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| With basketball, Goodridge and Grygla sports teams have officially paired, and as a result of a coin toss, will now be known by Goodridge-Grygla. A mascot for the teams will be determined later. The football team and girls sports have been paired for many years. Galen Clow, superintendent guessed that the teams have been paired for at least 10 years. This spring, the schools began considering whether they should pair in basketball, as well.
Clow said the schools and Districts began considering the pairing in basketball because of costs and numbers, but mostly numbers. Enrollment for small rural schools has been declining for several years. In his 13 year-tenure, Clow said he has seen a gradual decline in enrollment numbers at Grygla. For a long time, Goodridge also experienced enrollment declines, but in recent years, Clow said enrollment has been increasing. With this decision, the schools have paired in all sports, except track. Clow said the schools haven’t had softball or baseball teams because they just haven’t had the numbers needed to sustain programs. That may be something to consider now, though. Clow said the reaction from the public has been very good. Everyone seems excited about it. “Though,” Clow added, “we want to do it right and give consideration to both Districts.” This week, the pairing committee determined the order of the names by a coin toss. After listening to residents of Goodridge and Grygla, it was decided to use Goodridge for heads because they come first alphabetically. Clow flipped the coin and it came up heads. The mascot will be determined by a vote of the 7-12 grade students from both schools after school starts. The Goodridge mascot has been the husky. The Grygla mascot has been the eagle. The schools remain in separate school districts. Clow said that about six years ago he called the Department of Education to see what impact consolidation might have on the schools. Clow said he was told that as far as sparsity aid they wouldn’t get any additional funds. In fact, they could get less. In any event, Clow said the Districts are in good financial condition and have enough students to offer a good curriculum Off to College? Fundraising for Sports Activities are Over? Think Again! 8/30/10 If a college athletic program isn't a major sport, it has to get creative sometimes when it comes to raising money. At St. Cloud State, which is facing a more than $500,000 athletic budget deficit for 2012, the minor sports have been trying to remain in the black in any way possible.
Some programs have their own booster clubs. Some travel down to the Twin Cities to raise money at professional sporting events. Others have their own golf tournaments, and some have donors that can help cover significant costs. The softball team raises between $30,000-40,000 every year. That's more than the team's actual budget. "We do just about anything," head coach Paula U'Ren said. "We're kind of a jack-of-all-trades outfit. "Our actual budget hasn't gone up in 14 years. It's gone down since my first budget." The team has a golf outing. Players work as volleyball shaggers for games, and also take tickets at basketball games. U'Ren also runs clinics and camps at the Husky Dome to help cover whatever costs her team incurs. The golf outing alone raises $5,000-$10,000 every year. Due to budget cuts the past few years, U'Ren has had to cut down on the team's regional trips and tries to stay in hotels less frequently. "We've looked at all the options we could," she said. "We just formed the Diamond Club four years ago to gain outside support. We've had to buckle down. "Hopefully it doesn't come to the point where we have to lose any programs here." The Diamond Club was formed to take added responsibilities off U'Ren and the rest of her coaching staff. The club has a president and board members to handle fundraising duties. U'Ren said her sport doesn't make money. It's free to get into St. Cloud State softball games and she's the only coach under contract. The St. Cloud State wrestling team recently had its fifth annual golf fundraiser at Wapicada Golf Club in Sauk Rapids. The cost of the event is $100 per person and all proceeds go to benefit St. Cloud State wrestling and the athletic department. Head coach Steve Costanzo says his team also has a fall wrestling clinic and summer camps that raise money. His wrestlers sell T-shirts, sweatshirts and booster club memberships