SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
We are getting closer to the start of the 2026 Minnesota High School Fall Sports season. I have the fall sports start date, first competition date, and state tournament dates listed below.
FOOTBALL-
Practice starts August 17
First date of competition is September 3
Last date for Section Tournament is November 6
State Qurterfinals November 12-14
State Semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium is November 19-21
State Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium is November 27 and 28
GIRLS TENNIS
Practice starts August 17
First date of competition is August 20
Last date for Section tournament is October 20
State Tournament is October 27-30
BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER
Practice starts August 17
First date of competition is August 27
Last Date for Section tournament is October 22
State Tournament quarterfinals – October 27-29
Semi-finals and championship at U.S. Bank Stadium – November 4-7
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Practice starts August 17
First date of competition is August 27
Last day for Section tournament is November 7
State Tournament at Grand Casino Arena is November 11-14
CROSS COUNTRY (Boys and Girls)
First Day of practice is August 17
First date of competition is August 27
Last date for completion of the section meet is October 31
State meet is November 7 at a location to be determined
GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING
First day of practice is August 17
First date of competition is August 27
Last date for completion of the section meet is November 14
State swim meet is November 18-20 at the U of M Aquatic Center
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Next week we will take a look at the Section tournament dates for all the area fall sports.
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Crookston had the coaches’ list approved on Monday, and they are still looking for a Head and Assistant Girls Tennis coach. If you want to coach a group of great young ladies with good parents and a culture of winning and doing things the right way, this is the job for you! If you are interested in coaching Crookston Girls Tennis, contact Evan Pederson at evanpederson@isd593.org.
2026 FALL COACHES LIST
FOOTBALL
Head Coach – Jim McBride
Assistants – Devin Barton, George Widman, Chris Trostad
Junior Varsity – Josh Baatz
J.V. volunteer – Drew Pederson
8th grade – Hal Reeser
8th grade volunteer – Alex Koppel
7th grade – Pat Guzman
7th/8th grade volunteer – Tim Moe
7th grade volunteer – Brian Boll
Hudl – Tim Moe
VOLLEYBALL-
Head Coach – Katie Morgan
Assistants – Ella Engen, Lynnea Oman
Junior High – Katie Perreault
Volunteer – Brandi Nesseth
GIRLS TENNIS-
Head Coach – TBD
Assistant Coach – TDB
Junior High – Leah Winjum
GIRLS SOCCER-
Head Coach – Andrew Scully
Assistant Coach – Thomas Scully
Junior High – Makoti Weber
JUNIOR HIGH ONE ACT – TBD
FFA ADVISOR – Lily Krona
BUILDERS CLUB – Meagen Solie
TRAINER – Dr. Lucas Biermaier
WEIGHT ROOM – Dan Rooney
AUDITORIUM MANAGER – Steve Krueger
STUDENT COUNCIL – Linda Morgan
JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT COUNCIL – Meagen Solie
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Outstanding Roseau Ram multi-sport athlete Jordan Borowicz has committed to play football at Minnesota State Moorhead as Coach Laqua continues to load up with outstanding local talent!!!
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We have some good news. It looks like Kittson County American Legion baseball will be going next year. They are trying to get things going and field a team!
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What did the legion season prove to us this year? The regular legion season doesn’t mean a thing!!!
In the Northwest Substate Division II tournament, the #3 seed in the south pod, Ada, won in impressive fashion. For whatever reason, Ada didn’t get it going like many thought they would in the high school season, but having some extra help in the legion season proved beneficial as they cruised to the championship.
In the first round, Ada beat #2 from the North Middle River 5-0. In the second round, they beat #1 from the south, Wadena, 4-2. To get to the championship, they beat #1 from the north Warroad 11-6. In the championship, they beat Warroad again 14-11 to advance to state.
In the Northwest Substate Division 1 tournament, #6 Brainerd won the tournament!
Brainerd beat #3 Alexandria 5-3 in the first round, beat #7 Perham 3-2 in the second round. They beat #5 seed Moorhead 11-9 to get to the championship game before losing to Alexandria 9-5 in the first championship game, forcing a true-championship. Brainerd won the game 5-2 to advance to the state Division 1 Legion tourney.
In the Division II West-Central sub-state, Parkers Prairie beat Montevideo twice in the championship 2-0 in 10 innings and 4-1 to advance to state.
The 2026 Minnesota Division II State Legion Baseball tournament will be hosted by Glenwood July 31-August 2.
