Coach Profiles: Cody Robertson

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is offensive line coach, Cody Robertson!


Name: Cody Robertson
Hometown: Lafayette, CO
Alma Mater: Colorado College
Family: Dad (Greg), Mom (Kathy Jo), Step-Dad (Andy)
Position/Title at Grinnell: Assistant Football Coach, Offensive Line

What brought you to Grinnell?
I had the opportunity to coach in a system I was familiar with, having played for Coach Hawsey. I also love being involved with a program that is trying to create a new winning tradition.

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell?
My greatest joy comes from working with the players. The things they accomplish here at Grinnell simply amaze me.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
Our victory this past year vs. Lawrence. After a tough start to the year, we came out as a team and played a complete football game. The big smiles all the players had on their faces after the game was very rewarding!

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
CC offered me the two things I was looking for in a school: the opportunity to play football and a unique academic experience in the Block Plan. I also was energized by the chance to build a program into a winner.

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I believe that a coach's true goal is to get players to accomplish something they didn't know they could accomplish before they started.

Favorite movie: It's probably a tie between Die Hard, The Searchers, and Bloodsport

Favorite book: Wild at Heartby John Elderage

Favorite food(s): I love all kinds of food

Favorite travel location: Texas, it has a little bit of everything

Hobbies and Interests: Hunting, music/concerts, reading, watching The Office, working out

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I was the Geography Bee Champion of my school in 8th grade and I still believe that one day Wile E. Coyote will catch the Road Runner

Winter Break!

Friday was the last day of final exams around here and it's now officially winter break! The students won't be back on campus until January 23rd, so it's sure to be quiet around the athletic complex until then. There will be limited, if any, postings here on the blog until shortly after the first of the year.

In the meantime, we want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season!

Go Pioneers!

2009 Highlight Video!

Coach's Profiles: Jeff Pedersen

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Jeff Pedersen!


Name: Jeff Pedersen
Hometown: Kremmling, CO
Alma Mater: Grinnell College '02
Family: Wife - Jordan Esbrook '01, daughter - Frances Belle Pedersen, 10 months
Position/Title at Grinnell: Defensive Coordinator, Fitness Center Director, Interim Head Women's Track and Field Coach

What brought you to Grinnell?
As a student I chose Grinnell because of the great education they offered, as well as the chance to play two sports. I was also excited about the opportunity to contribute right away. I knew I would be getting on the field at least for special teams, as a freshman. As a coach, the opportunity to come back to my alma mater was very exciting. Also, as a student here I really enjoyed not only the campus but the town of Grinnell as well. It was a great place for me as a student and it is going to be a great place for me to raise a family.

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell?
I still love the competitive aspect of athletics. It is much different as a coach than it was as a player, but it is definitely still there. I also love the relationships with the players. I love getting to know the guys and hopefully having a positive impact on them. Most times I hope they learn as much from me as I do from them.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
I'm going to cheat on this question! As a player, my favorite memory of one specific time was clinching the conference championship with a victory over Lawrence my freshman year. I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have at the time, I didn't know how much it really meant and how hard it really is to win the conference championship. My other favorite memory of playing at Grinnell are the friendships I made with my teammates. There are too many to mention them all, but I was lucky enough to play with a few of my high school teammates and my brother, so that was very special to me. As a coach, we won my first game as an offensive coordinator with a pretty dramatic comeback. We beat Ripon, who has traditionally been a very good team, with a 93 yard scoring drive, scoring with about 30 seconds left in the game. I can still remember pretty much every play of that drive, especially the first play which should have been an interception to end the game!

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
See above.

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
A few years back I read the Dean Smith biography "The Carolina Way". In it Smith outlined his philosophy of "play hard, play smart, play together". That really struck a chord with me, as it put words to how I had always approached the game as a player. So, I have adopted that philosophy as my own as a coach. I feel like it is the coach's responsibility to make sure that the team plays smart, that is the responsibility of the players to make sure they play hard, and that it is the responsibility of everyone associated with the program to make sure that we play together. I like to take this same approach to every aspect of the program, from lifting weights to recruiting, whatever it may be.

Favorite movie: "Spies Like Us" or "The Princess Bride"

Favorite book: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Favorite food(s): Duck with wine and blue cheese sauce

Favorite travel location: I love going back home to visit my family in Colorado. Also, though I've only been there once, the Outer Banks in North Carolina were amazing.

Hobbies and Interests: Hunting and fishing are my biggest hobbies. I also love watching the Cubs.

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: My grandfather Leo changed the spelling of our family name from Peterson to Pedersen during World War II. There were quite a few Peterson's stationed near him and he wanted to make sure he stood out. My name has been spelled wrong a countless number of times, but it always reminds me of him every time.

Coach's Profiles: Nino Parker

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is running backs coach, Nino Parker!


