Staff Blog

Sunday, November 25, 2007

New Age Artist "Von Baron" brings in refreshing music

Hello,everyone

I am glad to introduce this new age artist Von Baron from H.I.
The new album "Pangaea" brings in a refreshing style of New Age format with some Jazz in it!
Von Baron's music has been described as " New Age Music on Steroids" and "New Age Music with a Smooth Jazz sound". He said that the influence from around the world inspires him to create a format of music, and he called it "World Age Music"

Want to listen to his music? Check out our World DJ's show, and you will get to know more about this artist.

William L.

Posted by Big Willy Star at 5:53 PM | 0 comments

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Top 10 on World Music Nov.11-18

Hey,Folks
Here are the Top 10 playlist for this past weekend!
Happy listening& Thanksgiving~
1 FEDERICO AUBELE Panamerica ESL
2 CAFE TACUBA Sino Universal Latino
3 JUAN CARLOS QUINTERO Joy To The World Tenure
4 SHANTEL Disko Partizani Crammed
5 BREATHE Mercan Dede
6 VARIOUS ARTISTS Putumayo Presents: New Orleans Brass Putumayo
7 MUTANTES Divina Comedia Ou OMPLATTEN
8 ZAP MAMA Supermoon Heads Up
9 CUBAN COWBOYS Cuban Candles Muy Nice Music
10 PIMPS OF JOYTIME High Steppin' Wonderwheel

Your World DJ Crews

Posted by Big Willy Star at 5:55 PM | 0 comments

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

End of the Hefty Era

It came as a surprise to some, but not a shock to others when the news came Monday afternoon that Paul Hefty was stepping down from the head coaching position at Luther. The former Norse player, conference MVP, offensive coordinator and now former coach, has been involed in Luther football for 17 years. Luther football has been a big part of his life. Now, as Hefto told me yesterday, he needs to decide what he wants to do when he grows up.

I'll be the first to admit I have a tough time staying objective about coach Hefty, knowing him since I was seven years old. When he went to Luther, he worked for my family's construction company (work likely being a relative term). When he began subsitute teaching in the Decorah district he would not know anyone in the class, but would always call me Svenson, guilt by association. That did a lot for a shy, insecure kid like myself. He'd always have time for me when he was an assistant at Luther and the media-coach relationship in his six years was everything I could ask for.

As for what he did at Luther, 29-31 total record. The 29 wins in a six year period was the best strecth of Luther football since the 1970s. Four of the six years were five hundred or above. Three straight winning season from 2003-2005, the first time that has happend since 1982-1984. 15 school records on offense. It was an entertaining, exciting brand of football and they were hardly ever any boring games. That was a big difference than the years before coach Hefty. Pretty good on-the-field accomplishments.

While the stated on the field accomplishments, I think coach Hefty's lasting impression on the program is in the bigger picture. People around the program refer to it as a family. That has grown under coach Hefty at Luther. It became an all-welcoming program that the campus community and the Decorah community became awfully fond of. And that sense of community that Hefto established led to some of the bigger crowds in Norse history. Luther was seventh in the nation and led the conference in attendence in 2006. When you were a part of Norse football, you were a part of a tight knit group. People working together towards a common goal.

The atmosphere around Norse football is an exciting one. Everyone gameday is an event and not just a game. There's more tailgating, more people, more support. All of these things were not present before the last six years. Entertaining football, a fun atmosphere, an all-welcoming program. It's been fun the last six years. That will be coach Hefty's lasting impact on the program. Whatever you do in life, enjoy it. Don't know exactly what's in coach Hefty's future, but you'll know he'll enjoy it. And I personally wish him the best.

One more point. 27 seniors stuck with football for four years following the conclusion of this season. Another, historically more successful program in the conference, had ten percent of the class they brought in four years ago stick with football. If that doesn't say what has gone on is right, I don't know what does.

Now, to the future. I just spoke of what has happend over the last six years. It's good. Things are rolling well. They can always get better. Whoever the next coach will be, it's my hope that the atmosphere will continue. I'm naieve enough to think you can win in football at Luther. Granted, playing in the Iowa conference is never going to be easy, but it's possibly. It's happend in a lot of sports at Luther. It can happen as well in football. Why hasn't it happend yet? It's my believe that the other programs in the conference have increased their play to stay a knotch ahead of the surging programs in the league. So, long story longer, it's more of what the other conference schools are doing, and not what Luther's not doing.

