RRCC Football. Should it stay or should it go?

Hibbing's college got rid of the football team because of their poor academic standing. Simply put, they couldn't keep their grades up, so the sport was suspended. I believe it is tremendously important for Rainy River's coach to focus on academics. Even though it is a small junior college and it's difficult to recruit and it's easy to slide by, grades are important.

As a sports fan, I love college football. I know the value of what a community college football team can mean to a place, but when the student-athletes are not fulfilling both halves of student and athlete and there is overwhelming proof of this, then tough decisions must be made. As of now, the decision has been made to keep the Voyageur football program going, at least, for another year. Will we see in one year remarkable growth in GPA's on the football team? It is unlikely, but up here we love to give people another chance. So, okay, let's bring up the grades, assemble a better team, and interact with the community to bring out the fans to support and keep the program afloat. But as we saw in Hibbing, a grade point average of 1.81 isn't going to cut it. Football players going to school and needing remedial classes won't either. College is for people who are college ready, not just football ready. Hopefully, RRCC can recruit athletes who take their studies seriously and maybe our future Saturdays in the fall will be ones with Voyageur victories with a team we can love and respect.

I feel the same way as you, raniergurl, I think that Rainy River should start promoting itself as an inexpensive way for students to still afford living costs (living in a dorm at a bigger school costs soooo much money and I. Falls has other housing opportunities for students coming in from out of town) than promoting its athletics.

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TO MY KNOWLEDGE NO BENEFIT HAS EVER BEEN REALIZED BY HAVING A FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT RRSJC. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT RRSJC HAS BEEN NEGATIVE AND FILLED WITH CONTROVERSY... I SAY BUNCH THE PROGRAM AND THE SOONER THE BETTER!!

So many young girls from the falls have been impregnated by african americans that I believe many people are wondering what the football team is doing for the town. Besides that, of course. I am not supporting segregation or anything, but parents please educate your daughters about sex and the telltale wiles of experienced unfamiliar men. Unless you wish them a similar fate, of course.

Well i am glad to hear all of these responses it was brought to my attention today that there was actually a town meeting on this same subject, and i was also not so suprised to hear that most who spoke at the meeting made no bad points against the program as if they were scared to be viewed as racist, The fact is that race has nothing to do with this matter, If i would have known about this meeting before it happend i know i would have been there and i would have had a few things to say that were not so positive i think then that would have broke the ice so to speak and maybe a few others would have voiced their honest opinion. Why hold back on our thoughts about this after all last time i checked this is our town isn't it?

P.S. It would be asinine for someone to accuse anyone of racism over this, they would have to be clueless as to what has sparked this topic.

Slow to accept diversity? I think not, people are only slow to accept diversity when it appears to impede on their religious beliefs and values, no matter what religion a person has, lazyiness, disrespect, and poor work ethic is never an easily accepted part of diversity.

Some people have tried to give way more credit and leeway to the players of the football team than they deserve....you said a "few bad apples"? I dont know if you have attended RRCC in the last 4 or 5 years but i can tell you from personal experience its far more than jsut a "few bad apples", its a much larger problem and i am telling you now that there needs to be an end to this program. I didnt enjoy it when i was there and people who go there now do not enjoy it.

It seems to me that it's not football that is the problem, but the people that are playing it. Drugs and alcohol are a huge part of it. I know that the police are busier when football season is here. Rules should not only be made but followed. There has to be consequences to doing wrong. Right and wrong are becoming very blurry to too many people.

Response to Buddy. No one said that football was the problem it is the the players. If there is anyone who wants to keep this football program going i would suggest some big changes starting at the core of the problem the players! The recruiters are the ones that are responsible for this so who does the recruiting? Is there a way to get their attention on this matter? they have let this continue too long but i suppose they should get a chance to change this, since the program is on for next year the best thing we can do now is change recruiting.

Okay "buddy" we all know that its not a good thing for anyone to leave a girl and the kid he fathered. I think what you failed to understand correct me if im wrong but the point of that was that we have people coming from the other end of the country and get certain people pregnant then go home to have no responsibility. But i do give these girls so much credit to get stuck with this and not take the so called easy way out.

