Black&Gold Machine

Official Twitter page of the Black and Gold Machine. #DefendTheGlory

[Tim O'Brien @Tim_OBrien10]

BREAKING: ESPN debuts an unheard of 5-man booth for Tuesday's St Laurence/St Rita matchup. Industry insiders think it's risky but the potential is through the roof.

[St. Laurence HS @StLaurenceVikes]

We’ve transformed our campus over the past five years, but the best is yet to come. Today, we’re thrilled to share the proposed renderings for a new 39,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art multipurpose fieldhouse at St. Laurence.

[Black&Gold Machine @BGMachineSTL]

Smart!

[Trost @TrustTrost]

Tonight in Hoffman Estates beginning at 6 pm, the real-feel temp will be 34 degrees, rain and wind gusts of 25 MPH.

As I noted on Friday night, people remember events based on three things: Schedule being on time, weather and bathroom cleanliness.

The IHSA cannot control the weather. People will literally say that, then turnaround and complain about it. So to be fair, that’s truly a no-win situation for anyone. Barring a major injury, you should be able to proactively manage the schedule and the bathrooms speak for themselves.

Sometimes it’s a good thing to create a tighter schedule to cause overflow to manufacture an atmosphere and a “packed” feeling and visual for kids, teams and social media.

That said, we can’t continue to have games ending at 10:40 pm, and then have one of those schools back shortly thereafter when we don’t have to do that to kids, families, schools and communities.

For those who were following along on Friday, I suggested a Championship Saturday format in the future with game times of 10:30 am, 1 pm and 3:45.

You want to keep games during the daytime as much as possible in the spring and fall to use the daylight and warmth of the turf to help in situations like the IHSA is going to run into tonight.

Reminder: Real-feel temp of 34 degrees, rain and wind gusts of 25 MPH.

If your last start time was 3:45 pm, the site is essentially cleared by 6 pm tonight.

This suggested time structure not only helps from a travel standpoint to not force additional costs like hoteling on families, but it also gives the IHSA wiggle room if it has a weather issue in the morning, afternoon or evening to quickly pivot to help the health and safety of kids, coaches, fans, volunteers and officials.

When you have indoor events, your biggest weather concern is travel conditions for busing.

When it’s outdoors, you have to worry about so much more and the liability is on the IHSA.

Are we jamming games in for revenue or are we trying to help create a unique experience and lifelong memories with the so-called crown jewel of the IHSA tournament?

****
Suggested schedule moving forward:
Saturday Oct 18 regional quarters (school site)
Monday Oct 20 regional semis (school site)
Saturday Oct 25 regional finals (school site)
Monday Oct 27 sectional semis (school site)
Saturday Nov 1 sectional finals (school site)
Monday Nov 3 Elite 8 (school site)
Wednesday Nov 5 Final 4 (school site)
Saturday Nov 8 Championship Saturday (single site) 1030, 1, 3:45

Friday’s post: https://t.co/dYivpOVwx8

[Black&Gold Machine @BGMachineSTL]

Congrats!

[Naperville North Athletics @NNHS_Athletics_]

Going to the 2nd overtime still tied 2-2.

[Black&Gold Machine @BGMachineSTL]

Appreciate the correction. 🤝

[Naperville North Athletics @NNHS_Athletics_]

With 16’ left, St. Laurence takes the lead, 2-1.

LET’S GO HUSKIES!

[Black&Gold Machine @BGMachineSTL]

St. Laurence, thanks!

[Naperville North Athletics @NNHS_Athletics_]

With 23’ left in the game, St. Lawrence scores. 1-1 in the @IHSA_IL State Championship.

LET’S GO HUSKIES!

Driven to COMPETE

[Patrick Swanson @CoachSwansonFB]

HOW ABOUT THE VIKINGS!

[Viking Athletics @STL_Athletics]

The Vikings are going to the state championship! Congrats, @stlvikingsoccer! 1 more to go!

[Tim O'Brien @Tim_OBrien10]

St Laurence 35 Bradley 21 FINAL
The Cory Les Game. Louisville baseball recruit runs for 177 yards/3 TD and throws for a TD for StL (7-4). Matthew Williams 50-yard pick 6, Sean Rice INT, Ethan Glover fumble recovery for Vikings in impressive second round win in Class 6A.

[Steve Millar @Millar_S]

FINAL: St. Laurence 3 Glenbrook North 0. Kris Caravantes 2 goals, Maxx Figueroa goal, Vin Diesi shutout for @stlvikingsoccer, which advances to program's first state championship game. @STL_Athletics

[Trost @TrustTrost]

St. Laurence.

Seriously, let’s have an honest conversation about St. Laurence in Burbank.

Is there another high school that has revived its overall school and athletic brand more than St. Laurence since 2000?

The brand was on life support. You know it was, I know it was and alums knew it was.

What kid was begging to go to St. Laurence 10-20 years ago to play sports? Be honest.

Today: Wow.

Baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, track and so on.

Since 2018, the strategic approach and branding have led to significant growth, facility upgrades and countless achievements - on and off the courts and fields.

And it’s not just sports.

There is a school pride in and around this brand that you see in the community and at events - from kids, parents and employees.

Alums are proud again to say they went to St. Laurence.

This is a great case study to look at. #IHSA

[St. Laurence Baseball @stlbaseball1]

We’re headed to STATE! Joliet here we come!
#VikingWarriors

[Minnesota Baseball @GopherBaseball]

Jameson Martin with the three run shot to the upper deck!

[Tim O'Brien @Tim_OBrien10]

St Laurence senior guard Zerrick Johnson celebrates the Vikings' rivalry win in OT over Brother Rice as the Black and Gold student section storms the court. Full story and more photos in next week's @BevRevNews!

https://t.co/muVv3jBSI1

[Tim Grunhard @grunny61]

Very excited to end my football career where it all started …I believe with all my heart that it’s our responsibility to give back to the places that made us … St.Laurence is the reason for all that I’ve achieved and we are going to give kids an opportunity to be great and live out their dreams …. On Vikings!

[Tim Grunhard @grunny61]

My new job at @STLVikingFB will be part time … Wednesday thru Saturday 2/3 games a month so my apperences on @SportsRadio810 and at @Chiefs games will not change …. When I’m not at STL I will be active on zoom and HUDL … perfect situation for me and Sarah!

[St. Laurence HS @StLaurenceVikes]

We’re excited to share that four Vikings have earned the prestigious Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship - a full-tuition and housing college scholarship awarded to golf caddies who demonstrate strong academic performance, outstanding character, and financial need.

#TheGoldStandard

[WGAESF @WGAESF]

That #CaddieToCollege Feeling.

[St. Laurence Football @STLVikingFB]

Wake up.

It’s GAME DAY!

#DTG #WFW #DYJ

[St. Laurence Girls Volleyball @StlVb]

Back to work tomorrow💪