Athletic director Joe Thompson now has the job of hiring another football coach. Thompson has gone through the process many times in his 12 years as athletic director. And give him credit, he's hired some fine coaches. Paul Hefty in football, Brian Gillogly in baseball, Renee Hartl in softball, Steve and Yarrow Pasche in cross country, Brian Huinker in tennis, Jane Gibbs in volleyball and Mark Franzen in men's basketball. That's a darn good track record if you ask me. So all in all, as sad as I am to see Paul go, I'm confident the powers that be at Luther will make the right call in getting in a guy that will take the program to the next level.

Posted by Darin Svenson at 6:15 AM | 0 comments

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Season Review

The focus will be a little on the past and a lot on the future with today's blog. It was another entertaining football game that didn't go Luther's way Saturday as Dubuque defeated the Norse 34-31 at Chalmers Field in Dubuque.

5-5 is the final record. If people knew that would be the record at the beginning of the season, it might have been a touch disappointing. After an 0-3 start to the start, a 5-5 record is very pleasing. This team got better week by week and defeated some good teams along the way. They also defended the home field well with 4-1 record. Again, positives through out the campaign, but close losses continue to plague. The total margin of defeat on the season was 42 points. Four of the losses were by eight points or less. Unlike last year, the Norse got some of the close games to go their way. Looking at the Iowa conference, where there is going to be close games every week, the team that can win the close games will finish at the top of the league. Let's break that down even further.

Central went 8-0 in league play. Only twice did the Dutch beat a team by more than ten points. Central won by 8,3,7,7,3 and 3 points. The intangible of knowing how to win the close games has won two consecutive league titles for the Dutch.

Wartburg went 7-1 in league play. The Knights were 7-0 when the margin was 17 points or more. They were 1-2 with the margin of six points or less. Saturday, when Central and Wartburg met for the league title it was a close. Central 6-0 in games where the margin was eight points or less. Wartburg 1-2. Central wins. The stats back it up.

Coe went 5-3 in league play. Coe was 1-2 in games that were decided by seven points or less. They were 4-1 in game decided by ten points or more.

Dubuque went 5-3 in league play. Dubuque was 3-2 in games decided by 14 points or more. They were 2-1 in games decided by seven points or less. It came down to Saturday, when Dubuque defeated Luther for third place. It was a close game. Dubuque won and earned third place in the league.

Luther went 4-4 in league play. Luther played more close games than anyone in the league, with the largest margin of victory being 17 points on either side. The Norse were 3-4 in games decided by ten points or less.

So needless to say, the margin between the top of the league and Luther is not that far away. The key to the program going to the next level is close games. It was in 2006. It was this year. It will be in the future. Right now the difference between Central and the rest of the league is the ability of the Dutch to win close games.

I know I touched on this last week, but credit the program for keeping 27 seniors around. Jerry touched it on during the broadcast, the majority of the players that came here four years ago stayed around. Another school in the conference brought 60 players in four years ago, and ended up with six. The seniors that played their last game in blue and white Saturday aren't quitters and stick with things, maybe when things aren't going as they want. That's a life lesson we all can learn through sports. The young men who played their last game on Saturday will be all right, no matter where their future endeavors take them. These guys are winners. Plain and simple.

The senior class leaves some holes to fill next year. As of now, only three starters will return on offense and only four on defense. There were some players who received a lot of time this season that will play key roles next year as well but there will be spots to fill.

Initially you would have to say the defensive line, which was a strength this season, will be a strength again next year. Cody Webb, Cody Edwards, Bobby Kuennen, Erik Clark and Chris Wuebker all showed some very good things this year. Also, Brandon Rickertsen, who was lost to a torn ACL half way through the season will be back as well. There seems to be size, strength, ability and depth at the defensive line.

