On to the Next Plateau—The Oles. UUN #10-24
To see back issues go here: https://www.unofficialundergroundnews.com/
* * * *
Dear Johnnies/Bennies/Family/Friends —
Duluth was notable last week for a number of reasons: First, the weather was outstanding considering it was November 2 and neither cold nor windy. Second, the Duluth CSB-SJU Alum Chapter was most welcoming and generous with their tailgate hospitality. Third, every team member who made the bus trip up got in the game. Fourth, SJU had only one penalty deep in the fourth quarter–which was declined–because two players had the same number. And fifth, Chris and I nearly walked into a mama bear and her yearling cub running across the parking lot right in front of our motel in West Duluth early Sunday morning…you don’t get to see that every day, even in the woods where they belong, but certainly not down by I-35.
Oh yes, and we won the game, 70 to 0…35-0 first quarter, 63-0 by half time. And lest reader-critics tsk-tsk about the score, the Saints fumbled deep inside their territory leading to an easy touch, and we had an even easier pick-six, also from deep in their territory, all in the first half, meaning that a more reasonable score of 56-0 could have been the final. We limited destruction to one score in the second half.
Starting quarterback #6 Aaron Syverson came out of the game with about six minutes left in the second quarter after passing for 346 yards and five touchdowns; he was 21 for 28. (Photo by Ella Carlson).
Saint John's became the first program to win 500 MIAC games with our shutout over St. Scholastica. The Johnnies scored touchdowns on their first eight offensive possessions and added a 24-yard interception return for a score from junior linebacker Alex Harren to gain a 63-0 halftime lead. (See the Game Recap and Box Score to see how we did it.)
The Saint John’s defense has allowed a total of seven points and less than 150 yards of offense to each of its last three opponents: 146 at Carleton 48-7), 126 vs. Gustavus Adolphus (34-0) and 132 at St. Scholastica (70-0). The Johnnies totaled 28 tackles for loss, including 14 sacks, and forced 23 three-and-outs (out of 40 possessions) in the three wins. The Johnnies take the field this Saturday at home against St. Olaf as the NCAA Division III leader in both passing offense (359.6 ypg.) and sacks (4.63 spg.). Pity the Oles if we continue this kind of dominance.
Junior linebacker #14 Alex Harren returned an interception, his first, 24 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of the Johnnies' 70-0 win Nov. 2 at St. Scholastica (Photo by Ella Carlson).
* * * *
Game Recap and Box Score:
Additional Quick Videos —
SJU vs St. Scholastica Highlights: The Mini Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNjlLyLcxnk
7 Craziest Division 3 Football Stadiums!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSs0QjMMkt4
(With thanks to Bob Neis ’65)
* * * *
Big Announcement For The St. Olaf Game —
This is a Throw-Back Game, celebrating uniforms of old. This Saturday it’s our old blue of “Cardinal and Blue” fame. Saturday, November 9th —
COME WEARING YOUR BLUE!
* * * *
Near the end of the St. Scholastica game the field announcer told us that we couldn’t greet the players on the field, so everyone gathered outside the entrance. There was no attendance given for the 3,000 capacity stadium, but if it was around 1,200 say, probably 900 of those were dressed in red. The Johnnies travel well. (Photo by John Sipe.)
The Dumonceaux brothers and their families meet for a meal after every St. John’s game. Here they are shown enjoying a post-game feast at the iconic Fitger’s Brewery building in Duluth. Pictured at upper right in the red shirt is freshman defensive back Nolan Dumonceaux, who not only got in the game but made a couple very good plays. The hands shown in the foreground belong to Damien Dumonceaux, Recruiting Coordinator and Defensive Line/Special Teams coach. (Photo by John Sipe.)
* * * *
An Ole DWI Trial —
Judi Svendsen, a junior at St. Olaf College, was sitting at the defendant table at the Rice County Courthouse in Faribault while a state trooper was being cross-examined on the witness stand.
The lawyer asked, “When you stopped Ms. Svendsen, were your red and blue lights flashing?”
“Yes, sir, they were.”