After reading this outpouring of opinions on RRCC football, I feel that perhaps someone should try and hold another community meeting. I too am RRCC alum; I was there when the football program started back in 2000 -2001. I have been to football games and it is often times painful to watch pour college pour money into a losing effort. If this was a pro team they would have moved by now. I think the college needs to move on find a new way to attract students. As for the hockey team being lost due to poor attendance, it seems to me that RRCC won the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 1998-1999 and then was axed at the end of the 1999-2000 season; it had nothing to do with attendance. The largest crowd ever at Bronco Arena with over 3,500 people in attendance was RRCC playing for the Championship, plus the school got over 20,000 dollars just for hosting the tourney, where did the money go? They used it bring in a football team and ax the team that gave them the money.. The program was dropped to make room for football and I for one feel that was a bad trade.
If there is this much support for not having a football team, then perhaps there should be a petition or another meeting to express the cons of the football team. I am on the fence on this one, I just feel that some facts need to be looked at #1 Game attendance, #2 team GPA, and #3 most importantly retention, how many football players finish the semester and come back for the spring and the next year.

BRAVO,BRAVO,BRAVO!!!!!roj2000
TELL IT LIKE IT IS MY NEW FRIEND.

Racism very quickly gets down to ugly stereotypes, doesn't it. Did anybody else find it ironic that this ultimately racist discussion boiled over on the same weekend that Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, both Christians and great black coaches, faced each other in the Super Bowl?

Dear blogger1. When a previous writer crowed that this race -- with "few exceptions" -- is content "to live off the system," I waited 24 hours for at least one response that said "Whoa, we're talking about Rainy River football here." But the "bravos" seem to have been reserved for the voice that finally took a local argument and made it a general racial condemnation. Stupidity is one thing; racism is quite another. I wish I had made this into something it wasn't but I saw very little discussion about the merits of football and almost nothing about a coach. What are you seeing that I am missing?

Mr Johnson there is no racial condemnation going on here the only reason this conversation started is because some people are getting a little sick of what is going on over at the college. Mr Johnson you must not have a daughter going to the college otherwise your points would be a little different, I cant write any of the things that i know have been said to youger girls that attend RRCC, it is just disgusting that a sixteen or sevnteen year old girl who is trying to get a jump start to college has to listen to these things.

Administration where are you? It shocks me to hear that young girls do not feel comfortable at the college. Shame on the administration for not watching out for them. No wonder our numbers are down. I would'nt send my daughter there.

In my personal opinion the football team needs to leave and it needs to leave now. I attend RRCC as of now and attended last year as well. If people knew half the things that get said to young girls they would want the team gone right away. I attend RRCC through the high schools PSEO program. I am scared to walk through the halls of RRCC, and I am scared to walk to my car alone during the day or night. To be scared to walk around in your own college is horrible.
Also most of the players drop out of classes either before or right after midterms, not to mention they hardly show up before midterms. I don't understand how all of these players stay on the team with such grades.
Getting rid of the football team would help lure more people to attend RRCC and young girls would be able to feel safe in their own college environment.

HIGH SCHOOL!! How does the adminstration at the High School feel about all of these comments? I would think there should be some concern. Don't we have a parents organization?

DID I READ THAT THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AT RRSJC HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN A STAMP OF APPROVAL FOR THE 2007 SEASON???????
WHOE MULE....WE ARE GETTING THE CARRIAGE IN FRONT OF THE HORSE...THINK ABOUT THIS...

THANKS LAUREL...BAD MOVE IN MY OPINION!

If a person has the opportunity to play a sport while in college, they should consider it a gift and a privilege, not a right.

Shannon,

Way to go!! The same holds true here in South Carolina. One thing I have learned, since living in the South, is that you cannot be afraid to stand up for what you believe in, just because you may offend some minority!! They have learned how to use the system, and scare people into being afraid to speak up, for fear of being labled a racist. Our college coaches here in the south are not afraid to kick a minority off a team for breaking the law, poor grades, or bringing discredit to the college. Maybe I will retire to the Falls and run for Mayor. Someone in the Falls needs to get the town and college back on track. People should not be ashamed to say they attended/graduated from RRCC. RRCC needs to focus on acedemics first, then sports.

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Contacting the school's administration and requesting a meeting on this issue is a great way to be active in finding a solution to what many of you apparently believe to be a problem. This sounds like the most productive way to get answers to these questions about the RRCC football program that are obviously still out there.

Here are some thoughts from the Dec. 11 meeting that didn’t make the first news story. A link to that story is included.

Football forum quotes
Submitted by David Schueller on December 12, 2006 - 2:22pm.
Filed under: Sports, RRCC

The football program will stay at Rainy River Community College after more than 130 people filled the lunch room Monday to hear close to 30 speak in support of the program.
The story can be read in The Daily Journal’s Tuesday print edition and online at: http://www.ifallsdailyjournal.com/node/682. We’ve decided to include more public statements from the meeting that couldn’t be included in the story. I’ve excluded comments that were part of the print version of the story. Also included is a list of speakers, which doesn’t include several of Monday night’s student testimonies.