FIRST ROUND-
10:00 AM – St. Cloud vs Rushford
12:30 PM – Ely vs Parkers Prairie
4:00 PM – Sleepy Eye vs LeSuer/Henderson
7:00 PM – Ada vs Glenwood
SECOND ROUND –
9:00 AM – Loser of 10AM and 12:30 PM games
11:30 PM – Loser of 4:00 and 7:00 PM games
5:00 PM – Winner of 10AM and 12:30 PM games
7:30 PM – Winner of 4PM and 7PM games
THIRD ROUND –
9:30 AM – Consolation Championship
NOON – Third Place game
2:30 PM – Championship
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The State Division I American Legion State tournament will be held at two fields in New Ulm, and one field in Springfield, and one field in Sleepy Eye.
The tournament is split into pools –
RED POOL (played in New Ulm) – New Ulm Gold, Sartell, St. Louis Park, and St. Michael
SILVER POOL (played in New Ulm) – Edina, Excelsior Blue, Rochester Redhawks, Tri-City Maroon
BLUE POOL (played in Springfield)– Farmington Red, Grand Rapids, Owatonna, Wayzata Wiz
GOLD POOL (played in Sleepy Eye) – Brainerd, Elk River, Farmington, Marshall
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The 22nd annual Crookston Blue Line Club Golf Scramble will be held at the Minakwa Golf Club in Crookston on Friday, August 14. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9:00 a.m. Individual entries are $100, or team entries are $500 with a limit of five golfers per team.
The event will include on-course contests such as longest drive and closest to the pin, a hole-in-one contest, and prize drawings and raffles, including a chance to win a Lab putter. Lunch will be provided.
All proceeds from the golf scramble will go toward the Crookston Youth Hockey program. To register for this event or for more information, contact Katie Fee at 218-280-1330 or crookstonhockey@gmail.com.
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The 45th Annual Crookston Lions and Get Kids Outdoors Youth Golf Tournament will be held on August 3 and 4 at Minakwa Golf Course in Crookston (901 Fisher Avenue).
August 3 –
Ages 13-17 (18-year-olds can golf if they are going to be a senior in high school) – Shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.
Ages 9-12 – start at 9:00 a.m.
August 4 – 8-year-olds and younger start at 9:00 a.m.
AGES – HOLES
Ages 8 and under – 4 holes
9-10 – 9 holes
11-12 – 9 holes
13-14 – 18 holes
15-17 – 18 holes
ENTRY FEE – $20 – lunch included
PARK AND REC GOLFGERS or under 8 years old – $10 – lunch included
Pre-registration is encouraged by July 31, however no golfer will be turned away.
NEW REGISTRATION PROCEDURE – Call 218-281-1970 to speak with Ann or Bailey, or stop by Longtin Agency at 202 South Main Street in Crookston. All Payments will be made by either cash or check. (Make checks payable to – Crookston Lions Club)
Register early for your chance to win a 100 Scheels Gift Card! Every golfer who registers by July 24 will automatically be entered into the drawing.
Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG93nwVZ33YDUQrI4fuSvZ2zw2rKQ3C_nPp3bRFP9lcJEMyw/viewform
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The Holy Family Knights of Columbus Chapter of Red Lake County will host its annual Junior Golf Tournament at Oak Knolls Golf Course in Red Lake Falls on Wednesday, August 5.
The entry fee is $10 for ages 11 to 17 with all-you-can-eat lunch included.
The entry fee is $5 for ages 10 and under, with all-you-can-eat lunch included.
The tournament will start at 9:00 a.m. with a shotgun start.
AGE GROUPS –
GIRLS (Number of entrants will determine the age brackets)
BOYS (5 age groups)
15-17 – 18 holes
13-14 – 18 holes
11-12 – 18 holes
9-10 – 9 holes
8 and under- 9 holes
Medal play in all age groups with prizes and trophies awarded, along with numerous door prizes. There will be a putting contest and other contests throughout the course.
The entry deadline is preferred by Noon on Sunday, August 2, but you may register the morning of the tournament before 8:45 a.m.
Send entries to:
Steve Philion
518 Champagne Ave.
Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
(Phone – 218-686-3608)
Email – sphilion@rlfedu.org
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The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer program will host an ID Camp August 16 for students entering grades nine through college seniors. The campers will get a chance to experience life as a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
The campers will be instructed by Minnesota Crookston Soccer Head Coach Danny Burstein and Assistant Coach Breezie Davis. They will get a glimpse of campus. They will be led through drills and observed by the coaches at Minnesota Crookston, and nearby universities. The camp will include technical training, possession drills, small-sided and 11v11 games. The campers and their families will get a tour of campus and have Q&A sessions with current Minnesota Crookston players and staff. Lunch is provided. The camp will be held August 16 at the Minnesota Crookston Soccer Field from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $130 with camp being $125 plus $5 in fees. T-shirt and lunch are included.