Did the defendant say anything when she got out of her car?”
“Yes, sir, she did.”
“And,” looking at Judi, he asked, “What was it she said?”
“She said, ‘What disco am I at.’”
* * * *
All About Saint Olaf College —
St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 by a group of Norwegian-American pastors and farmers who wanted to maintain language, religion and cultural ties to the old country by training teachers and preachers. The college is named after the King and the Patron Saint Olaf II and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The campus, known as "The Hill", including its 430-acre natural lands, lies on the western edge of town. (Northfield is also the home of its neighbor and friendly rival, Carleton College.) The campus is home to 17 academic and administrative buildings, 29 student residences and 10 athletic facilities. St. Olaf is a residential college; 96% of St. Olaf students reside in one of the 11 residence halls and 18 academic and special interest group houses. To the west of campus it’s hard to miss St. Olaf’s utility-grade wind turbine that supplies up to one-third of the college's electrical needs. In 2011, Travel+Leisure magazine named St. Olaf one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. Take a brief video tour of St. Olaf:
Welcome to the Hill - St. Olaf College Campus Tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuTP7KkaREk
As of 2024, the college had 3,074 undergraduate students and 313 faculty members. St. Olaf offers 41 different majors for the bachelor of arts degree, five for the bachelor of music degree, and 20 areas of concentration, which are pursued independently of majors. I believe I heard that more St. Olaf grads continue on to medical school than any other MIAC school. Music is huge in Ole-ville: The celebrated St. Olaf Choir was founded in 1907 and performs in the nationally broadcast annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival, along with the St. Olaf Orchestra and four of the college's other choirs.
Other student musical ensembles include The St. Olaf Handbell Choir, Chapel Choir, Cantorei, Manitou Singers, Viking Chorus, Collegiate Chorale, Philharmonia, Norseman Band, and many smaller vocal and instrumental ensembles. There are also student-run music ensembles at St. Olaf: Valhalla Band, Naknefeler Orchestra, and the men's and women's a cappella groups: The Limestones, Agnes, and Krossmen. In addition, the Gospel Choir of St. Olaf is one of few Midwest college gospel choirs. These groups are not a part of the college's music program and operate independently.
St. Olaf's athletic teams are called the Oles. Their colors are black and gold. The college is a member of the NCAA Division III, primarily competing in the MIAC. It formerly belonged to the MCAC, known as the Midwest Conference , as late of 1974..
St. Olaf competes in 26 intercollegiate varsity sports (13 for men and 13 for women). Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, skiing (Nordic and Alpine), soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track & field (indoor and outdoor); women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, ice hockey, skiing (Nordic and Alpine), soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. Former sports included men's wrestling.
About Ole Football —
St. Olaf started out impressively this season, going 6-0 and 4-0 in the MIAC before running into losses against Augsburg and Gustavus. On closer examination their wins were against very weak teams: Northwestern, Luther, Macalester, Hamline, Carleton and St. Scholastica, the latter two being very close games; their losses were also fairly close, so they are not a bad team, just nowhere in the same “league” with St. John’s and Bethel, whom they have not played.
The Ole squad is composed of 100 team members, 65 of whom are from Minnesota and another 10 from Wisconsin and Iowa. There are a few from Louisiana and California too. There are coached by James Kilian who is entering his eighth season; as of right now (soon to change) he has a 34-34 record (no games during Covid year), which is a super improvement over where St. Olaf was before he arrived after three years at St. Thomas. (Remember his first season at St. Olaf in 2021 when they hosted St. Thomas and Caruso purposely humiliated Kilian and the Oles 97-0? UST went for a two-point conversion three times, and was 5-of-5 on fourth down.…that was one of the reasons St. Olaf and some of the other lesser teams’ presidents said about the MIAC, “Either UST goes or we go.”)
This year STO has lost two heart-breakers, but won a couple of those too. But you gotta wonder how good they are when they barely escaped by eking out a 36-33 victory over St. Scholastica. However this could be another one of those games that SJU enters with over-confidence and then gets surprised by a team that gives them some problems right off the bat. Looking at their two lines we see the O-Line averages a so-so 280 lbs., while the D-Line averages 250 lbs., meaning that we shouldn’t be beat by the line either side of the ball.
