WIAA Football Proposal Oversteps its Mission

A couple of days ago a friend of mine mentioned to me that there may be a group of schools that will pull its football programs out of the WIAA if it implements its new proposal to eliminate conferences.  I don’t know if the rumor is true, and I really haven’t said anything about it yet, but I do have some thoughts on what the WIAA should and shouldn’t be doing.

First off, there are so many arguments for or against the new regular season football system where varsity teams play only teams in their playoff districts, I really wouldn’t know where to start.  Some schools like it because it makes their schedule easier playing schools more similar in size and can get into the playoffs with better records, other schools don’t because they would be traveling more and it would mess up consistency in their freshman and JV programs along with ruining long-standing traditions and rivalries.  I get all that, but its too confusing and there is no consensus amongst athletic directors, coaches, or schools.

What I don’t get is why the WIAA believes it should be mandating which schools should be playing each other in the regular football season.  Is it really its business?  Even though the NCAA has had its Hitler moments recently, you don’t see it telling the Big Ten or the ACC who it should and shouldn’t be playing in the regular season, nor do you see it telling conferences which university belongs or which one doesn’t.  Its just none of its business.

For the life of me, I just cannot figure out why the WIAA seems to feel it needs to get its hands on every little detail regarding high school athletics.  I would consider the organization of conferences and and regular season play as one of those little details, and would also consider it micromanagement.

One of the first problems with the WIAA is that I’m not sure it has a clear mission statement.  Considering a non-for-profit, a service group, or an association like the WIAA, one of the first things you will find on its website is a clearly defined paragraph about the entity which specifically and briefly defines the purpose for its existence.  I looked for quite a while on the WIAA website – nothing.  That says a lot.

The WIAA has no clear definable mission for it to follow on a daily basis, nor does it make its mission clear to its members and the public.  Finally, after searching for a considerable amount of time, I found its “purpose” hidden in the Senior High Directory.  Not on the front page – mind you.   This is a PROBLEM.

Article II – Purpose
Section 1 – The purpose of this Association is threefold:
A. To organize, develop, direct, and control an interscholastic athletic program which will promote the ideals of its membership and opportunities for member schools’ participation.
B. To emphasize interscholastic athletics as a partner with other school activities in the total educational process, and formulate and maintain policies which will cultivate high ideals of good citizenship and sportsmanship.
C. To promote uniformity of standards in interscholastic athletic competition, and prevent exploitation by special interest groups of the school program and the individual’s ability.

I’m not sure if you can construe from this purpose that one of the goals of the WIAA should be controlling what scheduling goes on in the regular season.  If it were so important, why is it not controlling the regular season scheduling of every sport?

I guess my point is that an organization without a simple mission statement is an organization that has no direction.  This causes either not enough management, or too much.  Unfortunately, in the case of the WIAA, I’ve argued in the past and continue to argue to this day that it has too much direction.  Its employees have nothing to hang their hat on every day when they come into the office, and believe that their purpose is to get their hands on everything.  It simply is not necessary.

This goes from petty little “in season” rules and regulations, all the up to now an attempt to control conference scheduling.  And its finally gone to far.  If indeed a group of schools gets together an pulls its football programs out of the WIAA and forms a new football associaiton, which it would have the legal right to do, it will be unfortunate for its football members as a whole, but the WIAA will have no one to blame but itself.

The WIAA has argued that the reason for the new football proposal is to level the playing field during the regular season, so that when it selects its playoff teams smaller schools, which play in larger conferences, have a fighting chance to have records that qualify them for the post season.  So, if I understand this right, the WIAA is going to meddle in the regular business of schools because it cannot figure out how to implement a fair playoff system?  Then how about making sure the playoff system is fair, rather than just blowing up the whole system that has worked for years?

I have a thought or two on that, and all it really takes is some thinking outside the box, while at the same time utilizing the current business model the WIAA already uses for basketball.  Not too difficult.

If the problem is getting the right teams into the playoffs, and conference win-loss records are currently the benchmark for playoff qualification, then that criteria simply needs to be eliminated.  Due to some conferences having wide ranges of enrollments, win-loss records often do not tell the whole story of the quality of a football program.  I can fix that.

Since we already know which teams will be in a certain division of a regional or sectional based on enrollments, we can start with that pool of teams.  Once the regular season ends, or its is almost over, much like basketball, just have the coaches get together for a seeding meeting.  Since each division has only four sectionals of eight teams, then the top eight seeds voted in at the coaches meeting get into the playoffs.  Simple.  If you trust the system in hoops, why not trust the seeding system in football? Its the same thing.

Either way, the WIAA has no business in mandating regular season conferences football schedules, much less conference alignments.  For crying out loud, if a certain school wants to play in a certain conference, and that conference wants the school in, why can’t the system just work itself out?

Unfortunately, the WIAA has a history of too much control, and I fear that its next football move may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  The WIAA would be better of worrying about if Little Johnny lives in the right school district, and transferred out for “family reasons”, rather than bossing everyone around.

But, we see the word “control” in its purpose, and that just might not be enough.

Links to News Articles about WIAA Football Proposal

Since I heard a rumor that some schools may be pulling out of the WIAA for football if it decides to impose its new “no conference” football regular season for varsity teams, and I know there is much opposition to it, I thought I would post some links to some recent news articles and forums about it.  This might help interested folks get some perspective and different view points on the whole matter.

www.wisfootball.net – football forum – Discussion from its forum members about the topic

La Crosse School Board Voices Opposition – News article from WKBT television website

Wisconsin Football Coaches Association – page on website dedicated to the new proposal

North Shore Exponent – local blog with opinions on the subject

Preps on the Net – news article about the subject

The Lakeland Times – news article about the subject

Green Bay Press Gazette – news article about the subject

Portage Daily Register – news article about the subject

Tomah School Board Sceptical of Football Playoff Plan – The Tomah Journal news article about the subject

Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas . . .

