Welcome to the July 16 Sports Feever column. We won’t be able to answer the million dollar question…..Will there be high school sports this fall. If I had a nickel for every time I had that question…I would be able to retire 10 years earlier. It is the question everybody is asking and we still don’t know the answer and won’t know the answer until the end of July. So Stay tuned –
One thing we can tell you is that all the Breakdown Basketball tournaments (tournaments that many high school boys and girls basketball teams compete in during the summer have been canceled and the Crookston Pirate Boys and Girls teams won’t be playing in any tournaments now. The teams might look at scrimmaging an area team, but that is still up in the air and it depends on the willingness of the players.
It is good to see Breakdown Basketball is willing to NOT make some money to keep the kids safe. There is still hope in the sports world. Let’s face it, one tournament isn’t going to make or break a team this summer or any summer.
Speaking of high school Sports we have a breakdown of some of the highlights from the Minnesota State High School League meeting this week and a lot more below. Enjoy and remember we are one month away from the first high school fall sports practice!!! Cross your fingers!
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The Minnesota State High School League met on Tuesday in a special meeting.
They started the meeting by discussing a return to participation for fall activities. Plans continue for the scheduled August 17 start (Aug. 10 for Zero Week football teams), with contingency plans ranging from full participation to no participation. The final decision on what the MSHSL will do hinges on the school decision expected from Governor Tim Walz later this month.
The board discussed the 2020-21 budget. The pre-COVID budget forecast had revenues of $814,722. If no fall activities are held they are predicting a deficit of $466,000. If no fall and winter activities, the predicted deficit balloons to $3.2 million. One of the biggest expenses the MSHSL has is a yearly payment of $650,000 for catastrophic insurance coverage on all students involved in MSHSL activities.
80 percent of MSHSL funding is tied to state tournaments (TV contract, tickets, sponsorships). State tournaments that produce revenue (football, basketball, boys hockey, volleyball) help pay for state tournaments that don’t produce revenue.
According to the MSHSL’s John Millea, Board treasurer Tom Jerome (Roseau School District Superintendent) said the system in many ways is archaic and suggested a funding system based on school membership fees with yearly revenue overages returned to the schools.
A comment was made that some schools pay more in conference membership fees than they do in MSHSL fees.
The MSHSL League looks like it will stop providing printed programs at state tournaments with the programs available for online download (like it is done in 31 other states). The cut will save anywhere from $170,000 to 195,000 per year.
Starting August 4, the MSHSL board officers will be the following –
President – Blaine Novak (New York Mills Superintendent)
Vice President – Tom Jerome (Roseau Superintendent)
Treasurer – Troy Stein (Edina Activities Director)
The MSHSL Board’s 20 members represent
8 from the eight MSHSL regions
4 public reps appointed by the Governor
2 reps from the High School Principal Association
2 reps from the School Board Association
KROX will have the Minnesota State High School League’s John Millea live on Monday at 10:40 a.m. You can listen on KROX Radio, online at www.kroxam.com, the KROX app, or Alexa.
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The U.S. Hockey’s Hall of Fame game scheduled for 2020, including the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawk Men’s Hockey team has been canceled.
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Minnesota Duluth Men’s Hockey has announced the Ice Breaker Tournament — which they were supposed to host on October 9-10 at AMSOIL Arena this fall has been postponed to 2021. With the change of dates, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers won’t be able to participate because of a scheduling conflict. It will be UMD, Minnesota State Mankato, Providence, and a team to be determined.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball team earned the 2019-20 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Awards, created by the NABC Committee on Academic. The award recognizes outstanding academic achievement by a team with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better for the 2019-20 season.
In order to earn an NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, institutions in the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA must count the grade point averages of all men’s student-athletes who competed during the 2019-20 season.
In addition to the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, Minnesota Crookston’s Harrison Cleary (Sr., Oak Creek, Wis.) was selected to the NABC Honors Court, which recognized more than 1,350 men’s collegiate basketball student-athletes who excelled in academics during the past season. The NABC Honors Court highlights the talents and gifts these men possess on the court and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.
In order to be named to the Honors Court, a student-athlete must meet a high standard of academic criteria. The qualifications are as follows:
1. Academically a junior or senior and a varsity player.
2. Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year.
3. Students must have matriculated at least one year at their current institution.
4. Member of a NCAA Division I, II, III, or NAIA Division I or II institution with a NABC member coach.
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The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced its final piece to the 2020 signing class with the addition of Joalys Nunez (DS/OH, 5-8, Bayamon, Puerto Rico/Lake-Sumter State College).
