ISSUE NINE JULY/AUGUST 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURES
EDITORIAL CONTENT
11 :. U.S. TRANSPLANT GAMES
A special athletic competition is
coming to the State of Wisconsin
this summer.
Director and Publisher Brian Meeter.
10 :. COACH’S CORNER
8 :. MEET THE TRAILS
4 :. FROM THE COMMISH
Holzinger’s Lodge Trail at Bluffside Park is a multi-use trail system accommodating the needs of hikers, mountain bikers, walkers and bird watchers.
The “Mental Game,” as Coach McKay, La Crosse Loggers, likes to call it, is the difference athletes need to have to separate themselves from the competition when physical abilities are matched.
13 :. WHERE ARE THEY NOW Brett JacksonBrett Jackson spent only the summer of 2007 in La Crosse, but the former Loggers’ star and current Chicago Cubs outfield prospect will always consider it a turning point.
Whatever your sport is… Don’t you want to be able to see what you’re doing?
Whether you run or swim, play golf, hunt or fish, or just watch from the bleachers, wouldn’t improved vision improve the experience?
Phone Number 783-2644
You’ve probably been thinking about laser vision correction for a long time. We can answer all your questions, from safety to financing. For a free personal consultation, call (608) 392-5751. Or click on franciscanskemp.org and find us under “medical services.”
Onalaska Clinic, 191 Theater Rd. CARE THAT INSPIRES
By Sam’s Club and Festival Foods, Onalaska www.cartridgeworldusa.com/Store263 WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 3
Welcome to the NINTH edition of the Greater La Crosse Sports Connection (GLSC) Growing up in the Midwest, the Big Ten Conference was a major part of our college sports scene. We loved the battles between state borders (Michigan vs Ohio State) and within (Northwestern vs Illinois). By the time this story is published, major shifts in the Big Ten and other conferences will have taken place. How much should tradition play a role in the decision-making? Growing up in Iowa, we always loved to cheer against the Big Eight (now Big Twelve) conference schools, especially Nebraska. I loved to see Nebraska lose (sorry neighbors). Now I might feel obligated to root for them in a bowl game. Should this be part of the equation when deciding to switch conferences? New traditions will be created, but will old ones, outstandingly viscous rivalries, be abandoned? The one near and dear to my heart is the intrastate battle between Iowa and Iowa State, which might end if the schedules are full with conference-only opponents. How much is too much? Since the Big Ten Network launched in 2007, it has annually paid out revenues in excess of $6 million to each conference school. At UW-Madison, these funds have helped to keep their athletics department competitive, aid in the growth of campus libraries, and fund need-based scholarships, all positives for the Badgers. Adding new schools to the Big Ten may increase the appeal of the conference to potential sponsors, resulting in increased revenue. What is the cost? What about the other conference with storied histories? The Big Twelve consistently has several schools competing at the elite level in all the major sports, and they could potentially be devastated if several schools leave. Since the creation of the BCS in football, traditions have been destroyed, so should we really care?
Perhaps I am a little old school, too nearsighted to see the future. I am OK with the Big Ten Conference not getting as much recognition as other major conference by the experts at the major sports networks. I like the fact that the Big Ten is viewed as an underdog during March Madness. I believe that it gives those teams an edge. In the bowl games the television analysts claimed the speed of the other team would destroy the Big Ten teams and then Iowa goes on to defeat Georgia Tech and Wisconsin defeats Miami. No matter what happens, I’ll still root for my Hawkeyes and my adopted Badgers. The only certainty is change. That’s how the Big Eight became the Big Twelve. I guess if it’s going to be that way, why don’t we find ways to lure Florida, Tennessee, or even Auburn or Alabama? We might not have much in common with those schools, but at least they are in a nice place to travel! And, we’d have a “Lambeau Field” type of advantage when they traveled north in November.
Sincerely, Brian Meeter Executive Director La Crosse Area Sports Commission
A Golden CelebrAtion
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Careers in Sports
An interview with Tony Christnovich From 1980-2002, Tony taught P.E. and coached at both UW-La Crosse and Central High School. During his tenure, they won national and conference championships, but what Tony enjoyed the most was being part of a team and seeing members of his teams have success. “I was never one to worry about individual accomplishments or honors, I was more concerned with our team having success,” said Christnovich. About young people, Tony feels their impact to this day. “A lot of people say coaches help mold and form the lives of young people, I felt it was the other way around, they were helping to form our lives.”