Pittsburgh, PA – December 20, 2009

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Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas and all through the house

Pittsburgh’s offense was burning.  It was time to be doused.

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Yes, we scored way to soon; Rogers pass to James Jones,

And, they had too much time.  I could tell in my bones.

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Nevertheless, they still needed to score a touchdown,

and our defense was thought to be the finest in town.

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So Big Ben then trotted out onto the field

his game plan was brilliant, and kept well concealed.

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It wasn’t play calling that would be our doom.

It was raising the dead who had long been entombed.

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Yes, all of a sudden a spirit arose

It was if Caper’s soul simply locked up and froze.

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Players all around him quickly started to murmur.

“Dear God in heaven, He’s becoming Fritz Shurmur.”

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Coud Big Ben have tried to mess with our staff

by invoking lost souls who were long known to gaffe?

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We would soon find out as he started the drive

that would keep Steeler playoff hopes barely alive.

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Then all of a sudden it became 4th and 7.

Steeler fans needed something; an act out of heaven.

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It was if Fritz himself pulled the defense way back -

32 yards to Holmes on a three man attack.

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Yet, they still had a long way to go down the field.

Green Bay’s defense would bend, but it never would yield.

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Then, finally, Big Ben threw the fatal mistake.

Intercepted.  It’s over.  Lets do the handshake.

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But wait, a flag thrown, a touch foul by Chillar?

This game will not end.  Instant Classic.  A Thriller.

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You could see Coach McCarthly about ready to say,

“We’ll address that at practice, perhaps on Wednesday.”

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A few more long passes and improbable throws.

To the 19 yard line, one more play – here it goes.

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You would think that we’d learn from that one time in Philly

that rushing three guys is just gutless, and silly.

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But Capers was long taken over that day

by the spirit of Fritz, and his non-blitzing way.

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On Crickets, on Verny, on Droopy – the slouch.

We all said it before the snap on the couch.

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“Send the house!  Rush him hard.  Don’t give him the time

to stand in the pocket.  That’s a football type crime.”

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But Fritz wouldn’t listen, and the Packers rushed three

On that last play at Heinz Field on our big screen TV.

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So Big Ben reeled back, and heaved that last throw,

and our hearts sank while we watched that last rush towards our foe.

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Sixty minutes of game time came down to one play

60 Minutes – Mike Wallace – it would be his day.

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And much like the Superbowl, a long year ago

The game indeed ended, the replay would show.

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With a miracle touchdown – a Pittsburgh Noel

This time not Arizona, instead burning Josh Bell.

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It could have been stopped, had we just tried a blitz,

But we all know that simply is not ‘ole coach Fritz.

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So the Pack still has not clinched that last wildcard spot

And like that Philly game, Green Bay fans stay distraught.

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As Roethlisberger left Heinz Field with a smile

He turned to Packer nation, as he thought for a while.

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As he walked to the tunnel, I could hear him exclaim

“Please don’t fret, Packer fans, this is only a game.

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“Just be thankful you have a QB that can pass.”

Then he toasted us Cheeseheads, as he said, “Kiss my Glass!”

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL, KEEP THE FIGHT – Andy Hoenecke

Midwest High Speed Rail is Proactive Concept

There are a ton of controversial and pork filled projects tied into the recent Federal stimulus package.  High speed rail isn’t one of them.

Having traveled extensively throughout the Midwest for work in the last eight years, I see many of the problems associated with the current methods of transportation.  And, having flown more times in 2010 than all but a few employees at one of the largest financial institutions in the world, I would say that even though I fraudulently pass myself off as an expert at many topics on this blog, I might actually be one on this subject.

The problems associated with regional travel are generally that all of the current transportation options are extremely inefficient, at least from a time, energy, and cost perspective.  What I mean by regional travel is travel distances in the hundreds of miles, and between at half and a full day’s drive.  I’m not sure if that is the exact definition of regional travel, but its what I’m talking about and generally the most frequent type of business and recreational travel.

Because most ultimate departure and arrival destinations are not major airport hubs, air travel usually requires at least one stop, adding unnecessary time to the itinerary.  In addition, because air travelers must arrive at airports at least an hour prior to departure due to TSA safety requirements, more time is added to the trip.  You also have to consider the fact that final destinations are often a considerable distance from arrival airports, making ground transportation necessary to complete the trip.  Costs are also inflated due to expensive jet fuel.

Ground travel on our nations freeways is also an inefficient way to move.  For the most part, many vehicles often have only one passenger, which means that a tremendous amount of fuel is being used per passenger.   Also, because long trips usually average between 60-70 miles per hour, and frequent stops are necessary to refuel or for other personal reasons, it is often a much slower way to travel than alternative methods.

Current rail travel is probably the least efficient of all transportation methods.  In the Midwest, the only real option we have for passenger travel is Amtrak.  Amtrak runs on many of the same rails that have been in existence for at least 100 years, requires a tremendous amount of fuel per passenger, and has so few trains per route that preferred travel times are often impractical, leaving rail cars with excess passenger capacity.  You also have to consider that fact that these trains have frequent stops, and speeds are limited, causing this method of transportation to be slower than it should be.

All of these methods of transportation have their advantages depending on the route, but there are plenty of inefficiencies that are really not correctable.

In Europe and Japan, magnetic elevation high speed rail has been up and running for years.  It has helped fill the transportation efficiency void that exists for regional travel.  Its time for the United States to get in on the same act, and with the recent agreement by the House of Representatives and Senate Conference Committee to budget $2.5 billion in 2010 for the development of high speed rail, we may actually be doing so.

We are a long way from having high speed rail in the United States, but the funds recently set aside for it are a good start.  The Midwest High Speed Rail Association has some great information about high speed rail, and why it will be an important transportation upgrade in our area.  Without getting into too much detail, the main Midwest hub would be located in Chicago, but would potentially connect Midwest cities such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Columbus, Cincinnati, Detroit, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh to the 220 MPH high speed network. along with smaller cities connected to a 110 MPH and 80 MPH high speed network.