Nunez is coming to Minnesota Crookston after one season at Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg, Florida. Nunez will have three years to compete for the Golden Eagles. She recorded 82 kills for 1.82 kills per set and 16 services aces as a freshman for the Lakehawks. Defensively, Nunez was second on her squad with 3.27 digs per set. Nunez notched 15 kills and 22 digs in a victory over South Florida State College. She appeared in 45 sets as a freshman.
Nunez attended Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida, where she helped her team to a 21-6 mark as a senior in 2018. She is originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
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Minnesota Hockey recently did a Q and A with Vegas Golden Knights Amateur Scout Keith Hendrickson, a former University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog and long-time coach at Virginia High School. Hendrickson offered some great insight for young players. One of the best quotes he gave was “We also want players with character. We don’t want characters.”
Some of the Q and A is below and a link to the full article is below.
Minnesota Hockey: This is an unusual time for young players and their parents. Some of the better players are probably feeling some FOMO (fear of missing out), in terms of opportunities to showcase their talents to both college and pro scouts. What would you say to them as they’re thinking about the future?
Keith Hendrickson: Everybody is in the same boat, so there’s no reason to get too uptight about things you have no control over. For young people who have aspirations of a college or pro opportunity, you still have time to keep improving, especially with gyms opening up and kids starting to skate. Keep going after it and don’t feel sorry for yourself. Just focus on being the best you can be. If a kid isn’t working out now, it’s because they’ve made the choice not to, which probably means they aren’t a great prospect.
Minnesota Hockey: How would you recommend players use this time to train and develop?
Hendrickson: No matter where you train, for me, it’s about training to becoming a better athlete. The better the athlete you are, the more upside you will likely have as a player as you get older. Focus on overall athleticism and things like explosive speed and agility as opposed to seeing how much you can bench press. And avoid too much sports specialization, which at a younger age can be detrimental. Play soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball. I coached Matt Niskanen in high school and he was a great football and baseball player, as well as hockey. Do some water skiing or wakeboarding. Do some things that may be uncomfortable and have fun and be a better athlete. Basketball is a great crossover game for a lot of reasons. If you’re a really good hockey player sometimes it’s not a bad idea to play another sport where you’re not as good and see what that’s like. You may have to work harder. It’s good to see what that’s like, not being “the guy.” There are a lot of benefits that are intangible that you can’t always measure.
Minnesota Hockey: How important is patience in player development?
Hendrickson: Kids develop at different ages. Just because a player is good at 12 doesn’t mean they’ll be good at 17. While every situation is different, for most kids most of the time, I don’t see the benefit to trying to race too fast. I tell people all the time, players and parents, enjoy your journey, because you may not have your choice on the destination. Most people remember their buddies and the locker room and yes, some of the games. But it’s about the journey and everything that happens – working out, helping teammates, committing to a team. Those things are huge.
There’s always the rare kid that accelerating development works well for. But the potential downside usually outweighs the upside. There’s nothing wrong with being really good at a level before moving up. That’s how you gain confidence and learn how to carry responsibility and be a leader. There’s a lot of benefit to just being the best you can be at the level you’re at. If you’re good enough, the colleges and pro teams will find you. When we’re looking at an 18-year-old, we don’t care where he played as a Peewee or how many goals he scored when he was 10. So why rush the process?
For the full article, CLICK HERE
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The Minnesota Wild‘s Qualifying Round Series schedule against the Vancouver Canucks was announced today by the National Hockey League (NHL). The best-of-five series will begin on Sunday, August 2. All games will be played at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Minnesota will be the home team for Games three and four.
MINNESOTA WILD QUALIFYING ROUND SERIES SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 2 vs Vancouver at Rogers Place – Time TBD
Tuesday, August 4 vs Vancouver at Rogers Place – Time TBD
Thursday, August 6 vs Vancouver at Rogers Place – Time TBD
Friday, August 7 vs Vancouver at Rogers Place – Time TBD (If Necessary)
Sunday, August 9 vs Vancouver at Rogers Place – Time TBD (If Necessary)
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Crookston Lions Club/Minakwa Golf Course‘s 39th Annual Junior Golf Tournament will be held Monday, August 3.
Due to COVID restrictions: tee times for groups are listed below
15 – 17 at 8:30a.m.
13 – 14 at 9:00 a.m
11 – 12 at 9:30 a.m.
9 – 10 at 10:00 a.m.
8 and under at 10:30 a.m.
Parents are asked to walk and keep score – social distancing is encouraged
BOYS AND GIRLS
9 to 17 years olds will play nine holes.
8 and under will play four holes and receive participation medal.
Prizes will be awarded for Boys and Girls Medalists:
ENTRY FEE: $20.00 (LUNCH INCLUDED)
$10.00 for 8 and under (4 holes and lunch)
CALL TO PRE-REGISTER BY August 1st, 2020
Minakwa Golf Course
901 Fisher Ave
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-1773
Sponsored by: Crookston Lions and Minakwa Golf Course
Waiver and questionnaire will be required to participate.