Tony Christnovich is well known in our community as a physical education instructor and coach. He spent several years as a defensive coach at UW-La Crosse, was an assistant and head coach at Central High School, and taught P.E. at both the elementary and high school levels for the La Crosse School District. Tony grew up in Franklin, Wisconsin, and attended Oak Creek High School. As a farmer’s son, Tony had to carry out his chores and could only play sports that didn’t interfere with his farm responsibilities. He played only one year of football, but ran track and field for four years. In the off-season, Tony and his family spent their time hunting and fishing. Football brought Tony to UW-La Crosse, where he was an outstanding offensive lineman for the Eagles. Graduating in 1970 with a degree in Biology, he was drafted in the 12th round by the Washington Redskins. Joining Tony in Washington were former UW-La Crosse standouts Dewey Stendahl (punter) and Greg Mattison (offensive line). The NFL dream was short-lived when an ACL injury prematurely ended his career. Armed with the motto “let your passion lead your way”, he took his own advice and earned a Master’s degree in Physical Education. Focused and ready to return to La Crosse, Tony took his first teaching and coaching job in La Crosse in 1980.
Interestingly, he has been one to shape lives. Tony’s father, Jack, had been injured in an industrial accident and still wanted to hunt and fish. Tony and his brothers would throw him over their shoulders and drop him in a deer stand, or help him into a boat so he could still enjoy his passion for the outdoors. With the help of Dr. Carl Peterson and physically challenged sportsmen Mike Derpinhaus, Tony formed a goodwill organization called the North American Squirrel Association (NASA). Mike loved to hunt and fish and was looking for a way to get back into the outdoors, and Dr. Peterson and Tony wanted to help. It started with a squirrel hunt and has blossomed into helping hundreds of physically challenged sportsmen and athletes do what the love best. Activities include fishing, boating, skiing, golfing, and hunting, to name a few. More information about NASA can be found at: http://www.nasasquirrel.org/ Tony has been retired from coaching since 2004, but is still involved in our community as the co-owner of Schafer’s Boat and Bait on Lake Onalaska. He and his wife Nancy bought the shop from Red Edmunds and have fallen in love with it. They planned on owning the shop for about 3 years, and that was 6 years ago. Originally purchased to save the shop from condo development (and assuring a docking facility for the NASA pontoon), their business venture has become a lifestyle. Tony and Nancy enjoy traveling and spending time with their 3 children, Cari, Kati, and AJ. Trout fishing trips to Montana and coaching/fishing trips to Alaska are yearly highlights for the Christnovich’s. Tony still coaches the defense at the All-Alaska Football Camp in Anchorage and sneaks off with guys for a few days of halibut and salmon fishing. When asked about retirement, they say “This is retirement with a bonus.” They still get to fish and travel, and since buying Schafer’s, they have met a lot of great and interesting people.
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UNIVERSITY AVE.
A Perpetual Back Handspring By David Johnson
At the conclusion of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse gymnastics dual victory over UW-Eau Claire January 29, 2010, in Mitchell Hall, a surprise ceremony took place for Eagles’ head coach Barbara Gibson. To celebrate her dedication to the sport of gymnastics and UW-La Crosse, the Barbara Gibson Endowment Fund for UW-L Gymnastics was established in her honor. The endowment provides the best avenue for UW-La Crosse to continue to be a leader in a sport that has served UW-L well, and has continually ranked among the nations best. Gibson completed her 25th season as gymnastics coach at UW-La Crosse in 2010, leading the Eagles to 14 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) championships (1986, 1988, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) and 17 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles (1988, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009). The process of developing the endowment was started in September 2009. “A few of us (alumni, coaches, team members) realized it was Barbara’s 25th year of coaching,” said assistant gymnastics coach Kasey Crawford. “We didn’t know what we wanted to do but we wanted it to be something extra special.” Crawford, a former gymnast at UW-L, said the group asked themselves, “What would Barb really want?” “We realized Barbara would want something that will ultimately benefit the gymnastics program that she has worked so hard with.” After UW-L’s assistant coaches met with Gibson’s family to discuss what they could do to honor her, they concluded that something Gibson wanted her entire career was an endowment fund for the gymnastics program. “So that’s what we created,” said Crawford. “We went to the foundation in October, established the endowment fund, created a letter to supporters, made a brochure and began contacting gymnastics alumni and parents.” She said the response was overwhelming as Gibson’s family, the assistant coaches, alumni and present team members all had a role in the process. As of June 2010, the Barb Gibson Endowment Fund for UW-L Gymnastics had raised over $23,000. Crawford says Gibson has done everything for the UW-L gymnastics program. “She has built a championship program, produced wellrounded student-athletes who care about their sport, university, and service to their community.” The Eagles have been successful in the classroom and gym. And Gibson’s success had continued in the La Crosse community highly Eagleshis Gymnastics Len Schley is an avidwith localthe sports fan regarded and enjoysJunior volunteering time as a Program children in the area. volunteer serving and mentor to young athletes. 6 | ISSUE NINE | WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM
“She is a true professional in her field, taking Division III gymnastics to its highest level,” added Crawford. “Other programs strive to be like UW-L. She is always looking for improvement and growth, she is a true visionary, which is why I admire her so much.” “She has touched hundreds of young women’s lives, empowering them, teaching them and building their confidence to a level where they can make an impact on the lives of others.” The 1975 Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) champion on the balance beam for UW-La Crosse, Gibson was also the conference champion in the floor exercise in 1978. She has been named the WIAC Coach of the Year six times (1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2005) and selected the NCGA Coach of the Year on five different occasions (1989, 2001, 2005, 2008). Gibson also been recognized with the YMCA’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Sports in 1989. Among her team’s accomplishments, Gibson has had 14 WIAC Scholar-Athletes, five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, 47 NCGA Academic All-America selections and 162 athletic All-America honors. UW-L has also had 56 WIAC champions under Gibson. An active member in the governance of gymnastics at the conference and national levels, she has served as the WIAC Chair, NCGA Vice-President of the West Region and an NCAA Division III representative. Gibson received a bachelor’s degree in physical and health education from UW-L in 1978, and earned a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1981. She was inducted into the UW-L Wall of Fame in 2007 and the La Crosse Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
David Johnson is the Sports Information Director at UW-La Crosse
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Coach’s Corner
What’s on Your Mind? By Brian Meeter
Coach Andy McKay, field manager for the La Crosse Loggers, has something on his mind, and he likes to share it with his athletes. The “Mental Game,” as McKay likes to call it, is the difference athletes need to have to separate themselves from the competition when physical abilities are matched. “Most programs don’t teach the mental game, or don’t spend a lot of time on the mental game. That’s what makes my program unique.” Who can debate, since taking two years ago as the Loggers Head Coach, the Loggers have gone 80-56 (not including 2010), winning more than any program in the Northwoods League. Most of the players have just gone through a transitional freshman season or sophomore season, and they need a tune-up, a mental tune-up. Their time in La Crosse is relatively short, but visible results should be noticeable by the end of the season. During last season’s campaign, McKay felt the team was 5th or 6th best in the league, athletically speaking. During the second half, they gelled together, improving mentally and overcoming some difficult challenges, such as the dismissal of 3 players for off-the-field issues. “Last year our team did a great job of ‘staying present’ by focusing on the tasks at hand, and not worrying about past or future issues,” he reports. Being mentally strong allowed the team to make day-to-day physical improvements. “You need to work on your mental game to separate yourselves from other teams. If you wait until there’s a problem, it’s too late”, said McKay. In athletics, McKay feels you must use fear as a motivator, let it make you angry, and use that anger to overcome your fears. In a competition, you have a fear of failure, the fear that your opponent will beat you, take your position, send you to the bullpen, and get you demoted. Turning this into a healthy anger allows you to overcome your fear, but if you are angry afterwards, it’s too late, now you’re living in the past. McKay insists that to be successful, “Anger must overcome fear, and the athlete must be vested in the fear to be able to overcome it, such as fear of not being drafted.” Coach McKay stays in touch with a lot of his former athletes, ones that have benefited from his mental game teachings, such as Cory Vaughn, Rob Brantly, and Chris Sale. Even though he was named to the 2008 Northwood’s League All-Star Game, Chris had a tough season with the loggers, but his mental game made some drastic improvements over that season. This summer, the Chicago White Sox drafted Chris in the first round. McKay said “the mental game played a big role in Chris’ improvement.” McKay sees local standout Tony Mueller as the most gifted athlete he has coached at any level, but the mental game has been the difference in his game over the past 2 seasons with the Loggers. “Tony is a great MLB talent, his ability to focus on each situation, understand it, and have the confidence in himself to do it will get him to the next level.” Coach McKay suggest for young athletes to embrace the mental game early on. “Athletes will get to the point where their physical abilities aren’t enough to beat the opponent, or stand out to scouts and coaches. Working on the mental game before this happens will give them an edge. For some, physical talent will cease to be an advantage by age 15, for others it may be age 35. Michael Jordan was working on his mental game through retirement, tricking himself into believing he needed an edge, needed a chip on his shoulder. Worked for him.” McKay insists it can work for you! I interviewed Coach McKay at Copeland Park during an American Legion baseball game. He joined me in the booth with the home team down seven, in the bottom of the 7th inning. With two outs, the home team rallied and won the game. I could see the wheels in his head turning as the shoulders of the losing team dropped, and the jubilation of the winning team echoed throughout the park. The mental game no doubt played a role for both the winners and losers. For further reading, McKay suggests authors Ken Ravizza and Bob Rotella, who are both experts in the mental game of golf and baseball, respectively. Brian Meeter is a huge fan of baseball and the mental game
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ADAPTIVE ALLEY
U. S. Transplant Games Come to Wisconsin
By Leanne Johnson
There are numerous national and state organizations that are sponsoring the games. Thanks to the vision and collaboration of the Wisconsin organizations, Madison was chosen to be the 2010 host. This is a significant nod to our capitol city, as the previous cities to host were Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, (2008) and Louisville, Kentucky, (2006). Both local La Crosse area health care institutions, Franciscan Skemp and Gundersen Lutheran, are sending volunteers to the Games. The Games open on June 30, 2010 and close August 4, 2010. Volunteers may sign up through the National Kidney Foundation Website or the Yes I Will Wisconsin website. A schedule of events is also available on both websites. A 5K Race for Organ, Eye &Tissue Donation Awareness (Run/Walk) is available for participation by the public, with registration available online.
