The Sizzle by finsleft

The River is Rising

Posted on:
30 September 2010 3:26 pm
In Regards to:
2010 stthomas game

As the Mississippi slowly but steadily rises about St. Paul, preparations are being made to dike up the low-lying areas and plug the storm drains to avert the pending onslaught of water. In recent days, local residents could look toward the river rolling on its resistless course and think the scene to be serene and [...]

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Underwhelmed…

Posted on:
16 September 2010 5:00 pm
In Regards to:
2010 concordia game

From a “glass half full” perspective, the trip to Eau Claire, Wisconsin last Saturday was full of enjoyable moments.
Getting to spend quality time in Dave Verkuilen’s (a/k/a Veek, Jr.) pickup truck for a few hours of enjoyable conversation is pretty hard to beat. Then I had the privilege of seeing his dad, Bob Verkuilen (a/k/a [...]

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ROAD TRIP!

Posted on:
9 September 2010 4:09 pm
In Regards to:
2010 uwec game

Despite my natural athletic ability, the rigorous academic and spiritual schedule under which I toiled while at SJU precluded me from playing football. My presence on the team in 1976 would have undoubtedly made unnecessary the late-in-the-game heroics of Jeff Norman and Jim Roeder. Quite possibly, I could have led the 1977 squad to a [...]

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Here we go…

Posted on:
2 September 2010 1:48 pm
In Regards to:
2010 northwestern game

Although St. John’s in general is a special part of my life, I have to admit that St. John’s football, has drifted to the backwaters of my psyche over the last 9 months. As revved up as we get during the course of a season, a well-rounded Johnnie does not live on football alone.
Speaking of [...]

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Keep In Touch

Posted on:
12 November 2009 12:26 pm
In Regards to:
2009 carleton game

Back in the olden days, when I would have to miss a Johnnie football game, the outcome of Saturday’s tilt would often not be known until Sunday night. After the long drive home and unloading the hunting gear, grabbing the sports page would be the first Johnnie football news of what happened on the gridiron [...]

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What a Rush!

Posted on:
21 October 2009 2:13 pm
In Regards to:
2009 stolaf game

Even though St. John’s ended up winning the conference title last year, the ride sure was bumpy. Anchored by a tenacious defense, the team struggled offensively. Looking like Harry Potter and his 3-headed dog, the offense seemed out of sync and the play calling was questionable. The offensive line took a lot of heat from [...]

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Redemption

Posted on:
8 October 2009 9:30 am
In Regards to:
2009 hamline game

The mass appeal of sporting events is, I suppose, that it offers the spectator the opportunity to vicariously experience success and failure throughout the course of the event itself and, ultimately in the end, with a win or a loss. In football, every yard, every first down, every point obtained is celebrated. In baseball, each hit, great pitch, strikeout or defensive play is relished by the fan. Conversely, the missed tackle, blown coverage, homer ball, or error is often the cause of spectator hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing.

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Royal Flush

Posted on:
1 October 2009 6:08 pm
In Regards to:
2009 bethel game

Up until a couple of days ago, the sports plan for this weekend were all set. Some 1st class tailgating on Saturday, followed by a Johnnie thumping of the Royals of Bethel. Then a dash down I-94 to the metrodome for the Twins penultimate game against the Royals of Kansas City. A night on the town in Minneapolis then the dome closer on Sunday would complete the Royal flush.

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Here we go…

Posted on:
15 September 2009 6:00 am
In Regards to:
2009 concordia game

For those who have never experienced a Johnnie football game in Collegeville, it is hard to describe the sights, sounds and feelings one gets out there. Upon taking my seat in the Finsleft Luxury Skybox with my special guests, the sounds of the St. John’s Men’s Chorus called me up out of my chair and [...]

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The Tweet Season

Posted on:
9 September 2009 5:23 pm
In Regards to:
2009 uwec game

Greetings Johnnie football fans. It has been a while, but seems like just last year since I posted on these now legendary pages. I am halfway through my 8 year string of having a child at SJU, with one graduating in May and one starting up this fall. Just dropped him, his worldly possessions (ipod, [...]

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