This week presents some interesting challenges. The Johnnies travel to Hamline to take on the Pipers who are really struggling again this year. As a fan, a win this week for the J’s appears to be a foregone conclusion. I know the Johnnie coaching staff won’t let this enter into the psyche’s of the players, but it sure is hard to get excited about playing the Pipers. I know several of the regular contributors to this site are taking the week off serving as a brief rest before the long playoff run. That may be presumptuous, but it is the reality. Right, wrong, or indifferent Johnnie fans have high expectations.
The Pipers have undergone lots of turbulence in the coaching ranks in recent years and are faced with the unenviable task of recruiting directly with St. Thomas, Macalester, and Concordia-St.Paul within inner city St. Paul. Friend of JohnnieFootball.com, Hamline Defensive Coordinator Todd Strop, just doesn’t have the athletes to compete with the upper echelon of the MIAC. Let’s hope that Hamline A.D. Dan O’Brien gives him a chance to stick around and bring athletes in.
There appears to be quite a short leash across the board within the athletics department for the Pipers. This instability is hurting the athletes and as a result the records are dismal. A quick look at the Durenberger Trophy standings in recent years shows this quite vividly. The Lady Pipers have finished 10th, 9th, 10th, 9th, and 8th the past 5 years. The Piper men have finished 7th, 9th, 9th, 5th, and 6th the past 5 years.
Notes:
- The Stiftungsfestivities tailgate party will not be traveling to Hamline this week. Mike Fahey, the Godfather of the Stiftungsfestivities, will be visiting his daughter at the University of Colorado for Family Weekend. If you are headed to the game, I’d suggest heading to the St. Clair Broiler, Casper and Runyon’s Nook, or O’Gara’s for a bite to eat.
- Gustavus’ new stadium was given rave reviews from all who attended the game last weekend. They did it up first class and it will surely help them in future recruiting. I hope they add some padding to the brick walls surrounding the field. They are dangerously close to the playing field, especially in the end-zones. It is an accident and subsequent lawsuit waiting to happen. Also, some bathrooms on the visitors’ side would be a nice addition. Even some Porta-Potty’s…