Much like the Interstate Highway System proposed by Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Transcontinental Railroad system that connected the East with the West, high speed rail will have its detractors.  But to me, it is a no-brainer and a necessary fourth alternative to air, ground, and rail travel.

It won’t be the answer for every type of travel, but it will be for many.  In both my personal and business travel, I know it would be much cheaper at times, and often take less time, making it more of an appealing alternative.  But, it will only work and be practical if its done right and there are multiple options for traveling from point A to point B and rail cars are full of passengers.  The system will not be efficient if travelers can take only one train from Chicago to Minneapolis and it leaves at 5pm.

I’m not talking about light rail, or individual routes between small cities here, I’m talking about the general concept of high speed rail on a regional and national basis.  I’m also really not all that concerned about comparing which method of transportation is “greener” either, because if its done right, I firmly believe that trains will be full, and energy cost per passenger by high speed rail will be the most environmentally friendly option.

Unfortunately, since the proposed regional network spans across a number of states and the initial cost for the construction of new rail will be outrageously expensive, perhaps in the hundreds of billions of dollars, we are basically going to have to rely on the federal government to fund most of the project.  By definition, this means inefficiency and, more than likely, political corruption.

Now, one of the biggest supporters of the project is President Barack Obama, who originally proposed $8 billion for initial funding this spring.  And, yes, he is from Chicago, where the Midwest hub will likely lie.  However, since it is the third largest city in the country and it stands to reason that it is the most likely location for the hub, I have no issue with potential elbow rubbing and back scratching that could take place in order to get the project up and running, because the concept is sound in my opinion and in the best interest of the Midwest economy.

Therefore, I support the general concept of high speed rail, and will support reasonable funding and efforts to accomplish the network.  Hopefully the Midwest High Speed Rail Association and the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative will continue to have success promoting the issue.

Big 10 Looking for Another Team – Good Luck

So the Big 10 Conference is looking for another team is it?  Sounds great – in theory – but the task of luring a school away from its current conference may not be as easy as it seems, at least not a decent team.

The reason for the new addition seems to be for football alone.  The Big 10, along with the Pac 10, are the only two Bowl Subdivision Power Conferences without a Conference Championship football game.  The thought is that by adding another team to even the league out at two division of six teams each, it would then have enough teams to have a championship game, bringing millions of dollars in for the big event.

But who wants in?  Notre Dame is the most logical choice, seeing that its in Big Ten country and already independent, but it has no interest in giving up its football contract.

There has been talk of Louisville or Cincinnati leaving the Big East, but these are not Big Ten football schools for the most part, even though Cincy has risen to the top in the last couple of years.  I just don’t see it happening given the fact that they are kind of too far south to want to come north.

Missouri has also been rumored, but why leave the Big 12?  No way.

That leaves some northern teams, like Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers, as Joe Paterno suggested.   Does the Big 10 really want to add Rutgers for crying out loud.  Rutgers for football???  What?

And I see no way that Syracuse would want to leave the Big East to travel half way across the country and leave the New York market.

That pretty much leaves Pittsburgh, which actually would be a good fit for the Big 10.  Its really not that far from some of the Eastern schools, and its fans are certainly familiar with Big Ten football due to the network already being in Pennsylvania.  But will it want to leave the Big East?  Not sure.

If it stays, who else is a logical choice that wouldn’t get plastered every week on the gridiron?  Could you grab somebody out of the Mid-American conference like Northern Illinois, or would you be best pulling in Iowa State?  That might be your best fit, and let the Big 12 try to pull a school from Conference USA like Houston.

My guess is that if it happens, the two most likely schools would be Pittsburgh or Iowa State, and would say that there would be only a 10% chance that any other school would fit the bill.  Maybe we should just dump Northwestern, go to a nine team regular season, and have a playoff between No. 1 and 2 after the season to crown the Big Ten Champion.  But that would probably never fly in Evanston.

Facility Upgrades a Good Start at Regner Park

This might be old news, but I meant to commend the West Bend Early Risers Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs for the work that they are doing at Regner Park.   Even though the total bill for the proposed improvements is a hefty $0.5 million, the Early Risers will be donating $50k to start up the project.  I have a lot of fond memories of Regner Park, both on and off the baseball fields, and the park does need improvements.

Granted, it doesn’t look like there are any immediate plans in this proposal to improve Carl Kuss Field, which sits inside Regner Park, but since these groups are asking for additional support from other service groups, and Park and Recreation Director Craig Hoeppner notes that the bathrooms do need upgrading, perhaps the WBBA will be able to participate in working on remodeling the concession stand at the baseball field.  It could certainly use an upgrade.

Big Government May Finally Help Me . . . Become a Hypocrite!

Was there anyone out there as disappointed as I was when Texas kicker Hunter Lawrence squeaked a 46 yard field goal through narrowly through the uprights by about a foot last Saturday night to beat Nebraska in the Big 12 title game?  Nothing against the Longhorns – really – I’m not a hater.

If you are like me, ABC Sports Broadcaster Brent Musburger was reading our minds when he kept saying “If you’re rooting for BCS chaos, it could be just 46 yards away”, referring to the mess it would have been at the top of the polls had Texas lost.  That was me Brent – I was rooting for BCS chaos.  I am a BCS hater.

I hate the fact that in every other NCAA sport, Division I through Division III, there is a playoff system, but not in Division I football.  I just want an eight team playoff – that’s all, and would have loved to have seen Cincinnati, TCU, or Boise State get a crack at the Crimson Tide this year in the Citi National Championship game.  However, without the government getting involved, it will probably never happen since there is so much money involved in the current bowl system and BCS Executive Director, Bill Hancock, has no ability to understand the feelings of the general football public, which also hates the current system.