For more information, please visit :: A special athletic competition is coming to the State of Wisconsin
http://www.kidney.org/news/tgames2010/index.cfm
this summer. It combines a celebration of life with Olympic-style competition designed to bring together people from all walks of life. The National Kidney Foundation’s U.S Transplant Games is a biennial event whose home in 2010 is Madison, Wisconsin. The National Kidney Foundation has presented the games since 1990. The athletes are unique: they have received kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and bone marrow transplants. The twelve athletic competitions are track and field, swimming, tennis, basketball, cycling, golf, bowling, racquetball, volleyball, 5K Road Race, Badminton, and table tennis. This year’s demonstration sport is ballroom dancing. The National Kidney Foundation website highlights the purpose and spirit of the games with their goals: Showcase the success of transplantation while calling attention to the critical need for more organ donors in the U.S.
Photo above (left to right) Dr. Thomas E. Starzl, FOX News correspondent Catherine Herridge, who donated a piece of her liver to her son Peter (right). Catherine and her son participated in the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh, and will participate this year as well. Photo credits :: U.S. Transplant Games.
Recognize and pay tribute to the more than 4,000 American families who donate the organs and tissues of their family members each year. Offer a form of rehabilitation for chronic disease patients through the use of athletics. Establish a commitment to patient wellness, increasing longevity and improving transplant success. Leanne Johnson is a self-described sports nut, a designated organ donor, and volunteer for the U. S. Transplant Games
(608) 784-9548
4th & Pearl, Downtown La Crosse Open at 6:30 am Daily Happy Hour 4 - 6 pm Daily WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 11
Q&A
2010-2011 NFL SEASON
MATT SKRADIE vs. NEIL KLOS Q: How do you see the NFL season ending? WhO
Q: Any thoughts on Brett Favre playing
Neil:
Neil: Yes, he will play the first week, and be lost for the season by injury after the pounding the saints put on him.
is going to be on-top and who do you think will struggle?
Not to be a homer, but I truly believe in “one more year” and the Packers have that. I pick them to represent the NFC in the Superbowl. (Great draft, 3-4 defense, top rated Passer, best receiver corp in the game.) As for the AFC, watch out for the Ravens (Defense, Flacco, Boldin, Rice)! Struggle? Houston - sexy pick for fantasy, but their coaching staff is questionable. Same for the Vikings - you can argue Favre, but Brad Childress can always lose them 4-5 games.
Skradie:
With the parody of the NFL it is kind of hard to predict. I think the Bears will be much improved, Packers and Vikings will be around the same level as they were last season, and the Lions still struggle.
Q: Which NFL team got the best player out of the draft and how do you see them benefitting their team?
Neil:
48th over-all Jimmy Clausen - will start for the Panthers and make their offense a dual threat.
Skradie: The Lions got the best player with Ndamukong Suh. I think he will do just fine this season, but the Lions are still a long ways away.
Q: What do you expect to see out of the Vikings and/or Packers this season?
Neil:
another season?
Skradie: He had the surgery, he will be back. Love him or hate him, Favre is GREAT for the NFL.
aasdf
!~BONUS QUESTION ! 2010-2011 BIG TEN SEASON
Q: Who do you expect to see on top of the Big Ten? And which teams will struggle?
Neil: Again not to be a Homer, but The Badgers are a lot like the Pack - one more year. #1 QB in the BIG TEN (passing stats). Great wide outs / TE, their O-line has 3 seniors. Their Defense is another year along featuring the Best D-end in College in JJ Watt. Skradie: I like the “Usuals” on top again: OSU, Wisconsin among them. I think Michigan will still struggle, but be better this season than last.
