Erasing out a bad memory. UUN #9-24
To see back issues go here: https://www.unofficialundergroundnews.com/
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Dear Vindicated Johnnie Fans —
How sweet it is! 34 to Zero. And it could have been, should have been even worse for the Gusties. We missed a field goal, fumbled deep in Gustavus territory on one drive, stalled in the red zone on another, screwed up another promising drive with back-to-back penalties, and had a brilliant punt return for a TD by senior #1 Marselio Mendez called back by a block-in-the-back penalty.
The Jays’ total domination over the Gusties, especially on defense, helped remove the specter of last year’s devastating defeat and very poor defensive play, a loss that precluded our absence from the Division III playoffs.
The Johnnies shut the door on Gustavus by allowing only 125 yards of offense — 65 passing and 61 rushing — resulting in our second shutout of the season. GAC ended the day 8 of 20 passing with an interception and being sacked six times. They suffered 11 tackles for a loss. “Smothering” is a good word to describe our defense. Sixty of the Gusties’ 65 passing yards went to Jake Breitbach, the 2023 MIAC Offensive Player of the Year, on six catches. Gustavus' Caden Kleinschmidt, who was the reigning MIAC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance of seven receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 36-7 win at Macalester, was held without a catch. SJU's defense currently leads NCAA Division III in sacks (4.57 spg.) and is sixth nationally against the run (48.4 ypg.).
Gustavus’ talented freshman running back #39 De’Marion Brown goes nowhere as two linebackers, senior #3 Cooper Yaggie and sophomore #23 Aiden McMahon, thoroughly wrap him up. Brown carried ten times for 26 yards, or a 2.6 yard average. McMahon led the Johnnies in tackles with 11, 4 solo.
Said coach Gary Fasching ’81 about the day, "If we're going to be a great defensive team, we can't give up big plays. We've had four games in a row where we've done that where it resulted in a touchdown. We didn't do that today. I thought our guys did a great job with that today. They played their positions, and I thought they looked hungry out there. They looked like they were really intent on shutting them down."
While kudos must be delivered to the entire defense, senior linebacker #43 Hayden Sanders stood out last Saturday; he totaled seven tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, 1 sack and a forced fumble. That performance was recognized by his being named to D3football.com's National Team of the Week, and as the MIAC Defensive Player of the Week for a second time this season. Sanders leads SJU in solo tackles (25) and tackles for a loss (9.5) this season and is second in total tackles (44) and third in sacks (4.5). Plus he has an academic GPA of something like 3.94; he’s an Accounting major, plus involved in community service projects and is a vocal team leader. The whole enchilada, this lad.
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Offensively, it was a most frustrating first half. We just couldn’t keep a drive going. SJU's first four possessions yielded three punts and a missed 34-yard field goal attempt. But finally junior running back #27 Caden Wheeler scored a 1-yard touchdown to top off a 7-minute, 82-yard drive two minutes before the half.
SJU received the opening second-half kick-off and, on the second play, senior quarterback #6 Aaron Syverson hit wide-open tight end #0 Joey Gendreau with a 76-yard TD bomb right up the middle. That opened the floodgates for SJU. "The momentum shifted to us after that," Fasching said. "It felt like that kind of took the wind out of their sails a little bit."
The Johnnies out-gained the Gusties 458-126, including a 338-65 margin through the air. Syverson completed 24 out of 35 attempts, with a 14.1 yards per completion average and was sacked three times in the first half.
Saturday's passing performance enabled Syverson to become SJU's all-time leader in pass completions with 841, breaking Alex Kofoed's '07 record of 830.
"It wasn't a great first half, but we were pretty confident that we'd get it figured out and start making plays," Syverson said. "We believe in ourselves. We know we're going to get it rolling at some point. It's just a matter of when.”