and work events through Campus Recreation. The annual Husky Open in December also brings in money to the program. "There are some other opportunities for our team to make money," Costanzo said. "The big one is selling those booster club memberships." Costanzo estimates his program brings in between $50,000-60,000 a year in fundraising alone. The women's soccer team has a booster club called the Upper 90 Club. Money raised through the club helps buy equipment and also supplements the team's recruiting budget. Head coach Becky Heiberger has her players referee indoor high school leagues and sell athletic gear. Head women's and men's tennis coach Jerry Anderson doesn't feel like his program is safe, especially after seeing Minnesota State-Mankato proposing to eliminate both men's and women's tennis after this school year. To help beat budget deficits, the tennis team sells apparel and Anderson has run camps in the past. The baseball program has the Husky Dugout Club, which head coach Pat Dolan started when he got the job more than three years ago. Dolan has been highly proactive in trying to do as much fundraising as he can for his program. "We have the First Pitch Banquet which averages about 400 people," Dolan said. "We also have the big golf tournament like everybody else. "Our team and players understand that we're a tier 2 sport. I know what tier 1 versus tier 2 is," Dolan said. "It's a marathon when you're raising money." Dolan knows he and the university have to get larger donations from alumni and boosters in the future. "We have to get our heavy hitters and big supporters stepping up to the plate," he said. "Everyone realizes now that this is serious stuff and that something is going to shake down in a few months." The track and field and swimming and diving programs may be the most creative among the minor sports as to how they raise funds. The two programs share a concession stand at every home Timberwolves game. They also worked a concession stand at the flugtag competition at Harriet Island this summer. Swimming and diving head coach Jeff Hegle has also started a program called the Husky 200. Hegle is hoping to have 200 or more alumni donate $100 each year for 10 years to his program. Hopefully that will help," said Hegle, who has witnessed Mankato propose to cut men's swimming. "Once the Husky 200 gets planned out it, will get more alumni involved. The SCSU Booster Club has been receptive to the idea. "I think what happened last week really hit home with all of the coaches and reality set in more than people wanted to realize." The swimming and diving team members have to pay for trips throughout the season out of their own pocket even with the fundraising. The members also work concession stands at high school basketball tournaments and they do promotions with the Husky Bookstore on campus. Hegle says he's trying not to worry too much about the three proposals that President Earl H. Potter III is working on right now when it comes to cutting sports. "I can't stress too much about it. If the time comes and a decision is made, I'll handle it then," Hegle said. "I'm trying to get ready for the season. The kids on my team know times are tough. Most of our kids read the paper and are aware of it. "They see their parents struggling to pay for college. They know things aren't easy for anybody." Source Star Tribune St. Cloud State Softball Supports the Troops! 8/30/10  Now back on campus, the 2010-11 St.
Cloud State University softball squad recently gathered together to make care
packages for troops in Afghanistan.
St. Cloud State softball is coached by Paula U'Ren, and assisted by Jen Williams and Meghan Ward in 2010-11. Saint Mary's Inducts Three into Hall of Fame -- Two From Softball 8/24/10  The Saint Mary's University Cardinal 'M' Club, in association
with the Alumni Office, will induct three members into the SMU Sports Hall of
Fame during Cardinal 'M' Club Weekend Friday-Sunday, Sept. 10-12.
UND Sioux Add Glueckert as Assistant Coach 8/24/10 
University of North Dakota softball head coach Sami Strinz
announced the addition of Jennifer Glueckert to her coaching staff. Oklahoma's Edmond Santa Fe softball team alters approach 8/23/10 Edmond Santa Fe softball coach Rhonda Lawson has seen a lot of things, but this year has given her something new to battle. The Wolves, with a strong tradition and history of having players move on to compete in college, never have a problem getting girls out for the team.
