SJU Wrestling Community,
I would like to thank all of you who helped this year’s Go Johnnies challenge hit a new height in donations! 70 donors donated for a grand total of $21,000. Again, thank you!
Now trying to figure out what is or isn’t going to happen in sports this year is a tough one. Covid-19 is going down, then it’s going up. We are having a season last month, to now, it is looking less likely, as some conferences are dropping out of the winter sports competition. I will do what’s right for the wrestlers and Saint John’s. I will control what I have the ability to control. We are practicing with the intent to get better every day. Team is looking tough with the freshmen and the returning guys. There are a few familiar faces on the team this year that you may not have seen on the roster last year. I had a few set backs with injuries before the season started, that took a few guys out for the year. They are back and ready to go. 24 strong and NO seniors on the team. We will be a good size team next year with the talent rising every year. All of the wrestlers will have another year of eligibility added to their time if they choose to use it down the road. I hope that they all find a way to compete 4 years over the course of 5. But this is D3, and most guys want to keep their schedule of graduating in 4 years. Tough decisions for all who are involved. For the current wresting roster, in this semester, our competition will be internal matches. We Will even host a Johnnie -VS- Johnnie tournament before Thanksgiving. I am checking to see if we can stream an event or two this fall. That would give everyone a chance to see the current team on the abilities of the current Johnnies.
Another thing that I control is recruiting. This year’s recruiting class goals will be to bring in 15 talented Johnnies. I have been busy with recruits on campus this fall. 40 + senior visits to date with more on the books. In Real Estate it’s LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION. In coaching it’s RECRUITING, RECRUITING, RECRUITING! I was born with the gift of gab, so I enjoy the recruiting process. I also believe I have a great product to sell, which helps. I would like to find a way for the Johnnie faithful to help in the recruiting efforts. It might be a great selling point to have someone in the field call a prospective wrestler and talk to them about the job and why SJU was a great fit for wrestling and the degree area. Alumni in other states who still get out to watch high school wrestling, might be able to gather a number and pass it on. There are so many options to look at on this topic. Might be something to look at in the near future.
Another area I would like to have control over would be a full time on campus assistant. I have been chatting with our admissions department about the possibility of having an admissions rep/ wrestling coach. This would be a great start. This is how Brandon Novak started his career at SJU. I am hoping that there is an opening there next year so it has a chance to happen. As of today Noah Becker, Last years All-American at 133 would be interested in doing this for a few years. He would be a great asset to the team.
Chad Henle and Scott Fernholz are going to make it in to help out as much as they can. They both have lots of travels in their work. When they make it to practice it is much appreciated.
The process of getting the wrestling endowment is moving along. I would like to thank Bob Labat, Brian Baker, Chris Gross, Mark Dorn, Tom Stock for their work to get us to the point we are at. It has been a long journey so far, but the light is on at the end of the hallway. Few more steps and we will be there. That’s when the hard work starts. Raising the money for the endowment!
I will keep you in the loop on the season, recruiting and the endowment over the next few blogs. This will be the first year in many that I will get to deer hunt on both weekends. There is always something positive in a whole mess of negative.
Hope all is well. Stay positive, and keep moving forward.
Kevin Schiltz
Head Wrestling Coach/Equipment Manager
Saint John’s University
2585 Abbey Road
Collegeville, MN 56321
O: (320) 363-2516
C: (320) 249-7219
Email: kschiltz@csbsju.edu
Web Site: gojohnnies.com