Our leading rusher was senior running back #27 Caden Wheeler who had 77 yards on 13 carries for a 5.9 average before being seriously hurt with a season-ending ankle injury fairly early in the third quarter. St. John's and Gustavus trainers both attended to Wheeler, whose lower right leg was put in an air cast before being carted off the field. The Johnnies surrounded Wheeler on the cart to offer support and encouragement before he left the field. The way he was running Caden certainly would have turned in another 100-yard plus game. That tremendous loss, plus a less serious injury to offensive lineman senior #55 Tom Soler, tarnished an otherwise wonderful day of Johnnie football. We enjoyed a mostly sunny day, with temps in the mid-50s, low wind, and a terrific Family Weekend crowd of 11,514.
With the pressure now off, the team can prepare for St. Scholastica up in Duluth this coming Saturday, and just enjoy playing the game and being with each other.
Junior tight end #0 Joey Gendreau raced to a 76-yard touchdown on the Johnnies' second play of the second half in the win (Photo by Josh Johnston).
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Game Recap and Box Score:
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Additional Quick Video —
SJU vs Gustavus Highlights: The Mini Movie [Oct. 26th, 2024]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udhFlYPLxsY
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A CSS Misunderstanding —
Q: Why did the Saints linebacker try to steal a police car?
A: He saw "911" on the back and thought it was a Porsche.
(Compliments of Conrad Macina, Landing, NJ)
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All About The College of St. Scholastica —
The College of St. Scholastica (CSS) is a private liberal arts college in Duluth, Minnesota. Founded in 1912 by a group of pioneering Benedictine Sisters who came up from the Benedictine Motherhouse in St. Joseph, Minnesota, today St. Scholastica educates almost 3,000 students, (including a reported 1,755 undergraduates) annually and has graduated more than 29,000 alumni. In other words, CSS, including the sisters, the students and the football team, are sort of kissing cousins to St. Ben’s and St. John’s.
The college offers a liberal arts education and is located on 186 wooded acres overlooking Lake Superior. (Their lake is bigger than our lake.) At first a junior college, in 1924 the college became a four-year liberal arts institute with an enrollment of 68 young women. The school's first baccalaureate degrees were granted in 1926. In 1969, it became a fully coeducational institution. As a Benedictine institution, the college is affiliated with the Order of Saint Benedict. Its endowment stands at around $90 million.
Sharing the campus are St. Scholastica Monastery, home of the Benedictine Sisters; and the Benedictine Health Center and Westwood Assisted Living Facility, which provide experiences for many of the college’s health science and behavioral arts and sciences students.
The college awards bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and has a student to faculty ratio of 14:1. Undergraduate majors include liberal arts and science programs as well as pre-professional programs. Graduate degrees are offered in health professions, education, technology, business, and social work. You can check out the campus in this brief video (too bad it was made during the pandemic with those dumb masks.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HSX1nHiQJc
CSS fields 22 athletic teams, including 11 women's (basketball, cross country, Nordic skiing, soccer, softball, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, hockey, tennis, golf, and volleyball) and 11 men's teams (basketball, cross country, Nordic skiing, soccer, baseball, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, hockey, football, golf, and tennis). The college's athletic teams are called the Saints. All teams, except Nordic skiing, compete in the MIAC.
About Saints Football —
The CSS Saints have a comparatively new football program, starting in 2008 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). Within three years they rose to the top and for five years, beginning in 2011 through 2015, they were conference champs, allowing them to be sacrificed in the first game of the NCAA Div.-III playoffs each year. So they were a bit bigger fish is a very small pond that is composed of Northwestern, Martin Luther, Minnesota Morris, and Crown in Minnesota, and Greenville in Illinois and Westminster in Missouri.
Since 2016 they had a winning record every year until they decided to join the MIAC starting in 2021-22. Why join, you might ask? Here’s what CSS President Barbara McDonald said: "We were approached recently by MIAC leadership about the possibility of membership. We did an extensive internal assessment on what the move would mean for not only our athletics department and student-athletes, but the College as a whole. This is a very good fit with our institutional identity, and with the aspirations of Saints coaches, student-athletes and fans. We look forward to joining our Minnesota private college peers in the MIAC.”
