Bubble bursts for the fantastic Lakers

'Waska coach Mitch McGuire

Minnewaska had such an unstoppable look in volleyball this season. You might say the program picked up where the girls basketball season left off. Last year's 'Waska cagers were fourth in state. Rarefied air! We might have expected volleyball to be pretty top-notch too. It's not guaranteed but we can certainly anticipate it. 

And there's no surprise when it happens. How spectacular were the Lakers of volleyball this season? Well, only one opponent even took them to the full five games. That was Morris. And the skein of success and dominance ended with the sound of a thud on Thursday. The day before Halloween saw the vaunted Lakers go up against the Albany Huskies. 

This match would not go the full five games. It would not even end in a win for the Lakers. 

The 2025 season will go down in 'Waska annals with special distinction. But that distinction will not include the coveted state berth. The 'Waska fans had their enthusiasm and ebullience tempered, indeed, just as their school district is going into a referendum vote. Oh, there's probably no connection between the two. But the referendum has to be in the corner of everyone's minds. 

The '25 volleyball season is now stored in fans' memories. 'Waska was the only undefeated team in Minnesota going into the apex of the section tournament. They were undeniably the favorite for carrying the Section 6AA banner into state. In the end, being the favorite means little. Albany had other ideas. 

The West Central Tribune writer made what I felt was an inappropriate judgment by saying the Lakers, "young and unheralded [at season's start] had a bunch of multi-sport athletes, but not much of a reputation in volleyball." 

Not much of a reputation? Who says? And how should that "reputation" really impact things after all? Albany took the court, I'm sure, with no regard to any "reputation" that 'Waska had built with its stellar regular season. The Huskies took the court and focused on winning. Minnewaska was simply an opponent to be overcome. We might forget that this is how high school athletes typically approach a game. 

It is media writers like Tom Elliott who can get carried away with "reputation." Going beyond that, Elliott made a judgment by saying Albany "was not on everyone's radar either."  Elliott could maybe have been more professional by just covering the volleyball match: two teams wanting to win. That was the essence. 

Albany and 'Waska met for the 6AA championship before a packed gym at St. Cloud Apollo. It was in fact an "overflow crowd" that watched the Huskies win by these scores: 25-23, 25-23, 17-25 and 25-19. Look how close the first two games were! The Huskies carry a 27-3 record forward. 

Alas, the Lakers have never made state in volleyball. Their final record for 2025 is 27-1. 

 

Threesome with a punch 

The Huskies were awesome up front with standout individuals Kelsey Lobitz, Brynn Panek and Kiley Lange. Albany's 27-3 record had two of the losses vs. AAA-size schools, Rocori and Monticello. The other defeat was at the hands of Pequot Lakes who the Huskies later defeated twice in fact. 

Now we focus on state. So the Class AA affair starts at 1 p.m. Thursday. Where? Oh my it's at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul! This is unbelievable. When I grew up, we would have fainted at the idea of a high school sports event at a place named for. . .a casino! 

Gambling was frowned upon when I was a kid. Even a "raffle" was considered pretty edgy. Newspapers like our own Sun Tribune were not allowed to promote raffles. I sure remember that limitation. I remember when I tried getting an item about a "snowmobile poker run" for the sports section, Jim Morrison said "that sounds like a raffle." Got pulled. Oh my the total immorality! 

Was it immoral? Well, it sure has gone mainstream today. Nobody questions it! These changes can happen slowly in our society. 

 

A sea change 

There was a time when we might have fainted at the idea of someone of Donald Trump's character being president of the U.S. Today he reigns even among the religious element in the U.S.! Maybe especially with the religious element. Shall we all question our commitment to the Christian faith? Well I'd be a minority of one saying that. But I'll say it. 

Half the nation may begin to starve now. And Christians won't rise up? I don't think so. They take the lead of Trump and have no second thoughts. And our congressperson Michelle Fischbach is a total extension of Trump, would be uncaring if mass starvation were to begin. Oh she'd blame the Democrats. That's all those people are programmed to do. 

Trump is now saying that food stamp recipients are mostly Democrats. I don't think that's even true. But if true, he'd want them to starve evidently. 

  

Two 'Waska seniors

Minnewaska Area had just two seniors this season: Emma Poegel and Carly Jergenson. It's guaranteed that our Tigers have their hands full playing them next season. I'm not really sold on the MACA coach. Let's acknowledge the 'Waska coach: Mitch McGuire. Let's acknowledge the Albany Huskies' coach: Brian Hines. 

It's about time here that I move on to the match stats. I can report on Minnewaska. Regardless of how the referendum turns out, we hope there's lots of joy and excitement in the winter sports season for Minnewaska Area. Berlynn Green had two serving aces vs. the Huskies. These Lakers each had one: Eliana Maarthaler, Poegel and Piper Barsness. 

Haillie Schulz

Haillie Schulz was the cog in setting like always, in this match with 37 assists. Other assists came from Poegel 4, Barsness 3, Green 2, Mya VanLuik 1 and Taylor Schulz 1. The West Central Trib had "May" VanLuik and "Tyler" Schulz but those were screw-ups. It's bad enough that the Willmar paper will not even cover Morris. I can correct some of the misspellings. 

Green came at the Huskies with 15 kills. She was followed by VanLuik 11, H. Schulz 9, Avery Lewison 6, T. Schulz 4, Emma Hellerman 2 and Poegel 1. Taking a look at ace blocks we see Lewison 3, Green 2 1/2, H. Schulz 2 1/2, T. Schulz 1 1/2 and Hellermann 1/2. Here's the digs list: Poegel 27, Green 22, H. Schulz 18, Brooklyn Noyes 13, Barsness 13, Marthaler 7 and T. Schulz 5. 

Go Lakers this winter in basketball! Since I will not have access to timely game info about Morris, there's a good chance I'll make 'Waska my "home base" team! I have family connections to Glenwood.

 

Tori Scheler

UMM Cougars 3, Martin Luther 0

I was pleased to be in attendance for the UMN-Morris volleyball match on Halloween night! Spooky? Well I saw some costumes. UMM fans had lots to cheer about as our team took care of business 3-0 over Martin Luther. Not only was it Halloween, it was "Senior Day." 