Lawson said she normally averages between 25-30 girls per season. But Lawson said she only has 15 girls playing this year. "It changes everything, Lawson said about her approach to the season. More changes are on the way. The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association has had a rule for years about the number of games a softball or baseball player could participate in during a given season. The rule states no player is allowed to play more than 22 games per season. That, however, doesn't include the three tournaments and all the postseason play. It is 22 regular season games. The problem for Santa Fe and other teams in a similar situation is with only 15 girls — or even less playing at smaller schools — the teams cannot have a junior varsity and varsity. If a player participates in the junior varsity and varsity games on the same day, it counts as two of the 22 games. That can add up pretty quickly. "We've heard (about) it a lot more from softball teams this season than we've had in the past, OSSAA executive secretary Ed Sheakley said. "The rule has always been there. If you're a member school, we assume everybody is abiding by it. Playing devil's advocate, you could say if you know you don't have the numbers to field two separate teams, then you need to find other alternatives, such as eliminating some JV games. But doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of what a JV team is supposed to be? Isn't the program an avenue for the players to work harder and hone their skills so they can earn the right to reach varsity level? "I'm very upset about it, Lawson said. "I feel it should always be about putting the kids first. We're not putting the kids first with this rule. There used to be ways around this, such as lineup cards not being kept regularly for JV games, but everybody is watching now. One of the big issues is if a player suits up but doesn't play, it counts as one of the 22 games. Even if all she does is sit in the dugout and cheer the team, it still counts toward the limit. Santa Fe has canceled all JV games until further notice, said athletic director Barry Blagowsky. The OSSAA board of directors meets Sept. 8, but the administration is hoping something can be done before then. "I think the OSSAA has been sympathetic to the problem, but we're going to continue to do whatever we can to try to help and hope it's altered before too much of the season is gone, Blagowsky said. Sheakley said the OSSAA will always look at rules like this, and coaches have ways to propose changes, especially through the advisory groups. The economic situation has forced programs across the state to make drastic changes, which has also hurt the softball programs. Having a limit for varsity games is fine and should be encouraged, but to deprive some players a chance to play JV games because of the lack of participants is wrong. The younger players just want the chance to get that experience. To go through those growing pains, to learn and improve. Right now, they're on the outside looking in. Source: NewsOK - The Oklahoman Dome Ball Opportunties Coming to Vadnais Heights 8/23/10 Vadnais Heights Sports Complex is expected to open late this fall and will include opportunities for Dome Fastpitch. Dan Honoroff will be managing the dome league. If interested in playing in this new facility, please contact him at: Dan 612-790-4940 or danhonoroff@yahoo.com Shane Gunderson Takes Head Coaching Position at Bemidji State University 8/23/10
Bemidji State University Director of Athletics Dr. Rick Goeb
announced the hiring of Shane Gunderson as the head coach of the Beavers’
softball program today, making the former BSU graduate assistant and
All-America catcher at the University of Minnesota the 17th head coach in BSU
softball history. Minnesota State hires Wolcott as Assistant Coach 8/23/10 Minnesota State head softball coach Lori Meyer has announced
that Kristle Wolcott has joined the Maverick coaching staff as an assistant
coach. Burnsville Softball standout inducted into Hall of Fame 8/20/10
She didn’t know it, but Tammy (Baldwin) Perez was on deck for a home run career as a student Burnsville High School. Before graduating in 1999 she lettered 14 times, earning letters in swimming, cross country skiing, hockey, choir, National Honor Society and her “baby:” softball. “Sports was it,” she said. “That’s what I was into. I would try anything I could get my hands on in high school.” But it was her continued athletic accomplishments after high school in college and as Sgt. 1st Class Perez in the U.S. Army that helped her earn a spot as a member of the Burnsville High School Hall of Fame. “I’m so honored,” she said about being inducted, adding she feels like she’s in good company. “It’s like when you’re playing for the Armed Forces team and you represent something