1. 10-0!  The 31st MIAC title in School History. It just sounds right doesn’t it? ( Apparently Rich Hall SJU ’63 did get his point across to God)  

2. 27-0, the all-time record against Carleton, which is more important to this Johnnie since Mr. Ramler has decided to turn against the family and coach there! You NEVER take sides against your Johnnie family, NEVER!

3. The 49 yard field goal by Russ for a then SJU record, victory, and the end of Bethel’s 3-game win streak gains the Johnnies in front of 10,568 fans at Homecoming!

4.  Our own #4’s (he of the simple and classic tap job’s on Saturday’s) 128 yard rushing day against Carleton. Therefore becoming the first Freshman Johnnie to turn in such a productive day since 1992.  Thank goodness we get him for 3 more years!

 
5. The weekly “hit parade” put on by our own lucky #13(John Stanton), if he is not knocking helmets off he is picking off passes and/or aptly handling pooch kicks!

6. The now known phrase of “Stantonizing” an opponent. Forever a tackle classification that future Johnnie Defenders will strive for as they follow in John’s shoes.   

 
7. The multiple fumble recovery day of one Kyle Schroeder (#97) against the Cobbers up in Cobber land. Yet again proving that he is no hand me down!

8. Okay, I guess we will give Russ his “due” for kicking that 52 yarder against the Oles( you know it is a dry campus at Olaf….yea…and you went there why?).

 
9. The girt and dedication our own #9 gave the Nation all while keeping his bum thumb issue to himself, Joe you yet again proved that #9 is #1 at SJU!

   
10. The weekly practice at Collegeville of seeing guys like Ryan Wimmer, John Stanton, Kyle Schroeder, Steven Johnson, Sam Pederson, et al come by the tailgate to not only see their parent( and presumably ask their Dad’s for some extra beer $)  but mingle and chat with all generations of the Johnnie Nation. I dare to say that nowhere else is this seen, and speaks volume for our Johnnie players.

 
11. The weekly feast put on by Johnnie Red, Wingman, the Arth’s and all of the Johnnie Nation. A Nation who loads up each week with goodies and fully expects to share with all( at no cost )who come to the Tailgate, friend or Foe!

12.  Simply stated…the tailgate, the weather, the game, and outcome of Tommie/Johnnie 2009! Maybe next week or next year Coach Kiffin and your band of purple wearing followers!

 
13.  The continued dedication of all in the Nation as we travel( from far and near) both to Collegeville and other destinations in the MIAC to support the BEST damn team, Student Athletes and Program on the face of the planet! What other school has parents like the Stanton’s who fly in on the Red-Eye each week? Or the Wimmer’s and Schroeder families who are always in the Science Center Lot bright and early each Saturday.

14. My ability to share the Tommie/Johnnie game day with one of the Johnnie Legends: Mr. Dennis Weimerskirsch, SJU ’62, he of the famed Johnnie Council who always gave Fr. Durkin reason to be Lurkin!

 
15. The pure and simple joy that Johnnie Football Saturday’s brings to all who support SJU (especially to my Dad; Col H.F. Hacker, SJU ’62 when I call him with game updates). Pops, it has been 25 years since I followed you to SJU, thanks for blazing our Family’s path to the 56321! You are a Johnnie legend, an unrivaled Dad, and a beyond compare grandfather (to Erin CSB 2020). You are perfect, just like our 2009 Johnnies!

It is the Playoffs! We expect to be here each and every year. I challenge all to get out to the best damn zip code in the world fill the Natural Bowl to its capacity! Let’s all cheer long, loud, and proud so our boys on the Field know that the Nation that is Unrivaled thanks them for a GREAT year( so far) and supports them in their playoff run. It is time to Johnnie up for the Kohawks of Coe. See ya Saturday!

Hey Mombo! Stealing victory in 2008...

This line was famously used by Michael Corleone when speaking to his brother “Fredo” in the Godfather.  However for this week’s tilt against those “smart guys” from Carleton this quote rings rather true for all in the Johnnie Nation! Why you ask?