The Cougars won 25-13, 28-26 and 25-14. Our success brings us a spot in the UMAC tournament. It also lifted our season record to 12-10 and 6-4 in league. Martin Luther is known as the "Knights" and they've had a struggling season. 

Let's call these four Cougar seniors for a curtain call: Allison Dornseif, Mary Cate Ziembiec, Anna Molstad and Rocky Menesini-Baden. 

Ziembiec was our top kill producer with 16. In aces we see Ella Johnson setting the pace with three. Three Cougars each came at the Knights with three blocks: Anna Molstad, Tori Scheler and Braxtyn Meyer. 

Clara Holden produced 20 assists to lead. And in digs, Lexi Coon was tops with 18. Stay on a roll, Cougars!

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com 

Morris fans ought to cringe at Colorado incident

(image from "Mediaite")

One thing about college football: it sure makes the humanities division appear civilized by comparison. A calamity happened in Colorado earlier this month that would make Morris people cringe. The calamity involved football goalposts. I would have thought insurance companies all around the country were warning colleges "don't let fans fool around with goalposts." 

The big lesson came in 2005 here in our Morris MN. Has it really been 20 years? Well I guess it has. Our institution in Morris would not wish to remind people of it. It was too tragic for us to rationalize that it was a "teachable moment." No, it was an incident that simply should not have happened. 

Right now in October of 2025 we can read about a similar incident having happened in Colorado. A Colorado "Buffaloes" fan got trapped underneath goalposts in the unfettered post-game celebrating after a significant win. But who cares if it was a significant win? Fans react with such excessive emotions. I'm consulting this morning with coverage from the "Daily Mail." It tells of the wild display by Colorado fans after their team's 24-17 win over nationally-ranked Iowa State. But who cares who was nationally ranked? 

Why do we attach such enormous importance to such things? A humanities event at a college is so peaceful and uplifting by comparison. In past times our U of M-Morris had the "Homecoming concert" presented by the music discipline. The event appears gone off the slate now. 

So much about UMN-Morris appears uncertain now. Storm clouds of decline. The abrupt resignation announcement by the chancellor who appeared in the prime of her career. Even more suspicious, no explanation of the circumstances leading to the unusual move. The institution cannot blame us for speculating in light of the shroud of ambiguity. 

While it is generally understood now (among those most interested) that Janet's departure was involuntary, no official statement that I am aware of has implied this. A replacement for her was announced immediately. Word came from "up top" in the U's administration. The standard practice is for local people to take the lead in choosing the new person. We'd normally look to a "search committee." 

A cynic would often laugh at the notion of a "search committee," oh and especially a "nationwide search." That's because many of us assume that an insider is in position to get the job. So let's say the search becomes kind of a ruse, a pretentious ruse. 

We might want to temper our impulse to laugh or be amused right now. That's because we should be thankful if we can even count on the continued existence of UMN-Morris. So, ahem, bring on the pretentious search, be our guests. If that's what it takes to feel assured that UMM can stay open, please. Go ahead with the pomp of an "inauguration" too. 

Janet was in the spotlight for the standard inauguration. I cannot feel certain that the new chancellor will even have an inauguration. Also, there's usually an "interim." 

 

Actions coming 

It's hard not to have the impression right now that the U's top leaders see the need for expeditious and harsh judgments to be made for our campus. And toward that end, the U president is going to make sure decisions are made her way. Why? Because of a pressing need of course. And such actions might be made for our own good frankly. 

But the U cannot trust people at the local level to handle things acceptably. Morris may be small but its operations can reflect on the overall U system. Can the U risk allowing "DEI" to be promoted so openly and nakedly here? Are we "daring" people with the national government to come down hard on us, hard on the whole U system perhaps with rescinded Federal grant $? 

You must realize this is very serious business. It matters not at all whether you like all the "woke" stuff that DEI is part of. "Where the rubber meets the road" is whether the U gets an optimal amount of financial support. The last thing the U needs is a crisis precipitated by its little Morris campus. 

 

Goalpost incident, 2005 

It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall in 2005, to listen in on when U higher-ups learned of the goalpost incident here in Morris. 

Many of us have long felt that the top U people aren't exactly enamored with having to deal with the "coordinate campuses." So, they have their plates full dealing with what goes on in the Twin Cities? I think they do, Kemosabe. And in 2005 there was an urgent communication made to the U's top offices about a student having been killed in the abject silliness of a post-game football celebration. All to celebrate a very small-college win out here on the prairie. 

Of course it was Homecoming. The top U people had their normal focus diverted as they had to deal with the crisis in Morris, a crisis that could easily spell "lawsuit." I don't know what kind of lawsuit could have resulted. I wouldn't be surprised if there was one. 

The incident even affected me, as I was with the Morris newspaper. 

I wouldn't hesitate in telling anyone that I had very little interest in UMM's football game that day. I covered the local high school teams too, and those teams attracted more interest because of course the kids were from here. 

UMM? Today the UMM website covers all UMM athletics so thoroughly. In 2005 the site was in an early stage of development. Everyone seemed to assume that I would know everything about the goalpost incident. I took my photos in the first half. I left. I came back to campus for the volleyball match. Can anyone at least give me credit for the effort I made? Well no, of course not. 

I ended up quoting from the ESPN2 website in order to cover the disaster. And it was that quoted material that led to some hot-air criticism of me, that in time could have led to my departure from the newspaper. 

Now in 2025 we have an echo of our "goalpost incident." This time a student was not killed. The "Daily Mail" reported that a Colorado fan's celebrations took a nasty turn after he found himself trapped underneath the goalposts. There were wild celebrations across Folsom Field. 

Is such behavior a "release" for us, helping us deal with our regular frustrations and ennui with life? So much safer to support the humanities on campus. 

The fan rushed onto the turf as the goalpost came crashing down, knocking him to the ground. The weight bore down on the fan. "Other fans eventually noticed his struggles," the article continued, "and came to his rescue before he ended up trampled underneath the stampede." 

