Grinnell Hires New Defensive Coordinator

Jason Martinez was recently hired to be Grinnell College's new defensive coordinator. We are excited to have a coach of Coach Martinez's caliber as a part of the Pioneer Football program and are looking forward to him being a part of our success. Read more about Coach Martinez below!

A Michigan native, Jason Martinez played all four years and earned his bachelor’s degree at Albion College (Mich.) in 2005 and is currently working towards finishing his master’s degree.

Martinez coached for one year at his alma mater in 2005. As assistant defensive line and special teams coach, Martinez helped Albion win the MIAA Championship and a berth to the NCAA DIII Playoffs. He also helped coach two All-MIAA defensive linemen.

After Albion, Coach Martinez joined Bemidji State as the defensive line coach as well as the strength and conditioning coordinator for the program. During his time, Bemidji posted the nation’s top run defense at the NCAA Division II level in 2006 and earned top rankings in sacks and interceptions as well. In 2007, BSU posted a top-five finish in the nation versus the run. In his two years, he oversaw the development of a Preseason All-American, NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and All-NSIC Conference defensive tackle as well as a pair of All-NSIC Conference defensive ends.

After two seasons at Bemidji State, he went on to coach the defensive line and special teams at Illinois College. For two seasons, he coached an All-MWC defensive lineman and an All-Academic MWC defensive lineman before accepting the defensive coordinator and linebacker’s job at Grinnell College this past spring.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me to coach in the Midwest Conference as the defensive coordinator of a team that I believe has all the right opportunities for student-athletes. I look forward to the season and helping restore the excellence of Pioneer Football on and off the field.”

Phase 4.2 Lifting Demo Video

Demonstrations of all lifts from Phase 4.2. All warm-up exercises (jump rope and hurdles) and core series exercises are the same with respect to the days of the week again.

To see the full-sized video, click on the video player to view at YouTube.

Natatorium Dedication

On Saturday, June 5, Grinnell College will dedicate its new state-of-the-art recreation and athletic center designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli and Sasaki Associates. The $70 million natatorium and fieldhouse completes Phase II of a two-part project that is considered among the best in Division III athletics and recreation.  Phase II connects seamlessly underground to the $20 million Phase I completed in 2005 that features Darby Gym, home of the Pioneer basketball teams, and a fitness center. 

The dedication program will include remarks by Pelli about the vision for the facility, President Russell Osgood on naming the facility, and audience participation in transferring water from the old pool to the new 50 meter pool.

 

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sat., June 5.

Summer Lifting Demo Video

This first video covers Phase 4.1 (MTuThF) and demonstrates all of the warm-up exercises, lifts, and core work.

 

Two-Sport Athletes

One of the many advantages to Division III athletics is the opportunity for more student-athletes to enjoy competing in more than one sport at the collegiate level.  We had 11 guys on last fall's roster that are playing two-sports this year.  Four are currently playing baseball while 7 others are members of the track and field team.  Today we'll highlight those four football-baseball guys, and later in the week we'll focus on the track and field athletes.

Chad Christoff '10, Ryan Fletcher '11, Mike Bogard '12, and Brian Taylor '13 are all enjoying huge success this spring with the Pioneer baseball team jumping out to an 8-0 start in MWC play and 17-11 overall.

Christoff is a relief pitcher and has the second most appearances on the team and has held opposing hitters to a .213 average.  Only giving up 10 hits, he has 2 saves and 4 strikeouts.

Fletcher has been rotating in and out of the starting lineup as a first baseman/designated hitter starting 13 of the team's 28 games.  Currently he has the 6th highest batting average on the team at .326, while driving in 7 runs, stealing 2 bases and only committing 2 errors in 116 chances at first base.

Bogard has just been cleared to resume full activity after rupturing 3 ligaments in his knee in a football game this fall.  He is slowly working himself back into pitching shape, and might be able to pitch for the Pioneers down the stretch.

Taylor serves as both a pitcher and back-up catcher for the baseball squad.  He leads the team in ERA, with a spot-free 0.00 and is allowing opposing hitters only a .200 batting average.