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KC JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT
OAK KNOLLS GOLF COURSE
RED LAKE FALLS, MN
MONDAY, JULY 20
ENTRY FEE—$5.00, INCLUDES GREEN FEES (THANKS TO OAK KNOLLS GOLF COURSE!!!)
There will be no lunch this year due to COVID-19 and all groups will be 9 holes only.
Boys and Girls Age groups
Medal play in all age groups with prizes and trophies awarded, plus extra contests
Age groups – 13-14, 15-17 – Shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. with sign-in at 8:30
10 and under, 11-12 – Shotgun start at Noon – sign-in at 11:30
Entry deadline is preferred by Noon on July 19, but can register the morning of.
Send Entry to –
STEVE PHILION
518 CHAMPAGNE AVE. SW
RED LAKE FALLS, MN 56750
OR call 218-253-2499 or EMAIL: sphilion@rlfedu.org
All participants are required to fill out a waiver and a health questionnaire. The waiver should be sent to Steve Philion before July 20 and the health questionnaire. The waiver should be sent to Steve Philion before July 20 and the health questionnaire must be handed in the morning of the tournament when you sign in. To receive the waiver and health questionnaire, send an email to sphilion@rlfedu.org.
The event is sponsored by the Holy Family Knights of Columbus Chapter of Red Lake County for the benefits of the youth of the area.
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JOKES –
When you’re from the country ~ you look at things a little differently…
A Montana rancher got in his pickup and drove to a neighboring ranch and knocked at the door. A young boy, about 9, opened the door “Is your Dad home?” the rancher asked.
“No sir, he isn’t,” the boy replied. “He went into town.”
“Well,” said the rancher, “Is your Mother here?”
“No sir, she’s not here either. She went into town with Dad.”
“How about your brother, Howard? Is he here?”
“No sir, He went with Mom and Dad.”
The rancher stood there for a few minutes, shifting from one foot to the other and mumbling to himself.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” the boy asked politely. “I know where all the tools are, if you want to borrow one. Or maybe I could take a message for Dad.”
“Well,” said the rancher uncomfortably, “I really wanted to talk to your Dad. It’s about your brother Howard getting my daughter, Suzie, pregnant.”‘
The boy considered for a moment. “You would have to talk to Pa about that,” he finally conceded. “If it helps you any, I know that Pa charges $500 for the bull and $50 for the hog, but I really don’t know how much he gets for Howard.”
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A couple had been married for 35 years, and the pair was also celebrating their 60th birthdays. During the celebration, a fairy godmother appeared and said that because they had been such a loving couple all those years, she would give them each one wish.
The wife said she wanted to travel around the world. The fairy godmother waved her magic wand and BOOM! The wife had the tickets in her hand.
Then it was the husband’s turn. He paused for a moment, then said boldly, “Well, I’d like to have a wife 30 years younger than I.” The fairy godmother picked up her wand and BOOM! He was now 90.
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A new York Divorce Lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. Saint Peter asks him “What have you done to merit entrance into Heaven?” The Lawyer thought a moment, then said, “A week ago, I gave a quarter to a homeless person on the street.” Saint Peter asked Gabriel to check this out in the record, and after a moment Gabriel affirmed that this was true.
Saint Peter said, “Well , that’s fine, but it’s not really quite enough to get you into Heaven.” The Lawyer said, “Wait Wait! There’s more! Three years ago I also gave a homeless person a quarter.” Saint Peter nodded to Gabriel, who after a moment nodded back, affirming this, too, had been verified.
Saint Peter then whispered to Gabriel, “Well, what do you suggest we do with this fellow?”
Gabriel gave the Lawyer a sidelong glance, then said to Saint Peter,
“Let’s give him back his 50 cents and tell him to go to Hell.”
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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
Paul Bittner is playing for the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Bluejacket.
Brady Heppner, is playing hockey for the Roanoke Raildogs in the SPHL.
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.
Ben Trostad is a sophomore member of the University of Minnesota Crookston golf team.
Isaac Westlake, is a Senior on the Winona State Warrior Men’s Golf team.
Elise Tangquist, is a Junior golfer for the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Mason LaPlante, a freshman, is playing soccer at the University of Jamestown.
Rachel Hefta, a freshman, is playing volleyball at Hastings College in Nebraska.
Cade Salentine is a redshirt Freshman playing football at the University of North Dakota.
Nick Garmen, is a freshman playing basketball and tennis at the University of Minnesota Morris.
Thea Oman, a freshman, is swimming at St. Ben’s.
Crookston School District Coaches –
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
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
Blake Fee is an assistant 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.
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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