Again, can't the nation's insurance companies warn colleges against allowing this kind of display? 

Two weeks previous at Folsom Field, "fans directed expletives and religious slurs toward Mormons as BYU beat Colorado 24-21." 

Is there any hope for college football? 

There is a haven in the humanities.

 

Negligence?

In the aftermath of a catastrophe like the UMM goalpost incident of 2005, the institution would take pains not to admit to any negligence by anyone. The idea is to avoid a lawsuit, not that there wasn't lawsuit potential anyway. 

KSTP-TV finally aired video of it all and frankly the scene looked worse than what I had thought. I was not aware of anyone within UMM being formally blamed or found responsible. Then a few years later I inquired with a well-placed person about who might have been blamed "internally" or "behind the scenes." 

This individual had an answer: he said it was the athletic director. And now in 2025 we learn that that individual is inducted into the UMM Hall of Fame. Looks like a checkered background.

 

Mark Fohl

Name-dropping:

UMM's outgoing chancellor: Janet Schrunk Ericksen.

UMM's incoming chancellor: Michael Rodriguez.

U of M president: Rebecca Cunningham.

UMM student killed in 2005 incident: Rick Rose.

UMM athletic director in 2005: Mark Fohl.

The letter writer who may have ended my career: Mike Busian. He had at least the appearance of credibility with his "Dr." title.  

My name: Brian Williams. 

"No Kings" coincides with time of anxiety for UMM

Use caution with Halloween

Hey, I enjoyed attending another UMN-Morris volleyball match today!

 

Such a pleasant day in a time of year that should be called late-fall. On the cusp of Halloween. We once had a Halloween blizzard. 

Are you annoyed by Halloween? I mean, by the fears of real vandalism and mischief? 

I began noticing many years ago that families with young children began taking them to organized parties in public places. This in place of the tradition of kids going door-to-door. I'm old enough to remember taking part in the old tradition. Parents were not so fearful then. The neighborhood where I continue to reside today was typical for having a "batch" of boomer-age youth. Families associated with each other a lot. 

Times change certainly. So it's Saturday and I'm wondering if one last lawn-mowing job should be done. Certainly would be pleasant from a weather standpoint. Grass has gotten somewhat long but is not unpleasant to look at. I'd say it's pleasant: nice and green and lush. But rather long. Wouldn't bother me to just leave it actually. I'm most concerned about grass in the ditch which is most visible to passers-by. 

 

Putting grass aside

I saw an emergency vehicle pull into the driveway of a neighbor a day or two ago. I can't assume anything by that but it can't be anything good. I remember when our dear neighbor Virginia Lindor passed away. I was downtown when a different neighbor, Steven "Skip" Sherstad, told me he saw a flurry of activity at the Lindors. We can pray everyone stays OK but of course we all die. 

 

"No Kings" or "Hate America?" 

Today is the day of the "No Kings" rally in Morris. Is it OK to call it "No Kings?" That is what it calls itself. But our presidential administration wants us to call these gatherings the "Hate America" rallies. People behind the latter also use "Antifa" to characterize the people who turn out. 

Is it risky to show up? Do we have to fear "facial recognition technology" and other spy attributes that ICE is reportedly getting? The tools could be turned on all of us. And I thought "libertarians" were against such government overreach and invasion of privacy. They have no problems if these onerous tools are used to further the objectives of MAGA. Hypocrisy. 

 

Hitting home 

I have expressed enough anti-Trump sentiment through online writing that I will be a sitting duck if all the spy tools are unleashed on the American people. 

I can't even get an account with Facebook. I feel I should have the right to see the evidence against me. "Violation of community standards?" I have never even contributed content to a Facebook page. So where does this come from? I have theories but I cannot be sure. 

I have written in a certain way about the E. Jean Carroll case vs. Donald Trump, a case she won. And I have included the "r" word with that, something that Judge Kaplan in his clarifying statement said is legitimate. But Trump is the president and he cannot be stopped. 

How much sheer "rot" is going to be left over from this epoch of American history? We awaken every morning with the assumption there will be a picture of Trump at the top of Yahoo! News. A picture of him projecting a certain emotion, very often rage. A headline indicates something sensational happening, another assault on American norms and standards probably. Are we drugged or what? 

The "No Kings" rally is a way of suggesting that we just shouldn't take it anymore. But do we have any choice? There is zero chance that the Republican Party with all its power would consider impeaching Trump. We have three years left of what we are now experiencing. Will the USA as we've known it even be in existence in three years? Will we have a permanent autocracy or oligarchy? Will the USA become Balkanized? Could foreign interests take over? Will we suddenly learn that Alaska has been lost to Russia? 

 

She stays in the news

I see where Anne Barber is the co-organizer of the "No Kings" event in Morris. She's the librarian who has been under siege big-time in her role with our library. It appears the city manager does not even want to say her name in a radio interview. Sheesh. Isn't Anne subordinate to the city manager and council/mayor? Well maybe she isn't. Maybe she is a power unto herself. 

 

The news out of UMM

You know who isn't a power unto herself? Janet Schrunk Ericksen. Boy, the word came forth pretty decisively this past week. She's gone. As an old Watergate-era writer who lives for "the hunt" in stories like this, well I know the story now. I mean the real story beyond the company-line drivel from U people. 

The new overall U president Cunningham is "brutal" with pursuing cuts that she feels are needed. Just brutal. So the word is, Cunningham demanded that certain cuts be made here in Morris at UMM. (Or is it "UMN-Morris?") 

Perfectly logical, as an institution built on liberal arts would have to be considered vulnerable. So Cunningham made clear certain cuts that were going to have to be made. And Janet responded "I can't do that." 

The nature of the cuts? My prime source tells me "administrative bloat." So this naturally makes me want to ask, why did we let this bloat happen in the first place? It's possible or probable that some well-known names are going to be affected. This is a small town and moves like this can come across as most shocking. 

I guess in small communities, the likelihood of "good old boy" systems is greater than in metro. Breaking the shackles of the good old boy networks is the kind of thing that requires someone like Cunningham to come along. 

