Scottie Hazelton joins USC Staff

Congratulations go out to former St. Olaf assistant coach Scottie Hazelton.  Yesterday it was announced that Coach Hazelton will be leaving his post as Defensive Coordinator at NDSU to join Lane Kiffins at USC, where he will coach linebackers.  As coach Haze would always say, "good fits".

See the full press release from USC here: http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021612aaa.html

2011 Banquet Wrap-Up

On Sunday February 12^th, the 2012 St. Olaf Football Team gathered for their annual banquet. About 180 were in attendance. Special guests included Coach Tom Porter Coach & Mary Danielson-Gates, and all the usual attendees (players/parents/managers/trainers/coaches).

During dinner, the 2011 Highlight Video was shown. This year the football program hired a professional videographer to document every aspect of game-day. Watching the game by game highlights, testimonials by players, and behind the scenes footage reminded everyone that the 2011 Oles lived by their FAMILY motto

Immediately after the season, the players voted on several awards. Coach OJ announced the recipients of these awards during the banquet. There were as follows:

Offensive MVP: Dan Dobsen

Junior QB Dan Dobson had a great statistical season....again. He led the MIAC in touchdown passes [18] for the second straight season bringing his career total to 42, which ties him for 3^rd on St. Olaf’s all-time list. Matt Penz (’07) threw 51 in his career, best all-time. Dan only needs 9 in his senior campaign to break that mark and with the weapons coming back at receiver that could happen in the first two games (stay tuned). Dan also threw for 2,063 yards this season which was 2^nd best in the MIAC and 6^th most in Olaf history. For his career, Dan now has thrown for 4,114 yards which puts him at 5^th on the all-time list. Over the past two seasons, Dan has completed 62% of his passes --- the best in recent history. Dan was selected to the All-MIAC 2nd team for his efforts. With a strong senior campaign, Dan will continue to shatter records.

Defensive MVP: Wes Lynch

Wes Lynch (Apple Valley) had a phenomenal season. His 58 solo tackles led the MIAC and is most since Chad Thomas (’03). His 97 total tackles was 3^rd best in the MIAC and most since Matt Lafferty (’03). Wes also had 10 tackles-for-loss which was 5^th best in the MIAC. Wes was also selected to the All-MIAC second team defense. Despite those accolades, the highlight of Wes' senior campaign was a single play; a 4th & 1 collision with Carleton's running back. That hit won't be forgotten quickly by Ole faithful and is one of the most memorable tackles by an Ole in recent memory.

The Tom Porter Team MVP Award: Leon Clark

Leon accepting the award from Tom PorterCoach Tom Porter was in attendance and able to announce Leon as the recipient. Leon also received this award the last two year as well, and he is now the only Ole to be selected as Team MVP three times (as if he needed to further establish his legacy as one of the all-time greatest Oles). Leon ended the 2011 season with 1,008 yards on the ground, his third straight 1,000 yard season. His effort in 2011 was the 9th best rushing performance in Ole history. For his career, Leon ended with 3,240 yards rushing. That puts him at 2^nd on the all-time rushing list behind Ole Gunderson. Potentially more impressive is Leon’s total All-Purpose yards. For his career Leon ended with 5,909 all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, kick returns). Thanks for the memories Leon. 

The Danielson Award: Kevin Foss

The Danielson Award is given to a player for their inspiration and leadership. (Click HERE to learn more about the history of the award) Kevin Foss fits that bill. As described in the blog entry below, Kevin was a clear inspiration to the 2011 squad. He was selected as a captain for his senior campaign, despite being sidelined his whole junior season with a knee injury. Then during the first week of this past season, Kevin was diagnosed with a condition in his back that sidelined him for good. Through this experience Kevin never thought of himself and always put the team first. After the diagnosis, he spoke to the team ( and as Coach OJ described) " he delivered the best motivational talk by a player I've ever witnessed." Kevin Foss truly inspired and lead the 2011 Oles day in and day out, despite never putting on a pair of shoulder pads.

After the awards were distributed and the 22 seniors were honored, the Oles appropriately ended the banquet by singing Um Ya Ya! Thanks to all the parents, coaches, and players who make the banquet possible!

Oh, and I'm still looking for the #10 jersey...

Oh, and I'm also still hoping to get a #10 fan jersey.  If you have one, I'm serious--$50 and a new jersey from the bookstore.  Email me at kari.branjord@gmail.com.  

Thanks for giving me so much to write about...

I got home a couple hours ago from the Football Banquet.  (We ended by 7:00!!!)  I'm still processing it.  I thought it was going to be an emotionally draining night, or one of those bittersweet moments.  Turns out, that it was indeed another milestone, and one that was filled with joy. The wistfulness that I expected was absent.  Any idea I may have had about being sad that it is over was no where to be found.  

To be fair, it was a bit of an emotional night.  For those of you intimately familiar with the Ole Football program, you will know what I mean when I say that the presentation of the Ben Danielson Award always brings me to tears.  This year, in a conditioned response, I think I started before Mary Danielson-Gates even got to the podium.  Kevin Foss (#24, Captain) is the very deserving 2011 season recipient of the Award this year.  I love this award most because it is about character.  Leadership.  Determination, dedication, will to succeed, all of that stuff--those hard to quantify traits--in action.  This team is full of character, and the team voted to give it to Kevin.  A young man whose career was cut short--didn't play a second in the last season of his career--and yet found a way to contribute in innumerable ways.  Congratulations, Kevin.  Well done, and well deserved.

I'm going to leave the rest of the run down for awards to others.  It isn't mine to talk about.

This is likely my final blog as a parent of an Ole Football Player.  Thank you to everyone who read and commented.  I loved having an outlet for my own personal analysis and the opportunity to reflect on each game.  We sure had some moments.  I re-read the blog posts in preparation for this final post, and frankly, I can't improve on any of it.  Those were raw, in the moment, point-in-time capture of the season.  I feel so privileged. 

Now, I can't wait to watch these men go out into the world.  It is all about launch.  Coach O said it at the banquet, and I believe it:  these guys are going to change the world for the better.  Let's get it done.  As a team, as a family.  We'll be watching and cheering and supporting.

Um Ya Ya,

Kari

2011 Memory Books Ready to Order!

The 2011 Memory book will soon be finished and sent out to print.  This keepsake picture book highlights the Oles journey through their 2011 football season.  Filled with images, storylines and stats of an unforgettable football year, the book lets us enjoy the journey with 500+ images scattered over 200 pages.  This is your chance to preserve these 2011 Ole memories for a lifetime.

There is a one-time bulk rate price available to us of $55 per copy.  This offer includes shipping, and will expire on January 15th, so act now.  Books will be handed out at the banquet and they will not be available for Christmas.  Following the banquet, the book will also be posted online for individual purchase at an estimated price of $63 plus shipping.  Please note that the book’s price is set by the publisher and that 100% of the proceeds go to them.

To reserve your copy(s) please act now.  Send an email to Wendy Lundgren at wendylundgren@aol.com before January 15th and tell her how many copies you want to order.  Remember, all seniors and coaches will be receiving one complimentary book thanks to the St. Olaf Touchdown Club.

Then send your check in advance to:

Wendy Lundgren

750 Wild Oak Trail

Independence, MN 55359

The books will be handed out after the banquet concludes. Have a wonderful Christmas!