Well it just so happens that the current Head Football Coach at Carleton is one Kurt Ramler, SJU ’97. Yes all in the Nation that is unrivaled, I am just as shocked as you! How can any Johnnie take up arms against the Nation and the family is quite beyond my comprehension, especially considering all that being a Johnnie has given Mr. Ramler both on and off the field of play. 

However it can be said, and know that I completely agree, that the folks down at Carleton are considered to be quite smart. And this reputation must be accurate since someone down there in Northfield had the smarts to grab the young Ramler and install him as the Head Football Coach, therefore remedying decades of Football ineptitudes in only four short years (with last years final game against the Johnnies actually being for the conference crown.) So kudos to those in the Carleton Administration for making a very wise choice, that being choosing a Johnnie when it comes to anything related to Football!

And while all in the Nation are proud of a fellow Johnnie and his accomplishments there is still the matter of actually choosing to go against all that is Collegeville and SJ, even if it is “only” on the turf of the Natural Bowl!  I do not know about all of you out there but in the Hacker Family(Dad; Col HF Hacker ’62, wife: Catherine CSB ’87 and daughter: Erin CSB 2020) it is not only preposterous that you would attend any other MIAC School other than CSB/SJU, let alone take up arms on Football Saturdays within  the confines of Clemens Stadium. Homeless and destitute are more realistic ideals than siding with the weekly enemy! To each his own you say? Heresy is more like it in my opinion!

So as we “welcome” Coach Ramler back to the 56321 zip code I say that while he may still hold some Johnnie Football records, they should be notated with an * until he is no longer siding against the Nation that is unrivaled! And in addition Mr. Ramler should be( and is in my mind) considered on “double secret” Johnnie probation until he comes to his senses and renounces all that is Carleton and looks to come home to his Johnnie family as the next head Coach.

At least one good thing can be said of Mr. Ramler, he is not working for that school at the corner of Cretin and Summit. You know, where the Lane Kiffin of the MIAC coaches the Football team!

Johnnie Nation one and all, come by the Tailgate and enjoy some of Tom and Carol’s Chili before our boys complete the running of the table in the MIAC! Let’s get out to the Natural Bowl in force and support the 2009 Johnnies till your lungs bleed!  10-0 and conference crown #31 has a nice ring about it, don’t you think? Johnnie Up once again in the 56321!

For 4 years, #44 Ryan Wimmer has led the Johnnie "middle"

This week the Johnnies and its Nation that is unrivaled leave the friendly confines of the Natural Bowl and travel to Minneapolis to take on the Auggies in the Dome. Which has got be one worse sports venues in this Country!  And as with many US Cities it is highly recommended that when travelling to Minneapolis (yet American City strife with Crime) you take every precaution to ensure your personal safety.  Well at SJU we will be bringing our own protection, in the form of one Ryan Wimmer, the hardest hitting and smartest Middle Linebacker in the MIAC!

The last four years has seen our own #44 prowl the middle  with his crew cut , classic black cleats, quiet demeanor and limited uniform accessories to such an extent that most opponents attempt to avoid this area of the field. A closer look at #44 reveals that he eerily resembles one Dick Butkus. And from the on field reports received most opponents are well aware that he not only resembles the great #51 but sure as heck hits like him!

The Middle Backer position is commonly referred to as the leader of the defense. And as with all of our Johnnies our own #44 not only performs and leads with intelligence, but with a passion and level of effort that is beyond compare. It goes without saying that Ryan leaves everything on the Field (hey it is a by product of that Stearns County upbringing, where thank God the bar’s open early!).

Johnnie Nation, we have yet another young man among us who believes being a Student/Athlete is vital to their future success and who understands all that being a Johnnie entails. He is dedicated to his studies and appreciates the privilege of playing in front of the most loyal fan bases College Football has ever seen, all while embracing a self-depreciating and humble attitude. Obviously Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer have given our own #44 a very stable foundation to build off of as he embarks on his post SJU life.   

