STA

[defense]

For 4 years in a row the team I cheer for got knocked out of class A championship contention by a private school from the twin cities. Did I care??? NO. Do I think it is not fair?? Maybe, but not really. This is class A hockey. At the time it sucks, but in the end, they boys had to win the game and they didn't, bottom line. yeah, its not fun for Thief River Falls to be beaten by a private all star team, but lets face it, they lost like 8 games this year, not exactly unbeatable. TRF likely belongs in AA too. Don't think so??? Ask citizens of Roseau, Red Lake, Hallock, Warroad, if they think Thief is a small town.
Bottom line is, you want to play in class A, you got to compete in class A. If that means playing against tough competition at State, so be it.

[deacon]

The reason why I find this topic so tiring more than anything else is because there are other small and large, public and private programs that could have moved up years ago but don't. Why it should extend to just the privates is beyond me.

I agree with this. Lakeville split into two high schools where Eden Prairie remains one high school with a huge enrollment, ect... It's not a perfect system, people just have to accept it.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

The reason why I find this topic so tiring more than anything else is because there are other small and large, public and private programs that could have moved up years ago but don't. Why it should extend to just the privates is beyond me.

I agree with this. Lakeville split into two high schools where Eden Prairie remains one high school with a huge enrollment, ect... It's not a perfect system, people just have to accept it.

I was referring to Warroad circa 1992-2005 as an example too.

[MNHockey75]

Why are people defending STA here? They have out-grown class A. If they were to move up to AA they would get even better recruits. It's win-win. They've already shown they can compete with the best teams in AA, year-in year-out.

They aren't the only team that should consider making the move, but they stick out. I agree with Lou, they belong in A but I'd like to see them move up.

[stpaul]

For 4 years in a row the team I cheer for got knocked out of class A championship contention by a private school from the twin cities. Did I care??? NO. Do I think it is not fair?? Maybe, but not really. This is class A hockey. At the time it sucks, but in the end, they boys had to win the game and they didn't, bottom line. yeah, its not fun for Thief River Falls to be beaten by a private all star team, but lets face it, they lost like 8 games this year, not exactly unbeatable. TRF likely belongs in AA too. Don't think so??? Ask citizens of Roseau, Red Lake, Hallock, Warroad, if they think Thief is a small town.
Bottom line is, you want to play in class A, you got to compete in class A. If that means playing against tough competition at State, so be it.

Excellent post. Some of the arguments on this thread are just more complaining about private schools. Some are complaints about medium sized schools. Should STA move up? Sure they should. Should they be required to? No.

The MSHSL is not going to single out a school or a sport to have different rules than the rest. By this logic Sleepy Eye St. Mary's would be required to play AAAA basketball because they are a private school or Mahtomedi should be required to play AA hockey because they have 1200 students.

The complaints about STA are simply because they are too good.

[deacon]

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

[stpaul]

oops

[PuckU126]

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

If all the Hermantown, STA, Warroad, TRF teams (ones that people have mentioned) did opt up... What teams are left?

I can guarantee people will besmirch Class A even MORE if teams like that did move up.

Even less people will watch the State Class A Tourney as well. (already somewhat lacking)

[dherman8]

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

Wow, didn't see this argument coming. Grow up! Way to take the cowards way out. And it's only the first period.

[MNHockey75]

Even less people will watch the State Class A Tourney as well. (already somewhat lacking)

They had over 10,000 people for yesterdays afternoon session, which was 2nd all-time I believe. Class A might not have the following AA has, but people will always tune in (especially when teams like Thief River Falls makes the trip down).

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

[Nostalgic Nerd]

Why are people defending STA here? They have out-grown class A. If they were to move up to AA they would get even better recruits. It's win-win. They've already shown they can compete with the best teams in AA, year-in year-out.

They aren't the only team that should consider making the move, but they stick out. I agree with Lou, they belong in A but I'd like to see them move up.

I don't think it's so much about defending STA as it is about how teams like Warroad and Hermantown are excluded from the conversation.

[PuckU126]

Even less people will watch the State Class A Tourney as well. (already somewhat lacking)

They had over 10,000 people for yesterdays afternoon session, which was 2nd all-time I believe. Class A might not have the following AA has, but people will always tune in (especially when teams like Thief River Falls makes the trip down).

I totally agree. And that's great Class A is getting more recognition.

But if those teams that I mentioned opt up, Class A will lose some credibility and interest to some fans.