I’m not sure what all that prez-speak means, but I think CSS chose to be part of the MIAC because it is the “premier D-III league” in the Upper Midwest, and regarded as one of the most competitive NCAA Division III conferences in the country…and maybe so they won’t have to travel down to Illinois and Missouri anymore. Left unsaid is being part of a nationally-regarded conference could be more attractive to potential recruits. (Here’s an article discussing the MIAC after St. Thomas left: Two years after St. Thomas' departure, the MIAC is flourishing - MinnPost )
The end result so far in football is that they have exchanged being a top UMAC contender annually to become a, so-far, perennial MIAC bottom dweller with Macalester and Hamline. I really don’t know how well they are doing in other men’s and women’s sports, but the overall image is one of not being in the top ranks of the MIAC in athletics. I hope that changes.
Right now it looks like another pretty bleak season — the Saints are 2-5 overall, 1-4 in the MIAC, and 0-3 in our Northwoods Division). Because of our Benedictine relationship to CSS, I feel badly for them and root for their improvement in our conference.
The fact that they only have 69 players on the team doesn’t help matters, although our player travel limit makes that a bit more even. Most of the team— 51 of them— hail from Minnesota, with a ten others from Wisconsin and three from Texas. This is what coach Mike Hefferman has to work with. This is Mike’s 7th season and to date he has an all-time 14-31 record.
Basically, besides being a small squad, they also have small O- and D-Lines, with the possible exception of sophomore OL #59 Brady Schlaak who is 6’10’, 330 pounds. He should stand out if he plays. Quarterbacking the Saints is senior #3 Donald West. His running backs are senior #21 Nick Schlender and frosh #20 Jevon Williams. The main passing targets are senior wide receiver #1 Ricky Weber and grad student #5 Alec Ralph.
Defensively some names we’ll hear about making plays are linebackers senior #11 Anthony Vo, junior #8 Austin Mundt and first year #3 Samuel Haug. At defensive back at senior #5 Antonio Bugni and sophomore #4 Maximillian Neaves. Anchoring the D-Line is senior #55 Henry Eilefson.
Bottom Line: I’m sure the Johnnies have studied how they will attack the Saints. I’m also sure they’ll have trouble getting up for these guys, not that it matters in this case. In the six earlier games against them, both before and after CSS’s entry into the MIAC, SJU has enjoyed a 381-37 scoring advantage, or an average score per meeting of 63.5 to 6.2. Here’s hoping that (a) Gary keeps the score below 60; (b) he plays everyone who travels up to the game; (c) we really power up our running game for the second half; (d) that our boys don't get sloppy; and (e) nobody on either side gets hurt. I also see no need for a single penalty, especially of the 15-yard variety…Other than winning sportingly, that should be our goal.
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Saints Scholarship —
While in the UMAC, St. Scholastica had two promising football players that had failed a test, and could not play football in the championship game. So, after a lot of begging from the coach, the teacher finally let the two take the test again. They took the test, and turned it in. The coach and the two students watched carefully over the teacher grading the tests. She checked over the first test, then over the second test. Half way through the second test she stopped and put a great big "F" on both tests.
The coach was furious and demanded an explanation. She said that they had cheated.
"How?" the coach asked.
The teacher showed him number six. The coach looked at number six on the first test. The answer read, "I don't know." The coach said that it didn't prove anything. So, the teacher handed him the second test.
The answer read, "I don't know either."
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View From The Field —
By Ron Tomczik ’65, Medicine Lake, MN —
With the first half against Gustavus a defensive battle, the second half was maybe the Johnnies best overall half of the 2024 season so far…starting off with Coach Gary Fasching’s pep talk, “This is why you came to St. John’s.”