So as we (unfortunately) come to the end of Mr. Wimmer’s active Johnnie career let’s all take a moment or two during the remaining games and appreciate what he brings to the field, Collegeville and the Johnnie Nation.

Ryan, the Nation that is unrivaled thanks you for your play on the field, and for your citizenship off of it. We welcome you to our ranks and are very proud to call you one of us. And let’s not forget a big “thank you “ to the Wimmers for their tremendous support( nothing makes me more pleased than seeing them drive into the Science Center Lot on Johnnie Football Saturdays with their D-fence sign) and for sending Ryan to Collegeville!

Time to roll into the Dome and take down the Auggies! Bring your green hat Snoop a Loop and let’s go 9-0!

Photo courtesy of GoJohnnies.com

While the Johnnies and the Nation that is unrivaled “enjoy” an off week (thanks to   Macalester) the rest of the Football world will be all a twitter over the return of Brett Farve to Lambeau Field. The excruciating anticipation for the Packer faithful is due to Farve continually looking to mimic a chameleon  with regard to his jersey color (and team) of choice during the previous three(3) off-seasons.

Luckily for the Johnnie Nation we do not have to worry about our own #4(Steven Johnson) ever pulling the above mentioned stunt. Or even contemplating changing uniforms with such disregard for the fans and institution said colors represent. For our #4 all that is needed is a Red and White simplistic (nowadays they call it throwback, I call it classy and understated) uniform and he is good to go!

And go is all the young Mr.  Johnson has done since he hit the turf of the Natural Bowl. There is nothing more pleasing to this fan’s eye than seeing #4 carry the ball for the 2009 Johnnies with his usual authority and determination. And the above is done all while our young Mr. Johnson exhibits nothing but a maturity that many freshman do not, both on and off the field.

On the field when he is taken to the ground( while displaying a simplistic tape job on his cleats and wrists, one wrapped line, nothing more and nothing less)  all we witness is the giving of the ball back to the Ref and Mr. Johnson trotting back to the Huddle for the next play. No over the top celebrations, no look at me gestures, just behaviors exhibited that all in the Johnnie Nation expect of their players. Why? Because our #4 knows that you do not get extra yards or points if your uniform or attitude is overly flashy. 

Off of the field Mr. Johnson displays an appreciation of attending SJU, being a Johnnie and of course jogging out onto the Turf of Clemens Stadium to the cheers the Johnnie Nation. Simply put, our #4 gets it, while that other #4 does not!

In this modern day and age it seems that we have a bit of a throwback among us! Johnnie Nation, it is quite possible we have the next coming of Larry Csonka suiting up for us on weekly basis!

So while another famous (or dare I say infamous) #4 has gained a reputation for exhibiting some egomaniacal traits while dangling his services out in front of whatever fan base he chooses (hey I am not a Viking nor a Packer fan) we can all rest assured that at SJU the young man wearing #4 for will represent the Nation in Red and White while NEVER consider tugging at our heart strings in the off season!    

He may be a freshman, but with his well chosen Jersey color(s)  #4 Steven Johnson sure as heck knows how to Johnnie Up! And he does so with class! Enjoy the Bye. See ya at the Dome as we look to go 9-0 against the Auggies( remember to wear your hat crookedly and your pants low!)

#97 Kyle Schroeder on his way to All-MIAC

The Apple does not fall far from the tree. I can see where you get “it” from. You are just like your Father. Genetics in motion. You must get that from your parents, and so on. All commonly used phrases when describing someone who seems to have either physical or personality traits that are eerily similar to their parents.

For the Nation that is unrivaled we can easily utilize any of the above phrases when referring to our own #97, defensive line stalwart Kyle Schroeder. Why you ask?

Well, if you have had the honor of meeting Kyle’s parents (Dan and Annette Schroeder of Richmond) you would see that Kyle gets his very large (and fumble recovering) hands from his Dad (if you choose to shake hands with Mr. Schroeder let me forewarn you that you are in jeopardy of having your entire forearm engulfed in what he calls hands…I call them PAWS!) and without a doubt Kyle gets his personality and ‘smarts” from Mrs. Schroeder!   

