a Pirate 8th Grade Football coach.
Amy Bollis the head Pirate Girls Track head coach and assistant volleyball coach
Sarah Reeseis the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Shelly Erdmann is the Assistant Girls Soccer coach.
Cody Brekken is the Assistant Pirate Girls Tennis coach, Pirate Boys Tennis coach and Crookston Community Pool Supervisor
Marley Melbye is the Head Girls Swimming coach
Mitch Bakken is the head Pirate Baseball coach.
Justin Johnson is the Pirate Junior Varsity Baseball coach.
Brock Hanson is the Pirate Baseball volunteer assistant coach.
Jeff Perreaultis 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
Non Crookston High School Coaches-
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach in Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is Head Wrestling coach and Assistant Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Todd Kreibich, is the Coach and General Manager for the Minnesota Iron Rangers Junior Hockey team our of Hoyt Lakes.
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
Erika Wheelhouse is serving in the Peace Corp in the Philippines.
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.
Alan Mart, 2009 Crookston High School graduate, is currently serving his country for the US Army as a Cavalry Scout in Afghanistan.
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 Central is stationed at Hohnfels in Germany for the next 2 or 3 years.
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
