Coach Gagliardi Last Year In Arden Hills
This week marks the first MIAC road trip for John and the 2008 Johnnie Football Team. This week also marks an occasion that is relatively rare in the MIAC; an opponent has the opportunity to defeat the Johnnies for the third consecutive year — a feat that has not taken place since the Gusties defeated the Johnnies from 1979-1981! Following a 28-13 home defeat in 2006, and last years 17-14 defeat in Arden Hills, it’s this author’s opinion that the team will be, as starting Tight End Brett Saladin says, “unbelievably motivated”.
I for one never expect or want to see the Johnnies lose. I am totally comfortable with embracing a completely blind faith to all that is SJU and Johnnie Football. However as my wife tells me each year “I am still leaving the house when you’re listening to the game…” (Note: she still comes back, much to my amazement!) “…and nobody can go undefeated year in and year out as you would like the Johnnies to do.” With this reality “face slap” I usually tend to “accept” a loss on those rare occasions when it does occur. Others in the MIAC would say that we in the Johnnie Nation are spoiled by the unparalleled success of John, the team, and of course all that is SJU. Either way I know that in victory or in defeat, all in the Nation always display nothing less than class, dignity and grace. We know we’re good, we expect to win, and no matter what the outcome, we’re nothing less than Johnnies! It’s just how we roll!
When the rare Johnnie loss does occur, as it did last year in Arden Hills when the Royals laid claim to the MIAC title and the automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Playoffs, a deeply disappointed Johnnie Nation took our medicine, packed up and simply went home. We left with class and dignity.
Prior to leaving I did witness the celebration that took place on the field by the Bethel team and to be honest I was appalled at the lack of dignity, grace! I even witnessed dancing…yes dancing at Bethel! What next? All you can drink events like we have at Sal’s and the LA? For those not familiar with the whole Life Contract “deal” at Bethel be sure to look me up at the next tailgate event at SJU and I’ll explain! In general what we had was a team not used to winning and therefore not knowing how to properly act when they do win.
This display told me that the young men of Bethel haven’t been properly educated and led by their Coach Steve Johnson. Class, dignity, grace and discretion (which is the better part of valor) are all tenants that every young man who puts on the pads in the MIAC should demonstrate — as all Johnnie players have, do and will continue to do. Any team, whether it be in sports, the military, or the corporate world tends to mimic the personality and behavioral actions of its leader.
The Bethel players are simply acting as they have been led to believe is acceptable. While beating the Johnnies is quite the accomplishment for any team, it’s much more important to exhibit the behaviors that prove that you know how to accept winning as a person of class and dignity. I know that historically Bethel is not used to winning all that much or often (2007 was the first time that they advanced past the first round of the NCAA DIII Playoffs!). So maybe I should give them a pass. Apparently ignorance is indeed bliss in Arden Hills!
With all of this said, let it be known Bethel Royals, we in the Johnnie Nation do appreciate having you in the MIAC. Why? Because anytime we need a really BIG and Historic win you tend to come thru for us, as you did when John got his 200th victory (10/11/80), his 300th victory (10/16/93) and of course that most magical victory #409 (11/9/2003)!
To the supporters of both schools I say let the outcome be what it is, as I can be assured that regardless of the final score all in the Johnnie Nation will act with grace, pride, class and dignity.
It’s the Johnnies vs. Royals….time to JOHNNIE UP!
