iramurphy

Good for you. Maybe we can expect you will no longer apply the recurring description of mediocrity to those who have a different opinion or even different expectations. I don’t want to distract anyone from what you post. There is nothing complicated about your posts and others can form their own opinions. Neither my opinions, nor your opinions will have any bearing on the success or failure of our teams. How we all form our opinions and expectations for our sports teams is multifaceted but it doesn’t really matter. I just happen to disagree with those who refer to others as being satisfied with mediocrity based on our opinions that we may post. Let’s get this conversation back on point: the 2023 season.

Ok, I’m out East, it’s raining, so I have time to waste. Correct me if I’m wrong, but It seems that you are of the opinion that those whose lives are stimulated more by things or people not related to success or failure of athletic teams and look to sports as entertainment are associated somehow with mediocrity. I would strongly disagree and the facts prove otherwise. It is the abilities, work ethic, attitude, confidence, work ethic etc. of the players and staff that will determine the success or failure of our teams. Someone who hopes we beat Drake by only 2 or 3 TD’s or hopes we are 2-2 after game four isn’t necessarily mediocre nor satisfied with mediocrity. Neither is the UND community, admin team, alumni staff or coaching staff that has slowly been rebuilding our athletic teams and upgrading facilities. One always wonders how we can become so knowledgeable that we know who is mediocre or exactly what it takes to win championships. I always wonder if those same folks have ever been involved in a meaningful manner in championships at the college or professional levels. It’s a new season. No reason not to be optimistic.

Waletzko back at practice in pads yesterday.

Depends on extent of injury and subsequent evaluation. Unfortunately, it can become a recurring problem similar to his other shoulder, but he might also be able to do ok. I would guess they will do an MRI and make a decision based on how quickly he can recover. Have to wait and see.

Housman played on KO return and in 4th quarter at RB. Had 2 catches for total of 5 yds.

Waletzko started again at RT. Injured the other shoulder in first quarter and didn’t return. Too bad. He has been odds on favorite to be their “swing tackle”. Hopefully, will be able to play.

Roster lists them from Calvin. (Probably the only two college FB players ever from Calvin.) That’s where my Dad grew up. Been there many times over the years. Romfo was a Calvin name years ago. Not splitting hairs, just thought it was pretty cool and felt someone should speak up for Calvin.

Matt Waletzko lots of reps with first team today. Had reps at RT and LT. Has a good chance of making team as their “swing tackle”. Tough competition though.

They played for Langdon. They are from Calvin.

Feeney is 2.

I could be wrong. They have 2 guys wearing #44.

He is #44. Was on KO team last Chargers KO.

Chip Kelly suggests all 64 power 5 schools go independent and play for a championship and 64 sub power 5 schools go independent and play for their championship. Seems like the rest can do as they are doing. Interesting concept. It would affect traditional conference rivalries but that is already being done as teams realign to different conferences.

Wentz earned the ring because of his outstanding play before he got hurt. He was a huge factor in their successful season. Not sure the Eagles would have made it to the Super Bowl without his contributions. He was one of the favorites for MVP and Rookie of the year prior to his injury.

Former UND commit Matt Walner hit walk off HR to win it for the Twins. Would have had Zach Muckenhirn and Walner at same time had they not dropped baseball.

Chatting with John Marks yesterday. He said 1986-1987 National Champs had a gathering in DL lakes area last weekend. 18 former players attended. Still close. Successful after their careers.

He plays basketball and has good feet. Played varsity FB and some BB as a freshman. Missed most of Soph year with a knee injury. Threw shot put last spring for first time and threw 49 feet by end of year. Great student. Good upside. He may be up to 270 by now.

Detroit Lakes Isaac Cariveau 6’3” 260 lb OL/DL commits to UND. (PWO).

Did you have Olen Kraus? Best teacher I had as an undergraduate.

Next year.(2024).

No, I don’t believe so. At least I didn’t see him.

I hope you had a chance to meet Tip Enebek who hosted the event at his course. Tip and his teammates who included Murphy never lost to the Ag school. They have great stories of their time at UND especially their time living in the door rooms in the stadium. Tip has donated a lot to UND athletics. He has also done an awful lot for homeless vets. I was still coaching receivers in the fall of ‘77 and the spring of ‘78. What position did you play? Glad you made it to the reunion. Hope you can get back each year.

Last summary from me with apologies to the keyboard warriors who might be offended. I summarized the UND events in DL and on Pelican Lake. Yesterday and Sunday at the Legends Course in Prior Lake former FB coaches, former players and fans got together. There were players from 7 decades. Mark Chipman Jerry Jacobson ( early ‘60’s) received the Legends Awards. I had great visits with many of the UND FB staff and Alumni staff. Had a great visit with Chris Kuper. Dale Lennon, Roger Thomas, Rob Bollinger, Jeff Tesch, Vince Repesh were among the former coaches. The addition to the Pollard with locker rooms and a new weight room which will be larger than any of the other colleges in NDak was reviewed. The multiple scholarships and the new 701 fund were stressed. The staff is excited and optimistic for this fall. I had a nice visit with Danny about the QB’s. Feeney has made great progress. His confidence and leadership skills are greatly improved. Great potential. Tough schedule but lots of positive energy for the upcoming season and the program moving forward. It won’t be easy.

“Lazy” was a description used by guess who on June 12 and by another poster on June 16.

I’m not a “high roller” either but had access to any and all of UND staff. So did anyone else. The invite was on the alumni website so it wasn’t only for high rollers. Having said that, there were some interesting and very successful alumni in attendance. A group of Pi Phi sorority girls who were having a reunion came. I think I counted 8 or 9 Sigma Chis. It was a lot of fun. Hosted by Jim and Nicole Poolman who do a wonderful job of making everyone feel welcome. Anyone who attended will attest to how engaging the UND personnel were and how hard they work. I highly recommend this event which was in its 4th year. Jim Poolman is the new chair of the Alumni Board. Last year the people who attended raised $36,000 for the Angel Fund. This year they were raising funds for students who experience financial difficulties and the goal was to match $20,000 donated by the Simonsons. They were over halfway to that goal before Jim Poolman was finished telling the attendees about the matching fund opportunity.