[MNHockey75]

Even less people will watch the State Class A Tourney as well. (already somewhat lacking)

They had over 10,000 people for yesterdays afternoon session, which was 2nd all-time I believe. Class A might not have the following AA has, but people will always tune in (especially when teams like Thief River Falls makes the trip down).

I totally agree. And that's great Class A is getting more recognition.

But if those teams that I mentioned opt up, Class A will lose some credibility and interest to some fans.

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

[deacon]

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

Wow, didn't see this argument coming. Grow up! Way to take the cowards way out. And it's only the first period.

Turn your sarcasm detector on.

[PuckU126]

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

Breck has been mentioned as well. Pretty much any private school and successful public school in Class A has been mentioned.

[deacon]

They had over 10,000 people for yesterdays afternoon session, which was 2nd all-time I believe. Class A might not have the following AA has, but people will always tune in (especially when teams like Thief River Falls makes the trip down).

I totally agree. And that's great Class A is getting more recognition.

But if those teams that I mentioned opt up, Class A will lose some credibility and interest to some fans.

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

I was going to mention this as well, what is it?

[PuckU126]

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

Breck has been mentioned as well. Pretty much any private school and successful public school in Class A has been mentioned.

BTW, not all of the teams I mentioned should opt up (only posting what others "believe"). Besides STA, I think the set up is adequate.

[dherman8]

I totally agree. And that's great Class A is getting more recognition.

But if those teams that I mentioned opt up, Class A will lose some credibility and interest to some fans.

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

I was going to mention this as well, what is it?

Oh, they do. They just clearly didn't have as much of a threat this year. Wait until the next few years when Breck's kids grow up a little and win state next year. You'll see it again. People were discussing them last year.

[MNHockey75]

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

Breck has been mentioned as well. Pretty much any private school and successful public school in Class A has been mentioned.

BTW, not all of the teams I mentioned should opt up (only posting what others "believe"). Besides STA, I think the set up is adequate.

I just can't seem to figure out why some programs don't try AA out for a couple years. If it doesn't work out, then come on back.

BSM won a state championship and they had seen enough.

[PuckU126]

I just can't seem to figure out why some programs don't try AA out for a couple years. If it doesn't work out, then come on back.

BSM won a state championship and they had seen enough.

I agree.

STA would be able to make the transition to AA.

[goldy313]

All teams with their own rink should be AA, when over 80% of the Class A teams don't even have year around ice yet STA has an on campus rink you lose credibility with the poor us routine we're just like Sleepy Eye St Mary's (enrollment 141).

[DubCHAGuy]

I totally agree. And that's great Class A is getting more recognition.

But if those teams that I mentioned opt up, Class A will lose some credibility and interest to some fans.

Not if just STA moved up
I find it interesting that people don't seem to mind Breck and all their championship banners. It's not all about winning. Something STA does makes people want to crack skulls.

I was going to mention this as well, what is it?

I agree with this. For me personally, I don't have a problem with STA playing class A, they provide for good drama come sections and state tournament time.

IMO, what sets them apart from schools like Breck or say Totino is that a team like Breck has been that way forever. They are usually a solid team, and occaisionally (yes, more often recently) produce a state class A power. However they never really have the depth of the AA powers, and they typically play close to a full schedule of class A teams.

STA on the other hand was below average to average for decades with the exception of a year or two here or there (like a lot of small schools). They were winning about 5 games per year until 2003, then they hired the Vanelli's and suddenly they have a varsity roster that is deeper than most large AA public schools and a jv roster full of kids that could probably help most varsity teams in the area. Something just doesn't add up.

[dherman8]

and as people talk about STA they are getting smoked by Hermantown. Hermantown should move up.

Wow, didn't see this argument coming. Grow up! Way to take the cowards way out. And it's only the first period.

Turn your sarcasm detector on.

Way to leave yourself that out. I wasn't expecting anything that clever. I'll turn it on when you all stop being naive.

[deacon]

Wow, didn't see this argument coming. Grow up! Way to take the cowards way out. And it's only the first period.

Turn your sarcasm detector on.

Way to leave yourself that out. I wasn't expecting anything that clever. I'll turn it on when you all stop being naive.

ok

[stpaul]

All teams with their own rink should be AA, when over 80% of the Class A teams don't even have year around ice yet STA has an on campus rink you lose credibility with the poor us routine we're just like Sleepy Eye St Mary's (enrollment 141).

How did you get a "poor us" out of my post. Yes, STA has tons of advantages. My argument is that the MSHSL is not going to make up different rules for different schools or different sports.