Offensive, there are a lot of holes to fill. One of the best backs in school history, Tyler Sherden, a solid fullback in Andy Lauer, multi-year starters on the offensive line, including all-American Jon Stavast, Tex Allen and Phil Sadler, a big play receiver in Tony Brantner and a senior quarterback in Justy Feldt. That said, three decent offensive linemen return in John Stoltenberg, Ben Schott and Kyle Grundmeyer, running backs Adam Lamos and Tyler Bass and a potential big play receiver in Jesse Kent. So a core returns, but other guys will have the opportunity to step up.

I realize it's a long time between now and next August and many things can happen between now and then. Last year, the program determined 2-8 was unacceptable and improved to 5-5. Of course the players coming back and the program will want to make it better next year. But actions speak louder than words. The action was there this season. It needs to continue.

Posted by Darin Svenson at 10:40 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Dubuque Preview

The Norse will look to close out 2007 on a positive note in a trip to Dubuque. The winner of this game will likely finish in a tie for third place in the conference behind Wartburg and Central. With the Norse picked sixth in the league, that would be a solid accomplishment.

This is a big game for many reasons on the surface. A win would make it three 6-4 seasons in the last four, something that hasn't happened in a while with Luther football. A win would send 27 seniors and coach Naslund out with a victory and positive feelings. It would also unofficially start the 2008 season in a good way with winning six of seven to end the season. Coach Hefty said that would make getting to the weight room and working out that much easier in the off season. After an 0-3 start, I don't think there's many people that would have thought Luther would give themselves an opportunity like they have. Credit everyone associated with the program with that.

Lost in all of the emotion of last week's double overtime win was the fact that the Norse should have put away the Storm earlier in the ballgame. Despite many solid plays on offense, defense and special teams, all aspects helped in getting Simpson back into the game. Granted, credit must be given to the Storm for getting the job done, more consistency is needed on offense, defense and special teams this week. The good thing last week, all three aspects stepped up when necessary. Especially if the Norse get the lead this week, it would be nice to see them step on their throats and not them breath. Getting a lead and keeping one will not be an easy task against a talented Spartan squad.

It will be interesting to see how Dubuque comes out this week. Last Saturday they made the long trip out to Buena Vista and lost to the Beavers 35-14. Will Dubuque come out like the team they were the first eight weeks of the season or will their confidence be shaken? From a Luther perspective, you have to assume the former will be the case.

The Spartans come in the top offense in scoring, rushing and total offense. They're averaging 440 yards and 35 points a game. A large reason for that is senior quarterback Jermar Jackson, one of the better athletes in the league. Jackson provides a nice pass-run threat being the fifth leader passer and the second leading rusher in the league, with only the Norse's Tyler Sherden with more rushing yards. Having a quarterback that can do both causes the defense to respect all aspects of the Spartan offense, creating many opportunities if the rest of the offense executes well. Based on the statistics, they've done that for the majority of the season. To go along with that, Dubuque is also the top team in the league in the red zone.

Defensively, largely due to team speed, the rankings also impressive for the Spartans. They're second in total defense and third against the run. Dubuque also gives up only twenty points per game. So needless to say the Norse offense will have some challenges as well.

But breaking down the game further, I see some keys for Saturday's game.

1. More consistency from all aspects of the game. We've seen a lot of good things from the Luther offense, defense and special teams all season. That said, the Norse have yet to play a full, solid 60 minute game. No time like Saturday for it to start.

2. Defensively, defend the screen and the slant better. Those were two plays that killed the Norse last Saturday. That means playing smart, disciplined but aggressive football. With as much as Dubuque brings to the table offensively, you need to do two things a lot better that killed you Saturday.

3. Also on defense, first down will be key. The Norse need to put Dubuque in third down and long situations. As good as they are offensively, they're only 31 percent on third down which is eighth in the league. That's a stat that the Norse have struggled a lot two weeks ago and a little against Simpson. Sounds simple, but third and longs, at least statistically, will lead to success.

4. Discipline. Discipline. Discipline. The penalties situation improved last week, but key penalties at key times cost Luther in the second. Dubuque comes in as the most penalized team in the conference. So sit back, play hard and let Dubuque make the mistakes related to discipline.