The opportunity for these guys to play two sports at the collegiate level is an experience they'll never forget.  Bogard says "There is absolutely no substitute for the camaraderie and friendships developed through sports, and being involved with multiple teams facilitates these one-of-a-kind interactions."  Sharing similar sentiments about his teammates, Christoff said, "The benefits of playing two sports at the next level extend beyond the fact that I didn't have to give up playing one of the games I loved, but manifest themselves off the field in a way that I could never have imagined."

Early Decision Commitments

The 2014 class of Pioneer football players got off to a great start this winter when we had 9 student-athletes commit to Grinnell by February as a part of our Early Decision program.  On May 1st, when our Regular Decision commitments are due, we hope to add more talent, depth, and skill to this already stellar recruiting class.  But in the meantime, here's a little bit about each of the newest Pioneers!

Andy Butler, RB/DB, Hastings, Nebraska (Hastings HS)  
Two-Time All-District, GNAC All-Conference, All-Tribland

Andrew Clark, RB/DB, Byron, Illinois (Byron HS)
Athlete Academic Award for having the Highest GPA on the team.  Team Captain.  All-Conference RB.

TJ Goetz, QB, Ankeny, Iowa (Ankeny HS)
Led team to 10-2 overall record.  Offense averaged 30 points per game.  Class 4A quarter-finalist.  Finished the season ranked #12 in Class 4A.

Seth Gustafson, RB, Rockford, IL (Winnebago HS)
Two seasons of 1,000+ yards rushing.  Two-Time Unanimous All-Conference RB, Two-Time Academic All-State,  Two-Time Team captain, Senior Season went 8-3, sweet 16, Lost to State Champions twice.

Ki Harris, LB, Evergreen Park, IL (Evergreen Park HS)

Max Keller, CB, Alden, Minnesota (Alden HS)
Section 2A Champs. Ranked #10 in State.  All-Conference and 2nd Team All-Area.  Captain.  Most Improved Player in Junior season.

Jason Peters QB, Coleville, California (Coleville HS)
Freshman year- Offensive Player of the Year (JV). Sophomore year- MVP (Varsity). Junior year- MVP (Varsity).

Quinn Rosenthal, OL, Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton Warrenville South HS)
2009 Class 7A State Champions.  First Team All-State in Scholastic Bowl.

Spring Practices Begin!

Our first official practice of the 2010 season was this past Sunday and we couldn't have been more excited to get the next chapter in Pioneer Football underway!

One of the best moments of Sunday's practice was the return of junior-to-be quarterback, Mike Bogard, who just 5 months ago suffered a massive knee injury and is now cleared to be a full participant in football activities.  This is Mike's story, in his words:

--
On October 10, in the midst of a hard fought battle with Knox College, I made a decision to scramble out of the pocket on 3rd and long and try to pick up the first down by foot.  Little did I know, but that decision would lead me to 6 months of non-competitive participation and a strenuous road of recovery.  As I was cutting toward the side line, I was high-lowed by a pursuing linebacker and cornerback causing a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus (terrible triad!).  Having never missed a game or practice in my entire football career, I was absolutely devastated. The thought of having to miss the remainder of the season and perhaps the entire baseball season due to a constant uphill battle of therapy and setbacks was horrifying. 

Almost a month after the injury, I was in surgery to have my ACL replaced and the tear in my meniscus removed. Because I play quarterback in our fast-paced offense, I was worried about the future of my knee and the prospect of never "fully" recovering to the point I was at prior to the injury. The 3-4 months following my surgery were physically and mentally draining.  I spent every single day in the training room for hours trying to get my quad strength back, my stamina, and most importantly, my athleticism back.  There were many ups and downs along the road and I knew that my faith was being tested just as much as knee.  However, thanks to a great training staff, persevering attitude, and tons of hard work, I was cleared in five short months (the typical recovery time associated with my type of injury is 6-9 months).  It was truly a miracle that my knee responded so well to the surgery and rehab, however, I strongly believe that the reason I healed so quickly was because of my teammates and family.  There was nothing more I missed than the comradery on the field, being in the huddle before a play with the guys, or the one-of-a-kind feeling of walking off the field after a tough practice with my teammates and knowing we left it all on the field. It was thoughts like these and encouragement from everyone close around me that willed me back to health.