No "nationwide search" for a successor to Janet? No pomp-filled inauguration with flowery speeches glorifying academics and the liberal arts? I think we're forgoing all of that, looks like it anyway. 

Michael Rodriguez, the "new sheriff?"

The new guy Rodriguez - we're back to a man at the top - has the job until 2028. I am speculating with a quite strong basis that he has a "mandate." This will not be mean-spirited, it will just be deemed necessary, although there will be howls. 

We went through transformative change with our public school system in Morris back around 1990. A good old boy system had to be disassembled then, and boy it was difficult for some. In the end the change was of course positive. 

Will Rodriguez try to erase UMM's reputation for "woke" stuff? UMM became a symbol for the gay rights movement. Sure seemed out of sync with the surrounding community. Really I think the problem was one of lack of discipline on campus. Force the students to prioritize why they're here: In other words "make them behave." Don't let the gays set up a big info/advocacy booth with a poster-size picture of Eleanor Roosevelt on the side. Force them to remove it. 

The kids are here to take guidance from others. 

I am informed that the coming UMM cuts will not involve whole divisions. Well I guess music is safe. But the "administrative bloat" will be targeted. Embarrassing that it got that bad I guess. And Janet was probably in a position of having to cut people that she had personal affinity with. 

She wasn't cut out to be chancellor? Well I guess not. 

Added to all the other problems, UMM is getting close to what colleges everywhere recognize as "the demographic cliff." If you're curious about that, ask Michael Lackey. 

My, without UMM this community would be just like Benson, right? Benson got good news recently: They can keep on being the "Braves" in high school sports. I still think it is improper for Native Americans to be put forward as mascots. And what was a "brave?" It was an Indian armed with arrows and tomahawks out to kill other Indians. The Indians had no medical science to deal with the wounds. Let's not forget that this was all very primitive. It's not something to be celebrated now as with a school nickname IMHO.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com

Cougars win where "Iron Curtain" term was born

Even further south than Iowa!

The most recent UMN-Morris football game was a real crowd-pleaser. But it wasn't for the crowd here in Morris, it was for the crowd a fur piece from here. Would you believe Missouri? The fans at Westminster College were treated to this hard-fought college football action. 

So hard-fought, it came down to a field goal at the end. Hooray! It was the Cougars getting the ball to go through the uprights. Our guys prevailed 30-27 in this UMAC action. 

Incredible sitting here feeling "pressure" for how I write about the game. Simply old habit: worried about fans picking apart anything I do. It has been 19 years since I left the Morris newspaper. What's wrong with me? But hey, it's Monday and whether y'all like it or not, I am happy to sit here writing about the Cougars. Yes, I know a lot of people get carried away with sports. 

 

Perfect in conference 

The Cougars literally won as time expired on Saturday! We sit at 2-0 in conference, 2-3 overall. 

Westminster is known as the Bluejays. 

Fulton MO might strike you as an obscure place. It is not. It is actually the place where the famous "Iron Curtain" term of the Cold War was first presented. Maybe young people of today don't have much knowledge about this. Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War. But I grew up during the Cold War. One big aspect of the Cold War was that we had to compete with the Soviets in everything. That included public education, especially after the Soviets got the "Sputnik" satellite into orbit. 

Americans collectively seemed to have a heart attack. Was that overdone? I present that as a rhetorical question. Were we so excited that we got fooled by our military industrial complex? Eisenhower seriously warned us about the influence of the military industrial complex. It was largely left over from WWII when the U.S. was quite war-centered. But in the aftermath of that? Still such a strong necessity? 

The Cold War affected me personally because our public education system was under pressure to be real "tough" with its standards so we could "keep up with the Russians." Public school teachers who were protected by their unions felt they had a mandate to be tough. Sorry but I did not take well to that. So it rendered by childhood quite miserable. I gained a sense of cynicism about life that I retain to this day. I cannot help myself. 

Today in contrast it seems our public education systems seem to really want to enrich the lives of young people, make their school experience enjoyable a good share of the time. This includes college with UMM being our exhibit. And I really truly doubt that UMM is as "tough" with its academics as it once was. And I applaud them for that. 

Of course the institution still has to offer some things that can be assessed on tangible terms. And I think that's daunting. But I applaud all institutions on "letting up" on the young people. Don't turn college classes into a godawful obstacle course where kids drink pots of coffee while "cramming for finals." I suspect that the cramming ritual has been retired? It is not necessary for kids to cram knowledge into their heads in the Internet age. It isn't necessary to make kids prove they can do this as if they're running a marathon of 26.2 miles. 

The last time I interviewed a marathon participant for the Morris newspaper, he said that one's time in the marathon isn't as important as it used to be. So the experience now is just fulfilling on less-exacting terms. Is this a parallel with what has happened in public education? Fulfilling rather than like torture? I'm not exaggerating when I use the word torture. And I resent it as I think back on it. 

 

The worst fallout 

"Beat the Russians, defeat the communists." And it was that refrain that led the U.S. into the Vietnam war. I sure grew up with that hellhole in the background, day after day after day. I attended a funeral in 1966 for someone who had been killed by "friendly fire." "Friendly fire" incidents were often called "fragging" because a fragmentation hand grenade was so often used. 

None of this misery was necessary. We could have just let Vietnam "go communist." That's what happened anyway. Today the U.S. has positive relations with the same people we were fighting. I'll sound vain here and say that as a young child I could see the folly of what we were doing. I'm not looking for a medal, I am just reflecting. 

 

A scourge 

Teachers when I was young gave lots of "homework." Why? We were made to feel guilty if we just wanted to "watch television" in the evening. Why? 

Teachers wanted to make their courses tough because they wanted to feel important in preparation for their next contract negotiations with the meanies of the administration and school board. 

Open enrollment came along to spur some reform, to lessen the grip of the schools' monopoly. Monopolies are never a good thing. And the military industrial complex was even worse, was at the core of so much misery felt among young people. Look at the cost of the Vietnam war, I mean the cost in lives lost. 

