SPORTS FEEVER by Chris Fee of KROX Radio – chrisjfee@yahoo.com
— — —
Major League Baseball has reportedly told owners that the teams lost a total of $1.8 billion this past year!! The New York Mets led the way with about $350 million in losses!
— — —
Kittson County Central is making its 14th appearance. Hallock made it in 1976, 1977, 1987, 1988 (state champs). Lancaster made it in 1976. Kittson Central made it in 1993, 1994 (state champs). Kittson County Central made it in 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2021, and 2022.
Fertile-Beltrami is making its 10th state tournament appearance. 1981, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2021 (runners-up), 2022, 2023, 2024 (state champs).
— — —
Several Minnesota State Football officials from the area will be officiating a state tournament game this year.
Supervisor – Steve Philion (Red Lake Falls)
Officials –
Zach Benson (Grand Forks – Red Lake Falls native)
Jordan Chuinard (Barnesville)
Clayton Dilly (West Fargo)
Terry Eiter (Detroit Lakes)
Scott Fredrickson (Fargo)
Taylor Fuhs (Fergus Falls)
Tadd Graf (Fargo)
Jess Gross (West Fargo)
Brian Guler (Detroit Lakes)
Mark Gulseth (Frazee)
Grant Harding (Fergus Falls)
Stephen John (Pelican Rapids)
Blake Karas (Morris)
Rick Kehoe (Bemidji)
Phil Kirchner (Detroit Lakes)
Kevin Kuznia (Stephen)
Michael Levang (Moorhead)
Jackson Lyngaas (Hawley)
Josh Meissner (Fargo)
Chris Nelson (Red Lake Falls)
Scott Nielsen (Moorhead)
Kevin Philion (Red Lake Falls)
Steve Philion (Red Lake Falls)
Dylan Savary (Detroit Lakes)
Kaleb Thalman (Perham)
— — —
It was National Signing Day on Wednesday-
The University of Minnesota Crookston baseball program announced the signing of five student-athletes in the early signing period for their 2026 class. The Golden Eagles inked Drew Ellingson (P, 6-1 188, Dent, Minn./Perham H.S.), Marek Hall (C/UT, 6-0 185, Missoula, Mont./Sentinel H.S.), Carter Nelson (RHP, 6-5 215, Bayport, Minn./Stillwater H.S.), Isaac Porter (RHP, 6-3 210, Park River, N.D./Park River Area H.S.), and Thomas Vekich (3B, 6-3 185, Coleraine, Minn./Minnesota North College – Itasca).
“We are extremely excited about our early signees,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “It isn’t a complete list of recruits for next year, but in the portal and transfer era of recruiting, this is an awesome bunch of recruits. We have a lot of size and athleticism in this class including some top-tier power pitchers. We have been very particular with whom we recruit, and these guys graded out on top of our 2026 class. Most importantly, they all do well in the classroom, and have a strong desire to join our baseball program and get a University of Minnesota degree.”
Drew Ellingson (RHP, 6-1 188, Dent, Minn./Perham H.S.)
Ellingson has been a top talent in Minnesota on Prep Baseball Report for the 2026 class. He was a 2025 All-Section 8-AA selection. Ellingson was named 2025 Heart O’Lakes All-Conference and 2024 All-Conference Honorable Mention. He went 6-1 last season, with a 0.83 ERA in 42 innings pitched.
He is the son of Brenda and David Ellingson. Ellingson plans to major in elementary education at Minnesota Crookston.
Marek Hall (C/UT, 6-0 185, Missoula, Mont./Sentinel H.S.)
Hall was a First Team All-Western AA Conference selection. He was named the Sentinel High School Defensive Player of the Year. Hall received the coaches’ award, and earned the Missoula Impact Baseball – Pete Rose Award. He was named to the Reese Widman Memorial All-Tournament Team. Hall hit .371 in high school, and caught 18 runners stealing.
He is the son of Dannalee and Victor Hall. He plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston.