Our defense was superb. Per defensive tackle Zach Frank,“We had laser focus and high intensity during this week’s practice. We knew what our game plan was (first stop the run, and second stop the pass) and every step in practice was in full focus. This week’s practices were as high intensity as we’ve had all season.”
Offense: per several players, including center Charlie Folkens, some half-time adjustments were made and the offense came together in the second half. The offense had issues the first half, some caused because of dropped passes. I asked Aaron Syverson if he was concerned about the dropped passes—in a loud voice, he said “Hell, No”, and started walking over to see a friend. His whole DNA is to be a good teammate and build the team in order to win games. Over the years of speaking with him he comes across as a cool and calm person. Per players, he has been super positive, calm in the huddle, a “let’s move on” type of quarterback. And for sure, the players have a super respect for this guy with superb skills.
Bad News: running back Caden Wheeler, the fastest guy on the team, who scored our only first half TD, was badly injured in the third quarter. With my brother Pat, we are seat mates with Caden’s parents. His dad, Patrick Wheeler, immediately jumped up from his seat when Caden was being tackled and said, “It’s an ankle injury for sure—if not worse.” I asked how he knew. Patrick said, “Because his foot was turned 90 degrees sideways.” After seeing Caden lying on the turf for about 30 seconds, he ran down to the field, followed 15 seconds later by his wife. The stadium became very quiet. I was very impressed to see ALL the players come out midfield to see Caden being lifted on to a cart and wish him well. What a bummer for Caden, his parents, teammates and our season!
After receiving permission from his dad, I spoke with Caden at home who is resting and waiting for Friday surgery. His tibia and fibula are broken and he has a dislocated ankle. Per Caden, “It was not a dirty play by Gustavus—just part of football.” He is not bitter but obviously very disappointed his season is over. As you may know, his foot was broken in a preseason practice. Plates were put in and now this-- “More hardware will be put in.” He is extremely positive about the team and rest of the season. Bottom line, we have lost a very nice guy who is a heck of a football player!
Per Mankato State transfer, Charlie King, who plays both tight end and defensive end: the big difference between D-2 and D-3—both the D-2 O-Line and D-Line are bigger. The SJU skill positions are just as good or better at SJU—and the academics are much higher at SJU.”
Go Johnnies, Ron
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English Major, Theology Minor Corner —
St. Peter was standing at the Pearly Gates when a soul approached, hopeful of being let in.
Peter asked, "Why should I let you into Heaven?"
The very recently departed answered, "Once a coworker said "supposably" seven times in a meeting and I just let her."
St. Peter yelled, "Get in here!"
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Last Notice! Duluth Tailgate —
On Saturday, November 2 the Johnnies head to Duluth to meet the St. Scholastica Saints on the gridiron. The CSB-SJU Duluth Alum Chapter is hosting a tailgate outside the stadium before the game, beginning at 11 a.m. and lasting until 12:30 p.m., same as last time.
This is a free event; but because food will be served, the group is requesting people register by the following link for a head count; bring your own beverages, and your own chair if desired. A map and further instructions are included on the website.
https://connect.csbsju.edu/register/DuluthChapterTailgate
The location is Walt Hunting Stadium, 401 N. 44th Avenue W., Duluth, MN 55807 (Formerly known as Public School Stadium at Duluth Denfeld High School.)
Our association hosts are: Paul Goossens SJP ’79/SJU ’83; Michael Henderson ’06; Toni Roberts ’06; and Kelsey Berg ’04.
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Biology Majors' Corner, Gestation Period Studies —
I said to my boss the other day, "I need to leave early, I'm going to be a father!"
"Of course", he replied. "Take the afternoon off!"
When I returned to work the next day, my boss came to my desk, "Well, how'd it go? Is it a boy or a girl?"
"I dunno, I'll tell you in 9 months."
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Just listen to the first 45 seconds to get the idea.