As people we are required take both the positive and at times not so positive attributes from our parents, there is simply no getting around the genetics of it all. However in the case of Kyle I would say that he has been able to not only take the positives but build on this solid foundation and become a Johnnie that all in the Nation can be truly proud of.  Meet him and you will witness all of this in person.

What we have here is a young man who understands that his education and degree are very important, he appreciates the privilege of putting on the Johnnie Football uniform, he respects and honors all that we in the Johnnie Nation hold dear to us, and he is one with quite a personality! Watch out Mr. FSN you may have your next on-air personality in the wings right here at SJU!

 Simply stated, Kyle is no hand me down!

It’s Family weekend at SJU! Johnnie Nation won’t you join me in thanking the entire Schroeder family for joining our ranks, and for sending Kyle to Collegeville and SJU? 

The Ole’s are rolling into Collegeville so without a doubt it is time to JOHNNIE UP and let’s get to 8-0!

All hail to The Johnnies

Thumbs Up Johnnie Fans!

The border battle, the civil war, the war between the hedges, the biggest cocktail party in the world, these are some of the phrases the sports fan  hangs on it’s annual College Football rivalry tilts. For all in the Nation that is unrivaled we prefer to embrace a more simplistic and pure (similar to our Johnnie Football Uniforms) description of what has become the most famous and at times fierce MIAC Rivalry game.  Because it is simply…. the Tommie/Johnnie game! 

And for a Nation that is unrivaled it simply does not get any better this. Why you ask? 

Because unlike 2008 that saw the Nation roll into the lot at the corner of Cretin and Summit Avenues there will NOT be any purple signs screaming “No tailgating”!

Because all are welcome in Collegeville friend and foe alike! It is how the Johnnie Nation rolls!

Because there is not a venue that is more beautiful, understated and classic as the Natural Bowl (as long as we do not add any more advertisements or extra bleachers please)

Because where else can you get Johnnie Red’s burgers, Veek’s brats and the delectable offerings of the Wingman?

Because the tailgate is NOT solely about drinking out of Red Cups, rather it is about connecting with of Johnnie legends, parents, players and faculty from all eras.

Because where else is the time of the post game Mass after the game announced during the game?

Because where else can you meet the Priest (Fr. Don Talafous) who gave God a “B” in Theology! Come on now, we all know God is a Johnnie!

Because where else can you be secure in your knowledge that Rich Hall( SJU ’63) is watching from his lofty perch in Heaven and bending God’s ear so that his beloved Johnnies come out victorious

Because if you want to meet one of the Johnnie Legends who is credited with driving my loyalty( or fanaticism as my wife says) to a level that required getting Johnnie tattoos you can come to the tailgate and meet Mr. Denny Weimerskirch( SJU ’62). A damn fine Johnnie without a doubt.

Because this year it REALLY matters!

Because it is Tommie/Johnnie 2009 and it is time to mightily JOHNNIE UP so that we can, for the 12th year in a row proudly state that the TOMMIES SUCK! 

Matt Schnobrich squeaking by former U of MN linebacker Tommy Becker

The old saying that if you want to become anonymous you become an offensive lineman seems to ring true at every level of Football, even at SJU! But alas all in the Johnnie Nation, I think it is fine time we change this behavior and take a moment to recognize and thank those fine young men who we so proudly depend on, the Johnnie Offensive Line.

While most of us are watching the pass play develop or the ball carrier speed past the line of scrimmage these fine young men are grinding it out with the defensive players for each and every play of the game. And while nobody cheers for their effective and timely blocking they are indeed noticed when Joe (Boyle) goes down or there is little running room for Harry (Awe) to maneuver in. But how does the 2009 Team average 395 yards of total offense per game? How does the team have 10 rushing TD’s and how do you explain a 5-0 start (hey someone had to block for Russ to make that 49 yarder last week) if it were not for the fine efforts of our Johnnie O-line!