Carter Nelson (RHPm 6-5 215, Bayport, Minn./Stillwater H.S.)
Nelson has been a top talent per Prep Baseball Report in Minnesota, ranking at 29 in the state and 12 at his position. He was an All-Conference Honorable Mention selection and was named the Logan Shore Top Pitcher for 2024-25 with the Minnesota Blizzard. Nelson was a Junior Legion All Star in 2024 with Bayport Legion. Nelson was named to the Perfect Game All Tournament Team.
He is the son of Shana Nelson and Steven Bertrand. Nelson plans to major in business at Minnesota Crookston. His aunt went to school at Minnesota Crookston.
Isaac Porter (RHP, 6-3 210, Park River, N.D./Park River Area H.S.)
Porter was a Second Time All-Region 4 selection. He was a Second Team All-State pick.
His cousin Neil Nagle played for Coach Steve Gust at Dakota Wesleyan University, as did his cousin Kevin Hatcher. He is the son of Donny and Amy Porter. Porter plans to major in agricultural business.
Thomas Vekich (3B, 6-3 185, Coleraine, Minn./Minnesota North College – Itasca)
Vekich earned All-Conference honors in high school in 2023 and 2024 at Greenway High School. He hit .374 in 41 games for the Itasca Vikings. Vekich hit one home run, had 35 RBI, and 26 runs scored. He also stole six bases.
He is the son of Julie and Mike Vekich. Vekich plans to major in natural resources-law enforcement. His uncle Derek played hockey at St. Cloud State, and his father Mike Vekich played baseball at Minnesota Duluth.
AREA ATHLETES SIGNING
Roseau’s Jasmine Hovda signed a national letter of intent to play hockey at St. Cloud St. University.
Roseau’s Madelyn Magnusson signed a national letter of intent to play softball at Northland Community College in TRF.
— — —
— — —
— — —
USA Hockey announced today the roster for the 2025 U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, from Dec. 7-13. The 21-player roster features 12 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. Nine of the players are from Minnesota, making up 45 percent of the roster.
Those players include: Gunnar Conboy (Lakeville), Caleb Heil (Victoria), Danny Klaers (Wayzata), Garrett Lindberg (Moorhead), Mace’o Phillips (Wayzata), Carson Pilgrim (Warroad), Ashton Schultz (Excelsior), Brent Solomon (Champlin), Bode Laylin (St. Michael) and John Stout (Minnetonka).
The 2025 U.S. Junior Select Team is highlighted by five players selected in the 2025 NHL Draft, including third-round selection Mace’o Phillips (Wayzata/Green Bay Gamblers/Calgary Flames); fourth-rounder Brett Solomon (Champlin/Sioux Falls Stampede/Detroit Red Wings); sixth-round picks Ashton Schultz (Excelsior/Chicago Steel/Buffalo Sabres) and Carter Sanderson (Pierre, S.D./Muskegon Lumberjacks/Pittsburgh Penguins); and seventh-round draftee Caleb Heil (Victoria/Madison Capitols/Tampa Bay Lightning).
The roster includes nine players from Minnesota, two from California, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and one from Alaska, Massachusetts, Michigan and South Dakota.
— — —
The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle Softball team is hosting a Pre-Turkey Throwdown community-wide Dodgeball Tournament!
When: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Where: UMN Crookston Wellness Center
Cost: $105/ team (max 8 players per team)
Divisions: 5 divisions (Elementary Open, MS Open, HS Open, Elite Open, Novice Open)
Winners Receive: Medals 1st and 2nd place. 1st place also receives a T-shirt.
Format: Round Robin then bracket play
Sign up here:
https://tourneymachine.com/E171686
*The divisions might change based on how many people sign up to play. If team numbers are low, we will condense to Novice and Elite Open divisions only.*
— — —
Perham will host a youth 3-on-3 Basketball tournament on Saturday, November 15, for Grades 2-8 (boys and girls divisions)
Our Goal: Run a 1st-class tournament with strong officials, beautiful facilities, get you in & out quickly, play different teams from all over, and awesome prizes for the winners!!!