Some of the offensive players to watch include senior quarterback #19 Theo Dorn who is a pretty effective passer but nevertheless has been intercepted 11 times this season. His primary receivers are junior #7 Will Skemp and senior #84 Evan Hammonds, as well as fifth year senior tight end #80 Derek Hanson, All-MIAC last year, who leads the team in catches. Running chores are handled by sixth year senior fullback and human bowling ball # 34 Siegel Howard III (all 5’8”, 215 of him) and junior running back #27 Gus Gartzke. They also have a fine kicker who has come through in the clutch several times this year — fifth year kicker/punter #5 Collin Swan. Highlights of St. Olaf vs. St. Scholastica are below:
Swan's field goal as time expires keeps football unbeaten at 6-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQWoQ3ThlPc&t=3s
On the defensive side, senior defensive back #8 Deonta Thomas, All-MIAC last year too, leads the team in pass break-ups and passes defended. Senior cornerback #4 Elijah Short has been very effective. Two sophomores anchor the D-Line, #98 Terry Mikele and #95 Logan Butts. And that lead us to two linebackers with great linebacking names: junior #11 Alijah Cruel and senior #16 Tate Sauerwein. (Hard to beat SJU’s Jake Schwinghammer, though.)
Bottom Line: If we take care of business right off the bat, we should be up three or four TDs by half time, allowing for more subs to get in later. However, the Oles will give us more of a game than St. Scholastica did, so we have to be on our toes, especially if we want to get another shut-out. I’d just tell the guys, “Remember Augsburg…they gave us fits the first half, and we were supposed to roll over them too.”
* * * *
A UUN Classic: 13 Signs You Need A New Lawyer —
1. During your initial consultation he tries to sell you Amway.
2. He tells you that his last good case was a "Budweiser."
3. When the prosecutors see who your lawyer is, they high-five each other.
4. He picks the jury by playing "duck-duck-goose."
5. During the trial you catch him playing his Gameboy.
6. A prison guard is shaving your head.
7. He places a large "No Refunds" sign on the defense table.
8. He begins closing arguments with, "As Ally McBeal once said ..."
9. He keeps citing the legal case of Godzilla v. Mothra.
10. Just before he says "Your Honor," he makes those little quotation marks in the air with his fingers.
11. The sign in front of his law office reads "Practicing Law Since 2:25 PM."
12. Whenever his objection is overruled, he tells the judge, "Whatever."
13. Just before trial starts he whispers, "The judge is the one with the little hammer, right?"
* * * *
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).
* *
Listening via the Internet: https://www.wbhr660.com/wbhr-st-johns-sports
Viewing via live streaming: https://miacsportsnetwork.com/?B=1140145 (purchase required, steaming begins at 11 am)
* * * *
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 W 70-0
Nov. 9 St. Olaf Collegeville
Nov. 16 MIAC Week Collegeville
* * * *
Proverbial Phrases —
To err is human; to forgive divine.
To err is human; to purr, feline.
To err is human; to quit, resign.
To err is human; to moo, bovine.
To err is human; to soothe, calamine.
To err is human; to add, combine.
To err is human; to woo, Valentine.
To err is human; to horrify, Frankenstein.
To err is human; to straighten, align.
To err is human; to love, sublime.
* * * *
Leftover Photo —
Mike Nentl ’81 introduced us to his party of new Johnnie fans up from warmer climes to visit Saint John’s and attend their first SJU game. From left, Pete Yell ’81, Mike Nentl, Sandy Thayer from Arizona, and Carolyn and Mike O’Brien, up from Florida. Mike said the visitors were “blown away” by the campus, the tailgate, the actual football game against Gustavus, and especially the hospitality and friendliness of the Johnnies they met. (Photo by Chris Scholl.)
* * * *
Around The MIAC, Week 9 — November 2
Augsburg at Concordia — (It would be surprising if the Cobbers don’t beat the Auggies by four touchdowns.) No surprises here as Concordia laid waste to Augsburg 38-7, actually by more than four TDs.