Name: Nino Parker
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Alma Mater: Grinnell College
Position/Title at Grinnell: Pioneer Fund Assistant/Running Backs Coach

What brought you to Grinnell?
I came to Grinnell to pursue an undergraduate degree from one of the top schools in the nation.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
My favorite memory is winning the last game that I played as a student here. I can still remember how happy I felt and I enjoy coaching because I get a chance to help current students pursue that feeling each Saturday in the fall.

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
I was drawn to Grinnell because of its academic reputation. Playing football here just made my experience better.

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
Work hard, have fun.

Favorite movie: Remember the Titans, Boyz in da Hood

Favorite book: Catch a Fire

Favorite food(s): Hot wings

Favorite travel location: Belize

Hobbies and Interests: Football, basketball, cooking, music, religion

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I didn't play football until my second year at Grinnell.

Coach's Profiles: Tim Hollibaugh

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is assistant head coach and defensive line coach, Tim Hollibaugh!


Name: Tim Hollibaugh
Hometown: Logansport, IN
Alma Mater: Hanover College - 1990
Family: Wife - Alison, Children - Ryan (11), Blake (9), and Lindsey (6)
Position/Title at Grinnell: Associate Professor and Assistant Football and Head Baseball Coach

What brought you to Grinnell?
The ability to work at a great school at the Division III level while doing the things I love to do (coach and teach).

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell?
By far the student-athletes.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
Going 10-0 and winning the Midwest Conference in football in 1998.

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
I chose Hanover because I could play two sports while receiving my degree.

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I am a demanding coach who treats his players as adults. If you cannot give effort while being self-motivated to succeed then you should look to do something else. Team success is far more important than individual success.

Favorite movie: Gladiator

Favorite book: The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull

Favorite food(s): Seafood

Favorite travel location: Yellowstone

Hobbies and Interests: Hunting, Fishing, and Dogs

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I love to travel!

Pioneer Awards Announced

This past Sunday night, the 2009 Grinnell Pioneer football team gathered together for one final time at the team banquet. Along with great food and some bad jokes, the 2009 Pioneer football awards were announced.

Dick Ullrich '33 Award (Most Valuable Offensive or Defensive Back): Marquis Bradley '11.

Abe Rosenbloom '34 Award (Most Valuable Offensive or Defensive Lineman): Mike Tricoli '10

Special Teams Most Valuable Player: Ryan Boehm '10

Steve Kriegel Award (for dedication, desire, and determination): Chad Christoff '10

Troy Barboza Award (Most Inspirational Rookie): Cody Weber '13

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mike McCabe '13

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Kevin Hwang '13

Congratulations to all the honorees and to the entire 2009 Pioneer team. It was a memorable year and we continue to work towards making 2010 even better!

Coach Profiles: Max Hawsey

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is me-head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterbacks coach.

Name: Max Hawsey
Hometown: Elysian Fields TX

Birthplace: Monroe LA

Alma Mater: Austin College, Sherman TX

Family: Wife- Sara Townsend, 3 kids: Marion- 6; Hunter-4; Natalie-2

Position/Title at Grinnell: Head Football Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coordinator

What brought you to Grinnell? Opportunity to be the head coach at one of the most recognized liberal arts college in the nation and rebuild the football program at a place that has all the ingredients to compete for a MWC championship- one of the best athletic facilities in the nation, unbelievable academic resources and great people!

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell? The players! We have extraordinary young men on this football team who come from all over the nation and have very diverse backgrounds. Each player is unique in his own way and I enjoy the day to day interaction with our players because of this.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell? It has to be our game at Lawrence in 2008. The second half was unbelievable. We kept getting interception after interception (6 total for the game). The whole trip was a great experience especially on the way home after a big WIN!

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there? I looked at colleges in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. I chose Austin College because it was the best academic school I got admitted into. I liked the fact that it was a small private liberal arts college and that I would get a chance to PLAY a lot of football and not stand on the sideline for a few years. I really liked the coaches as well- Mel Tjeersdma (currently at Northwest Missouri State) was the head coach at the time- he was great. Two assistant coaches at the time- Vance Morris and David Norman- were very personable and showed me they truly cared about me both as a person and a football player.

How would you describe yourself as a coach? I’d like to think of myself as a teacher of the game of football and I always try to relate football to lessons in life. I take a very competitive, no nonsense yet personable approach to coaching. Discipline, attention to detail and hard work are virtues I try to instill in the players. I think there’s an appropriate time to give players a pat in the back and also a time to coach them hard.

As far as my style of coaching football, I want to be fundamentally sound, at times unconventional, and aggressive. I believe in blocking, tackling, taking care of the football on offense, and getting turnovers on defense. I believe in mental and physical toughness, but at the same time making football an enjoyable experience. I like to be creative and unconventional in all three phases- it keeps it fun for the players.

Favorite D1 college team: I’m a huge LSU fan!

Favorite NFL team: Saints- finally a good year to be a Saints fan!