bigger than yourself. I want to do what I can to continue to make Burnsville look good.” Perez was a standout athlete. In addition to her 14 letters, she was on many all-conference and all-state teams, she took the role of captain a few times and was awarded the Athena Award, which is given to the most well-rounded senior female athlete. “I didn’t even know it was an award,” she said of when she was given the Athena. “My parents always told me to take care of the small things and the big things will take care of themselves. It wasn’t my goal to win the Athena Award but it took care of itself.” In high school she was recruited by colleges and military branches to play softball – but her heart was set on college and she had an aversion to the Army. “I thought the Army was for people who can’t make it in the real world,” she said. So she took Division I school Central Arizona College up on its offer for a full softball scholarship. During her short tenure there, she was part of a championship team, ranked in stolen bases, was named most valuable player in a tournament and was on the All-American Team. While on paper her passion for the sport seemed clear, the reality was softball “was becoming a chore and I was losing the passion.” Then after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 Perez abandoned her bat and glove and enlisted in the Army. “I wanted to serve my country because it needed it,” she said. “I learned the Army was not for people who couldn’t make it – that’s not the case at all. The Army has awesome Americans as part of her defense.” During what Perez said was rare down time in the Army, she was tossing a ball around with some peers when she was approached and told she “needed to play softball for the Army.” “I told them I wasn’t going to play and that I had given up softball to be in the Army,” she said. She eventually agreed to give the team a try but when “girls couldn’t catch my ball,” she wasn’t going to be part of a team at that level. But, she agreed to be a member of the men’s team, “and that was OK.” In the Army she continued to study and earn a bachelor’s degree, serve in Kabul, Afghanistan and play softball. While playing softball for the Army she was named captain of the All-Army team where she was a standout. She was also the Army’s female athlete of the year for all branches. Her performance there earned her a spot on the All-Armed Forces team (with teammates representing members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force. By being members of those teams she became recognizable in the softball world and travels as a guest member of many teams, which takes her all around the world. “It’s pretty flattering. It’s something I put so much into when I was younger and now it’s remained fun and rewarding,” she said. Her successes, she said, are owed in large part to her roots at Burnsville High School. “It’s been an amazing experience and it all started at BHS – the seed was planted there,” she said. “BHS has everything to do with my success.” Perez will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 28 at Neisen’s Event Center in Savage. This is the fifth year of the Hall of Fame at BHS. Source: Savage Pacer UW-EC's Krummel Receives 100-Game Winner Award in Iowa 8/19/10 UW-Eau Claire softball player Kassie Krummel (Walcott, Iowa/Durant) was one of six Iowa softball players to be honored with a 100-game winner award recently at the Iowa Girls' High School State Softball Tournament. Krummel, a freshman on the Blugolds 2010 team, pitched in 27 games and had a 9-4 record on the year. She led Eau Claire with a 2.99 ERA while striking out 36 batters. She also recorded seven saves, setting a school record for most saves in a season and tying the school's career save record.
Krummel earned the team's Rookie of the Year award while she was named an All-WIAC honorable mention recipient. Krummel received her 100-game winner award after finishing her high school career in 2009 with a 113-39 record at Durant High School. Currently, there are 319 pitchers in the Iowa Girls' High School Softball Hall of Fame for winning 100 or more games. Krummel's 113 wins ranks as 177th best all-time in the state. Source: UWEC Blugolds Medford Oregon: Youth Sports vs. School District Rental Fees 8/19/10 Youth sports clubs and nonprofit groups are howling over a Medford School District rental fee proposal that could cost organizations such as the YMCA and Kids Unlimited thousands of dollars annually for use of everything from gyms and ballfields to classrooms and auditoriums. "I don't think the district has talked through how these fees impact the neediest people in our community," said Tom Cole, executive director of Kids Unlimited, which estimates it could be charged as much as $50,000 per year in new fees for its youth basketball program alone.