A letter to the editor to be printed in Wednesday’s edition:
I, for one, would rather see Rainy River Community College go to an all vo-tech school, or if not possible to an all academic school and not have sports.
When you have to start tutoring the players to they can get their grades up to play, that’s the last straw. We are too small a school to be importing players, even if the state subsidizes them.
There seems there isn’t enough money for our high schools, but there is for these small, state-run colleges and that’s a darn shame.
John Lynch
International Falls

Ron Peterson, audience member speaking before the meeting: “I’m supporting the program. I’m personally feeling it’s a very good thing for our community to have.”

Joe Sertich, regional president of the Northeast Higher Education District: “Don’t look at us as if we’ve already made up our mind,” he said, early in the meeting.
“We have a good coach,” but we can’t expect him to do it all. Tim (Myles) can’t be “everything in one.”

Wayne Merrell, provost of Rainy River Community College: “We don’t necessarily have to worry about closing down. We have to worry about academic excellence.”

Roger Jerome: “(Tim Myles has) had one recruiting season so far.”
“(International Falls) is not an easy place to live for outsiders.”
“You can talk about out-state students but we all know what we’re talking about here,” he said, also saying he didn’t like the implication that the community was being unfriendly to African American students.

Don Rolando, RRCC men’s basketball coach and physical education instructor: Called removing the program “wrong.”

Tim Anderson, local insurance agent and ’73 RRCC graduate: Tim Myles is his neighbor and “a great man in the community.” Anderson said he came to the college to play basketball, but while he was a student friends and others showed him that education is the “right track” and the way to a better future.

Jim Roberts, former superintendent of ISD 361: “Enrollment decline in the high school and the college ... has been a very, very serious concern.”

Dieter Humbert, women’s softball and basketball coach at the college: Growing up in central Minnesota, he “never experienced a person of color,” but was exposed to a different culture while a student at the college.

Rep.-elect Tom Anzelc: “I really know these young people quite well. At least two nights a week we ate at Hardee’s”
“I owe so much to my community college experience,” he said — Anzelc went to a community college after growing up without much money, on the Iron Range.
Anzelc said that in January, when he’s sworn in: “I will be strongly in opposition to a decision to close this program at Rainy River.”
“As a few of the old timers know, I played (football) pretty fiercely.”

Shawn Mason, mayor of International Falls: “The timing of this is a little short for (the city) to take a position.”
She said other city councilors and city officials were there because “we care very much.”
“We’d like to welcome the non-state students to our community. I don’t know if we’ve ever done that.”
She said she has not had one caller who has told her to take a position for closing the program. She said when the college talks of closing programs, regardless of what they say, the community can’t help feeling that the college isn’t far from closing, too.
“This college is near and dear to us. We need it.”

Ty Robinson, ’99 RRCC graduate: “Sports was just a privilege,” but he came for an education, he said.
“You’d be cutting a tradition that we’ve been building for six years.”

Dave Peterson, owner of Hardee’s: “If this football program had been undefeated this year, would this be an issue?”
“I think we need to give (Tim Myles) a chance.”

RRCC student: “We’re not the only ones that need remedial programs at this school.”

RRCC student: “To me, Rainy River is a gift.”
“My two biggest fears before I came to Rainy River were failure and speaking in public.”

Stuart Nordquist: Said top high school students and athletes are allowed to graduate from high school and RRCC simultaneously: a self-defeating policy for a college trying to recruit local students.
“I enjoy talking with some of the people here on the Rainy River football team.”

Joel Grover, student body president: “It’s kind of shocking that we’ve been thinking about this for two years.”
“I definitely want to see the football program stay here.”

Jean Clement, student body vice president: She said football players have been part of tutor groups with her. “They’ve been there, and they’ve been struggling with the rest of us.”
She said she grew up in inner-city Milwaukee, a place she compared to an Oreo cookie, and turned out fine.
She grabbed the hand of a black student and said, “this is community: white and black together.”

Tim Myles, head football coach, minority services director and general recruiter: “We stress to these students: Education comes first.”
“Our duty is to help the students move on.”

Student: “We’re all leaving next Friday (because the semester ends). You guys have been thinking about it for two years: I ain’t heard nothin’ about it.”

Student: “I just want to say thank you for letting me come here.”