So Westminster College reminds us of the Cold War era and the dark cloud it projected. Little Westminster College in the Midwest. In Missouri, a state where lynchings once happened.

Logan Ahlers

Cougars 30, Westminster 27
Logan Ahlers was UMM's hero kicker. He was called upon for his first field goal try of the season. The clock showed just three seconds to play. His toe was true under pressure: a win by three points. An enjoyable (and long) ride home. 

Ahlers is a senior. How the stage got set for this kick? Well, we benefited from a break, that's for sure. The story begins with UMM taking over possession at their own 22 with 1:16 left, a difficult spot. 

Well, we appeared to misfire on third down. Fans anticipated a punt, but no! The Bluejays were flagged for an illegal substitution! Our offensive unit could start over. And make hay we did. 

Bryson Drake passed to Manny Guy for five yards. Then came a 12-yard pass gain to Sean-Keley Chinanga. Penalties mounted for the host team. You might say penalties became the story of the game. There was a "targeting" penalty. And then a pass interference call. 

So UMM finds itself at the 23 yard line. We see the three seconds left on the clock, and all Mr. Ahlers has to do is show poise and drill the ball between the uprights. He did it! He did it! 

Drake finished with 166 passing yards, one TD via the pass, plus 67 ground yards, one rushing TD. Chinanga carried for two rushing TDs and had 92 rushing yards total. 

Prime defensive contributors were Dylan Young and Arian Saenz. Chayce Meyer sacked the quarterback three times. J.T. Garza intercepted a pass. Brenton Overall forced a fumble.
 

Winston Churchill

On March 5, 1946, Sir Winston Churchill visited Westminster College as the Green Lecturer and delivered "Sinews of Peace," a message heard 'round the world that went down in history as the "Iron Curtain Speech."
 
UMM music event
Well, I had the pleasure of attending the UMN-Morris jazz concert last Thursday at Edson Auditorium. It was a delight. I'll share here the email I sent to director Dustin Retzlaff the next day. Be sure to follow UMM music.
 
Hello Dustin - I enjoyed the jazz concert last night and I mean that! I appreciated that you said something good about Edson as the venue. I have wondered through the years why Edson can't be considered more often for music discipline events. I think last night was more fun than it would have been at Recital Hall. I am ancient enough to remember attending music and theater events when Edson was the sole venue for such things, early 1960s.
I got a last-minute email from Erin Christensen yesterday that ensured I would attend the concert. My enthusiasm about UMM music and UMM in general has been challenged lately. Of course there was the notorious Star Tribune "expose" about UMM enrollment recently. Such sharp words in the headline.
The strike didn't help, ahem.
More importantly, I have been discouraged greatly by UMM's incorporation of "community" with the prime ensembles. So we see "COMMuniversity." I'm glad the jazz bands didn't use that. I wonder if Simon will back off from that. We could just have UMM ensembles with the understanding that community is mixed in. And I notice in the poster for last night that the term "UMM" was used and not "UMN-Morris!" I have wondered if the latter was completely taking over. In my blogging I use "UMN-Morris" in my first reference and "UMM" after that. 

I notice from the poster too that it's just "Edson" with no accompanying reference to the Morrison thing. It would get cumbersome frankly. And I've always just wondered what the Morrison Performing Arts Center is, as distinct from Edson Hall. Too obvious a question probably. But I'm a cynical journalist. You might get a reminder from Erin's department that Morrison should be included. She wants to stay in good standing with all the UMM benefactors. Oops, I'm one myself: I represent the Ralph and Martha Williams Fund to benefit music at UMM. November is when I write a new check if I feel like it.
I get what the UMM choir represents today, but it's not like our longstanding choirs. It's pleasant to listen to but it's not the same. It is culturally broadening.
Dustin Retzlaff

Dustin Retzlaff

Re. the concert last night, Wow! I appreciated the trombone work and especially the bass trombone! The latter really gave a "bottom" to the music. It reminded me of the old Woody Herman orchestra when they played "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the bass trombone "nailed" a low note at the end of the intro! I heard the Woody Herman band at the old St. Paul Prom Center. There's an ABRA body shop there now!
Oh, maybe you should insert a photo of yourself on your UMM profile page.
I hope they're paying you enough.
I believe your mother was the third grade teacher at MAES. I interviewed her for paper when she was Teacher of the Year. I remember her saying "I just love those third graders, aren't they great?" Well yes, and I enjoyed third grade a lot more than junior high!
Congrats on concert and let's keep the jazz flowing!

- Brian R. Williams

'Waska and UMN-Morris put on show in volleyball

The Minnewaska Area volleyball team has done nothing but win in the 2025 season. The Lakers built their win total considerably in the most recent action. Last week saw them get past Sauk Centre and Melrose, both by sweep. The Sauk match was on Tuesday, the success vs. Melrose Thursday. 

On the heels of these successes, those Lakers swept their opponents in the weekend tournament at Alexandria. They won 2-0 vs. Brainerd, BBE and Alexandria. Today (Tuesday) will have the Lakers playing our MACA Tigers in Morris. Should be an interesting match to watch. 

All of this success comes in a fall that will include a referendum in the 'Waska school district. I wonder how that discussion is going. Under control? Getting emotional maybe? But there's nothing but happiness and excitement in the volleyball world, that's for sure. The Lakers are 19-0.

 

Watch collegians too 

This past weekend saw yours truly take in not one but two volleyball matches at the UMN-Morris P.E. Center. UMM volleyball might be the best-kept entertainment secret in Morris. There was a lively atmosphere at the Cougars' court for Homecoming. Our team won on Friday, got defeated on Saturday. There was no admission charge. 

After the recent "expose" article on UMM in the Star-Trib, one has to wonder if campus events are losing some luster. That's one reason I go out there. The good news is that UMM volleyball reveals a very upbeat and exciting picture. But there is bad news: UMN-Morris music has gotten a serious setback due to the stage floor "buckling" at the recital hall. It would appear this is the reason there was no Homecoming showcase for UMM music. Sorry I cannot repeat the enthusiasm that I expressed about volleyball. 