Favorite movie: I have a lot of them, but I’d have to say Indiana Jones- Raiders of the Lost Ark. Pretty much anything with Harrison Ford or Denzel Washington.

Favorite book: I don’t really have one favorite- I do like reading coaches autobiographies. I’ve read books on Lou Holtz, Tom Osborne, Urban Meyer, and Mike Shanahan to name a few.

Favorite food(s): It’s definitely sea food. I really love fried shrimp! Although I also love southern biscuits and gravy for breakfast! You can’t go wrong with beans, rice and cornbread either!

Favorite Travel location: There are a number of them- I really loved Colorado (lived there 5 years). Also Charleston, South Carolina (my wife is from South Carolina), but I really had a great experience at my wife’s family reunion in Washington in a town called Sequim near Seattle. It was a memorable experience.

Hobbies and Interests: Outside of coaching, I don’t have a lot of time for much other than spending time with my family. I enjoy playing with my three kids. I love to watch movies with my wife. I like being outdoors, and working out. I’m sort of a car guy- I owned a 1966 Buick in high school and college- it was pretty sweet!

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I’m a distant cousin to John David Crow- the 1957 Heisman trophy winner at Texas A & M. My older brother- Rex Hawsey is the chief of police in Waskom TX. My daughter, Marion, beat me 17 out of 18 times at the card game "Memory Match" over Thanksgiving weekend!

Ten Footballers Named Academic All-Conference

On Wednesday, 10 Pioneer football players were named to the Midwest Conference Academic All-Conference team. These 10 stellar student-athletes helped Grinnell land the most honorees from the fall sports on this list with a combined 84 among all the sports.

Congrats to Ryan Boehm, Mike Bogard, Trenton Bush, Chad Christoff, Ryan Fletcher, John Hereford, Marc Heronemus, Ben Johnson, Joe Sinnwell, and Jake Thompson on this terrific honor!

See the MWC release here.

Coach Profiles: Ben Cooprider

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Next up is defensive backs coach, Ben Cooprider!


Name: Ben Cooprider
Hometown: DeKalb, IL/Minneapolis, MN
Alma Mater: Carleton College - B.A. in American Studies (2006); Concordia University - St. Paul - M.A. in Organizational Management with Sports Management emphasis (2009)
Family: Dad (Bob), Mom (Sharon), Brother (Nick-22), and my 7 month old golden retriever, Griswold
Position/Title at Grinnell: Assistant Football and Assistant Baseball Coach

What brought you to Grinnell?
The opportunity to coach in a full-time capacity while working with both football and baseball programs at a highly academic liberal arts institution. I also had a connection through my former college baseball coach, who was a graduate and former assistant here at Grinnell.

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell?
I enjoy everything, but it's the people here that make this place great. The administration, from President Osgood to our athletic director, Coach Wallace, the coaches, the support staff, and most of all the student-athletes. Interacting with the student-athletes on a daily basis, hearing about their class work, how their weekend was, or even listening to a funny story, is by far the most enjoyable part of this "job".

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
I have just completed my first baseball and football cycle and already there are too many to pick just one. The two that stand out to me are qualifying for and playing in the MWC Baseball Tournament last May and the defensive backs stellar performance against St. Norbert this fall.

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
Looking back I know it was the opportunity to play two sports in college, neither of which I was ready to give up, combined with the awesome education and small-town location. But I'm not sure all of that was going through my mind when I was making the decision. Something in my gut told me to go to Carleton and I could not be more happy or thankful for my choice. The experience of playing sports for four years was fantastic, but the education and friendships I garnered while there will last me a lifetime.

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I enjoy everything about being a coach at this level and I think that is evident in the manner in which I approach every day, practice, or meeting. To me, if you don't have passion or excitement for what you are doing then there's no point in doing it. I thoroughly enjoy working with the student-athletes we have at Grinnell and they constantly amaze me with their intelligence, humor, foresight, and respect for those around them.

Favorite movie: "Field of Dreams", but "Caddyshack" and "Animal House" are 1B and 1C.

Favorite book: Usually whatever I'm reading at said point in time. Right now, it's Catcher: How the Man Behind the Plate Became an American Folk Hero by Peter Morris.

Favorite food(s): Anything spicy. Combinations of peanut butter and chocolate. But my absolute favorite food are the Hot Sweet & Tangy Grilled Chicken Wings from Bru's Room in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Favorite travel location: Any cabin on any lake in any small Upper Midwestern town

Hobbies and Interests: Golfing, walking the dog, reading, American history, politics

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I have a large widow's peak. Cindy Crawford went to, and graduated, from my high school as valedictorian of the Class of 1984. I have never been out of the country. My "pointer" and "middle" toes are all longer than my big toes. And the day I came home from the hospital after being born, the temperature outside was 25 degrees below zero with a wind chill of 75 below!