Now, I know its a longshot to get all the way through congress, but the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee has the right idea.  Apparently it hates the current BCS system too, and just passed a measure to ban any type of “Championship Game” unless it results from a playoff system.  Exactly what I want, thank you very much.

Of course, this would make me a huge hypocrite because I hate it when government gets involved in stuff that really isn’t its business, but I hate the current BCS system even more.  So I guess what I’m saying is that its okay to be a hypocrite when the result of being a hypocrite advances your cause.  Remember that as rule number 1.

What does make me cringe, however, is that now I finally do agree with President Barack Obama on something.  Does that make me a liberal?

Big 10 Hoops May be Here to Stay

How great was it watching Wisconsin last night, while beating Duke in a nail biter, clinch the first ever Big 10/ACC Challenge in favor of the Big 10.  Bo Ryan should be spanked hard for trying to milk an eight point game with three minutes left, but since Bucky pulled it out against Dukie Nation, I’ll forgive him for now.  OK, we really didn’t win the clinching game, but since Ohio State was beating Florida State handily at the time the final horn sounded in the Badger game, lets face, it basically came down to the winner of the Duke/Wisconsin game was for all the marbles.

Winning the Challenge this year was not only important for Conference Bragging rights, it might actually be the changing of the guard when it comes to NCAA Division I Conference power houses.  I’m not kidding.

Yes, the ACC has ruled the roost of college basketball for at least a couple of decades, considering schools like North Carolina, Duke, Maryland, and Wake Forest had been regularly vying for national championships.  Conversly, the Big 10 has been fairly competitive from time to time, but probably not as much as the ACC.

Taking a look at two very important things right now, coaching strength and television exposure, the Big Ten has some distinct advantages in these recruiting areas.  In the last couple of years, the Big 10 has added some top notch coaches and its current list of Tom Crean (Indiana), Bo Ryan (Wisonsin), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Bruce Weber (Illinois), John Beilein (Michigan), Tubby Smith (Minnesota), Thad Matta (Ohio State), and Matt Painter (Purdue) might be the most impressive list in college basketball history.

Couple that with the fact that the Big Ten Network, one of the first HD regional sports networks of its kind, has given the league tremendous television exposure.  There is plenty of basketball talent in rust belt cities of the rugged Midwest, and it seems that top recruits are starting to stay home a little bit more rather than heading East, South, and West for greener pastures.  If its big name coaching and television exposure remains strong, its very possible that the Big Ten may be able to compete every year – top to bottom – against the king of conferences.

There will always be North Carolina and Duke leading the pack in the ACC, and it will have better weather and more national and “East Coast” bias.  But, the Big 10 may have caught up to the ACC from an overall depth standpoint, and it now appears that mens basketball is without question the best sport of the Big 10.  Thank goodness, because football appears to be a lost cause.

Of course, all of this is thanks to Bucky last night.

West Bend Folks Should Understand “Odd” and “Even” Parking

Drama reached an all-time high yesterday at the West Bend Police Department when 333 angry residents stormed the building to contest $15 winter parking citations that were handed out yesterday, December 1st.  Police Chief Ken Meuler tried to hold them off by citing the actual law, which, depending on whether the day is odd or even, prohibits overnight parking on certain sides of the streets from the hours of 11 p.m.-6 a.m. during the period of December 1st through April 1st.

Meuler, who was nearly lynched by the irate mob, was clearly flustered by the whole situation.  “It was pure mayhem,” he stated.  “I thought they were going to hang me.  My department was just enforcing the law, which to me is pretty clear.  I mean, it was December 1st, and the tickets were issued prior to 6 a.m. Isn’t it done that way in just about every other city?”

According to one local action group, Pissed Off West Bend Citizens Recently Ticketed For Not Knowing Age Old Local Parking Ordinances and Who Were Recently Ticketed (POWBCRTFNKAOLPOAWWRT), they don’t quite see it that way. “We like to do things a little different here in West Bend”, stated Rasmus Peckinpah, group chairman and local resident.  “We really aren’t all that concerned with dates here, unless of course its your birth date.”

“Sure, we understand that we shouldn’t have probably been parking on certain sides of the street yesterday, but where is the consistency with our other government run entities – and should the law really be enforced when there is no snow on the ground since clearly that means it would be impossible for snow to fall at any time during that day?

“We want to see things done at the Police Department a little bit more like they do things at the high schools.  You know – where you can park on a certain side of the street according to your date of birth. That would give us a little clearer understanding of the law.  But just because every other community has the exact same ordinance that West Bend currently has, enforced in exactly the same manner in order to prevent idiots from parking on one side of the street in case it actually would snow in December of all things, and everybody in the world knows this from the time they first starting driving at the age of 16, doesn’t mean we have to actually obey the law, or agree with it.”

According to POWBCRTFNKAOLPOAWWRT, a petition will be going around soon to try to get the old parking ordinance changed.  “This date of birth parking thing is really starting to get some steam,”  Peckinpah bragged.  “We think we can get it changed.  Sure it would mean that we would be the only city in the United States to have such an odd ordinance, and sure it would cause some chaos in enforcing parking codes since police officers would now have to determine the driver’s date of birth prior to issuing citations, but we believe the overall affect would be positive for the community.

“We would now have residents right next to each other, who are supposed to be parking on only one side of the street, parking on opposite sides.  Our snow plow people would be much more friendly, since they would have to get out of their vehicles and meet people when it snows so they can move their cars.  We really aren’t all that concerned about the mass confusion, or the complete and udder nonsensical and arbitrary fashion in which the ordinance would be created, we are more concerned about just having people get a chance to park.”

Meuler, who narrowly avoided being trampled by an out-of-control heard earlier in the day, wasn’t nearly as lucky in the afternoon, and will likely be in the hospital for quite some time.  Apparently, he was simply working in his office when he was shoved under the City Hall bus by city Attorney March Schanning.

Favre Needed New Start

I’ve been trying to figure out why Favre has been so good this year.  I mean, other than the fact that he is just good.