It's been another fun season. A win Saturday will make it more fun and end a remarkable stretch of the final seven games of the season. Also a note, KWLC radio will have a Norse sports doubleheader Saturday. Luther and Dubuque on the football field at noon (11:30 pregame). That night, Mike and I will broadcast the Luther vs. Upper Iowa exhibition women's basketball game at six (5:50 pregame)

Posted by Darin Svenson at 4:54 PM | 0 comments

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Wow

As I sit here and do my Sunday morning blogging, I wonder where to begin about Saturday's 47-41 double overtime win over Simpson. One things for sure, my voice will probably be a little raspy for the majority of the week as I perform my news and sports duties at KDEC radio (my real job). Hopefully I'll be ready for gameday next week.

First things first, what a great way to go out at Carlson Stadium for 27 seniors and for assistant coach Bob Naslund. 27 seniors is a pheoneominal total for a division three football program. It is the largest senior class in the Iowa conference, with only Buena Vista and Dubuque having more than 20 fourth-year players. That means, the coaching staff has done a very good job of making sure everyone feels like they're involved. That means everyone from Tyler Sherden down to the seniors playing junior varsity. Not only do you have to give the coaching staff credit for this, but the kids themselves. Many have been patient and waited for their opportunity to get quality time, for example quarterback Justy Feldt. When players decide to play college football, some will decide if they're not getting rewarded right away they won't stick around. You haven't seen that with the Luther program. That says a lot about the players as people and is a lesson they can take with them post-graduation.

Bob Naslund has now been involved in 433 football games at Luther. He told us after the game few have been more exciting than that. In typical Nas fashion, off the air he told me there was never a doubt and he just wanted the afternoon to last longer with all the nice things people were saying about him. In all seriousness, Bob Naslund is Luther football. I'll even take it to the next level. Bob Naslund is Luther College. I've been around sports in a professional manner for 13 years. There are few people I've ever met that are more dedicated to young people than Nas. And I not only say that about athletes, he cares about the whole individual. There are many that are good coaches in their respective sports. The great coaches make better players and better people. Bob Naslund is one of those. The fact that he's an enternal teenager makes his job a lot easier. To go along with coach Nas' dedication to Luther, you also have to credit his family. His wife Ann, son Mike and daughters Jenni and Laura, son-in-laws Ben and Perry and grandkids. The type of dedication Bob has given to Luther wouldn't be possible without a great family.

To the game. We've run out of superlatives to describe Tyler Sherden. 40 carries, 297 yards and five touchdowns. A new single game record. A new single season record with a game to play. To go along with that credit the offensive line, Big Tex Allen, Jon Stavast, John Stoltenberg, Kyle Grundmeyer, Sam Curtis, Ben Schott and Phil Sadler. They will likely get another meal from Sherden for another great performance. As one offensive linemen told me after the game, Tyler's gonna be awfully poor if these performances continue. More credit related to the running game. Andy Lauer will never get the stats but if there is a better blocking fullback in the Iowa Conference, I haven't seen him. Also, the blocking of the wide receivers has been excellent as well, something that has been emphasized from day one this year by receivers coach Tom Krambeer. Bottom line, Tyler Sherden's name will be in the record books and deservingly so. But it was an entire team effort to get the job done.

Also, the Norse did just enough else on offense to help with their success. Justy Feldt was 11-19 for 96 yards, but threw no picks. The numbers aren't headline makers, but provided enough to assist the offense with their success. Feldt also threw two touchdowns and got guys like Jesse Kent, Alex Torrissi and Tony Brantner involved. Sherden was the focus of the offense. But the Norse got enough other people involved so the Storm defense had to respect all aspects, leading to more success for the running game.

Defensively, if you look at the stats it was enough to give you a headache. 430 yards and 41 points is usually not good enough for a defense. But key plays at key times were made Saturday. Twice when the Storm was inside the red zone the defense held them to field goals. Without that there would have been no overtime. Also in the fourth quarter when the score was tied, Simpson had all the momentum before Darrick Olson recovered an Adam Reutzel fumble. At that time, it didn't lead to a score, but it was at a time in the game where it allowed the field position to change. It led to two possession later the Norse scoring and only having to go 50 yards to do it. Also in the second overtime, Simpson threw three incompletions before missing the field goal. Two plays that the Storm had success with, the slant and the screen, were knocked down by Justin Reitsma and Alex Mearrow. Also, on the making key plays at key times front, credit must be given to punter Andrew Burkle. He struggled through out parts of the afternoon, but in the fourth quarter when the Norse needed boomers he got the job done, not giving the Storm a short field to work with.