Food in Grinnell

From the College website comes this story about the high-quality of restaurants and eateries located here in Grinnell:

http://www.grinnell.edu/index8.shtm

Coach's Profiles: Dave Arseneault

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players and now that we've entered the off-season, it's time to meet each member of our coaching staff. We'll spotlight one coach each week leading up until Christmas, proceeding, as we did with the seniors, in alphabetical order.

Leading off, is defensive assistant Dave Arseneault!


Name: Dave Arseneault
Hometown: Grinnell, IA
Alma Mater: I graduated from Grinnell College in 2009. I majored in Economics.
Family: Father - Dave, Mother - Ellie, Sister - Jennie (21)
Position/Title at Grinnell: Assistant Football and Assistant Basketball Coach

What brought you to Grinnell?
My father is the head men's basketball coach here at Grinnell.

What do you enjoy about coaching at Grinnell?
I really enjoy the type of players I get to work with on a daily basis. The kids we have at Grinnell are smart, respectful, and extremely hard working.

What is your favorite memory here at Grinnell?
Being a part of two Midwest Conference Championship basketball teams during my four year career.

Why did you choose your alma mater? What drew you there?
A couple of things... The academics. Grinnell is one of the best liberal arts schools in the country and I believe the school has fully prepared me for anything I choose to do in the future. I was also very impressed with the athletic department and the athletic facilities. The coaches are friendly and care about their players, and the athletic facilities at Grinnell are incredible. Come check it out if you don't believe me!

How would you describe yourself as a coach?
I'm in an interesting position because I went to school with a lot of the players on the team. I think this really helps me communicate with the guys because I can relate to the academic/athletic experience they're having at Grinnell. I also love getting to know the guys as students and people, as well as getting to know them as football players.

Favorite movie: Anchorman

Favorite book: Harry Potter Series and anything written by Bill Simmons "the Sports Guy"

Favorite food(s): Buffalo Wings

Favorite travel location: University of Iowa's Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City... Go Hawks!

Hobbies and Interests: Working out, reading, fantasy basketball and football

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I'm a dual citizen (Canada and the U.S.) and I was invited to tryout for the Canadian National Basketball team after my freshman year of college.

Bradley & Boehm Named All-MWC

Junior linebacker Marquis Bradley (Wichita, KS/Independent) and senior defensive back and return specialist Ryan Boehm (Iowa City, IA/City High) were both named to the All-Midwest Conference Second Team on Wednesday. The Pioneers also had three players recognized as All-MWC Honorable Mention: Sophomore receiver Robert Seer (Saukville, WI/Port Washington), sophomore offensive lineman Chris Jarmon (Boulder, CO/Boulder) and junior safety Marc Heronemus (Topeka, KS/Topeka).

Congrats to all five players! The honor is certainly well received in each case!

To read the Grinnell release please go here.

2009 Season Recap

We came into the 2009 season confident that we were a much improved football team over the 3-7 version in 2008. And despite only posting a 2-8 record, it is unquestionable that we have made major strides towards our goal of winning the MWC Championship.

Four of our 8 losses were by a touchdown or less and in two of the other losses we had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter before squandering it. Compare this to the 2008 season, where only 1 of the 7 losses was by a score, and its obvious that we were more competitive week in and week out this season. The next step is without a doubt the toughest to achieve, however. We have to learn how to win, and make the 3 or 4 more big plays that inevitably decide each and every football game. I'm confident we will get there sooner rather than later.

We are graduating some great seniors and we will of course miss all of them. Fortunately we do have very good players returning on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Two of our top three leading tacklers are back on defense. Our leading receivers are all back and our top returners are back.

We have a bunch of highly motivated guys who want to work even harder this off-season so we win those close games next year. Our players are very excited about the future of this program and have already started working hard to get better for next year.

We look forward, already, to the 2010 season and in particular the season opener at home against Macalester College on September 4th!

Stay tuned in the coming days for the beginning of our profile series highlighting our coaching staff!

Pioneers Lose in Season Finale

On a perfect fall day for football, the host Beloit Bucs beat the visiting Pioneers from Grinnell 41-7. For only the second time all season, we were out of the game in the 4th quarter, and considering where this program has been over the last few years, that is a major improvement. It's not at all where we want to be ultimately, but it provides us with some comfort knowing that in 8 of our 10 games, we are competitive until the end and are just a few plays shy of winning a lot of those games.

We now turn our focus as a program and as a coaching staff to the 2010 season and beyond. We open next season at home against Macalester College on September 4th, 2010 and we can't wait to be on the field and start a new season. But first we must put all our efforts into the recruiting process and trying to find a class of student-athletes that can help get us to that next level!

Pioneers Lose to RedHawks

Although we could not have asked for better weather on Senior Day at Rosenbloom Field, the host Pioneers fell to Ripon 38-17 in our last home game of 2009. We again showed great resolve by mounting a comeback and refusing to quit before the last whistle blew. But it wasn't enough as their offense executed their triple-option attack as precisely as they have done all year and we weren't able to come up with enough big stops or turnovers to shift the tide. Offensively, we moved the ball effectively, racking up the 2nd most yards they've allowed all season, but fell short on finishing drives and putting the ball in the endzone.