Chopin - Marche Funèbre (Funeral March)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-9wXQpzESo
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Johnnie Radio Network —
Saturday’s game can be heard live on WBHR-660 AM across central Minnesota, and KDIZ-1570 AM in the Twin Cities. Mark Lewandowski, Bryan Backes ’87, and Mike Carr ’77 will call all the action, beginning with Johnnies Magazine at 11 a.m. and the pre-game show at 11:30 a.m. The game will also be broadcast on the SJU football website via Stretch Internet. This is the 26th season SJU football can be heard worldwide over the internet (660wbhr.com).
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Listening via the Internet: https://www.wbhr660.com/wbhr-st-johns-sports
Viewing via live streaming: https://miacsportsnetwork.com/stscholastica/ (no charge, steaming begins at 1 pm)
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2024 Football Schedule —
(All games begin at 1 p.m.)
Sep. 7 Carthage (WI) Collegeville W 49-0
Sep. 14 Wartburg (IA) Collegeville W 35-13
Sep. 21 Bye —
Sep. 28 Bethel Arden Hills W 45-20
Oct. 5 Augsburg Collegeville W 45-20
Oct. 12 Concordia Moorhead W 38-31
Oct. 19 Carleton Northfield W 48-7
Oct. 26 Gustavus Collegeville W 34-0
Nov. 2 St. Scholastica Duluth
Nov. 9 St. Olaf Collegeville
Nov. 16 MIAC Week Collegeville
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Bearer of Good News —
A secretary walked into her boss's office and said, "I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you."
"Why do you always have to give me bad news?" he complained. "Tell me some good news for once."
All right, here's some good news," said the secretary. "You're not sterile."
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Around The MIAC, Week 6 — Oct. 19
St. Olaf at Augsburg — (This is kind of a toss-up, what with the Oles barely getting by St. Scholastica and the Auggies getting slain by Bethel; let’s go with Augsburg slightly, only because it’s played in Minneapolis.) Talk about “slightly”, the Auggies escaped with a one-point victory over the Oles, 35-34. Sounds like an exciting game.
Carleton at St. Scholastica — (The Knights should take the Saints fairly easily.) Not unexpectedly, the Knights romped over the Saints 35-14.
Bethel at Hamline — (I think Bethel is improving from when we played them, but the 73 points against Augsburg last week was excessive and shows that the coach wants his team to be noticed by the pollsters who pick at-large teams…expect more excess against the poor Pipers.) The Royals stayed excessive with a 70-0 win over the hapless Pipers. Tsk, tsk.
Concordia at Macalester — (The Cobbers had no problems with Hamline and they’ll have the same amount or less with Mac.) Concordia rolled over the Scots 44-7 in an impressive but not excessive victory.
Gustavus at St. John’s — (A grudge match for sure, at least from the Johnnies p-o-v. We are averaging 44 points to our opponents 15 after six games…look for something similar against the Gusties.) After a lackadaisical first half (7-0), the Johnnies came out a-firing and blanked the Gusties 34-0.
Other Games of Interest —
#10 UW-River Falls at #22 UW-La Crosse — (La Crosse is not that bad a team, judged too harshly by the Top 25 Poll after two very close losses; on the other hand, River Falls ain’t no slouch. It’s the game of the week in the WIAC with R.F. probably winning a close one, although another conference upset would be fun.) Yes! More chaos in the WIAC as La Crosse edged River Falls 28-24. That was sweet.
La Crosse vs. River Falls Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM6nqvoUzS8
#19 UW-Whitewater at #8 UW-Platteville — (My hope is for Platteville to continue the Warhawks’ humiliation this season, maybe knock them down in the rankings toward #24 Mary Hardin-Baylor, who upset them earlier.) This is even sweeter! The Pioneers bested the Warhawks 17-10 and knocked them right out of the Top 25. Love it!