So as we look to pummel the Pipers this coming Saturday in St. Paul maybe take a moment and simply watch the ballet( albeit with a bit of brute force) that Mr.’s Percival, Dirkes, Juba, Anderson, Gilbertson and Sowden( and all the other front line Johnnies not named) perform on each and every play. And when you go down on the field afterwards why not approach one of these fine (large) young Johnnies and offer them a bit of Johnnie Nation gratitude for a job that is often thankless, but undeniably necessary for our continued 2009 success!

The Nation that is unrivaled is yet again blessed with a group of Johnnies who understand their role, who appreciate the opportunity to walk onto the turf of the Natural Bowl and who realize that personal fame and fortune may not be in the cards for them during their playing career, yet they persevere without comment or complaint.

Johnnie Nation, won’t you join me in expressing a big “Thank You” to our own 2009 Johnnie Offensive Linemen. Heck, Gags would not always recommend these young men as potential spouses to his CSB students if they were not indeed damn fine young men and of course fine Johnnies!

It’s time to hammer on Hamline. It is time to let the O-line have their day in the Sun( well maybe snow flurries this weekend) and it is without doubt time to Johnnie up as we look to post a 6-0 record in St Paul on Saturday!

Following another bruising game and equally challenging flight, son and father talk turkey.

Trade the City by the Bay for the Granite City? Complete your shopping needs at Crossroads Center vs. Union Square? Tolerate below zero temperatures for much of the winter instead of the morning fog over the Golden Gate?  Take a Bennie Bus instead of a Cable Car?

If these questions were posed to most High School Seniors I would venture to say that many, if not all would choose the options that would require living in the San Francisco and Marin County Area! However the allure of one of the most beautiful and rewarding Colleges in the world convinced our own John Stanton (going 6-2, 210 lbs. while wearing lucky #13 for the Johnnies) to bring his Outside Linebacker talents from his home in San Rafael, California to Stearns County Minnesota and Collegeville.

And while many may question his logic and reasoning for the decision to come to Harvard behind the Pines I for one applaud the vision and maturity of his decision And not because I made the same decision to come to  Collegeville from the Marin County myself. So all in the Johnnie Nation won’t you stand with me as we say to the young Mr. Stanton…damn fine decision!

The Nation that is unrivaled is again blessed with another young man who understands all that goes with being a Johnnie, a student athlete and of course a good citizen.  For example at the UWRF Game I had one of my nephews with me and John took plenty of time after the game to chat with the young boy, take a picture and of course let the lad hold his Johnnie Helmet.  And I do not think I need to comment about his talents on the Field! For those of us who attended the Auggie game up at SJU last year we were lucky enough to see #13’s coming out party as a tremendously gifted, hard hitting, and intelligent Johnnie Football player.

John’s on field talents have endeared him to me and Wingman so much so that we simply refer to him during games as “The Marin Mauler”. This is a moniker that I am sure his Mom would not be too terribly pleased with, but we only use that term during the games Mrs. Stanton so no need to worry!

So come on by the Science Lot and meet Clark and Noel Stanton at the Tailgate , these Johnnie parents fly in on the Red Eye from the City( those of us who have lived in S.F NEVER call it Frisco!) to see all of  John’s games and let’s all thank them for sending us the fine young man from Marin!

It’s Homecoming 2009. It is time to reconnect and enjoy all that is Collegeville and SJU. It is time to end this losing streak to Bethel! And without a doubt it is time to JOHNNIE UP!    

The Stanton Family

With trips to UWRF, Concordia and this week’s trek to St Peter the 2009 Johnnies are logging miles much akin to what Clark and Noel Stanton book as they travel to Johnnie games from their home in the Bay Area, of course watch our own John Stanton #13 wreak havoc at Outside Linebacker (once a young man comes to Collegeville the family looses them as their own as they become once and forever a JOHNNIE). And I thought the Saladin’s had some long trips last year!