We head to Beloit this Saturday for the final contest of the 2009 season and will also serve as a great catapult of momentum heading into the 2010 season!

Senior Profiles: Mike Tricoli

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

This Saturday is Senior Day, so we will run the last two profiles here this week. Last but not least, is senior center Mike Tricoli!


Name: Mike Tricoli
Hometown: Lake Mary, FL
Major: History and Art History

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Education and Football

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My first college win - beating Knox 35-34 my freshman year.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Education/Business Administration

Favorite Professional Team: New York Giants

Favorite Division I team: Florida State University, West Virginia University, Iowa

Favorite Song: "Man In The Box" by Alice in Chains

Favorite Food: Hot Buffalo Wings with a side of potato skins

Favorite Movie: The Godfather

Favorite Book: The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Medieval Cathedrals

Other hobbies: Playing guitar, traveling, eating

Senior Profiles: Jake Thompson

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

This Saturday is Senior Day, so we will run the last two profiles here this week. Let me introduce you to senior defensive lineman, Jake Thompson!

Name: Jake Thompson
Hometown: Rockwell City, IA
Major: History/Education

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
It's the best academic college in Iowa and one of the best in the country.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Our game against St. Norbert this year.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
I plan to attend law school in the fall, but I will also graduate with a teaching license, so that is a possibility down the road.

Favorite Professional Team: Miami Dolphins, Houston Rockets, Chicago Cubs, in that order.

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls

Favorite Food: Casey's Pepperoni Pizza

Favorite Movie: The Land Before Time

Favorite Book: The Animorphs by K.A. Applegate

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Mao Zedong with Professor Hsieh, also anything taught by Rob Lewis

Other hobbies: Video games, movies, wikipedia, reading if I have time.

Pioneers Fall to Blueboys

On a gorgeous late October Saturday, the Grinnell Pioneers lost a shoot-out to the Illinois College Blueboys by a final of 55-34. Both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense, and we ran 105 offensive plays total. We also had 68 pass attempts which is a school record. For the second straight week, we showed great heart and fight after coming back from a 41-13 deficit midway through the third quarter to close the gap to 47-34 with 3:00 remaining in the game before a late interception dealt the final blow.

Next up is Ripon College and our last home game of 2009. It'll be Senior Day at Rosenbloom Field as we see the 14 seniors on the home turf one final time. Should be a great day to be a Pioneer!

Road Trip!

We are leaving within the hour for our second overnight trip this fall, this time to Jacksonville, Illinois, home of the Illinois College Blueboys. After a four-plus hour bus ride, we'll get some dinner at the Olive Garden, go to the hotel where we'll meet briefly and then get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's game. It should be a good contest, and another challenge for us as defensively we face a pretty good aerial attack and will start our freshman quarterback for the second straight game.

For those of you who don't regularly check the links on the right side of this page, please check out Chris Jarmon's personal blog about being a Division III football player. He started the blog when he was a player at Colorado College and has continued writing about his experiences since transferring to Grinnell this year. He's a great writer and offers up a great perspective on the game at this level.

Senior Profiles: Joey Snyder

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior tight end, Joey Snyder!


Name: Joey Snyder
Hometown: Reserve, New Mexico
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Grinnell College gave me the opportunity to see a different part of the United States, while offering me the chance to play two college varsity sports and receive a top-ranked liberal arts education. In addition, the faculty and students at Grinnell are all good people.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
I have numerous favorite moments, but I think my favorite was the fourth quarter and the excitement that prevailed during last year's first game against Cornell. The quarter was full of nothing but suspense, especially the final play. When Marquis Bradley swatted down a desperation pass into the endzone as time expired, I immediately ran onto the field as did the rest of the team. The excitement shown by the fans and players is unforgettable.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
I am in the process of pursuing a career in finance, such as a financial advisor. I am also trying to apply to graduate schools, preferably the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management in hopes of receiving an MBA in finance.

Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Bulls

Favorite Division I team: North Carolina Tar Heels

Favorite Song: "Life Goes On" by Tupac Shakur

Favorite Food: My grandma's red chili enchiladas!

Favorite Movie: Friday

Favorite Book: L.A.byrnth

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Lunch, haha. No really, I enjoy economics classes focused in finance, such as Investments and Public Policy, or U.S. Financial Systems

Other hobbies: I regularly snowboard. Hang out with friends - mostly the "PALS". Ride ATVs, hunt, eat my mom and grandma's home-cooked Mexican food. Listen to my parents, grandparents, and family friends childhood stories. Most of all I love just being in the great state of New Mexico with my family.

Senior Profiles: Tim McDonald

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior wide receiver, Tim McDonald!