Mark Button, district facilities manager for the Medford School District, says a new rental fee plan standardizes prices according to the cost of maintaining a given facility and the type of organization using it. A calendar on the district's website would allow people to see whether a facility was available on a particular day. Organizations providing adult activities and businesses would be charged $8 to $50 per hour depending on the facility, as well as a custodial fee of $5 to $40, while organizations providing youth activities would be charged half that amount. The fee program mimics programs in other Oregon school districts, including Springfield, after which Medford modeled its fee structure, Button said. The proposed fee plan includes hourly rates and custodial fees for renting out Spiegelberg Stadium, the tracks and fields at North and South Medford high schools, locker rooms, baseball fields and soft ball fields at North and South, gymnasiums, auditoriums, theaters, cafeterias, commons, media centers, classrooms and conference rooms. The tracks and fields at Medford middle schools, soccer fields, athletic fields at Central High School and tennis courts would not be subject to hourly rates but would include a nominal custodial fee of $5 to $10 per event. Button said there is no hourly charge because those particular fields are grass, not artificial turf, which is more expensive to replace. "Not only does it have an impact on YMCA, we know how an increase in rates can impact kids and families," said Brad Russell, executive director of the Rogue Valley Family YMCA. The YMCA, Kids Unlimited, Rogue Valley Soccer Club, Amateur Athletic Union and Medford Parks and Recreation previously used Medford schools at no charge. Medford School District officials said the change is meant to generate revenue for maintaining buildings during lean financial times as well as provide consistency in how school buildings are rented and the amount renters pay. Renting facilities used to be handled at the campus level, resulting in wide variations across the district in how much an organization paid to rent a gym or auditorium. "It used to be who you know," said board member Jeff Thomas. "Some people paid. Some didn't. It was mostly a good-old-boy system. We wanted to make the system more transparent and equitable." But Thomas, who is president of the Rogue Valley Soccer Club, expressed concerns that the fees, if passed on to kids and their families, could hurt participation in extracurricular activities provided by youth organizations. Thomas said players already pay $275 each to participate in AAU basketball. "If the proposed fee structure is used each team would have to absorb about $1,000 in gym rentals, which would add another $100 per child," Thomas wrote in a letter to Medford school administrators. "This is a tremendous increase for families and would exclude many families from playing." Some welcomed a payment system that would be applied evenly to all users. "Whatever is done it is important that everything be equitable," said Michael Dunn, president of the Rogue Valley Cup soccer tournament. "There were orga nizations that weren't charged a dime and were using Medford school facilities all the time, and other organizations were paying. I'm glad to see that is finally coming to end." In response to concerns about the discouraging effect the fees might have on the cost of extracurricular activities for kids, Medford schools Superintendent Phil Long said the district would consider phasing in fees for youth organizations over two years, while fees for businesses and organizations providing adult activities would be effective immediately. That would give the nonprofit youth organizations time to adapt to the increase in costs, Long said.
Fees for youth organizations would be $5 per hour or less in 2010-2011, $12.50 or less in 2011-2012 and $25 or less in 2012-2013, but the custodial fee would remain the same all years. Kids Unlimited, which provides after-school and summer enrichment activities for low-income youths for free or at nominal expense, estimated that the fees, once they were phased in completely in 2012-2013, would cost the organization $50,000 a year just for its grades 4-12 basketball program, said Cole. Those costs would have to be passed on to families, which could decrease participation in the programs, he said. Cole said participation in all Kids Unlimited extracurricular activities is contingent on maintaining good grades at school, which helps fulfill the school district's mission. "I'm hoping the district can see we are partners in the district," Cole said. Kids Unlimited would not have to pay the fee for elementary after-school programs and day camps, but it would have to pay it for athletic programs, district offic ials said. Some School Board members said they were concerned that the fees could "price out" some families from participating in youth sports. "I see these kinds of activities as helping kids to learn to be on a team, share, lead, follow and be good citizens," said board member Paulie Brading. The city of Medford recently withdrew from a decades-old agreement with the school district in which the city maintained school grounds at nine campuses in exchange for city residents being able to use school fields and playgrounds as park areas when schools were not in session. The city's maintenance services were worth an estimated $125,000. The district also has lost millions in state funding this year as a result of reductions in state revenues. Source: Mail Tribune Fergus Falls Takes 2nd In ASA State Tournament 8/19/10 It was another successful season for the Fergus Falls 16U girls softball team. They capped their summer with a second place finish at the Class D State Tournament in Becker July 31-Aug. 1. Making it to the finals is not new to these girls. The core unit of this team has now reached the State finals three years in a row. In 2008, they were 14U Class D Champions. They followed that in 2009 as the 16U Class D Runners Up.