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.) The Royals scored right on cue to make it a 58-7 victory over the Knights.
St. Olaf at Gustavus — (Look for the Gusties to get back on track after the SJU beat-down and handle the Oles with ease.) Gustavus got on track all right and beat the Oles, but only by 21-10.
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.) A squeaker won by the Pipers 37 to 35, proving that Mac can’t even properly utilize a home field advantage.
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.) SJU scored a discouraging 70 points (63 in the first half) while allowing Zippo for the Saints. On the other hand, it was a pretty day in Duluth.
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.) Actually, the weather in Whitewater was about the same as in Duluth…AND more than 12,000 fans did come out to see the Warhawks down the Falcons 13-7. UW-WW has been down but certainly not out. In the meantime, UW-RF continues its descent.
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.) The Eagles met a huge challenge in Menomonie and escaped Stout by their pin feathers 33-31. Definitely a good game.
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.) Doggone it…just when I thought it was safe to pick the Tommies, they went to Kentucky and blew it 21-7.
* * * *
Upcoming Games, Week 10 — November 9
Macalester at Augsburg — (It’ll be the Auggies, maybe even easily.)
Bethel at Concordia — (A huge game for both teams; still I have to go with the Bethel ex-Johnnie quarterback’s team over the Concordia ex-Johnnie quarterback’s team, although the latter QB gave us more problems personally. Both squads are playing well now and both are improving, so this is the game to livestream. Go Cobbers!) https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-nation/2024/bethel-offense-on-a-roll
St. Scholastica at Hamline — (Can the Pipers win two in a row? When your competition is the Saints down from Du Lute, the answer should be a big ‘yes’. But Hamline isn’t exactly setting the MIAC on fire either. Go Saints!)
Gustavus at Carleton — (The Gusties should prevail, but this might be a close game too. Go Knights!)
St. Olaf at St. John’s — (At this stage right before everything leads up to the playoffs we don’t expect too big of a letdown, so it should be a comfortable win for the Jays with more of the bench getting to play.)
Other Games of Interest —
UW-Whitewater at #20 UW-La Crosse — (If WW takes down LC, then the latter’s chances of an at-large invite are shot. An upset by Whitewater could happen but I doubt it. Actually, these teams are so close now that a WW win wouldn’t be an upset either.)
UW-Stout at #9 UW-Oshkosh — (I think it would be too much to ask for Stout to upset Oshkosh but stranger things have happened in the WIAC this year, and Stout has been involved in some of them.)
#20 Marietta at #4 Mt. Union — (Although on paper Mt. Onion [because they make so many teams cry] should prevail, this game is notable since both teams are facing off with identical 8-0 records for the Ohio Athletic Conference title, and also because there aren’t too many teams in the OAC that can challenge the Mount even a little bit.)
Drake at St. Thomas — (Drake is currently leading the Pioneer League at 6-1, 5-0 conference, but UST and Morehead State are right behind tied for second. Drake seems to have more convincing wins over common foes so I fear the Tommies might be in for another disappointing day. Oh, wait…I forgot the tremendous Tommie home field advantage with all their avid fans to boost them to victory.)
* * * *
Johnnie-Tommie Rivalry Continues —
Two Tommies get on a plane in the Twin Cities. One sat in the window seat, the other in the middle seat. Just before take-off a Johnnie got on and took the aisle seat next to the Tommies. He kicked off his shoes, wiggled his toes and was just settling in when the Tommie in the window seat said, “I think I’ll go up and get a Coke.”
“No problem,” said the Johnnie, “Stay there, I’ll get it for you.”
While he was gone, the Tommie picked up the Johnnie's shoe and spat in it. When the Johnnie returned with the Coke, the other Tommie said
“That looks good. I think I’ll have one too.”
Again, the Johnnie obligingly went to fetch it, and while he was gone the other Tommie picked up the other shoe and spat in it too.
The Johnnie returned with the Coke, and they all sat back and enjoyed the flight to New York. As the plane was landing the Johnnie slipped his feet into his shoes and knew immediately what had happened.