But why is he SO good this year?  I know his arm feels better – you can see that with every laser like missile he throws.  But his arm wasn’t that bad with the Pack during some pretty average years.  It was not as healthy as it is now, but it wasn’t shot except for last year about half way through the season with the Jets.

I think I’ve come to the conclusion that he just needed to get the heck out of Green Bay.   It was getting old.  He had been with the team for a very long time, and during the last year in 2007, every single one of his old teammates from when he first took the field with Green Bay was retired.  That has to take a toll on someone.

Every time he walked into the locker room, he probably felt like an old man, hanging on to memories of the Superbowl past years, knowing that it was a long-shot to get back there with his current teammates.  I’m not saying he felt like that all the time, but he certainly felt like that often enough to be wishy washy about his retirement for the last few years.

In order to compete at a top level, not only do you have to be talented and highly skilled, but you also have to have your heart in it.  In fact, your heart is always the most important thing.  I can’t blame Favre for how he felt those last few years in Green Bay, and I really can’t blame the Packers anymore for needing to move on.  I really can’t.  Sometimes you just need to make a change, and start over.  Both sides.  Even if Favre had stuck around, his heart wasn’t really in it 100% with the Packers.

You can clearly see that Favre has something different going on this year now that he has a new environment and a very competitive team.  He needed both to rejuvenate him – hardly a fault at his age and hardly something for which he should be hated by Packer Nation.

I have to say that I’ve watched every single Favre game this year, one way or another, and I root for him every minute.  I want him to win the MVP, and I’m trying to wonder if that makes me bad.  I’m even rooting for the Vikings – and I KNOW that for sure makes me bad, because I can remember even last year when I hated the Vikings even more than the Bears.

But I’m not doing it out of spite for the Packers – well mostly not – I’m doing it because I’m trying to appreciate his genius for as long as I can.  Winning a Superbowl for Favre at his age, and even coming this close to MVP would be unbelievable.  It would be an impossible feat, topping only an impossible career.  Don’t you have to root for that deep down for a guy like Favre that changed the entire 20 year losing culture of the Packers the minute he stepped on the field?

What is happening with Favre this year has to be appreciated, even by the fans that feel like he quit on them.   I am appreciating it right now because I am seeing one of my heroes in the process of accomplishing a feat that will likely never be repeated for a quarterback his age.  It just proves that there may never have been a tougher and better quarterback ever to have played the game.

And, I don’t have to bitter and say that we once had him, because we still do.

East and West Forever!

Most of us saw the article in the Daily News last week about West Bend keeping two high schools for the time being, but lets face it, it will probably never change. Until the residents of West Bend decide they want forward thinking school board members interested in pursuing excellence rather than participation, the sports fans in town will continue to be saddled with two high school programs, dragged down by minuscule budgets that force teams to support themselves all so Little Johnny can feel better about himself for a year or two.

It looks like the scare tactics talk by administration and school board members in the media of combining both schools was all smoke and mirrors, and now that tax levy has been passed and community uproar has fallen off, its back to status quo at the high schools.  Kids will continue to be discriminated against by being forced to enroll in a high school they may not wish to attend, and the community will be forced to fund an extra $300,000 as a thank you.  Youth sports will continue to look for direction at the middle school and grade school levels, as kids play with each other one year, then against each other the next.

I know I’m one of the only ones out there who has come forward with the thoughts of thousands of people because there are too many families afraid to agree in public for fear of being ostracized, but until the sports community can rally the troops and make its point to the school board, it will likely continue to struggle for money and success.  That is truly a shame for those kids and families who love athletics, and see sports as a means to pursue excellence and strive for personal and team goals, who want to see West Bend achieve success, and who don’t use sports as a “journey” and a way to stay “engaged” in their school.

Just my two cents.

Whassup with Tiger?

OK, I’ll admit I may have been duked a little by the Balloon Boy flying over Colorado in a giant Jiffy Pop bag, but if there is something up with Tiger Woods and his recent car accident, I’m not falling for it.

Yes, I love Tiger and think he’s the greatest individual athlete of all time, but there are too many red “flagsticks” with this story that don’t pass the smell test.

First, who goes anywhere at 2:30 in the morning?  Was he headed for a 7 a.m. golf match in Tampa?  Are things that tight around the Woods complex that he needed to get in line at Wal-Mart to catch the “Black Saturday” specials?

I can remember being in my driveway a few times at 2:30 am and being groggy, but it wasn’t on my way to something, it was usually on my way home from something.  And, but for the grace of God, I managed to avoid most trees and fire hydrants in my vicinity.

I’m also having a little trouble wondering why his wife, and super hot model-turned-mom, Elin Nordegren, was running around outside with a golf club at the same time, and why would she feel the need to bash a window out on a car to get Tiger out.  Was she practicing her short game?  Was the car so damaged from a driveway fender bender that they needed the jaws of life to remove him?  And of all things, why would Tiger Woods have a golf club in his garage?  Oh, that’s right.

Now, I shouldn’t be starting rumors, but haven’t we all been punched in the face and chased out of the house with a golf club after a bender at 2:30 in the morning by an irate spouse, tried to escape in our SUV’s, and then hit a few things in our driveway on the way to our friends house to escape?  You haven’t?  Oh, me neither.  I guess the story fits.

Northwoods League Coming to Mequon?

Mark Belling reported yesterday that Jim Kacmarcik, owner of Kapko, Inc. in Grafton, and Concoria University of Mequon are proposing a new on-campus baseball stadium for the purpose of hosting a Northwood League franchise.  According to Belling, the college team would play its games during the spring, and the Northwoods League (NWL) team would play during the summer.

It’s no secret that Concordia has plans for a stadium down the road, but has either been waiting for the funding or the right opportunity to arise to begin construction.  They have even requested to use Regner Park in West Bend for some of their home games, even though Belling reported that all of their home games will be played in West Bend this year.  I don’t think that is the case.