Regardless of where the Johnnies have kicked it off in 2009 they have taken care of the business at hand. Either behind an offense that is in synch behind Joe Boyle’s leadership or a defense that has seen its line (Schroeder, Sharpe, Bolhman and Gundy) stalwarts lives up the pre-season expectations of the league, and the Johnnie Nation.

So as the Johnnies and its unrivaled Nation make the drive down 169 to St. Peter this Saturday I know that we will roll into town (and into Patrick’s) proudly represting all that is SJU. The Nation will welcome (with chants of D-Fence from Mrs. Wimmer) the new Golden Gustie Coach (Peter Haugen, Bethel ’91) to what the MIAC, its student-athletes, and of course its avid fan base is all about, pure and unadulterated College Football.

At least the MIAC was kind to (new) Coach Haugen by not making his first tilt against the Johnnies take place up in Collegeville at the Natural Bowl! Rather this week’s game is scheduled for that new Taj Mahal of a stadium in St Pete. But then again no points are awarded for the amenities of the venue in the MIAC!

It’s time to saddle up for all in the Nation, no matter if you are traveling by plane, train or automobile. It is time to support our 2009 squad with such fervor that we all need at least 2 days to recover our vocal abilities. It is time to finish this early season road tripping with a victory against the Golden Gusties and get back to Collegeville and the Natural Bowl. And it is undoubtedly time to Johnnie up in St Peter!

Photo by Sowden

Just how far does the scent of Wingman’s ever so delectable wings carry? Can you actually hear the opening of the container that carries Natural Aimee’s oh so popular homemade Deviled Eggs from that far away? What? Is that the sound of an ice cold beverage being poured into one of our quite famous red cups? Are those the generations of Johnnie Legends making their way to the Science Center Lot as the Sun grows higher into the sky on a Johnnie Football Saturday? All of these questions, and many more to be honest, have been posed to me by a very good friend of mine who just happens to reside in Manchester England.

 And the answer I have given my friend has been a resounding YES! No matter where you are on a Johnnie Football Saturday you can hear, smell, and taste all that is Johnnie Football!  And this week the Johnnie Nation will welcome Mr. Donny Wayte who has planned his entire week long stay (vacation) in Minnesota so that he could attend the Home Opener for the Johnnies! Now I ask you, does any other school and its fans have this kind of pull? We all know the answer…a resounding NO! Why? Because the Johnnie Nation is unrivaled, pure and simple.     

Why would someone plan their entire vacation around a Johnnie Football Game you ask? Well the Young Welsh Lad (as he is known to us here in the States as he was actually raised in Northern Wales) has actually been to Collegeville previously, but not during the Season. And all he has heard and read is just how warm and welcoming all in the Nation are. He is ready to meet such great Johnnie Parents such as the Sharpe’s, Saladin’s, Stanton’s and the Boyle’s. He cannot believe that all are welcome to the pre game tailgate no matter which team you are supporting. He is dying to meet all of these “guys” who write about the Johnnies on JF.Com (as this is how he follows the Team while in the United Kingdom).  He has heard that you can actually meet players on the Field after the game and snap a few photos without any kind of pre approval from some administrator! He has heard that there is nothing, not even a English Premiership Futbol Match that can compare to the atmosphere, the hospitality and the pure enjoyment one can get when they make their way up I-94 on a Fall Saturday to Collegeville so that you can witness Johnnie Football, simply the best Football on the planet.

So as we get ready to welcome the Bluegolds of UWEC I know that once we hit the Science Center lot on Saturday all in the Nation that has no compare will warmly welcome our “foreign” visitor, have a chat with him (as they say in the UK), offer him a homemade treat that can be washed down with an iced beverage in a Red cup, snap a few photos and show our guest that all he has heard and read about is not myth, rather it is what SJU, Collegeville and a Nation that is unrivaled  is about!
It’s the Home Opener, it’s the Bluegolds, it’s the first game for the Young Welsh Lad and it is time again to JOHNNIE UP!    

Johnnie Up Everybody!