*Please fill out a form for each team registering.
*Please submit a separate registration for each team.
($100 per team, 3 games guaranteed, possibly 4 depending on schedule).
*Please bring your own basketballs. 2nd & 3rd grade “might” play on lower hoops.
Email one of the coaches listed if you’d like to register a team. Hoops at the Hive may need to combine grade levels (using team ability levels) to fill some brackets. If needed to combine, players will play teams within one grade level.
*Cost is $100 per team. Please send payment immediately after registration to reserve your spot.
Payment Methods:
Venmo: @PerhamBBB (2349) (You must include the following info)
GRADE of PLAYERS (‘25-’26, max of 5 per team):
GENDER: B or G
TEAM NAME:
1 Parent/Guardian CONTACT CELL NUMBER
Check: Perham Boys Basketball (add below info on check)
Mail to: Arly Ohm 810 2nd Ave SW. Perham, MN 56573
GRADE of PLAYERS (‘25-’26, max of 5 per team):
GENDER: B or G
TEAM NAME:
1 Parent/Guardian CONTACT CELL NUMBER:
*No refunds after November 2nd.
*Registration deadline is Sunday November 2nd at 7:00 PM (or until filled) Brackets will be emailed the week prior to the tournament.
*Efficient scheduling. Expect some back to back games. Get in, play,
get on your way.
*Questions? Contact:
Arly Ohm at arlyohm@perham.k12.mn.us Cell: (701) 640-3850
Garry Grewe at ggrewe@perham.k12.mn.us Cell: (320) 241-4877
Grant Dierkhising gdierkhising@perham.k12.mn.us Cell: (218) 252-2349
— — —
JOKES
A mother is cleaning her teenage daughter’s room when she finds a bondage magazine hidden under the bed. She shows it to her husband and asks him what he thinks they should do.
After flicking through the magazine her husband says, “To be honest I’m not sure, but I don’t think spanking her is going to help.”
— —
A couple had two little boys who were always getting into trouble. Their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their village, their sons were probably involved. The boys’ mother heard that an elder in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her sons. The elder agreed, but asked to see them separately. So, the mother sent her youngest son first, in the morning. The elder, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the boy down and asked him sternly, “Where is God?” The boy’s mouth dropped open, but he made no response.So the elder repeated the question in an even sterner tone, “Where is God!!?” Again the wide-eyed boy made no attempt to answer. The elder raised his voice and bellowed, “WHERE IS GOD!?” The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into a closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him hiding, he asked, “What happened?”The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We are in BIG trouble this time. God is missing, and they think WE did it!”
— —
An elderly couple visits their grown-up grandson one night. While in the bathroom, Grandpa discovers a bottle of Viagra in his grandson’s medicine cupboard.
“I don’t think you should take one of those,” says the grandson when his grandpa asks him about them: “They’re pretty expensive.”
“How much?” asks the old timer.
“$20 a pill,” replies the grandson.
“I’d still like to try one,” says the old man: “Before we go in the morning I’ll leave the money under the pillow in the guest room.”
The next day the grandson goes into the guest room, and lifts the pillow to find $120. Puzzled, he calls his grandpa. “Grandpa, I told you the pills were $20 each!” he says.
“I know,” says the old man: “The extra $100 is from your grandma!”
— — —
How are former Crookston Pirates athletes doing in college or elsewhere?
****LET ME KNOW OF OTHERS TO ADD TO THE LIST. Email me at chrisjfee@yahoo.com
Teagen Lubinski is a freshman playing football at St. Scholastica
Addie Fee is a freshman playing tennis and hockey at Wisconsin-Superior.
Kambelle Freije is a freshman playing hockey at Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Riley Helgeson is a freshman playing football at Northern State.
Emily Bowman is a freshman playing Softball at North Dakota State College of Science.
Halle Winjum is a sophomore playing basketball at Minnesota Crookston.