Merrell: When directly questioned by a student about reasons for shutting down the program, he said, “I was concerned that we wouldn’t be able to provide the services that you would be able to use in life.”

Student: “A lot of people look at football as a way of getting out of the ‘hood.”

Student: said going to college at RRCC has given him the opportunity to see what small-town life is like, and now he’s part of a family here.
“You don’t break up a family.”

Student: said his father is gone and his mother is in the hospital, and said he didn’t know what to say, about having the program close.

Sertich: “I hope you understand that (Merrell) couldn’t start the conversations because we were in the middle of a football season.”
“It’s becoming more obvious what you the people want.”

Joe Boyle: “I’d like to see the data, and I’d like to see it tomorrow.”

Male who works at RRCC: He said he is not a fan of the sport of football in general. “I came here with an open mind, looking for some justification. And I think I’ve heard it.”
“It takes some work to welcome people to your community” and it takes work to be welcomed.

Patt Thorpe: She said she was a member of a citizens’ advisory council that’s mission was to build enrollment at the college. She said she wants to keep enrollment up.

Sertich: “I’m overwhelmed by the testimony I’ve heard here today.”

Merrell: After telling football team members and coaches to stand: “We’re going to have a football program next year.”
After the meeting, he said he’s still concerned about the program offerings at the college, and said the issues that had been raised before the meeting remain.

Sertich, after the meeting: “Yes the decision was quick, but we had about 30 people testify.” He said he anticipated a total crowd of 15 to 30 people.
“The process worked.”
“I can’t say that I could imagine that this is what we’d end up having.”

Thanks for posting those comments, however, they really do not prove much other that a meeting was held, and most of the attendees were ones who (if the football program closed), would be in jeopardy of losing their jobs, or had something to gain by keeing it. Also, do you really think those who oppose keeping it because of the social problems the players bring, would actually dare stand up and speak, for fear of being called a "racist", etc . . . . As the Mayor said, the timing was short for the city to comment. I think the meeting could have been better organized, in an attempt to let other views be known. Rep-elect Anzelc is an "old football player" and what does he have to gain by the football team staying?? What's he got against a good hockey team? I guess all the "unheard" opposition can do is keep on trying to have their voices heard.

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I have been reading the blogs posted on this subject and it seems that there are many different views, I have to say I went to RRCC during the "Hockey" years and things were much different. I had many friends that lived in the dorms. You could leave your door open and people came and went without and worry or feeling of being threatened. People took care of their rooms and took care of the building. We also had a diversity on campus with the basketball team. We all got along very well and aside from the "normal" issues with everyday life in a college setting, things were fine. I don't think this has very much at all to do with a person's race or culture but more to do do with their lack of basic manners and respect for themselves and those around them. This team along with all the teams we've had since the program started all seem to have one thing in common. They have no discipline and no respect. I had the opprotunity to work at a game a few years back as an EMT and was appalled with the behavior displayed. There were a decent amount of people watching the game but I can see why people don't want to bring their families to attend games anymore. The foul language used by the players is terrible and I don't want my children to hear that. The railing is close enough to the bench that you can easily hear every "colorful" phrase they spew at the other team and even their own players. You never hear that type of display at the High School games, and you shouldn't have. At the game I attended a player got hurt and needed care and I had to call for police backup just for the safety of both my crew and the injured player. Things like that have not happened in the past. I know the Firemen and Police Department have been out to the dorms on numerous occasions, to many to count for fire alarms(many false pulled just for fun) and assault & threat calls. Our tax money is being abused and wasted because they have no respect for the hard working people of this town that do contribute. I pay taxes and live and work here, yet I can't even walk on the bike trail during the summer/fall evenings because of the group gestures and and obscene comments I've had given to me. It's just wrong that anyone should have to put up with that from anyone. The Hockey program unfortunatlly was let go because of the lack of teams they could play in our area, and we ended up with the Football program. I don't think that you can convince me that ther're aren't young men looking for a chance to go to school and play in a sport(regardless of ethnic background)that have more integrity and self control than the ones we seem to be recruiting. Three are far more than a few southern states that have Football players. Instead of scrapping the program mabye you should look into a better recruiter and a contract of ethical behavior and good grades that is enforced a little more strictly. I agree they need to have another public hearing and try a little harder to come up with a better solution and stick to more strict regulations on who they allow to represent our community.

OK so this is one thought from above...

"The community thinks because of black students ... there’s more trouble, but it’s not true," (a college employee said, name edited out by D.S. 2-6-07). "When I worked in the dorms we had hockey, and there was just as much drinking, partying and drugs as there is now, if not more."