Now, my knee is feeling great. There is no doubt that my surgically repaired knee is as strong or even stronger than it was prior to the injury! When I think back on the whole situation, I realize it was truly a blessing and a curse. So much good has come from the injury, rehab, and experience that I hesitate to look back on the situation with any regret.  The most important thing I learned during these last six months is never to take anything for granted.  Few people have the opportunity to play college sports, and I am lucky enough to be part of that minority.  Even when things seem to go against you and there are obstacles in your way, there is nothing that can deter you with the right attitude and an unparalleled passion for the game.  For those athletes who are injured and are engaged in the recovery battle right now, think positive and don't let ANYTHING stop you from chasing your dreams!

Mike Bogard '12

Spring Ball Video

Video from our first practice of the 2010 season!

Article on the Mind-Body Connection

Written by our Director of Athletics and Recreation, and former head football coach, Greg Wallace, this article published in the most recent issue of The Grinnell Magazine highlights the connection between physical and mental health and the role physical fitness plays in a healthy and balanced life.

Strengthening the Mind-Body Connection

Staff Profiles: Roger Bauman

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players, recently we profiled our coaching staff, and finally we present the profiles of Grinnell Football's support staff. These folks do an insane amount of work behind the scenes to help us reach our goal of a MWC Championship. From Saturday afternoons in the fall to a Tuesday in February, their commitment to Grinnell Football is unparalleled and we are deeply thankful for them!

Next up is Roger Bauman!

Name: Roger Bauman
Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa
Family: Dianna Lynn Bauman (wife); Jody Bauman Mathes (daughter), Tom Mathes and their two boys (ages 17 and 14);  Dwaine Bauman (son) and his boy (11);  Jeff Bauman (son), Crystal Bauman and their boy (3)
Position/Title at Grinnell: Head Athletic Equipment Manager
Years at Grinnell: 25 years

What brought you to Grinnell College?
Just looking for a job, it turned out to be a fun and rewarding experience.  I am a person that can't wait to get to work to be around the students and coaches, it is like a big family!

What do you enjoy most about working at Grinnell?
The thing that I like the most about Grinnell are the students, they are fun to be around and talk to.

What is your favorite Grinnell Football memory?
Memorable moments are watching the new students come in and get fitted for equipment and the change that occurs over a four year period.

Favorite movie: "Dancing With Wolves" or "Murphy's Love"

Favorite book: None in particular

Favorite food(s): Anything cooked on the grill

Favorite travel location: Any hunting or fishing location with Coach Hollibaugh

Hobbies and Interests: Hunting and fishing

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I am a part time farmer and enjoy being among the cattle and working in the fields.

Photo Tour of New Athletic Facilities

Please click the link below to view the most recent photo tour of the new athletic facilities.  Everything is still on pace for completion by August 1, 2010.

We can't wait to open the new facilities and show them off!

Photo Tour

LEAVING GRINNELL TO COACH AT MY ALMA MATER

I had to make a very tough decision- a decision that was the right decision for me and my family. I'm leaving Grinnell College to be the Offensive Coordinator at my alma mater Austin College. Grinnell is a very special place with very special people. There are so many things I will miss about Grinnell. The thing I will miss the most is my relationship with the players. I will miss all the practical jokes they play on me, the daily conversations we have about how their day went or what happened in class, seeing all the guys getting their "swole" on in the weight room, and how well they get along with each other. It is truly the closest "TEAM" I've ever been associated with and that won't change. The players at Grinnell are special, unique, extraordinary young men who will go on and do great things in life.

I will be Grinnell's biggest fan and I can't wait to see the Pioneers put it on the Scots from Macalester on September 4 at Rosenbloom field.

The Pioneer Football team will be in good hands as Defensive Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator Jeff Pedersen has been named Interim Head Coach. Coach Pedersen is a former All-American at Grinnell and he'll do an outstanding job. I look forward to keeping up with the continued progress and success under Coach Pedersen's leadership.

Go Pioneers!!

Benefit For John Booth

John Booth is a security officer here at Grinnell College and about 2 weeks ago his entire house burned down in an early morning fire while John was on duty. His wife and their two children made it out unharmed but the family's two dogs and countless possessions and memories went up with the smoke.