Having seen a bunch of NWL games this year throughout the state, since my son played with the Green Bay Bullfrogs this year, I can certainly vouch for the quality of the competition and the level of family entertainment.  The Northwoods League is a sanctioned summer collegiate wood bat league that has teams in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and even Canada.  According to Baseball America, the NWL is the second best college league in the nation, ranked behind the infamous Cape Cod League, but slightly ahead of the Alaskan League.

Players are recruited from some of the best Division I college baseball programs in the nation, and many end up being drafted at some point.  The league has had tremendous success, especially in Wisconsin, as its five teams located in Eau Claire, La Crosse, Green Bay, Wausau, and Madison draw an average of about 3000 fans per contest during the summer months of June, July, and August.  The draw is a combination of talented amateur baseball players along with top notch entertainment during the evening, which sometimes includes fireworks, helicopter rides, parachute drops, along with loud music and contests for kids between innings.

Therein lies the problem, at least according to the residents of Mequon, who had some concerns at a recent Mequon planning commission meeting.  Some complained that the 80 foot lights located in a partially residential and rural area will change the quiet atmosphere near Lake Michigan, where the campus lies.  Having been at enough games throughout the summer, they probably have a legitimate point, and most stadiums are generally located in city parks where there are already ball diamonds with lights.  For now, the planning commission held off on the proposal.

Although Belling suggested that a better location might be somewhere near Port Washington and Mequon Roads in Mequon, a busier commercial district, the downfall of that concept is that Concordia does not own land there.  I have been rooting for a Northwoods Leauge to come into the area for years, and have even looked into the concept myself, but with a current franchise fee of $750,000 just to buy into the league, my pockets are a little light right now.  It has also been reported that all but one of the 14 NWL franchises are profitable, so even though Belling had doubts about if it would be successful on the Concordia campus, It may work in a metro area if it is promoted properly.

I actually do hope that something can be worked out in the area, but with 1000-3000 people potentially attending night games, it might be an uphill battle in the conservative community of Mequon.  I guess we’ll see what happens, but if it goes down, its definitely worth catching a game or two with the family since tickets are about $5 and the beer is cold and fairly cheap.

“Going Rogue” Reveals Palin’s Strengths, and Weaknesses

From the moment she burst on to the national p0litical seen in 2008 as John McCain’s Vice Presidential running mate on the Republican ticket, there is no question Sarah Palin was able to stir incredible emotion in both the media and the voting public.  On the liberal side, that emotion was pure hatred, and on the conservative side, it was hope and respect.

Since her unforgettable speech in Minneapolis at the Republican National Convention, Palin shocked the world when she revealed herself as a rugged, independent, and compassionate hockey mom who somehow managed to become the CEO of Alaska, taking down do-nothing bureaucrats and corrupt oil company executives along the way.  Her first and new best selling book, Going Rogue, details that process, while providing a narrative of how she came to develop her values while growing up with in Alaska.

Without question, Sarah Palin learned most of her values from her parents, who moved from Idaho to Alaska when she was an infant.  In her family there were no sacred cows, as she and her siblings chopped firewood to keep warm in the fridged winters, while hunting and fishing for their dinner.  They had to in order to survive, and everyone pulled their weight.  To this day, she does the same.

Those life lessons served her well as she became independent early on, working multiple jobs as she worked her way through high school and college.  After graduating, she later eloped with her husband, Todd, who moved to Alaska while he was in high school.

Her book chronicles the struggles she had raising her family, while serving the public as a city council member, mayor, and eventually as governor.  Amazingly, Palin was able to make it through several levels of local and state politics while keeping her family values and teaching them to her own children along the way.

While most politicians seem to get into public service for power and fame, Palin seemed to be one of the few who wanted to change the world – or at least her world in Alaska.  Her love for the state and its natural resources propelled her to keep moving up the political food chain, taking no prisoners along the way.  Palin saw Alaska as being extremely important to the United States from an energy standpoint, and was bound and determined to tap into its natural gas resources in order to help give the United States energy independence, while at the same time keeping its natives employed.

Palin has shown tremendous character as an elected leader, with an immunity to corruption and special interests.  Ultimately, her “maverick” style as a leader drew McCain to select her as his Vice Presidential candidate in the summer of 2008.  Until that point, Palin had been on top of the world for most of her adult life, but as her book explains, it all came crashing down after she accepted.

Palin quickly learned that even though she was able to win the affections of her constituents in Alaska, the national media would soon spin her as a naive hillbilly incapable of understanding national and world issues.  She also learned that being second banana meant biting her lip, towing the company line, and going against her instincts, while the Republican Presidential ticket was being mismanaged and collapsing around her.  The politics that she tried to avoid her whole life while in public service, were surrounding her every minute of every day.

After losing the election, Palin returned home to dozens of ethics probes, invasions of her privacy, and was slowly losing her passion to govern, which had defined her entire life.  Less than a year later, legal bills and election costs piled up, and she owed over $500,000 to attorneys.  The democrats and their attorneys had succeeded in forcing her to occupy all of her energy defending herself against unfounded allegations, and she eventually resigned as governor and has now been able to pay her legal bills through the sale of her book.

Although the book leaves no clear impression of whether Palin will someday run for president, it stands to reason that she may be positioning herself for a run at the Oval Office as the latter part of her book attempts to explain away the accusations that have surrounded her from the media in recent months.  It is almost as if she is trying to set the record straight by putting everything on paper so that when 2011 comes around, she is ready to start with a clean slate.

If she does run for President, there is no question the country would be getting a leader who’s character cannot be questioned, and an innovative and independent thinker who is bound and determined to make the United States less dependent on foreign oil, and more dependent on its own oil and natural gas in Alaska as well as alternative energy sources.  She is also more than qualified from an experience standpoint as she learned the ropes of politics by working her way up to governor.