The 2010 Minnesota Class D Fastpitch Division was made of 15 teams, mostly from Outstate Minnesota. Over the two-day tourney Fergus Falls competed in eight games, going 6-2. The Otters began the tourney with a 13-0 win over Thief River Falls on July 31. Aimee Magnusson went the distance for the Otters, allowing just one hit with no walks while striking out three. Kayla Norman, Sydney Schultz, Missy Kangas and Mary Sanders lead the offense with two hits apiece. In their second game, the Otters lost to St. Cloud, 5-3. Sadie Knudson pitched the first four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits with four walks and one strike out. Magnusson pitched the last two innings, allowing one unearned run, on four hits with one walk. Offensively Schultz, Amber Blondeau, May Swiontek, and Kangas lead all Otter hitters with two hits a piece. From this point on, the Otters needed to win the rest of their games, or go home. In their next game, the Otters picked up a 10-2 win over Pequot Lakes. Magnusson earned the win with three innings of work, allowing two earned runs on three hits with one walk and one strike out. Knudson pitched two perfect innings in relief while striking out four. Kayla Norman had two hits, scored four runs with two RBI. Amber Blondeau added two hits and four RBI. On the second day of play on Aug. 1, The Otters took the field at 8 a.m. and stayed alive with a 6-5 win over Litchfield in nine innings. Magnusson went the distance on the mound, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with two walks and seven strike outs to earn her thid win of the weekend. May Swiontek was perfect at the plate, going 5-for-5 with a double, triple and three singles. Kayla Norman had a double and a single for the Otters Offensivly. Game five was a little easier for the Otters as the picked up a 11-1 win over Fairmont. Knudson picked up her first win of the weekend with a complete game. She allowed one earned run on six hits with two strike outs. Kayla Norman was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4. Sydney Schultz collected three hits and Gabby Stocks cranked out two hits to lead the Otters offensively. That put the Otters against Moose Lake in the next round, where Fergus Falls picked up a 10-2 win.
Magnusson earned the win, allowing two runs (one earned) off three hits and two walks with three strike outs. Knudson pitched the last two innings, allowing just one walk. Syndey Schultz was perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2. Kayla Norman went 1-for-1 and scored three times, Haley Stitch added a pair of base hits. In the semifinals, the Otter’s seventh game of the weekend, Fergus Falls eliminated Willmar with a 12-0 win. Magnusson started and won her fifth game of the weekend while allowing just one hit. Knudson finished the game with a perfect inning of relief. Mary Sanders, May Swiontek (three hits a piece) and Sydney Schultz (two hits) led the Otter offense. The Championship game was a rematch of the second game ofthe tourney, Fergus Falls against St Cloud. At the end of the Otter’s sixth inning, the score was tied, 3-3. In the home half of the sixth, St Cloud scored three unearned run to take a 6-3 lead. The Otters fought back in the top of the seventh with a lead off double by Haley Stitch. Stitch then scored on single by Samantha Knudson. Knudson moved to second on passed ball and gained third base on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Kayla Norman. Then, Schultz hit a smash right back at the pitcher, who made a great play to get her out at first wile holding Knudson at third. Knudson would be stranded as the game ended with the next at bat. The leading hitters for the Otters over the weekend were: May Swiontek (.857), Kayla Norman (.608), Amber Blondeau (11 RBI), and Missy Kangas (HR). Magnusson won five games, allowing eight earned runs in 30 innings pitched. Knudson picked up one win, while allowing three earned runs in 14 innings pitched. For the Journal The Fergus Falls girls 16U softball team finished in 2nd place at the Class D State Tournament in Becker July 31-Aug. 1. Source: Fergus Falls Journal