“How long must this go on?” he asked. “This enmity between our colleges…this hatred…this animosity…this spitting in shoes and pissing in Cokes?”
* * * *
2024 D3football.com Week 9 Top 25 —
Things are pretty much set in the Top 25 standings by this time of the year. Week 9 showed just a few minor moves, except for UW-River Falls dropping out all together and Bethel sneaking in at #25. This is proper and just except the Royals really should have been in a week or two sooner and up a bit higher. Assuming they will be one of the at-large teams (if we beat them for the MIAC crown), Bethel can show their real ranking in the playoffs.
The once flying high WIAC has gone from five teams in the Top 25 down to three—#8 Platteville, #9 Oshkosh, and #20 La Crosse—and if Whitewater can upset La Crosse this Saturday, the Eagles could be out too but then the Warhawks will definitely be back in. River Falls and Stout both are receiving votes but are largely non-factors now.
Top 25 through Oct. 26, 2024:
https://www.d3football.com/top25/2024/week9
* * * *
Pre-Med Majors’ Corner, Diagnostics Division —
This fellow goes to see his doctor because he hasn't been feeling too well for several weeks.
After examining him, the doctor takes some samples from him and asks
him to come back the following week for the results.
When the patient returns, his doctor tells him, "I have some good news and some bad news for you, Ben, what do you want to hear first?”
"Let me have the good news first,” the man replies.
“OK, they're going to name the disease after you.”
* * * *
From Our Readers —
From Paul Hamann ’63. Edina, MN —
Hi Bob, If last Saturday is any indication, I'm not looking forward to a nine game MIAC season. Annual "battles" with St. Scholastica, Hamline and Macalester are not very intriguing. I've found two non-conference games much more attractive.
I wonder how the team and coaches look upon the coming schedule changes. Some of these easier games do offer some relief from a schedule of every game being a battle. And these easier contests do provide a chance for reserves to play. Also, I'm aware scheduling two non-conference games was sometimes a lot of work for Gary.
The lower echelon teams could rise up from time to time. Macalester upset SJU when I was a sophomore or junior. I've said for a long time whenever SJU loses in football the other campus celebrates. And these schools could up their game and the MIAC could become more like the WIAC-fratricidal!! Then we might wish for the good old days!!
I wonder if there was any thought to an eight game schedule. It could be easy I think. Each season last year's champion would not play last year's last place team. For scheduling purposes, ties in the previous year's standings could be decided by the previous year's head to head competition. Then 2 would not play 9. 3 would not play 8, etc. That system would allow for two non-conference games and provide some relief for the lower echelon teams from taking on all the better teams in the league every year. One reason given for the current division setup.
I know the current division play-off system, with a Championship week, is not ideal. Last year we beat Bethel head to head, suffered one upset and finished third!! So share this if you'd like. I suspect some of your readers with other/more insight might have something to add.
On another topic: Avoiding muscle wasting with age. One "exercise" I've been doing for several decades is kneeling down to tie my shoelaces. Standing up without hanging on to any support is the target endpoint. You can lean on your knee or touch the ground to help balance. But standing up without assistance is the goal. Even if you can only do so on one side. "Help, I can't get up" is not a good position to be in. Warm regards and Go Johnnies. — Paul
(Editor’s Comment: Thanks, Paul. That’s a good, everyday kind of natural exercise that builds leg strength and balance. Another exercise that does much the same thing is to sit down on a straight back chair, then rise fully without holding anything, just using your legs, and then sit down again. Repeat that about 10 or 15 times in 30 seconds.)
* *
From Larry Haeg ’63/’67, St. Paul, MN —
Feel so sorry for Saint Scholastica. A fine school that has produced so many excellent grads. One thinks of all the good Catholic colleges that dropped football, and in athletics made their name in other sports such as basketball, which requires far fewer resources: Marquette, Creighton, Gonzaga, Fordham, Chicago Loyola, DePaul, La Salle, Loyola Marymount, Saint John’s NY, Saint Louis U., etc. — Larry
(Editor’s Note: I see most of those colleges listed are Jesuit-run. What do they know that the rest of us don’t?)