Blake Melsa is a sophomore playing soccer and baseball at Alexandria Tech
Jackson Reese is a sophomore playing soccer at Alexandria Tech
Matt Contreras is a freshman playing baseball at Concordia College.
Naomi Johnson is a freshman playing soccer at Alexandria Tech
Paul Bittner is an assistant coach on the University of Wisconsin-Superior Men’s Hockey team.
Reese Swanson is a sophomore playing hockey at St. Olaf.
Carter Coauette is a sophomore playing football at Minot State.
Isaac Thomforde is a sophomore playing Tennis at Northwestern College in St. Paul.
Halle Bruggeman is a Junior on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Women’s Rugby team.
Ethan Boll is a Sophomore on the University of North Dakota Football team.
Breanna Kressin is a Junior on the Hockey Cheer Team for THE University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey team.
Jacey Larson is a Junior playing hockey at Dakota College at Bottineau.
Aleah Bienek is a Senior playing hockey at Trine University in Indiana.
Ty Hamre is Senior playing football at Bemidji State University.
Seth Heppner – Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Golf at Jessup University
Brady Heppner – Head Coach of Women’s Golf at UMC and Assistant Hockey Coach
Crookston School District Coaches
Blake Bergeron is the head Pirate Wrestling Coach.
Jason Cassavant is a Jr. High Baseball Coach and Head American Legion Baseball coach
Amy Boll is the head Pirate Girls Track head coach
Sarah Reese is the Pirate Head Girls Soccer coach
Marley Melbye is an assistant girls golf coach
Connor Morgan is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ben Trostad is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Ethan Magsam is the Pirate Boys Hockey assistant coach
Chris Dufault is a youth wrestling Coach
Non-Crookston High School coaching/Admin/etc
Elise Tangquist is the Head Girls Golf Coach at Horace High School in Fargo, ND.
Carmen (Kreibich) Johnson is the head Little Falls Volleyball coach.
Tim Desrosier is an Assistant Coach for Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Pony Boys Basketball
Pat Wolfe is the head wrestling coach for Fosston/Bagley.
Austin Sommerfeld is an Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
Collin Reynolds is the head baseball coach for the University of Colorado Buffalo Club Baseball team.
Trent Stahlecker is a School Security Specialist & he works for the Brevard Public Schools, Florida.
Cody Weiland is an assistant wrestling coach at Proctor/Hermantown.
Josh Edlund is the head football coach and phy ed teacher at Flandreau, South Dakota.
Allison Lindsey Axness is Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach at Champlin Park
Jeff Olson is the Head Wrestling Coach and Head Baseball coach at Delano.
Jake Olson is an Assistant Football Coach and Head Boys Tennis coach at Delano.
Matt Harris is an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Marty Bratrud is the Superintendent and High School Principal at Westhope High School.
Gordie Haug is an assistant football coach at the University of North Dakota.
Mike Hastings is the Wisconsin Badgers Men’s head Hockey coach.
Mike Biermaier is the Athletic Director at Grand Forks Schools.
Stephanie (Lindsay) Perreault works with the North Dakota State stats crew for Bison football, volleyball, and basketball in the winter. Stephanie’s husband, Ryan, is the assistant director for Bison media relations.
Jason Bushie is the hockey athletic trainer at Colorado College.
Chris Myrold is the Director and Fitness at Mission Ranch and Fitness in Camel, California.
Kyle Buchmeier is a Tennis Pro at the Reed-Sweatt Family Tennis Center in Minneapolis
Jaren Bailey is serving our country and is currently in the Marines’ Boot Camp.
Ben Andringa is serving our country in the Army and is now a Ranger.
Philip Kujawa class of 2004, from Crookston High School. He is an Army recruiter in Rochester.
Rob Sobolik is the General Manager of the Fargodome
That’s it for this week. Thanks for the comments, and if you have anything to add or share, please e-mail chrisjfee@yahoo.com or call. Thanks for reading and listening to KROX RADIO and kroxam.com.