Greetings ‘C’ Club Members:

As many of you have seen on the internet and as SID Dave Pape’s accompanying review describes, Carleton finished the fall season in good shape in the MIAC.

Women are tied for third in the conference all-sports competition:
1) St. Thomas – 40 pts.
2) St. Benedict – 35 ½ pts.
3) Carleton and Concordia – 32 ½ pts.
4) 8 others . . .

Cross country was second (in a brilliant conference meet), volleyball tied for fourth and soccer and golf was fifth.

Men are fifth in the conference all-sports competition:

1) St. John’s – 34 ½ pts.
2) Gustavus – 32 pts.
3) St. Olaf – 30 pts.
4) St. Thomas – 25 pts.
5) Carleton – 23 pts.
6) 6 others . . .

Soccer tied for the championship (a truly outstanding season), cross country second (and 23rd in the NCAA’s), football tied for eighth and golf was tenth.

For those who are interested, it should be pointed out that an able and industrious football staff is digging out from years of losing. The cumulative conference record for the ten years preceding the arrival of current coach, Kurt Ramler, was 12 and 75. Twelve wins in ten years! This tradition and infectious mind-set, the inherent problems in recruiting for large-squad sports (football, track, etc.), rigorous competition for good players with good grades, and the unfortunate timing of the appointment of the current staff (so late in the year as to wipe out an entire recruiting class) combine to make improvement slow and difficult. It is indeed a precarious climb, but it can be done. Coach Bob Sullivan had a cumulative winning MIAC record for Carleton’s first 13 years (1983-1996) in the league. There is a reasonable hope for this most visible program.

That fragility of several sports here, especially playing in a tough league, is, however, always a source of concern. A poor recruiting year, an earnest but not particularly competent coach, the inevitable year when injuries prevail, or just plain bad luck in pivotal contests . . . and a winning season turns to worms.

Please keep sending your nominations for the Hall of Fame, preferably from reunion classes (1998, 1993, etc.). In the last few weeks we have added the following to the list I sent in October: Jeff Brown ’88, Ken Potts, ’83, Phil Lange ’78, 1913 football team, 1953 men’s basketball team, Printice Gary ’68, Chuck Carmichael ’68, Philip Dunn ’93, and Zach Jones ’98. There must be a few more outstanding athletes in those reunion years . . . especially women!

One interesting issue has come up this year: should our selections lean toward perceived merit, regardless of when the individual or team played, or should we try to honor those still with us and able to appreciate the recognition?

Thanks, and keep track and in touch with Carleton athletics at: http://apps.carleton.edu/athletics and http://www.knightsathleticclub.com.

Sincerely,

Bill Huyck ’53
President
whuyck@carleton.edu