Name: Tim McDonald
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Major: Art (Studio)

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose to come to Grinnell for the academics, great environment, and its unbeatable corn on the cob.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My first year was a very special season for me, and I really got along well with the seniors on that team, so when we won our last game at home against Beloit it was a great feeling to be able to send those guys off with a win.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Travel the world.

Favorite Professional Team: Indianapolis Colts

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Favorite Food: A Taylor's Maid-Rite Sandwich with everything on it accompanied by a vanilla shake

Favorite Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou

Favorite Book: The Sun Rises Also by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Art 310 - Hybrid Media

Other hobbies: Discussing politics, hanging out with my family, and getting into trouble with friends.

Comeback Falls Short

After staking the visiting Lake Forest Foresters out to a 28-7 halftime lead, the Pioneers rallied furiously in the second half before ultimately falling 35-28.

This was a tough loss in a lot of ways, but we can hold our heads up high for continuing to battle and fight for a victory and we just weren't able to get it done late in the game. This is the fourth loss this season by a touchdown or less and this gives us hope and encouragement that we are in fact climbing the ladder and progressing as a football team.

It's fall break this week, so we've got a great opportunity to spend some extra time on football and make sure we are 100% ready to travel to Illinois College on Saturday and come home with a Win!

Go Pioneers!

Athletics at Grinnell

Students race towards the finish line in an early Grinnell track meet, 1911.

Photo courtesy of Grinnell College Archives

In celebrating the 150th year of the College's existence here in Grinnell, the College is highlighting the athletic experience over the years on the school's homepage. Below is a snippet of the article. To read the whole story, go here.

"Today, nearly one-third of all Grinnell students participate in intercollegiate sports, and many more enjoy club and intramural sports. Grinnell continues its membership in the Midwest Conference to this day, and has led the league in the total number of Academic All-Conference honorees for the past five years. Through it all, Grinnell’s athletic programs continue to promote the “interdependence of mental and physical culture” that started so long ago."

Alumni Weekend at Grinnell!

This weekend is Alumni Weekend at Grinnell College and we are excited to have a bunch of former Pioneer football players back on campus to reminisce about their glory days and watch the current edition of GC Football take on Lake Forest. These reunions are always a blast, hearing old stories, plenty of tailgating and good food, and a lot of camaraderie between the generations make it a special time to be on campus.

As for the game, we are anxiously anticipating the matchup against the Foresters from Lake Forest. They are unquestionably a dangerous team capable of big plays at any moment and we'll have to bring our "A" game to withstand their charges. But we are excited for the opportunity to use this game as another step up the conference standings and continue our climb from the bottom of the totem pole into one of the most respected and feared teams in the MWC.

Go Pioneers!

Game Highlights

Enjoy a couple highlights from Saturday's 27-12 victory over Knox College.

Senior Profiles: Curtis McCoy

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior defensive end, Curtis McCoy!


Name: Curtis McCoy
Hometown: Lake Forest, IL
Major: Biology with an Environmental Studies concentration

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I wanted a small college where I could get to know people, but I also wanted a break from the homogeneity of Lake Forest, IL; when I came to visit it just felt right.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My freshman year (2006) beating Knox College 35-34 with the help of a 30 yard pass from Sean Pfalzer to Todd Doleshal for a two-point conversion and some clutch kicking from our newly recruited, Grinnell soccer player turned Grinnell football player, Scott Koenning.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After graduating from Grinnell, I plan to take some time off to go abroad, possibly in the Peace Corps, before attending graduate school likely in Environmental Science/Environmental Public Policy.

Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears

Favorite Division I team: University of Notre Dame Fightin' Irish -- GO IRISH!!

Favorite Song: That's a really tough one. Since I like so many different types of music, it really depends on the day. If I had to chose one, I would probably go with Pearl Jam's Yellow Ledbetter, especially the live version.

Favorite Food: A well-seasoned New York Strip Steak with mashed potatoes

Favorite Movie: Rudy

Favorite Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Favorite Course at Grinnell: A tie between Aquatic Biology with Peter Jacobson and Organic Chemistry II - Lab with James Lindberg.... But seriously you do some really interesting things in these courses.

Other hobbies: I'm a member of the campus environmental group, FTP. I throw discus on the Grinnell Track & Field team. I really enjoy watching movies and listening to music. I always enjoy watching Seinfeld, the greatest show ever...own every season. I also enjoy reading, mostly non-fiction, novels.

Marquis Bradley Named MWC Player of the Week!

For the second time this fall, a Pioneer defender has earned the recognition of Midwest Conference Player of the Week. Marquis Bradley's efforts in the 27-12 victory over Knox College were crucial to the team's success. Bradley totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 of which were for a loss. But his two biggest plays were in the first two minutes of play. Bradley forced a fumble and then recovered it for a TD on Knox's first play from scrimmage before causing another fumble on the ensuing kickoff that the Pioneer offense punched in for a quick 14-0 advantage.

See the MWC release here.