There was nothing to evaluate with music for the Homecoming weekend. The UMM Homecoming concert has been a staple on the Homecoming weekend slate for many years. It was a nice safe place to go on the weekend of the goalpost incident, certainly. The incident was in 2005. Leave it to sports to produce a nightmarish episode for the school. This would never happen in music. 

Unfortunately I had to pay attention to football for the Morris newspaper. And no matter how I reacted to the goalpost tragedy - a student got killed - I would have been criticized for some reason. Just try to review the football and disregard the tragedy? I might be viewed as insensitive. "How can you write about this as if it was just another game?" But the far worse option was to try to cover the tragedy in any way, shape or form. 

The press cannot come out a winner when a kid gets killed. How wonderful if I could have just been at home on that Saturday afternoon. But fate dealt me a different hand. And then media people from all over the country expected me to know all the details of what just happened. These memories come back as UMM marks each new homecoming. They are unavoidable. 

But as a non-media person now, I could choose to attend the UMM volleyball matches and have nothing but fun. 

The bleachers are pulled out on only one side these days. Looks like that's permanent. Hard not to view that as a step down. It also gives the illusion that the fan turnout is bigger than it really is. In past times obviously the fans would have been divided up between the two sides. Nevertheless the atmosphere for volleyball could not have been more enthused for UMM Homecoming weekend 2025. 

 

The macro picture

Meanwhile we're all dealing with the government shutdown. How is that treating you? Just got a new email release from our congressperson Michelle Fischbach. I take no pleasure in regularly criticizing her. But she has such a simplistic view of life: Republicans good, Democrats bad. That's all you have to know about life from Fischbach's perspective. Must be nice to not have to tax your brain too hard. 

Has Fischbach ever communicated one word of criticism about Donald Trump? Well, I think not. Again, easy on the brain: whatever Trump does or says, just go along with it and keep demonizing the Democrats. 

How is all of this going to wash out? Trump's mind is steadily deteriorating.

 

Emma Hellermann

Minnewaska 3, Melrose 0 

Melrose hosted this volleyball action. The Lakers won yet again, scores of 25-19, 25-23 and 25-10. 

Haillie Schulz performed two serving aces. Eliana Marthaler and Piper Barsness each had one. Schulz stood out in setting too with her 26 assists. Emma Poegel performed three assists and these Lakers each had one: Avery Lewison, Emma Hellermann and Barsness. 

On to the crowd-pleasing hitting department. Here it was Berlynn Green showing her prowess with nine kills. The list continues: Lewison 6, Hellermann 5, Mya VanLuik 5, Schulz 4 and Taylor Schulz 4. Lewison topped the list in ace blocks with three. Then we see the Schulz girls each with 1 1/2. Green performed an ace block and Hellermann added 1/2. 

Green was busy with digs where her stat was 16. Poegel, Hallie Schulz and Barsness each had nine, and Marthaler had five.

 

UMM 3, North Central 0

I personally watched our UMM Cougars win by sweep over North Central on Friday of Homecoming weekend. Had great fun watching. The Cougars prevailed 25-13, 25-18 and 25-21. The fan attendance was reported as 153.

Bella Nelson

Bella Nelson came at North Central with ten kills. She was followed in that department by Mary Cate Ziembiec with nine and Ella Johnson with eight. On to serve aces: here we see Johnson with three, Clara Holden two and Allison Dornseif one. 
Ziembiec performed five blocks to lead there. Tori Scheler had three blocks and Johnson two. In assists we saw Holden with 21, Dornseif with six and Lexi Green with three. The digs department had Lexi Coon with 15, Holden with 12 and Johnson with 12. 
Yours truly "splurged" and bought a Snickers bar for $2 on Saturday night! 
I would love to be writing about MACA volleyball but I do not have access to timely information.
   
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com 

Minnewaska wading into referendum waters

I remember when it was new.

Sounds like there is an upcoming referendum in the Minnewaska school district. It's interesting how the school has established itself without direct ties to a specific community. Its ties are to a lake, not a community! 

I became aware of the referendum through the Facebook page connected to Morris. 

School referendums can of course become contentious. Wouldn't surprise me if this is the path that Minnewaska follows. 

Experience has taught me there are a lot of righteous-sounding "vote yes" advocates who imply that it's really kind of a moral thing, i.e. there aren't even two sides. But even when this argument is presented loudly out and around, you'd just be surprised - or maybe not - how often the "no's" can win. Maybe a case of a "silent majority." People ruled by their pocketbooks? Or, people jaded by noticing that waste and largesse always turn up in our public institutions. 

Am I giving a hint as to my own feelings? I was with the Morris and Hancock newspapers back when the 'Waska school first started up. I wrote about the shiny-new place like it was kind of a novelty. I remember when both the Minnewaska and Lac qui Parle schools were shiny-new and came across as novelties. Well, this is the kind of novelty that the State of Minnesota eventually said "no" too. That was the word anyway: "No more cornfield high schools." 

Well, 'Waska and LQPV sure got in on the novelty when it was doable. Shall the residents of those places feel thankful? Well, they have no choice but to believe in their schools now. But can these school districts handle the heavy lift of passing a referendum? I mean, when there is no direct community pride as you'd get if the schools were named for a specific town? And heavens, don't tell me for a second that Glenwood is not viable enough to support its own school. 

I covered football games at the old "Glenwood High School" field. Our Morris Tigers would play there. 

I'm old enough to remember an awful lot of small town parochialism coming from Glenwood and Starbuck, oh especially Starbuck. I suppose Starbuck was always in fear of being the underdog. When the new Minnewaska was mapped out, legend has it the building could not be one foot closer to Glenwood than to Starbuck! Such was the nature of such provincialism at one time. And I think a lot of that has faded away, really for the better. 

And I remember when Cyrus was having to give up its high school, that matter got way too political and contentious. It wasn't worth it! It would have been better for state planners to just step in and say "this is how it's gonna be." Easier said than done, I guess. And people prefer more localized government at least in theory. 