In order to help the Booth family, the Pioneer football team put together a benefit concert on Friday night that featured freshman linebacker Cody Weber with a guitar and some of his original tunes. The benefit was a huge success, raising over $1,200 in cash and a ton of clothes, shoes, and food for the Booth family in their time of need.

Here's a photo of Cody Weber playing to the crowd (more photos to come):

A blurred shot of the crowd that gathered to support the Booth family.

Staff Profiles: Ted Schultz

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players, recently we profiled our coaching staff, and finally we present the profiles of Grinnell Football's support staff. These folks do an insane amount of work behind the scenes to help us reach our goal of a MWC Championship. From Saturday afternoons in the fall to a Tuesday in February, their commitment to Grinnell Football is unparalleled and we are deeply thankful for them!

Next up is Ted Schultz!


Name: Ted Schultz
Hometown: Denison, Iowa (home of actress Donna Reed)
Family: wife, Marsha, two dogs, Archie and Oscar
Position/Title at Grinnell: Sports Information Director
Years at Grinnell: 3

What brought you to Grinnell College?
Seemed like a great College and great community.

What do you enjoy most about working at Grinnell?
Watching our student-athletes perform and dealing with them as student-workers.

What is your favorite Grinnell Football memory?
Brett Maloney breaking the record for tackles in a season... we literally had somebody tracking his tackles in the final game of the season (above and beyond the computer) to make sure we were right.

Favorite movie: Where to start... "The Horse Soldiers" (or anything John Wayne), "Rocky", "Rocky Balboa", "The Jerk", "Uncle Buck", "Weekend at Bernie's"...

Favorite book: The Bible

Favorite food(s): Spaghetti

Favorite travel location: Germany

Hobbies and Interests: RAGBRAI (biking), reading, stimulating conversation

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I was the third baby born in the new Ida Grove hospital... that should warrant a bronze medal, right?

Staff Profiles: Nancy Baumgartner

Throughout the season we profiled each of our 14 senior players, recently we profiled our coaching staff, and finally we present the profiles of Grinnell Football's support staff. These folks do an insane amount of work behind the scenes to help us reach our goal of a MWC Championship. From Saturday afternoons in the fall to a Tuesday in February, their commitment to Grinnell Football is unparalleled and we are deeply thankful for them!

Leading the charge is Nancy Baumgartner!

Nancy, at right, with her son, Bud '07, left, and now daughter-in-law, Jenn, center

Name: Nancy Baumgartner
Hometown: Grinnell, Iowa
Family: son, Arthur "Bud" Baumgartner '07, and daughter, Kate Baumgartner '11
Position/Title at Grinnell: Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director
Years at Grinnell: 13

What brought you to Grinnell College?
I wanted to be surrounded by intelligence.

What do you enjoy most about working at Grinnell?
Getting to know the student-athletes.

What is your favorite Grinnell Football memory?
The 2003 Beloit game. I'll insert a quote about my son, Bud, (from the MWC Special Teams Player of the Week article): "Baumgartner, a freshman kicker from Grinnell, Iowa, helped Grinnell defeat Beloit by scoring the first touchdown of the game when a bad snap on a field goal attempt was picked up by the holder and thrown his way. Despite wearing a cast on one had, Baumgartner made the five-yard grab. He also connected on all three extra-point attempts."

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite book: I can't decide between "To Kill a Mockingbird" or "100 Years of Solitude"

Favorite food(s): Salmon

Favorite travel location: Durango, Colorado

Hobbies and Interests: Sports, sports, sports, Kakuro puzzles, politics

List at least one random or interesting fact about you: I grew up in a family of 8 children (mostly girls), and we loved sports. My sisters and I were often better athletes than our boyfriends.

Spring Semester Begins!

Tomorrow, Monday, all students are back on campus to begin their spring semester classes. It's been awfully quiet around the athletic complex the past 5 weeks and with the return of the students and the beginning of spring sports practices, the PEC is sure to be alive again very soon.

It promises to be a great spring for the Pioneer football program. Recruiting continues to go well and we are confident we will bring in both the quality and quantity of players we need to make the jump to the top of the MWC. And our current players are determined to make massive improvements in their strength, speed, and flexibility this spring.