But, at the same time, she spends much of her book trying to defend herself, and seems to be very sensitive to criticism from the media, especially if her family is involved.  Palin does not seem like she has been able to really get over the unfair treatment she received from the media, nor does she seem to be able to reconcile the insincerity of a political campaign against her transparent approach to governing and stumping.

As the mother of five children, this behavior can probably be explained because she is still protective, and wants to show her family that truth is more important than rhetoric.  If she is unable to overcome those issues, it is likely that not only will the media capitalize on her defensiveness, anger, and resentment, as will the Republican Party and potential voters.  If she is able to bury those emotions, there may be no stopping her energy and enthusiasm for “real change” in 2012.

Regardless, I was hardly able to put the book down, and after reading it, believe there is some hope down the road for those of us with conservative values who still believe that this country can be turned back around towards the “right” direction.  But, we will need a leader like Palin to help us get there.

Will Brewers Shop for Cheap Free Agents in 2010?

Free agency begins today for Major League Baseball.  We all know that free agents this year will be relatively cheap once again due to the economy and owners being gun shy spend too much money.  But what about the Brewers?

Its been reported that they will once again have an $80 million budget this year.  My question – WHY???

What am I missing here?  We were 9th in attendance this year, drawing over 3 million fans, yet we rank 17th in payroll of all teams.  That gives us about the 3rd lowest fan attendance/payroll ration in the big leagues, making us slightly less cheap than only the Marlins and Padres.  Where is all this money going???

Really, I just want to know why?  What am I missing?

We have to get some pitchers, and I mean quality starters, because our farm system has simply not produced any depth at that position.  Without trading our future, the only way to do this is to shop the free agent market, and if ever there was a year to do it, its right now when the market is depressed and the flood of ticket and concession revenue continues to pour through the gates at Miller Park.

I would be surprised if we sign John Lackey, but we are talking to his agent I guess.  If we go after some quality free agents and make a run at this thing while Prince is still around, or is tradeable, it woiuld be the first time in franchise history that it has happened.

I will hold my breath since it looks like the budget has been capped for the second straight year at a meager $80 million.  But, you never know.  Come on Brewers!!!  Why?????  Lets write some checks this year – one time.

 

Brandon Jennings – Can This Be For Real?

55 points on Saturday night.  He’s a rookie.  He’s 20 years old.  And now he’s being talked about in the same sentence as Hall of Famers like Lew Alcindor, Wilt Chamberlain, Earl Monroe, and Rick Barry.  That’s because he’s touching rookie scoring records held by these guys.

If you watched the game last night, you will understand that the Bucks are now watchable again.  In fact, they are almost can’t miss TV right now.  Awesome.

Brandon Jennings is electric.  He is only seven games into his career, but he has a chance to be the Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, or Brett Favre of the Bucks.  After watching his first two games, I could tell.  He has a sense for the game well beyond his years.  His mistakes are minimal.  His passing is crisp.  His shooting speaks for itself. Lets stop talking about Rookie of the Year and start talking about the NBA All-Star game.  I know its early, but this is ridiculous.

The one thing you can say about Jennings is that he has incredible confidence.  He knows what he can do.  He just knows.  After sitting for most of his rookie year in Europe last year, he has no reason for it.  But, this is a sign of his character.  All the great ones have it.

He has the presence of a Michael Jordan, La Bron James, Kobe Bryant.  Maybe not the exact talent level, but his teammates already know he’s the guy.  It’s his team, and they are happy to be part of it.  You can tell.  Sorry Michael Redd.  And with all due respect, but you almost have to try to get him out of the way and make room for Brandon.  They need role players around him, not competitors for the ball, and Redd probably is not the right kind of player to mix with Jennings, even though he seems to be great guy.

It seems like Jennings’ teammates also want to go along for the ride.  They will play harder defense for him.  They will let him be creative.  They will accept their roles.  They seem to be happy to be part of his team, and his life.  A true leader, with work ethic and credibility.

They may not win all their games this year, but they will be fun to watch.  Now add the fact that Scott Skiles, a creative, confident, and tough point guard in his own right, with a no-nonsense approach and a lot of common sense, is going to mentor him.  Even better.

Can this be for real?  It has to be.  It’s been too long here in Milwaukee.  Thank you John Hammond.

Jim Gantner Clinic on Sunday . . . Maybe???

The baseball world in West Bend will be treated on Sunday to yet another Jim Gantner baseball clinic.  You all remember Gantner, right?  He was the former UW-Oshkosh standout who played 2nd base with the Brewers in the 80’s and 90’s.

The West Bend Little League remembers Jim Gantner as well.  He was the guy that stiffed the kids at least a couple of times by not showing up for his own clinics held at the West Bend Little League complex in spring.  Eventually, due to the fact that people were starting to catch on to the scam he and his camp cronies were running and the disorganized manner in which it was conducted, the clinic pretty much fell apart and none of the kids came anymore.  Good for them for catching on to the swindle and saving their money for a better cause.

Now he’s trying it again, but this time at Nick’s All-Star Baseball Acadamy.  I sure hope that whoever paid their money for the camp will be treated to the awesome presence of Gantner, and maybe even his staff, and that he actually shows up this time.   My question is do I get paid a $250 appearance fee too if I show up and work the camp?  Come on – I could use the money to help pay for my brick down at the new Warrior Alumni Field at Riverside Park.  I guess I’ll have to pay that legitimately.

By the way, the fencing is already up at Riverside Park, and the project is coming along nicely.  It should be a beautiful park for travel baseball.  I’ll have a nice blog about that down the road, and how teamwork, loyalty to West Bend baseball, and dedication get things done.  West Bend does support baseball, and this project will be evidence of that in a few months.

Kewaskum Football Catches Another Tough Break

Playing their best football of the season, the Kewaskum Indians were poised to head into West De Pere on Saturday afternoon hoping to knock off the Phantoms on their way to yet another Sectional championship.  Unfortunately, it would be without one of their key players.