Platteville vs. Whitewater Highlights |
#8 UW-Platteville vs. #19 UW-Whitewater Highlights | D3 College Football 2024
San Diego at St. Thomas — (The Toms face their first real test in the Pioneer Conference; it comes at a good time since UST seems to be ironing out its problems and getting people healthy again. Tommies by ten points, maybe more.) UST won impressively over USD 34-14 in front of almost nobody…what’s wrong with those Tommie fans? (That’s a rhetorical question…we already know what’s wrong with them.)
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Upcoming Games, Week 8 — October 26 —
Augsburg at Concordia — (It would be surprising if the Cobbers don’t beat the Auggies by four touchdowns.)
Carleton at Bethel — (Carleton is better than the other two teams that Bethel humiliated by scores in the 70s, so the Royals might only win with a score in the high 50s.)
St. Olaf at Gustavus — (Look for the Gusties to get back on track after the SJU beat-down and handle the Oles with ease.)
Hamline at Macalester — (Not counting St. Scholastica, this game is undoubtedly for the MIAC cellar. I have no idea who will emerge victorious but will slide toward Mac because it’s a home game.)
St. John’s at St. Scholastica — (No disrespect is meant to the Saints when we observe that the talent differential is so large that it’s a shame we even have to play this game. In another sense it’s inspiring to see a team, knowing that they are vastly out-matched, still prepare seriously and give everything they’ve got just for the love of the game and pride for their school. That said, I will be surprised if we don’t hit 50 points.)
Other Games of Interest —
UW-River Falls at UW-Whitewater — (Now that the Warhawks have had their feathers clipped three times, it will be interesting to see how many fans come out in colder weather to see River Falls take it to them.)
UW-La Crosse at UW-Stout — (Stout has been quietly impressive this season, but I think they’ll have trouble getting by the Eagles. Should be a good game, though.)
St. Thomas at Morehead State — (These two teams have similar records (5-3), but the Toms are 4-0 in their conference while Morehead is 3-1. I think UST will emerge 5-0 in the Pioneer after this game, but with it being closer than last week’s win over San Diego.)
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2024 D3football.com Week 8 Top 25 —
Well, it took eight weeks, but finally one of the WIAC Top 25 got knocked out…and I’m pleased it was UW-Whitewater, although just barely — they, along with Bethel and UW-Stout — are the top teams receiving votes, so any of them could be invited back with some good wins or upsets. That leaves #8 UW-Platteville, #9 UW-Oshkosh, #20 UW-La Crosse and #21 UW-River Falls still among the Top 25 teams.
The first nine teams kept their same ranking this week, including #3 Saint John’s. The biggest change was River Falls dropping from #10 all the way down to #21…and I thought earlier they might take their conference this year. It’s the Wacky WY-ACK.
Top 25 through Oct. 26, 2024:
https://www.d3football.com/top25/2024/week8
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From Our Readers —
From Tony Sandeen '97, Hong Kong —
Wick, I had a longer email planned and then I read this week's UUN and decided to hold my tongue and focus on the many positives of the season thus far. Re the attached photo, prior visiting Japan, we had the CSB/SJU contingent in Hong Kong... a really terrific stand up.. ~ 35 alums in attendance. Go Johnnies. — Tony
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From Larry Haeg SJP ’63/SJU ’67, St. Paul, MN…and Official UUN Attendance Czar —
Tommies home: 1,512
Johnnies: 11, 514
Tommies can buy many things, but they can’t buy Johnnie spirit.
(Editor’s Comment: Our Attendance czar is quite succinct but he sure gets his point across. GO JOHNNIES!
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From the Football Whisperer, Woods of Stearns County —
Since their loss to SJU, Bethel has outscored their opponents 245-8.
Cooper Drews is passing at a 74.64% clip. Assuming they win out and SJU does the same, it could be a giant playoff game for the MIAC Championship on 11/16 at SJU.