“I am very excited to have prospective student-athletes on campus for our ID Camp,” said Head Coach Danny Burstein. It will be a great opportunity for interested players to interact with the whole team during our preseason. They will get a real feel for what it would be like to come and play soccer at UMC. This camp can be a real tool for both us and recruits to find future Golden Eagles.”
For more information on the camp and to register visit soccer.umcsportscamps.com or reach out to Head Coach Danny Burstein at burstein@umn.edu or 218-281-8420.
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JOKES
A little boy and his grandfather are raking leaves in the yard. The little boy finds an earthworm trying to get back into its hole. He says,”Grandpa, I bet I can put that worm back in that hole.” The grandfather replies, “I’ll bet you five dollars you can’t. It’s too wiggly and limp to put back in that little hole.”
The little boy runs into the house and comes back out with a can of hairspray. He sprays the worm until it is straight and stiff as a board. Then he puts the worm back into the hole.
The grandfather hands the little boy five dollars, grabs the hairspray, and runs into the house. Thirty minutes later, the grandfather comes back out and hands the little boy another five dollars. The little boy says,
“Grandpa, you already gave me five dollars.”
The grandfather replies, “I know. That’s from your grandma
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First golfer: “I have the greatest golf ball in the world. You can’t lose it.”
Second golfer: “How so?”
First golfer: “If you hit it into the sand, it beeps. You hit it into the water, it floats. If you want to play golf at night it glows.”
Second golfer: “Hey, sounds good. Where did you get it?”
First golfer: “I found it in the woods.”
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A drunk man who smelled like booze sat down on a bench next to a priest. The man’s tie was stained, his face was plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading.
After a few minutes, the man turned to the priest and asked,’ Say Father, what causes arthritis?’
The priest replies, ‘My Son, it’s caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much alcohol, contempt for your fellow man, sleeping around with prostitutes, and lack of a bath.’
The drunk muttered in response, ‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ then returned to his paper.
The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. ‘I’m very sorry.
I didn’t mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?
The drunk answered, ‘I don’t have it, Father.I was just reading here that the Pope does.
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A trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order. He said, “I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.”
The brand new blonde waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, “This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running Boards. What does he think this place is, an auto parts store?”
“No,” the cook said, “Three flat tires mean three pancakes, a pair of headlights is two eggs sunny side up, and running boards are 2 slices of crisp bacon.”
“Oh, OK!” said the blonde. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.
The trucker asked, “What are the beans for, Blondie?”
She replied, “I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!”
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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
Matt Contreras is a freshman playing baseball at Concordia College in Moorhead.
Teagen Lubinski is playing Junior Hockey for the Badlands Sabers in the NA3HL.
Parker Kelly is playing Junior Hockey for the Badlands Sabers in the NA3HL.
Addie Fee is a freshman playing tennis and hockey at Wisconsin-Superior.
Kambelle Freije is a freshman playing hockey at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Riley Helgeson is a freshman playing football at Northern State.
Emily Bowman is a freshman playing Softball at North Dakota State College of Science.
Halle Winjum is a sophomore playing basketball at Minnesota Crookston.
Blake Melsa is a sophomore playing soccer and baseball at Alexandria Tech
Jackson Reese is a sophomore playing soccer at Alexandria Tech
Matt Contreras is a freshman playing baseball at Concordia College.
Naomi Johnson is a freshman playing soccer at Alexandria Tech
Paul Bittner is an assistant coach on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Men’s Hockey team.
Reese Swanson is a sophomore playing hockey at St. Olaf.
Carter Coauette is a sophomore playing football at Minot State.
Isaac Thomforde is a sophomore playing Tennis at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
Halle Bruggeman is a Junior on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.
Ethan Boll is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Football team.
Breanna Kressin is a Junior on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.
Jacey Larson is a Junior playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Aleah Bienek is a Senior playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.
Seth Heppner – Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Golf at Jessup University
Brady Heppner – Head Coach of Women’s Golf at UMC and Assistant Hockey Coach
Crookston School District Coaches
Blake Bergeron is the head Pirate Wrestling Coach.
Colton Weiland is an assistant Pirate Wrestling Coach
Jason Cassavant is a Jr. High Baseball Coach and Head American Legion Baseball coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is an assistant girls golf coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ben Trostad is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ethan Magsam is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Little Falls Volleyball coach.
Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball
Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.
Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.
Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
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 North Dakota.
Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.
Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jaren Bailey is serving our country and is Lance Corporal in the Marines.
Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
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..