World Series champs learn more than softball 8/19/10 Years from now when they're up against the daily grind at work and raising a family, they will draw strength from their memories of a summer in which life, at least on the softball field, was perfect. Of course, there will be other special moments in the lives of the 14 girls who played on the Northside Suburban All-Star team that won the Senior League Softball World Series title on Aug. 14. But their common experience as teammates and what they learned will resonate long after they put away their gloves for good. And therein lies the intrinsic value of sports. “When I talked to the girls one-on-one or as a group, I always told them that softball was more than just about sports,” Northside Suburban coach Joseph Losoya said. “It's about life lessons and learning to make a commitment. “It's about earning an opportunity and running with it. I always told the girls that no matter what road or path they take, softball is going to end someday. But life is not going to stop. These girls know what it takes to be special and how much work it takes to be successful.” Northside Suburban, representing the Southwest region in the tournament for girls ages 14-16, rallied to beat Haverstraw, N.Y., 3-1 in Roxana, Del., and cap a 17-0 playoff run. First baseman Felicia Sanchez was succinct when asked what she will take from this experience: “Not to give up, and working together, working hard and staying positive.” Losoya, 36, has been more than a coach to these girls. He's been a mentor and a father figure. He's also the father of the team's catcher, Alex Losoya, who will be a sophomore at Clark High School this year. “I'll always remember how all the girls came together,” Alex Losoya said. Joseph Losoya expressed confidence his daughter and her teammates will use this experience as a blueprint for life. “Winning the World Series didn't happen in one day,” he said. “It took years for these girls to get there. They practiced and practiced, even on days when they didn't feel well. But they learned that if you're going to do something, you do it to the fullest.” If boys start learning the value of teamwork, loyalty and commitment at a young age while participating in youth sports, it's only logical to assume that girls derive the same benefits from athletic competition. More girls are participating in sports more than ever before, but still too many are missing out on an experience that can change lives. Sports give girls much-needed structure and that's especially important in the Hispanic community, where teen pregnancy and the high school dropout rate continue to be major problems. “I've told my players that they never should let a door keep them out,” Joseph Losoya said. “I tell them, ‘I'll take you up the doorstep and to the door, but it's up to you to open it.'” The Northside Suburban All-Stars didn't just open the door. They kicked it in. Source: My San Antonio St Scholastica and Minnesota Duluth Partner in 2nd Annual Fall Camp 8/13/10 The College of St. Scholastica and University of Minnesota-Duluth softball programs are working together to put on the Second Annual Fall Camp on September 12, 2010.
Players in grades 5-12 are invited to attend the all day camp featuring instruction from the coaching staffs at both St. Scholastica and Minnesota-Duluth and the current players. The camp is unique in that campers will spend half the day on each campus learning softball skills from both schools. St. Scholastica will focus on individual fundamental skills, while Minnesota-Duluth will focus on team concepts and situational skills. For more information on the camp go to the 'softball' link at www.csssaints.com or contact Jen Walter at jwalter@css.edu or (218) 723-6422 or Jen Banford at jbanford@d.umn.edu or (218) 726-7859. Both schools are located within five minutes of each other in Duluth, Minnesota. Minnesota-Duluth is an NCAA Division II school and is headed by Jen Banford (161-101, .615) in her sixth year at the helm. During her tenure, the Bulldogs have secured All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference/NCC recognition on 10 occasions, while producing three NFCA All-Central Region selections and one NFCA All-American. Twice the Bulldogs have earned a berth into the regional tournament. St. Scholastica is a NCAA Division III school and is led by Jen Walter (304-164, .650), who is beginning her 12th year. Under Walter's tutelage players have earned 39 All-Region players and three NFCA All-Americans. The Saints have also earned berths in six regional tournaments during Walter's tenure.
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