Man, I personally got close to the emotions involved in some of these matters. And let me tell you it could get very disturbing. Again, not worth it. Maybe Glenwood and Starbuck have a relaxed and amicable relationship now. I sure hope so. A major school referendum can get people worked up, though. 

I saw a comment posted by a Morris person on Facebook regarding the 'Waska issue. It was sympathetic to 'Waska's stated needs. And then below that I saw a two-word response that did not surprise me at all: "cut sports." Sports advocates should know that this sentiment is probably felt by more people than you'd think. 

My own bias is to be quite enthused by all school extracurricular. I have gone so far as to suggest that extracurricular builds up kids even more than "academics." And I really mean that. In the Internet age, kids are not nearly so dependent on classroom learning as they once were. I view teachers today as more like "caretakers." Impart some knowledge, yes, but just create a loving and uplifting environment for the kids. I hope that has been the direction. 

Does the parade for the Minnewaska homecoming have a gay pride float? Should I be surprised or alarmed if it does? Remember I am 70 years old, Morris graduate of '73. The Morris homecoming parade held on Friday had a parade unit adorned with the gay pride rainbow symbol. The float did not come on strong toward the parade spectators, so I took it in stride. The kids appeared humble. So I smiled and waved as it went by. Remember this is Morris, home of the U of M-Morris, a place that the Trump-supporting types would certainly describe as "woke." I mean, "take it up to eleven!" 

 

Overlooking Lake Minnewaska

Volleyball sets tone? 

If the Minnewaska referendum performs as well as the school's volleyball team, man it will be a slam-dunk. 

Last year's Laker girls basketball took fourth in state. Yet there are people around who will say "cut sports."

  

The history 

Has Minnewaska had two failed referendums? That's what my memory tells me. I think both of these resulted in some hard feelings. I have to laugh regarding one of these, when a well-known community leader wrote a letter to the editor suggesting it would be a disaster if the referendum failed. Then the referendum failed. And then after that, the very same community luminary wrote a letter to the editor saying "we'll still have a great school." Wait a minute, I thought it was going to be a disaster. Ah, the peculiarities of politics. 

Do the Glenwood people of today even care that they don't have an in-town public school? Really, I think it's possible they don't. 

The only way to go to and from the Minnewaska school is motorized transportation. That used to bother me on principle. However, the time came when kids weren't allowed to walk to school anyway. I guess that was because of the many years of the sad Jacob Wetterling investigation. And in the end, we learned that whole tragedy was marked by incredible law enforcement incompetence. Oh, the money that got wasted. 

 

"Showstoppers" boffo 

I had great fun visiting the Minnewaska school this past summer for the "Showstoppers" musical, "Newsies." It was fantastic. It tapped Morris area talent too. In my opinion the chief star was Jennie Odello. It was my first time in the 'Waska auditorium. A great atmosphere. 

I remember visiting the Minnewaska school for a girls post-season basketball game just days before the covid crisis hit. On that night we had little idea of what was coming. Our lives sure changed in a hurry. The 'Waska gym is super. I remember covering the Hancock volleyball team there right after the school opened. I wrote about the school being so shiny-new. 

Today the school has been around a while, so now it's time for another referendum. What are the odds? Just let me say: never underestimate the potential for the "no" vote. 

My father was a 1934 graduate of Glenwood High School. You'll see a big rock with "Williams" on it at Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. That's my family.

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com 

Gruber to O'Neil for 71 and the Minnewaska win

What a thrilling end to the Minnewaska Area football game on Friday. It was an away game for the hot-and-cold Lakers. The Lakers had a most rousing start to the season with their high-scoring win over Morris. But after that they fell down a notch or two to suffer two setbacks. Then, another reversal. Those Lakers needed a really super fourth quarter. And boy the Lakers delivered. They scored 19 points in the fourth to defeat Melrose by a margin of one point. The score was 26-25 at Omer Sieben Field in Melrose.  

The final touchdown was quite dramatic. It featured the arm of Marc Gruber and the pass-catching skill of Tristan O'Neil. The two worked their magic on a 71-yard touchdown pass with 1:47 remaining. 

The Lakers and Dutchmen both came out of the night at 2-2. 

The big touchdown pass sure built up Gruber's yards-per-completion number. Take a look at these numbers: 4-for-10, 154 yards, no interceptions. And O'Neil was on the catching end three times for 125 yards. Miles Wildman had the other 'Waska reception good for 29 yards. 

Wildman carried the football seven times for 35 yards. The major ballcarriers were Asante Adams (15 carries, 145 yards) and Kearri Dickens (17-91). Wildman added an INT on defense. 

The Dutchmen made a real bid to take over this game. They put up the first three scores and led at halftime 19-0. 'Waska began fighting back as Adams reached the end zone from the four. Jayda Kolstoe kicked for the PAT. But it was Melrose that scored next: Brecken Elfering passed 31 yards to Samuel Stangler.  

Adams went to work again for 'Waska, this time big play-style with a 59-yard run for six. Kolstoe kicked for the PAT. the momentum began sliding into 'Waska's corner. So on came the Lakers: a three-yard TD run by Dickens. The conversion failed this time. The stage was set for the dramatic and game-winning 71-yard TD strike from Gruber to O'Neil. 

'Waska fans won't soon forget this game. Their team had 17 first downs on the night, one more than Melrose. 

Melrose's Elfering had eight pass completions in 19 attempts for 146 yards, one interception. The top ballcarrier was Samuel Stangler with 83 yards on 17 carries. Elfering's favorite target was James Rieland who had four catches for 85 yards.

 

Haillie Schulz, setter

Volleyball success too

The Lakers of the volleyball world surged to 8-0 with a sweep win over West Central Area Thursday at home. They improved to 6-0 in conference. Scores against WCA were 25-17, 25-14 and 25-22. 

Taylor Schulz paced the Lakers in kills with 11. She was followed by Mya VanLuik 8, Berlynn Green 7, Emma Hellermann 5, Avery Lewison 3 and Haillie Schulz 2. Let's take a look at the ace blocks department: Haillie Schulz 2, Hellermann 1, Lewison 1/2, VanLuik 1/2. 