Pioneers Beat Knox!

On a cold blustery fall day, the Grinnell Pioneers defeated Knox on the road by a final of 27-12. Knox proved to be a good challenge, as their triple-option offense did a great job of working the ball down the field, but the Pioneer defense was strong enough to withstand the charge. Our offense did a nice job of keeping the Prairie Fire defense on its heels and putting points on the board when it mattered most.

Next week we are back at home taking on the Foresters of Lake Forest. We look forward to a great game and another opportunity for a W.

Grinnell Takes on Knox!

For the second consecutive week, the Pioneers travel to west central Illinois to battle a conference foe. Beyond that, things figure to be much different this week as the Knox College Prairie Fire are winless on the year and run the triple option as opposed to Monmouth's undefeated spread out attack.

We've had a great week of practice and are excited for the opportunity to rebound and prove that we are still a very good football team. Knox is one of our biggest rivals and they will be a great foe by which we will measure our progress.

Go Pioneers!

Athletic Facilities Progress

Less than one year from now, Grinnell College will open two new athletic facilities to go along with the new gymnasium and fitness center that were finished in 2005.

A $75 million expense, the new athletic facilities will be state of the art in both design and function. A couple weeks ago you saw some of the concept photos. Today, enjoy photos showing the most recent progress on the buildings.

You can continue check up on the progress using our live camera feeds here.

The College is still working towards the fund raising goal for these projects and would appreciate your support. To donate please visit the College Development Office here.

The field house's west side as seen from the football stands.


Looking to the northwest into the field house. The coaches offices are at left.

Looking south into the field house from the track.


The front entrance way of the natatorium. Looking northwest.


The view of the natatorium from 10th Avenue.

Senior Profiles: Mike Martinez

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior wide receiver, Mike Martinez!

Name: Mike Martinez
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell for three reasons:
1) Community - The college as well as the town are very opening and welcoming
2) Academic Challenge - classes are challenging and interesting
3) Sports - many athletes play more than one sport

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Beating Knox 35-34 my freshman year (2006).

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After Grinnell, I hope to work with a company in the financial sector and after getting a few years of experience, return to graduate school for an MBA.

Favorite Professional Team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite Division I team: Texas Longhorns

Favorite Song: "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G.

Favorite Food: Shrimp Scampi

Favorite Movie: Training Day

Favorite Book: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Empirical Methods in Economics with Bradley Graham

Other hobbies: hanging out with friends, bird watching, video games, sunset picnics

Pioneers Lose to #11 Monmouth

The Grinnell College football team ran into a buzzsaw on Saturday afternoon. In a cool drizzle in western Illinois, the 11th ranked, and defending conference champions, Monmouth Scots won handily 59-0.

The Scots displayed great offensive balanced putting up 240 rushing and 270 passing yards on the day and defensively they forced us into 5 turnovers. Heading into this game, our defense was holding opponents to 17.5 points a game and only 118 yards passing. So it's a testament to the Scots that they could move the ball so effectively against our stout defense.

We have no doubt Monmouth is the best team we've played in years here at Grinnell and we wish them the best of luck as they likely head into the NCAA Playoffs and represent the Midwest Conference all the way to the national title!

Senior Profiles: Kyle Lobaugh

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior defensive end, Kyle Lobaugh!


Name: Kyle Lobaugh
Hometown: Bishop, Texas
Major: Political Science/Theater

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
After 18 years in South Texas, I decided to experience a new environment/culture in the Midwest. Grinnell offered the opportunity to attend a great academic school while also playing football.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
St. Norbert senior year. It was by far the proudest I've ever been to be a part of a defense.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Upon graduation I plan to enter the Navy Reserves as an officer, while simultaneously attending Law School at the University of Texas. I also aspire to enter politics as a United States Senator.

Favorite Professional Team: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Indians, San Antonio Spurs, Pittsburgh Penguins

Favorite Division I team: The Ohio State Buckeyes!!!

Favorite Song: "Amarillo By Morning" George Strait

Favorite Food: My mom's chicken and rice

Favorite Movie: Top Gun

Favorite Book: Any book by John Grisham

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Period Acting Styles with Craig Quintero

Other hobbies: sports, reading, and politics. I am also the co-chair of the Republican Party.

Senior Profiles: Scott Koenning

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior kicker and linebacker, Scott Koenning!


Name: Scott Koenning
Hometown: Oberlin, Ohio
Major: Spanish/Sociology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because of its quality of academics and community. I stayed because of friends I've made and the beautiful starry nights.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Ryan Boehm's interception return for a touchdown against Lawrence in the 2008 season.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Immediately after graduation, I'm considering enrolling in some sort of service program, perhaps outside the U.S. After that, it'd be great to become a member of LeBron James' entourage. However, I have a feeling life may take me in a different direction. We'll see.