Cody Siebel, All-Conference linebacker and arguably the Indians best player, didn’t even get a chance to suit up for his last football game due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Plymouth last week, and he was missed.  The Phantoms were able to run the ball a little better than they probably had expected against a normally stout Kewaskum defense, and part of it looked like it was because Siebel wasn’t able to fill the holes up the middle.

In spite of that, Kewaskum rallied from a 14-0 deficit in the first quarter to take a 21-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter.  It was a pretty gutsy effort by the Indians, but in the end, West De Pere was able to score a late 4th quarter touchdown and swipe away a 24-21 victory with a last second field goal.

With a couple of really solid classes coming up in the next couple of years, it looks like the Indians will be knocking at the door to get to Madison down the road.  Better luck next year.

 

 

Rodgers May Always Come up Short

I’ve had a couple of days to soak in the performance of Green Bay Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a very important home game against the Minnesota Vikings.   My observations of his performance this year has been that he is under a lot of pressure this year, but causes a lot of his own problems by not sensing the pressure.  I’m not sure that is ever going to change.

The key word here is “sensing”.  Being great at sports not only requires a high degree of skill and athleticism, but it also requires having a sense for the game.  This is true whether your a point guard in basketball, and hitter or a pitcher in baseball, and especially a quarterback.  I’m just not sure that Aaron Rodgers has “it”, which I think refers to having a strong “sense” for his position.

Sure, he is a great passer.  He has a strong and accurate throwing arm.  He runs well and seems to be well prepared.  But, right now, he has no sense for what happens in the pocket.

Time after time he holds onto the ball a second or two too long and seems to be unable to feel the pressure of the defense.  Great quarterbacks seem to have this sense from the beginning.  The mental clock in their heads tells them they need to either get rid of the ball or get the heck out of the pocket.  Some quarterbacks just seem to get sacked, regardless of their offensive line – I think Aaron Rogers might be one of them.

We’ve all seen Brett Favre play for a long time.  He didn’t always have a good offensive line, but you rarely saw him hang around in the pocket too long.  He always seemed to sense the pressure and where it was coming from, and knew exactly where to scramble to.

Now, after he scrambled he mad bad decisions at times, and sometimes he got rid of the ball and forced it when there wasn’t an opening, but he was not known for being sacked.  Yes, interceptions hurt you, and Favre had his share, but he made so many positive plays with his good sense that you kind of took the good with the bad.

With Rodgers, you are now also taking the good with the bad.  He is not throwing interceptions, but he is taking way too many sacks resulting in big time negative plays.  The problem is, I’m not sure he will every really improve that much on his instincts for the game, and the position.   On paper, I’m not sure which of the two options is worse, but until Rodgers starts to win consistently, my gut keeps telling me that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a perennial winner like Favre.

Favre had one losing season in his tenure in Green Bay, even though he had his share of bad defenses behind him as well, much like what Rogers is experiencing right now.  Yes, he’s gone, and probably never coming back, but his sense for the game will never be questioned.  Rodgers sense for the game may never be achieved.

Observations from the Packer – Viking Game

First, lets start with the results of my predictions, especially the main one – Vikes over Pack.

• In spite of having half the state of Wisconsin hating Brett Favre, I predict the crowd at Lambeau will give him a tremendous ovation when he enters runs onto the field with his team.  Too many good memories and too much positive energy going on right now.  Since Philly and the Giants were in a timeout pissing match before the game, its hard to tell, but I would say he wasn’t cheered as much as he was booed.
• After hearing the ovation, I predict Favre will get emotional.  Not even close
• After seeing Favre get emotional, I predict I will get emotional.  I was more pissed than anything that Fox wouldn’t cut to the Packer pre-game early.
• After I get emotional, I predict I will feel slightly depressed.  No depression, just excitement.
• After I feel slightly depressed, I predict I will need to eat some baked chicken quarters with BWW Garlic Parmesan sauce to help me with some closure on my trauma.  No chicken, but the Pork roast was good.
• After eating that chicken, I predict I will have garlic bad breath.  I was told I had bad breath after the pork roast.
• After I taste my bad breath, I predict I will think about brushing my teeth, but then do nothing about it and enjoy it.  No, there is nothing enjoyable about my mouth right now.
• The Packers will play a decent game, but I predict the Vikings will run the ball well today and will win the game.  Bingo.
• After the game, I predict there will be some leftover chicken, and I will eat it.  I ate the entire roast the first time.
• After I eat that chicken, I predict Brett Favre will be interviewed by the media.  Favre is being interviewed as we speak.
• After the interview, I predict much of what Favre says will be played on the television set.

8 for 11 is a horrible day in predicting, but since both of my football predictions came true, I claim expert status.

Here are some gameday observations, very similar to the first meeting:

• Favre is a genius, and continues to rise to the occasion when drama is involved.
• Rogers still is not comfortable in the pocket and causes about half of his own problems.  Still a big issue.
• The Packers remain sloppy, and this is a sign that they are either too young, too weak, or too poorly coached.
• I’m not a big McCarthy fan – still.
• Why do I hate Ted Thompson so much???
• Still not a lot of pressure on Favre, apparently Capers didn’t learn from the first meeting.
• The Vikings are not all that well coached either.  If they had a front line coach they would be Superbowl favorites.
• Speaking of cute cheer leaders, Deanna Favre.
• The Packers franchise has slowly been spiraling downward since Mike Holmgren was not given the GM job in the late 90’s.   That misqueue caused the eventual hiring of Rhodes, Sherman, and now McCarthy, none of which has shown me anything.  Plus, add Sherman and Thompson to the GM mix, and you haven’t got much there either.  I can dream of the day when Holmgren, even though I was ticked that he quit on the team in his lame duck year of 1998, is put back in charge of the franchise.  He will get things done and get the right coach, even though he has a massive ego as well.  The best thing for the Pack at this point is to get worse before they get better so Thompson gets fired.   Maybe he could even bring the prodigal son back home.  We’ll see.