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McLeod West football team makes ESPN the Magazine

Submitted by Eric Kraushar on October 1, 2008 - 1:03pm.
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Read the story from Rick Reilly here (he scooped my story I'm sure):
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3619502

I thought this was a well written piece from a national media guy that going in had no clue what is going on there.

Here is my favorite portion:
The problem is simple. McLeod West was formed in 1992 by the consolidation of the high schools from two towns—Stewart and Brownton—which happen to despise each other. It was like putting the Hatfields and McCoys in a phone booth. Stewart parents didn't want their kids in with Brownton kids and vice versa.

"The kids get along great, but the parents just can't seem to co-exist," says McLeod West principal Mike McNulty. "They love to spread rumors about each other. They love to stab each other when they're not looking."

This year, it reached panic mode. McLeod had 426 students at the start of last year, around 242 at the start of this. It'll be $2 million in debt by the end of the school year. A new tax that's on the November ballot could get it enough money to keep going, but the last four times it's been put to vote, it's failed.

But wouldn't it be something if The Little Football Team That Could turned it all around? What if these outnumbered kids and their XXL-sized hearts gave everybody such joy that the parents suddenly woke up, buried the hatchet and passed the bond? I mean, there's a chance, right?

"Slim to none," says McNulty. "The bond will fail. This is it for these boys."

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Buzzkill.

This is me again. This is exactly what this team is facing. This is their last year. In a few weeks, they could be playing the final game for their high school. Until then, they're enjoying every minute of it. I like that story.

I'll be down there Friday night for the big game with Cathedral.

What do others think about the article?


I think Mr. Reilly put it...

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I think Mr. Reilly put it perfectly! There are so many angles to this story; it could & should be a movie!
What I didn't like is that he commented how these towns hate each other-I don't feel that is totally accurate. Not everyone from each town hates the other. These communities need to pull together to try and make something work; the state won't help us until we help ourselves. At least having this team plugging away day after day & week after week gives us all something to be proud of! No matter what team the Falcons play the one thing in common is that each is plugging for McLeod West, unless of course we are playing them. This district easily has more support out of it than it does in it. Go Figure.
GO FALCONS! We're behind you all the way!


Submitted by OPEN-MINDED on October 1, 2008 - 3:17pm.

One error I see is: "A new...

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One error I see is: "A new tax that's on the November ballot could get it enough money to keep going, but the last four times it's been put to vote, it's failed." The Levy last year was the first one that failed. We had them pass in 2001 and 2002. The other failed votes have been for new buildings and building upgrades. Granted that's still not a good record. Its nice to see that the football team got national recognition. I see the Star Tribune mentioned Tyler Evans not too long ago as well. If this is going to be the last year they play they should go out on top.


Submitted by tobybryan on October 1, 2008 - 4:43pm.

So, it turns out ESPN the...

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So, it turns out ESPN the Magazine isn't the only national exposure the McLeod West 19 is getting.

CBS National News of New York will be in Brownton today to talk to kids and school officials. The crew will stay for the big tilt with No. 4 ranked New Ulm Cathedral tomorrow night in Stewart.

Pretty cool. And it all started with my article after week two.

Like I said before, I'll be covering this game tomorrow night. I believe Lyle will be in Grove City for Class AA No. 5 BOLD vs No. 10 ACGC, who are both undefeated. We'll have extended coverage in our region section on both games.


Submitted by Eric Kraushar on October 2, 2008 - 11:35am.

This is AWESOME! I hope...

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This is AWESOME! I hope that the voters in Mcleod West school district realize how important these kids are to our community. There is alot of support right now for the football and volleyball teams and I hope to see the levy referendum pass in November so that McLeod West will be around for many more years. This is a great school. Thanks teachers, staff, school board, and administrators for all that you do for these kids! Keep up the good work,
GO FALCONS!


Submitted by falconalumni on October 2, 2008 - 12:10pm.

I also think this is...

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I also think this is GREAT!!!! Our kids need this support!! The football team having only 19 guys going up against teams with up to 60 guys on a team is amazing!!!! I think this shows how dedicated these kids are to proving themselves not only on the field but off the field also!!
If its sports that will bring our towns back together than so be it!!

I do also agree with OPEN-MINDED about the 2 towns hating each other!! Our kids get along GREAT and there are friendships old and new from both communities! So its not everyone one hating each other from the communities!

Eric, I would like to thank you for all the years that you have covered our sports teams at McLeod West!! You have done an excellent job!!!

GO FALCONS!!!!


Submitted by For the Kids on October 2, 2008 - 12:29pm.

Go FALCONS! We are sooo...

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Go FALCONS! We are sooo proud of you all!


Submitted by MWmom on October 2, 2008 - 3:58pm.

Could someone explain to me...

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Could someone explain to me the origin of the bad feelings between the two communities? What's got everyone so upset?


Submitted by Josh on October 2, 2008 - 7:16pm.

My first stop would be to...

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My first stop would be to type in McLeod West in our search engine on this site and read some of the all old threads and comments. You should have enough there to get you started.

I'll try to let everyone know when this segement is going to air. My guess would be sometime next week.


Submitted by Eric Kraushar on October 2, 2008 - 7:57pm.

I am proud of these fine...

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I am proud of these fine students for coming together as a team in football and volleyball. However, this referendum that is to be voted on isn't about sports. It's about the education and the condition of the buildings in which those children need to attend every school day. There are many other school districts that have very talented children in them as well. We need to stay focused on the education and not about being a small town so that the kids can play sports. There is a reason this district is in this situation. It's great to hear comments about these students being amazing, and great. Good for them as athletes. Now, let's take a look at what they are getting for an education.


Submitted by snell on October 2, 2008 - 9:02pm.

From an education...

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From an education standpoint, McLeod West has one of the highest GPA requirements for athletes in the area. I was in the first class to graduate 7-12 from this school and got a great education. Students also have to be responsible and take part in their education, you can't force someone to learn, especially if their parents aren't supporting them. It does take money to educate. The price of everything has gone up; we all know that, this includes education costs. With the state not providing the money to the schools it has to come from taxpayers. Unfortunately in this case the majority has not stepped up to pay for the educational needs of this community. If athletics can help turn things around then I am all for it!
Good Luck Falcons!


Submitted by falconalumni on October 3, 2008 - 11:24am.

I couldn't have said it any...

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I couldn't have said it any better myself falconalumni. SPOT ON BUDDY!!! Whatever happens...we are proud of all the falcon teams!!!


Submitted by Big_Daddy on October 3, 2008 - 12:51pm.

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