* *
From Tony Biebl ‘71, Brule, WI and Walnut Creek, CA —
Bob, If you have the time and the patience, this week's D3 Football podcast #366 with Pat Coleman and Greg Thomas goes deep into the new playoff structure. I didn't listen to all of it, but as I understand it, the basics are:
- 40 team playoff, 6 rounds
- 24 top rated teams get a first week bye
- the 8 teams that survive the first week play the top 2 seeds in each region
- the 8 top-seeded teams will not play each other until the quarter-finals
- there are 8 additional at-large bids vs. previous years
- rankings are determined by NPI (National Power Index), a computerized ranking system that considers winning %, strength of schedule, home or away, and "quality wins", with a minimal threshold of 5 wins. If you have the patience to listen to the entire podcast, they go deep on the math, what-ifs, etc. For what it's worth. — Tony
(Editor’s Comment: Great, Tony…just what we were looking for when Frank Vascallero asked us the question at the Scholastica game if SJU could get a bye if we win the MIAC Championship. Here’s some other info Chris Scholl found: Explaining the new NCAA Division III football playoff format )
* *
From Jim Conn ‘64, Ruskin, FL (Alexandria, MN during the summer) —
Bob, while in Florida for the “winter months”, my Saturday game day prep consists of early coffee accompanied by the latest UUN edition—for which you have undying thanks from all of us remainders of the Class of ’64—until death do us part, or something like that.
Good news is that your weekly “Health Rant” is undoubtedly and partially responsible for my continuing good health, much to the annoyance of those who have to put up with me at 82.
Bad news - you’ve created a new health annoyance by insisting that I jam more protein into my body than I ever thought possible. I will either have to lose massive amounts of weight - or start eating liver and onions every day. Jeez and yuck - just give us a break.
Great reporting by you on the Gustie game and I was really pleased to see the insightful post-game report by the UUN’s on-field-after-the-game correspondent Ron Tomczik. The game was nail biting and thrilling listening to the “BEAR” as Anita and I motored southeast to Ruskin, FL after attending my USAF Reunion in Shreveport, LA. My hometown airport in FL (48X) was destroyed by Milton but that’s a story for another day! — Jim
(Editor’s Response: Hey, I thought you told me you liked liver and onions!)
* *
From Mike Obler ’64, Hastings, MN —
I'm not terribly fond of cat videos, so I'll consider this a baby video. I couldn't help but laugh myself. (Almost hiccupped, too.) Just click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3919022705041692
* *
From Peter Bormann UST ’80, Baxter, MN —
Good morning, Rob. This weekend we were perusing through a knee-high stack of old Johnnie programs at the Youso home in Foley. It was great to read all of the articles recounting the games, key plays and hear the players describe their love of football and school as well as a clear respect for their coaches. These Johnnie athletes certainly supported youthful grins and looks of determination. Also fun was seeing the old ads such as a Magnavox console TV with a new digital channel changer (on the TV since remotes were not yet invented) or a sizable steak dinner at Antons for $9.95.
I have attached a couplenuggets from the 1976 Championship that you may wish to include in the UUN. In addition, I just have to include a photo of our All-American friend and excellent cornerback (#29) Billy Kaufmann and his teammates from the late 80’s.
It is always wonderful to spend time with you and Chris at Johnnie games. Go Johnnies! — Peter
(Editor’s Comment: Peter is a 1980 St Thomas grad who has moved over to the better side and is seriously considering transferring his college transcript to St. John’s. He is married to Lynn Youso Bormann SJP ’86, AKA Johnnie Superfan.)
Final Score: St. John's 31 - Towson State 28
John Gagliardi's Quadruple Offense...hard as heck to stop, all the way to the '76 Championship game.
Maybe #29 Billy Kauffmann can tell us who all these guys are.
* * * *
Sunday Sermon at the Abbey Church —
One of the monks of St. John’s Abbey, on rotation for the Sunday Community Mass, had responsibility for presiding at the Mass and preaching that week’s homily.