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From Paul Capecchi ’77, Inver Grove Heights, MN —
Thanks again, Theo, for your very enjoyable weekly new updates. On Saturday I brought my daughter, son-in-law and four grandkids up to SJU for the day. They had not been up for a football game since 2017, so it was especially fun for me to share the day with them. Everyone had a wonderful time enjoying the SJU hospitality and experience. After the game we all went down to the field and mingled with the players. SJU star quarterback Aaron Syverson was especially gracious with my grand-kids. He really focused on them and happily signed autographs for each one, always asking if they wanted him to include his number too. Aaron told my grandson Archie that he started playing flag football at age 8, just like him. I was really impressed by Aaron's kindness and was especially proud to be a Johnnie. Below are a few photos from our day. Keep up the great work. — Paul
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From Frank Ziegler ’62, Arden Hills, MN —
Wick. In your follow-up to the game against the [Carleton] Knights be sure to mention the game was played on Bob Sullivan Field. Bob ‘59 was my boss as Sports Publicity Director my freshman year at St John’s. I’m not sure if he ever played high school (Marshall MN) or college sports but he was a knowledgeable observer of coaching and a student of the process. He coached football at the high school and college levels and is still revered by Carleton football alumni for the years he spent there. Bless his memory. — FZ
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From Paul Hamann ’63, Edina, MN —
Hi Bob, Thanks for all your work on the UUN. Just read that Duke beat Florida State for the first time ever. Carlton has never beaten SJU. So hoping the Johnnies don't look past the Knights today.
(Editor’s Note: My apologies for missing these two notes for last issue.)
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International Business Majors' Corner, Corporate Training Department —
Four corporate presidents, one English, one French, one Japanese and one American, were on their way to an international business conference when they were kidnapped by terrorists and taken to a secret hideout.
"You, your companies, and you countries are enemies of the Revolution," screamed the terrorist leader, "and you're going to be executed! Do you have any last requests?"
The Englishman spoke first.
"Before I die, I want to honor my country and protest this barbaric act by singing "God Save The Queen" to all you men."
"That can be arranged," said the terrorist.
The Frenchman said, "And I want to honor my country before I die by singing "The Marseilles" to your men."
The Japanese said, "Before I die, I wish to honor my country by giving the lecture I was going to present on the Japanese style of industrial management."
The terrorist turned finally to the American.
"What is your last request?"
The American replied, "I want you to kill me right now so I don't have to listen to another lecture on the Japanese style of industrial management!"
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Wicker’s Health Rant —
Need for Protein While Aging
Take it from me, your 82-year-old editor…when referring to your body, you gotta use it or you’ll lose it. I’m speaking of combating sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle as one ages. For most of us, this starts in our 40s and 50s, but really starts seriously when you hit your 60s, 70s and (gasp) 80s. The way to slow down this inevitable process is to become physically active, including lifting weights or other resistance training, and working in some cardio activity. You don’t have to do this in a gym or health facility, but it helps to have a place and time to work this into your routine, otherwise it’s one of those things that can slip by.
So, you want to build new muscle and, of course, strength that comes with it, in order to get out of a chair easily, walk up stairs unaided, keep your balance when walking off a curb, put on your coat without assistance, and even get down and back up when playing with your grandkids on the floor. One has to plan for this when in early middle age; it’s all the more difficult when you start later in life, like after retirement…but I can testify that even then it’s not too late.
But to build muscle through strength training, one needs protein. Protein is the most abundant bodybuilding nutrient and an essential component of muscle building, bone health and immunity. It is needed to fuel muscles with energy during exercise and helps build strong bones by providing calcium. Increasing dietary protein intake can support muscle repair and growth. The problem is that half of aging Americans don’t get enough protein; for those becoming active physically the need is even more important.
