By Charles Burton, The CSN Way Columnist

How possible BCS conference realignment might affect the top tier of NCAA championship football

The offseason for Division I college football fans is a usually long, arduous wait between spring practice and summer practice. This year, because of the actions of a few commissioners belonging to rich conferences, the offseason for fans of FCS schools has been anything but boring.

Take the example of Montana, one of the crown jewels of FCS football and perfect example of what sensible, championship-caliber football is all about.
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The 1st round came and went with nary a one of the former NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision stars being chosen. But the selections continued and UMass All-American offensive lineman Vladimir Ducasse was selected by the New York Jets with the 61st overall selection of the 2010 NFL Draft. 19 players from the FCS were chose including "Mr. Irrelevant" Tim Toone of Weber State. ...

In high school, Peter Mullee shared the goal of competing for a big-time college program with his peers. Along with just a small percentage of them, Peter was able to achieve this objective, as he earned a partial scholarship to swim for the University of Minnesota. He was part of a Big Ten championship team his freshman season and helped the Gophers finish third the following year. ...

By Chuck Burton, The CSN Way Columnist

Whether fans have been following Jay Wright and Scotty Reynolds this year, or have been die-hard fans since the days of Rollie Massimino, Howard Porter, “Easy Ed” Pinckney and the “Four Corners” offense, chances are folks have heard of the Wildcats’ basketball program.

In the FCS football world, however, fans are wondering whether Villanova can do something no other school has done: win a national championship in men’s basketball and football in the same year.
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The final 2009-2010 ratings came out for measuring the FCS rankings and the result was predictable. CSN's Gridiron Power Index finished in the top spot. The GPI has never been supplanted from the top position. The three FCS polls ended up in the 30's (The Any Given Saturday and Sports Network Polls in a virtual tie at #35 and #36, and the Coaches Poll further back at #38).
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What do you do when you have achieved something you had thought was a major goal only to find out it was not what you wanted? David Martinson had wanted to play hockey for the Air Force Academy. When he finally got there, he realized it was not right for him. He ended up transferring to Gustavus Adolphus College where he has earned a place among the all-time greatest players ever to wear a Gusties sweater.
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Talent is an essential part of an athlete’s success, but it’s far from the only component. Without a drive to succeed and a commitment to the sport, an athlete will never rise to the top of his sport, no matter how gifted he might be. Joe Scott is, without question, a most talented basketball player. What has enabled him to elevate his game is an intense passion for becoming the best he possibly can be and the willingness to work long and hard to make that a reality. That combination of talent and determination has helped the University of St. Thomas standout become one of the top players not just in the MIAC, but also in the nation.
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The matchups for the upcoming Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs are set. Regular season champion St. Thomas is the top seed and will be at home throughout the tourney. Gustavus and Augsburg tied for second place, but the Gusties earned the second seed – and a first-round bye- by virtue of the tiebreakers. The Auggies are the third seed and will host sixth seed Saint John’s in one of Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchups. The other opening round tilt sends fifth seed Hamline to fourth seed Carleton. ...

In April 2004, the students at the Southland Conference school threw their support behind a referendum backing the creation of a Division I football program, in addition to women's soccer and women's golf programs.
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With one week to play, the field is set for the upcoming Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs, but other than St. Thomas as the top seed, the order of the field is still very much in doubt. Augsburg, Carleton, Gustavus, Hamline and Saint John’s have secured the final five spots but the exact order of finish may not be determined until the final horn sounds on Saturday. ...