The Tommies are preparing for the upcoming season after missing the cut for the NCAA DIII playoffs last season.
The 2019-20 DIII NCAA football season will mark the 100th year of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football; however, it is nearing the end of St. Thomas’ time within the conference. Following the completion of the 2019-20 season, St. Thomas will only have one more year of competition in the MIAC.
Reflecting on MIAC removal
The Tommies were involuntarily removed from the conference in late May after the MIAC school presidents gathered together to vote on the subject. St. Thomas was one of eight founding members in 1920. Head football coach Glenn Caruso addressed media for the first time on Tuesday since finding out about the university’s removal.
“My initial thoughts are not much different now than they were then. Sad, disappointed… I don’t think I’m the only one that feels that way, ” Caruso said. “Fortunate in some ways because I know that our administration, President Sullivan and Dr. Esten, fought very hard and very genuinely to try and keep it together. Although I am sad, I certainly can’t dwell on it.”
An uncertain future lies ahead within St. Thomas athletics as a whole. St. Thomas has three main options once its time in the MIAC is up: move to Division II, join the WIAC conference or play as an independent school.
Moving forward
Upset with the decision on being removed, the No. 7 ranked Tommie football team is still going to take to the field with as much ambition as they have ever had, Caruso said. His enthusiasm for thehis team is highlighted by a near-record senior class of 31 athletes..
“This is the most excited I’ve ever been heading into a season,” Caruso said.
St. Thomas ended the 2018-19 season falling short of the NCAA playoffs — a goal that is set every season.
“I think collectively, we just didn’t step up when we needed to, myself included — offense, defense, special teams… everyone. We didn’t necessarily make the big jumps we needed to,” senior offensive lineman Elijah Rice said. “This summer it’s been a big dedication to make those big steps with everyone included.”
The senior class hopes to leave a mark on the university as St. Thomas’ tenure in the MIAC comes to an end in spring 2021.
“Being together as a team, being cohesive, understanding what the guy playing next to you what their tendencies are and how they’re gonna play, it’s just that cohesiveness that no matter how talented our team is or isn’t,” Rice said. “That’ll really take us to the next level and hopefully the playoffs.”
Tommie football head coach Glenn Caruso watches his team from the sidelines. (Jacob Schneider/TommieMedia)
The football program has been led by Caruso for 11 straight seasons, racking up a 78-10 record while providing a trip to the NCAA tournament eight out of those 11 seasons.
“I’ve been coaching for 24 years. That experience allows us an opportunity to step back and gain perspective, so now, I’m learning to be a little more present in the moment,” Caruso said. “This is probably the most in the moment that I’ve personally ever been going into a season. Doesn’t mean it’s going to be the best, doesn’t mean it’s going to be the worst — all it does is say I’m ready for the journey and I’m ready for that.”
The Tommies are scheduled to kickoff their 2019-20 season on September 7 at O’Shaughnessy Stadium against Trinity International University.
Jacob Schneider can be reached at schn6923@stthomas.edu.
From his comments above, as well as reports in the local press, it is clear that Caruso sees no connection between his policies and the expulsion of UST from the MIAC.
No other UST sport or coach was ever criticized by other MIAC schools. Only Caruso and football.
Did the UST administration ever admonish him?
Time for Caruso to take some responsibility for the sad outcome of this matter.