That MIGHT be true BUT, actually i would like to know, im sure the statistics are available for viewing. We should compare the hockey years with the football years. Does anyone know where i can find those besides old paper records at the courthouse???

I have never been harrassed by hockey players. Actually,this is the only case where i have been harrassed. I think comments from the males in the above posts in support of the football program should be discounted. THEY are not the ones being harrassed, they have no idea what it feels like! IT just irritates me to death that the school has done NOTHING on behalf of the girls being harrassed. NOTHING. They cant claim ignorance, because any half-wit would have to know this is going on. I put up with it for my 3 years there and i presently have friends who are putting up with it now. Its simply not fair.

I say get rid of it.

Okay did i miss something i posted earlier some of the comments that had been said to some girls i know and it was a very importent part of the points i was trying to make. im not sure what happend but did that get deleted or what? I hope thats not the reason its not on here those are things that need to be heard.

The comment was pulled to protect the writer from potential libel lawsuits. Please read the Online User Agreement.
It, and other comments, are making huge assumptions about people that add nothing to a constructive discussion about the issue.

Shannon,

Thanks for the feedback! Since Minnesota is more suited to hockey, why can't the various colleges get together and try to get more hockey programs at the community college level. There sure are alot more hockey players than football players, who would probably not be able to get into a 4yr program, but like some said, would still like to use their talents for a couple more years, and maybe after 2yrs, could get into a 4yr college and maybe play hockey there. Why not honestly put all heads together, maybe admit that the football program is not working, and then everyone put their efforts into getting community college hockey back into the region. I seem to remember hearing years ago that the RRCC hockey team played in a tournament (I think in New York), and I was proud to tell my friends in the south about it. Why can't you get some "government" money to help get the hockey program supplemented, like the football teams does?

Shannon, You seem so knowledgeable about the football program, players and coaches. Can you please remind us all why your husband was removed from the program again? Can you tell all of us exactly what transpired in the dorms while your husband was the coach. I'm sure everyone would like to know what happened.

Here is most of my original blog that started this. Im looking for input on what the community thinks of the RRCC football team personally i think there is a negative inpact, if i need to i will bring up these problems later on, I dont believe i was making any assumptions maybe i forgot to say it was a fact that those things were said to people and i did not name any certain person who said them to avoid being liable. I dont know how this blog got to where it is that it seems like im getting off subject i started it based on some of the things said in that deleted blog, no disrespect intended but maybe its not me getting off track but someone else making it what they want it to be?
Can everyone please read the original again didnt it say? Im looking for input on what the community thinks of the RRCC football team personally i think there is a negative inpact, if i need to i will bring up these problems later on, I got some input and then i brought up some of these problems just like i said i would do.

Schway,
My last posting, "tried" to get the conversation, back on track. I mean, do a "honest" evaluation of the football program, to find out if it is worth the harm it is doing to I-Falls, in the way of social degradation, crime, wise spending of government money etc. . . .! Or honestly maybe you can bring back hockey, or some other sport, that can attract more regional people to play and "learn" at the college. It is very dishearting for someone like me who likes to come back to I-Falls to visit, and see what some of the "very liberal" attitudes have done to the city. I agree, the Insane are "truly" running the asylum!! Social liberalism is doing much harm to the city and it's residents!!

Ms. Jacinda,

Why don't you look up the complete definition of "liberal". Yes this is 2007, but people still need to be held accountable for their actions, and not be given a free ride "or" free lunch!! I don't care if these players are Indians, Hispanics or any other race. If they are causing the school, football program or city to degrade, or be given a bad name, they NEED TO GO!! If you have to, get rid of ALL sports at RRCC! It is first of all a "learning" institution, with some sports added in. Get back to the basics, so that people from the area can further themselves, and go on to bigger and better futures.

It's ridiculous to speculate that a coach can control such unruly boys...especially 50 or 60 of them.

Oh i have had no response from RRCC in reguards to the email i sent two days ago yet.

Well kay your right it is aweful, I believe the teachers see these kinds of things all the time but they must think its not their problem. I think more of the girls need to be encouraged not to be afraid to stand up and maybe file some reports or this wont end. also i think its not a bad idea to have a team but if we cant get a team with respect and decency we shouldnt have one at all.

The reason things any where go bad is that local government turns the other way, teachers in public schools and RRCC turn the other way and parents turn the other way-- in apathy-- then wonder "after the fact"