Berlynn Green stood out in ace serves with four. Brooklyn Noyes had two ace serves and these Lakers had one each: Emma Hellermann, Emma Poegel and Piper Barsness. Haillie Schulz was the go-to setter with her 27 assists. Also contributing were Green 3, Poegel 3 Noyes 1 and Barsness 1. 

Three Lakers each had nine digs: Green, Poegel and Haillie Schulz. Eliana Marthaler had eight followed by Lewison and Barsness each with six.

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com 

High school sports diverts from U.S. macro picture

Pam Bondi, AG

High school football is a refreshing outlet that we can turn to, when other aspects of American life become turbulent like right now. It's Sunday morning as I write this. Sunday itself is a nice little outlet for experiencing peace and "normality." But distressing headlines continue to come at us. 

So this morning we see: "Trump publicly urges Pam Bondi to charge his political enemies in stunning post." 

Go ahead and enjoy your high school football, you all, and I mean that because what, really, can the common citizen do about the disturbing stuff? I mean, re. the rule of law and the principle of its consistent application? We have lived our lives under the assurance that we can count on the principle. This, plus the principle that we have two political parties that can co-exist while disagreeing on the best ways to achieve the best American life. 

Instead we now see something quite akin to Mussolini's ascent in Italy. Contact your congressperson? In normal times this would be a valid outlet for concerned citizens. But all the evidence shows that our congressperson Michelle Fischbach is joined at the hip with Trump and MAGA. And if anything, her job security is threatened from the political right, not the left. These are the stripes we have out in rural western Minnesota now. 

Fischbach seems proud of what the DJT administration has done for farmers. I think there's two sides to that coin. But what are we going to do? Elect a Democrat? Well that certainly is not going to happen here. 

 

Off the rails 

Trump is full-on trying to destroy his political adversaries. He seizes power across the board by any means that he can. It is so unrelenting as with the Federal Reserve. Do you realize how absolutely delicate this is? I mean, to try to seize control of the central bank? And it's nakedly for the purpose of pushing down interest rates as far as possible. 

Don't you realize that political people always have a bias toward wanting lower interest rates because it gives temporary "juice" to the economy? And our system was established long ago for the "Fed" to be independent. DJT seeks to crush that. 

All these changes are happening just like the "boiling frog." It is incremental and steady. Yes but DJT does not conceal his intentions. He's right out there. And people refuse to vote Democrat? And that's because of stuff like "gay" and "trans" and abortion? And so now we have to accede to the Republicans and their whole agenda, much of which isn't connected to the cultural issues at all? Well it's all coming at us. 

Even on this peaceful Sunday morning, more terribly ominous signs of what has mounted from the White House. I'm sick of hearing about the "White House." The power emanating from there now happens to be an existential threat toward our very existence as America.

And if a typical Morris area resident were to read this, that person would say "there you go again. Brian, you have Trump derangement syndrome." Like simply being opposed to what DJT stands for is now sort of a real illness. Many of these people actually believe that. 

There's DJT with his red tie, suit and white shirt again. Why is a "tie" even necessary? Who invented this stuff? It is widely believed that DJT has a problem with incontinence. Well he's nearing age 80 and he's obese. Can't we elect a sharp middle-aged person?

 

High school sports

We can still find a pleasant "relief" with our interest in high school sports. You might say it is still the closest thing to being an outlet to take our minds off the nasty stuff. So yesterday (Saturday) I had the most pleasant (and shocking) surprise of seeing MACA football game information readily available on the Internet. As a result I was able to type up a thorough blog post for my primary blog which is "I Love Morris." 

I wish I could do this every week. I wish also that I could do some writing about MACA volleyball. There is a dearth of timely information. 

The football info on the game against Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted is on one of those "Minnesota Hub" websites. This system is presented by the Star Tribune. But it's just a template system, and by that I mean it relies on contributions. And it seems 99 percent of the time the sites are devoid of any worthwhile information. So they just sit there. 

I don't know who was responsible for submitting the Friday game info to the "Hub." Were the MACA coaches involved? I have no idea. But whoever did it, I greatly appreciate it. 

I first began writing about Morris Tiger football in 1972. God has blessed me with sufficient health to continue doing it. Does anyone else in the local media have anywhere close to the kind of longevity I've had? I think not.

 

Re. UMN-Morris Homecoming

Here's from an email I sent to my fellow UMN-Morris advocate Warrenn Anderson a few days ago:

 

Warrenn - I just got a look at the UMM Homecoming schedule this morning. There is no brunch listed this year. It would be Saturday morning. I have made it a personal tradition to attend that. Sometimes I bump into certain UMM people who are interesting to talk to. Why would UMM remove this from schedule? I suppose the people who were on strike would be working the meal. 

I never did see many community people attending the brunch, but this seems typical of apathetic Morris. Maybe UMM decided not to pay someone to sit at entrance taking the payment for the brunch. It was actually reasonably priced and it was all you can eat. The students dine there anyway so people like me would just wander in to join them. Seemed like a good idea while it lasted.

It's too bad the king and queen tradition ended. We all know why it did. I was thinking maybe the Native Americans could take the lead with that. Maybe they'd have the proper attitude with it. I think that would be wonderful.

I guess the situation with the public library won't be over until Oct. 14, if even then. What a strange conflict. It's between Anne's lawyer and the city's lawyer, but doesn't Anne work for the city? Is it possible she has more power than the council and city manager? I'd like to see major cutbacks with the library.

I have done so much skeptical blogging about Trump, I may now be a marked man. Just look at the news right now.

- BW

 

And here's from an email I sent to Del Sarlette just a few minutes ago:

 

I wonder if people behind the scenes at UMM are getting set for a suspension of operations. Why are they cutting back on homecoming? They should say "we'll have a nice little parade again no matter what it takes." But of course they'd have to demand a boy and a girl for royalty. To repeat, I think the Native Americans could take over on this and that would be terrific.

Problems at Caribou Coffee again this morning. I am absolutely done trying to get anything there. I sure hope Dollar General can give Willie's some competition.

I'll be at DeToy's seven mornings a week now.

- BW

 

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com