All eyes continue to be focused on September 4th when we kick off the 2010 season with a home date versus Macalester College.

Go Pioneers!

Why We Play Division III Athletics

This an old piece, but the anonymous author puts great perspective on the beauty of the truest of amateur athletics. Division III.

It's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making SportsCenter. It's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. We need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. We do it all for our teammates and for the student in our calculus class that we don't even know. We don't practice with a future major league first baseman; we practice with a future sports agent. We don't lift weights with a future Olympic wrestler; we lift with a future doctor. We don't run with a future Wimbledon champion; we run with a future CEO. It's a bigger part of us than our friends and family can understand.

Sometimes we play for 2,000 fans; sometimes 25. But we still play hard. You cheer for us because you know us. You know more than just our names. Like all of you, we are students first. We don't sign autographs. But we do sign graduate school applications, MCAT exams, and student body petitions. When we miss a kick or strike out, we don't let down an entire state. We only let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. But the hurt is still the same.

We train hard, lift, throw, run, kick, tackle, shoot, dribble, and lift some more, and in the morning we go to class. And in that class we are nothing more than students. It's about pride--in ourselves, in our school. It's about our love and passion for the game. And when it's over, when we walk off that court or field for the last time, our hearts crumble. Those tears are real. But deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves.

We will forever be what few can claim...college athletes.

Internship at the Fiesta Bowl

Sophomore wide receiver, Mike McLeran, is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and just a couple weeks ago had the privilege of working at both the Insight.com and Fiesta Bowl games as a media relations intern.

Here's Mike's experience, in his own words:

This winter break I helped out with Media Relations for the Insight.com Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl. I worked in both Media Registration and Media Hospitality. In Media Registration I checked the media into their hotels. I would also give them their credentials so that they were allowed on the field and in the press box. I am still kicking myself for not working the day that Erin Andrews came in but I did get to meet her body guard, I guess that counts for something. I also gave the media the gifts that the Insight.com and Fiesta Bowl provided for them. They gave nice backpacks to the Insight.com media people and the Fiesta’s media received fancy Fossil watches engraved with the Fiesta Bowl logo. I also helped set up the stages for the press conferences that were held for the Boise State and TCU coaches and players.

Mike standing next to the Fiesta Bowl trophy

Watching a press conference first hand is a truly amazing experience. It was really cool to see how a press conference is run and handled in person because you only get to see a blurb on TV when really the players and coaches talk for 15 to 30 minutes about all kinds of things. Also when security was distracted by the press conference I got my picture taken next to the Fiesta Bowl trophy, which is valued at 1.5 million dollars and would take about three beastly men to carry.

For the Media Hospitality part the Insight.com and Fiesta Bowl rented a suite at the hotel which was bigger than my house. Here the media would come to hang out and relax. I helped set this suite up and in order to get it ready for the media we unloaded trucks of Frito O'Lay chips, Tostitos dip, booze, and other beverages that filled two bedrooms to the ceiling. From all the free chips I probably gained about 30 pounds. Besides all the free food and drinks the suite also had tons of TVs, arcade games, two fire places, a heated pool, and poker tables. My job in the hospitality suite was to entertain and talk to the media and make sure they had everything they needed, such as food and drinks, but it was mostly just me hanging out talking sports with them. I met tons of great people and it was truly one of the best experiences I have ever had. They treated me outstanding and gave me free tickets to pretty much any event that I wanted to go to. I am looking forward to doing it again next year and the possibility of getting a game day assignment where I would be down on the field or in the press box.

This experience gave me an inside look at what has to be done to put on an event of this size and I can confidently say the Insight.com and Fiesta Bowl staff does a phenomenal job. Happy New Year and God Bless.

New Athletics Website!

Today, Grinnell College unveiled it's new website which included a new athletics site as well! Both are still technically "Under Construction" so there's plenty of work still to be done on each, but it's refreshing and exciting to say the least!

Check them out:

New College homepage

New Athletics site

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

We are very excited about 2010 and the opportunities that await the Pioneer football team in the upcoming year!

We want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! And go Pioneers!