Favorite Professional Team: The Cleveland teams: Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians

Favorite Division I team: Ohio State Buckeyes

Favorite Song: Depends on the day, but right now: "Kick Drum Heart" by The Avett Brothers or "Soundtrack 2 My Life" by KiD CuDi

Favorite Food: Anything my dad makes

Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction

Favorite Book: Tough call, but I'm feeling nostalgic, so I'll say The Outsiders by Susan Eloise Hinton

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Social Inequality

Other hobbies: All things Argentine, Cleveland sports, soccer, food & cooking, language, music and travel

Big Hit!

New Athletic Facilities!

Less than one year from now, Grinnell College will open two new athletic facilities to go along with the new gymnasium and fitness center that were finished in 2005.

A $75 million expense, the new athletic facilities will be state of the art in both design and function. Take a look at some of concept pictures now and in a few days we'll post some recent photos of the construction progress.

You can also check up on the progress using our live camera feeds here.

View from 10th Avenue. Field house is in center of photo, natatorium is seen at left. The new Darby Gym and Fitness Center are attached to the front of the field house.

Inside the NCAA Championships approved field house.

Inside the Olympic-sized natatorium.

GRINNELL SHUTS OUT LAWRENCE 42-0!!

We had this game coming! Our players have worked so hard this season and have come up just short in our first three games against good teams. Not the case today where we put it all together for an awesome team victory 42-0. We finally put everything together on all three phases and recorded one of our largest margins of victory in a long time!

To read more about Saturday's game, please read our online story on the Grinnell Football homepage.

Next Saturday we travel to Monmouth College to take on the #11 ranked team in the country. Should be a lot of fun!

Game Day!

Today is game day on the campus of Grinnell College and the host Pioneers are primed and ready for a victory over the visiting Vikings from Lawrence University. Game time is 1pm and the weather sure might make things interesting today!

Be sure to catch us live on MWC TV!

Go Pioneers!

Senior Profiles: Ben Johnson

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior cornerback, Ben Johnson!


Name: Ben Johnson
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
Major: Psychology, along with enrollment in the education program

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I'm not really sure, but its the best decision I've ever made.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Ben "Sunshine" Westfeld's game-winning interception in the fourth quarter against Lawrence during the 2007 season.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After graduation I'd like to join some kind of service organization, hopefully Teach for America.

Favorite Professional Team: The Chicago Cubs

Favorite Division I team: The University of Michigan Wolverines, Go Blue!

Favorite Song: Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash

Favorite Food: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite Book: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Introduction to Physics with Prof. Cadmus

Other hobbies: Closely following the defending Illinois State Champion OPRF wrestling team, whipping my housemates in NCAA Football video games, golfing, and playing tennis

Senior Profiles: Fernando "Fonz" Jenkins

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior cornerback, Fonz Jenkins!


Name: Fernando "Fonz" Jenkins
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Major: Political Science

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because of its rich tradition of excellence with regards to academic rigor. I didn't even visit Grinnell, but knew right away that it was the best fit for me due to its strong emphasis on diversity and moral obligation to social justice.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My favorite Grinnell football moment was when I recorded my first career interception against St. Norbert on our home field. (But the funniest moment was when I had to push a sled for teaching my controversial class.)

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Well I have many aspirations and ambitions in life. My dream career would involve being a professional actor. I want to obtain levels of stardom relative to Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, etc. If that doesn't work out, I'll most likely become a lawyer or run my own business dealing some steel with Cutco. I also enjoy political life and might become the first African-American governor of Arkansas or better yet, the second African-American president of the United States. There is no limit to the possibilities!

Favorite Professional Team: I love the Cincinnati Bengals! How could that be huh? Well, actually one of the player's parents for the Bengals (Steve Foley) lived right next to me! Foley would come back and throw big block parties and do a lot of community building activities. I also love the Trail Blazers. My love for them came from Sega Dreamcast. My favorite baseball team is the White Sox and my hockey team is the Red Wings (just kidding, I don't know the first thing about hockey :)

Favorite Division I team: ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS! WHOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!

Favorite Song: Heaven by Jamie Foxx

Favorite Food: Neck bones, ham hocks, greens, sweet potatoes, chicken and dumplings, corn bread, cabbage, anything on the pig, and ox tails...etc.

Favorite Movie: Hitch

Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Political Theory and Transnational legal institutions, and Pluralist Systems: Comparative European Politics

Other hobbies: I'm also on the debate team. I like to travel. I pole vault and long jump. I run a college radio show on Sundays from 8-10 entitled "The Pioneer Power Hour" hosted by your boy DJ Fonzie and DJ Maxx blazin the one's and two's on KDIC 88.5. Also streaming live at www.kdic.grinnell.edu. I'm a senator for my residential cluster and actively participate in Student Government. I also enjoy fishin and chillin. I sell knives too! (Cutco) I also enjoy long walks on the beach under the beautiful beams of the moon while playing my piccolo and reminiscing on the 4 glorious years I've spent in a little town called Grinnell.