“While protein is important for building muscle mass, it should be combined with strength training to combat sarcopenia. Research shows that supplementing the diet with protein plus a regimen of heavy resistance exercise leads to the most improvement in muscle mass and strength in healthy older adults. Together, the two approaches can significantly aid muscle growth in older adults.” (Taken from the article below)
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/muscle-loss-and-protein-needs-in-older-adults
Jason Weighs In
From Jason Good ’06, with a very active physical fitness regimen and a registered dietitian spouse, Lindsay Novak Good ’06:
Here’s what I do to bolster my protein intake while maintaining my resistance training: Greek yogurt —I eat Oikos or Dannon Light&Fit— is a cheat code for more protein at low calories. I hammer this stuff daily.
Also, Kirkland protein bars I’ve eaten daily for years now (eating one as I type). They have 21g protein and 10g fiber for only 190 calories. The rest of my protein comes from meat, eggs, tuna and some whey protein in my post workout shakes.
I’ll die on the hill arguing that most everyone and especially seniors are “under-protein’d.” I see it all around me. You’ll lose your muscle over time regardless, so why not put up a fight to keep as much as you can for as long you can! More resistance training and protein equals less falls when older, which equals better odds at longevity and living well/feeling good while we are still here. That’s my story, at least. Take it or leave it! —Jason
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From Dave Swanson, Honorary Class Member of ’65, comes the following video where the commentator talks about how he works protein into his diet. He mentions how people should aim to get a gram of protein per pound of weight (or even more); thus a person weighing 165 pounds might aim for 165 grams of protein spread out over the day. For some that’s easier said than done, and why there is a deficit of protein, particularly among older citizens. However, my personal physician, Matt Abeln ’99, suggests that we don’t have to go that high (a gram per pound), that .6 gram or even a bit more is enough for most. Since I’m working out routinely I’m trying to find ways to keep protein intake on my personal radar. Hope you folks reading this take it seriously.
https://youtu.be/kcOdDFoU9yc?si=lm540_g-TWcdb6_m (10:47 minutes)
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Bonus Health Rant —
Does your dog have animal osteoarthritis? Have you treated him/her with Librela (Solensia)? Read this: https://smithvirologist.substack.com/p/pet-owners-beware-fda-approved-drug
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The Final Word —
This old geezer walked into the clinic in Paynesville, and saw that the reception room was crowded. He timidly approached the receptionist and asked to see the doctor.
“So, what can I tell the doctor what you want to see him about?,” she asked.
“It’s private,” he answered, somewhat embarrassed, and looked around to see everyone in the room is suddenly attentively listening.
“Sir,” she said, “I have to write down what you need to see him about so he can prepare ahead to save time.”
Again the old man looked around to see everyone even more attentive. So he leaned forward and in a somewhat quiet voice he said, “There’s something wrong with my (private part.)”
“Sir!” she said sternly, “We don’t use language like that here.”
“Well then, what am I supposed to say?”
“You can say something else, like ‘there’s something wrong with my ear,’ or something like that. So why don’t you go back out in the hallway, come in again and we can start all over.”
“This is stupid,” he grumbled, but he really needed to see the doctor so he did as she directed. He walked out and re-entered, and again approached the receptionist who again asked what he wanted.
“I gotta see the doc,” he said, for the second time.
“OK", she said, in a cheery tone, "and what can I tell him what’s wrong?”
“There’s something wrong with my ear,” he said gloomily, and he saw everyone again eagerly listening.
The receptionist then smiled triumphantly and said, “‘There, now, doesn’t that sound a lot better? So, what can I stay is wrong with your ear?”
“I can’t pee out of it,” he answered.
(Once again, with thanks to Tommy Cebulla ’58, Andover, MN)
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Oh, joy! A road trip to one of our favorite Minnesota cities…and the weather will be mild to boot, especially for Duluth in November. Come on up, people. It’s a short season and precious little time to cheer on our playoff-bound boys. Some of you will yell “Go Johnnies!” While the rest will ring out with:
De-Halo The Saints!
(Or Something Like That.)
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Submitted by R.L. Wicker ’60/’64
2035 Eleanor Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116
theowick@aol.com; home: 651-699-4697
Website: https://www.unofficialundergroundnews.com/
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