(L)Matt Skradie is the host of “The Sports Exchange, WKTB Radio 580 (R)Neil Klos is the Director of News and Sports for the La Crosse Radio Group
Refer to #1 - Packers 11-5, Vikings 9-7
Skradie:
I think about the same as last season, kind of another un-eventful boring off-season. The Vikings have made a splash the past few off-seasons but this year, the stars of the NFC North this off-season hands down has been the Bears.
Q: It is early, but any predictions as to Neil:
who will be in this year’s Superbowl? And who will win it? Refer to #1 - Packers Vs. Ravens
Skradie:
Giants/Ravens...........Ravens win it.
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1516 Losey Blvd South 590 Theater Road Onalaska, WI 54650 La Crosse, WI 54601 Tel 608-783-6000 Tel 608-784-9550
351 Mason Street NW Onalaska, WI 54650 Tel 608-779-1706
www.couleebank.net
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
Hey! Hey! Hey! Cubbies call on a Logger By Gregg Hoffmann
Brett Jackson spent only the summer of 2007 in La Crosse, but the former Loggers’ star and current Chicago Cubs outfield prospect will always consider it a turning point. “We had talent on that team, despite what our record ended up as,” 21-year-old Jackson said. “It was a close knit group. I still keep in touch with Justin Toole, Cole White, and others from that team.” Jackson’s performance on the Loggers also sent him back to UC-Berkeley with a lot of confidence. He performed well in college, played a summer in the Cape Cod League, and got on the big league radar screen, to the point where the Cubs took him as their No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft. “I had come off a rough freshman season at Berkeley,” Jackson said. “But, playing in the Northwoods League, with the wood bats, and playing every day, and the travel, helped me get my confidence and get a better feel for what the minors would be like. The Cape helped too, but that summer in the Northwoods League was a turning point for me and helped me perform to where I could get noticed and drafted.”
“The kid in me was a little overwhelmed when I first reported,” Jackson said. “Just to be in the same clubhouse and on the same field with Derrek Lee, Soto, Dempster and these other guys. As time goes on though, you get to know them more as teammates and regular people. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from these guys, how they go about their business and handle the overall things that come with being a big leaguer. I just want to learn as much as I can and work as hard as I can here, and wherever I go for the season.” In addition to remembering La Crosse as a place where he boosted his baseball career, Jackson recalls the friendliness and loyalty of the Loggers’ fans and area people in general. “The crowds in La Crosse were great,” he said. “I still remember a rain delay where we led the crowd into the YMCA and slid on the tarp. It was a fun summer, where I also learned a lot.”
Jackson batted .303 with 91 runs scored, 25 doubles, 11 triples, 12 homers and 85 rbi in three seasons at Berkeley. He established himself as a fleet, good fielding outfielder. The Cubs took him No. 1, and he averaged .318 in 53 games split among Mesa in the Rookie League, Boise in Single A and Peoria in Single A. He finished the 2009 season with a nine-game hitting streak. Baseball America named him the third best prospect in the Northwest League after the 2009 season. That same publication named him the second best Cubs’ prospect, behind only shortstop Starlin Castro, to start the 2010 season. All that earned him an invitation to the Cubs’ big league camp this spring. He won’t stick there, and he knows it. But, at the time of the interview for this story, he was hitting 1.000 with one hit and a slugging percentage of 3.000.
Gregg Hoffmann is a veteran journalism publishes www.midwestdiamondreport.com, Len Schley is an avid local sports fan andwho enjoys volunteering his time as a www.oldschoolcollectibles.com www.driftlessimagesinpixelsandprose.com. volunteer and mentor to youngand athletes. WWW.LACROSSESPORTSCOMMISSION.COM | ISSUE NINE | 13
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GET CONNECTED
Upcoming 2010 Events JULY 2010 Business Members Onalaska Tourism Viterbo Athletics S&S Distributing Human Powered Trails La Crosse Loggers Crescent Printing Company Central High School Logan High School La Crosse Radio Group Brookstone Inn Trim Design La Crosse Bike Rentals Shelby Youth Baseball Holiday Inn Express Signature Chiropractic LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce Coulee Bank JKHerman Design Premier Catering First Supply Gundersen Lutheran Logistics Health, Inc. CenturyLink AmericInn Motel and Suites Advertising Concepts Big E Event Company Treehouse Gifts Hampton Inn Viterbo University Sports Leadership Franciscan Skemp North La Crosse Business Association Radisson Hotel W & C Printing Stoney Creek Inn
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