After Mass the priest and his fellow monks sat down for the noon meal in the Abbey Refectory. As he began his meal one of his confreres asked how he thought the Mass went.
The priest shrugged and said, "The music was excellent; I think the readings were well done, and the Eucharistic prayer went went quite well too, but," he continued, "I just don't think my sermon ever got off the ground.”
His companion looked over at him, and before he could stop himself, he said, "Well, it sure did taxi long enough."
* * * *
Wicker’s Health Rant —
Prevent Disease With Enzyme CoQ10
CoQ10 is present in virtually every cell in our body, created in the liver, heart and pancreas. It also can be found, to a small degree, in dietary sources, such as fattier fish, peanuts, organ meats and whole grains. Our heart, brain and every energy-intensive aspect of our body and mind need a lot of CoQ10 to work at their best, but aging, medications, genetics, and strenuous physical activity deplete our natural levels.
The problem is that our naturally occurring CoQ10 enzyme diminishes as we age starting by our late 40s or into our 50s so supplementation becomes very important, and particularly if you’re having some heart problems. This is made all the more important when we take a statin drug, which absorbs the already diminishing amount.
CoQ10 (or Ubiquinone), and its more bioactive form, Ubiquinol, do some incredible things for us. Besides feeding energy to our mitochondria (the microscopic “engines” in our cells), it helps create new muscle and connective tissue cells, and what muscle in our body is more important than our heart?
So, adequate CoQ10 strengthens heart muscle but also preserves arteries and blood vessels, and, for those taking statin drugs, it helps reduce or stop muscle damage caused by those drugs. It is also known to reduce migraines and preserve cognitive health. People taking blood thinners should talk to their health providers to see if they can still work together, and pregnant or nursing mothers should not take it.
I take 100 mg a day of CoQ10-Ubiquinol that I buy at Trader Joe’s for $19.95, the best deal I can find. Ubiquinone costs less but it must be processed in the body to become Ubiquinol so I just go right to the final form. I also take it with food that contains some fat so that it will be processed more fully in my body. If you are taking a statin, then you ought to be taking either 200 or 300 mg a day. Here’s what the Mayo Clinic says about it:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-coenzyme-q10/art-20362602
* * * *
The Final Word —
So now, I'm, Just Fred
A Minnesota Highway Patrol officer stops a Harley for traveling faster than the posted speed limit, so he asks the biker his name.
"Fred," he replies.
"Fred what?" the officer asks.
"Just Fred," the man responds.
The officer is in a good mood and thinks he might just give the biker a break, and write him out a warning instead of a ticket. The officer then presses him for the last name. The man tells him that he used to have a last name but lost it.
The officer thinks that he has a nut case on his hands but plays along with it. "Tell me, Fred, how did you lose your last name?”
The biker replies, "It's a long story, so stay with me. I was born Fred Johnson, from St. Cloud. I studied hard and got good grades. When I got older, I realized that I wanted to be a doctor. I went through college, medical school, internship, residency, and finally got my degree, so I was Fred Johnson, MD.
"After a while I got bored being a doctor, so I decided to go back to school. Dentistry was my dream! Got all the way through School, got my degree, so then I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS.
"Got bored doing dentistry, so I started fooling around with my assistant and she gave me VD, so now I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS, with VD.
"Well, the ADA found out about the VD, so they took away my DDS. Then I was Fred Johnson, MD, with VD. Then the AMA found out about the ADA taking away my DDS because of the VD, so they took away my MD leaving me as Fred Johnson with VD. Then the VD took away my 'Johnson', so now, I'm, Just Fred."
* * * *
So here’s the end of this issue; that wasn’t so bad, was it? We’re now preparing to cap off an impressive undefeated season with a victory over an often feisty St. Olaf squad. We can’t let down now so let us inspire our team with a lusty cry of:
Take the Um Out of their YahYah!
(Or Something Like That.)
* * * *
Submitted by R.L. Wicker ’60/’64
2035 Eleanor Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116
theowick@aol.com; home: 651-699-4697
Website: Unofficial Underground News
* * * *