It was a full team victory to get win number five Saturday. Now it's the season finale at Dubuque, a team that showed some kinks in the armor Saturday with a 35-14 loss at Buena Vista. A win will give the Norse a tie for third in the league. A loss and it's most likely a fifth place finish. The Norse will try to win six of its last seven games to close out the season. Says a lot after an 0-3 start to give themselves an opportunity like this.

Posted by Darin Svenson at 10:41 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Simpson Preview

We need to be more consistent and more disciplined. That's what coach Paul Hefty told me yesterday as the Norse get ready for its home finale Saturday against Simpson at Carlson Stadium.

Last week against Coe, we saw some good things at times both offensively and defensively but not consistent enough. The penalty situation needs to change as well. 15 flags and nearly 150 yards in penalties the last couple of weeks. Unacceptable. The Norse had 28 penalties in the first four weeks and 15 the last two. Against Coe, it was not only the number of penalties, but they also came at real bad times. It's not that the squad can't play discliplined. That's key number one against the Storm this weekend.

I can't get a good feeling on the Simpson defense. Jay Nieman, the head coach at Simpson, usually thrives on the defensive side of the ball. Nieman came to Simpson six years ago having previously served as defensive coordinator at UNI. As coach Hefty put it, UNI doesn't lose too much. That said, the statistics on defense look like the Norse could make some money offensively. The Storm comes in averaging giving 24 points per game, (8th in the league) and 347 yards per game (5th in the league). Some of those rankings probably increased last week when Wartburg won 41-5. To go along with that, Simpson gives up 150 rushing yards per game. So statistically, I like the matchup. But stats don't win games. And the offense needs to play a lot better that it did last Saturday. Run game, fine. But the Norse can't be one dimensional and need to take care of the ball better.

I do like the matchup between the Luther defense and Simpson offense. Simpson is last in the conference in total offense, seventh in rushing and sixth in passing. By comparison, Luther's defense is fourth in the league overall and against the run and fifth defending the pass. What the defense needs to do is make some plays. They had many opportunities to do last week, but Coe quarterback Andy Tekippe was able to elude the defense many times. A lot of it was Tekippe, but as Jerry brought up on the broadcast, defenders need to run through the offensive player. Often last Saturday a Norse defender would get to the Coe player, but not get through them and bring them down. Of course that's easier said than done with an elusive QB. Look for improvement in that category Saturday. Third down defense needs to better as well. The Norse let the team that worst in the league on third downs get well over fifty percent last week. The defense needs to get off the field and let the offense do its thing.

The Norse showed some bright spots on special teams last week, blocking two field goals and Luther's punt coverage was solid. In fact the punt return team has cut the average opponent return in half since the beginning of the season. Simpson is a good team on the special teams front. Their punt coverage unit averages 9.9 a return, kicker and punter Bill Nelson is one of the best in the league and the kick coverage unit is the best in the league. On paper, special teams give the Storm a slight advantage.

So, long story longer, let's break down the keys to success Saturday.
1. Less penalties, play more disciplined.
2. Take better care of the ball. Three games of negative turnover ratio this year, all three losses. No coincidence at all.
3. More consistency on offense. That means getting more people involved and not being one dimensional. In all four victories, a variety of people have gotten involved on the offensive end. In the losses, the Norse have been one dimensional. Quarterback Justy Feldt needs to manage the game better and bottom line play better. That happens Saturday, chances of win increase expenenatly.
4. Breaking down and making plays on defense. Too often last Saturday, the Norse were in position to make plays to not get it done. Those plays need to be made Saturday.

27 seniors will play for the final time at Carlson Stadium. While many teams in the Iowa conference and in division three having 12-15 seniors, it says a lot about the program and the seniors themselves about sticking with football. And it takes a lot of kids who don't see a lot of varsity time to have a number like that. In a perfect, this group would go out at home with a victory Saturday.

Also congratulations to the Norse JV. With a win over Dubuque on Monday, they finished the season undefeated. So the future looks bright for Luther football.

Posted by Darin Svenson at 7:57 AM | 0 comments