The Best of Aaron Waldie

I found this Waldie video thanks to RJ Walters' blog post on Top 5 Hillsdale Sports videos
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Mark Nicolet in Quarterback Battle in Green Bay

Fox 11: WLUK-TV Green Bay

Blizzard quarterback
battle

Updated: Thursday, 07 May 2009, 6:20 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 07 May 2009, 6:20 PM CDT

* Paige Pearson

Ashwaubenon - Mark Nicolet's first brush as the Blizzard quarterback came in winning fashion.

"Like any new rookie quarterback, he was nervous as all get out," says Blizzard head coach Bob Landsee. "Once he settled down he did a good job."

Nicolet completed nearly half of his passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the Blizzard win against the Milwaukee Iron last week. He made the start in replace of Gino Guidugli who suffered a groin injury in a game the week before.

"It was frustrating on Friday to sit and watch the game, but fortunately we came out with the win," says Guidugli. "Mark did his thing, so if something else happens he'll be ready to go."

As for who will start this Friday versus the Iowa Barnstormers, coach Landsee is going to wait to make a decision.

"It's one of those game day deals," says Landsee. "If he's not 100 percent, we're not going to have him out three additional games."

Right now both Guidugli and Nicolet are both preparing to start and while they're competing for the job, they're also relying on one another.

"I was asking him questions during Friday night's game. 'Hey Gino, what are you seeing?' We help each other on the field," says Nicolet.

They'd like that collaboration to help the Blizzard win games, no matter who's under center.

Editor's Note: Guidugli did end up starting Friday night in a 46-41 loss to the Iowa Barnstormers. Guidugli completed 25 of 37 passes for 326 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Blizzard's Nicolet always ready to play

Green Bay Press Gazette
By Weston Hodkiewicz
May 7, 2009

ASHWAUBENON — After failing to receive a contract offer from the Detroit Lions following rookie camp last May, quarterback Mark Nicolet received a phone call.
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It wasn't another NFL team. It wasn't even a team from the Arena Football League or arenafootball2.

Calling for Nicolet was the nine-time Swedish national champion Stockholm Mean Machines.

Stockholm knew relatively nothing about Nicolet beside the impressive numbers he put up at Division II Hillsdale College, where he shattered seven school records his senior year in 2007 en route to Great Lakes Conference player of the year honors.

Following a one-game stint with af2's Tulsa Talons as an emergency backup, Nicolet accepted the offer and made his first trip overseas.

"From what they told me, the hardest part they have is just getting a guy to say yes," said Nicolet, the only American on the Stockholm team last year.

"There's plenty of good quarterbacks graduating out of college. It's just the matter of trying to find a guy that's willing to spend three to six months in another country."

Earning 1,000 euros, or around $1,400 to $1,600, a month, Nicolet played seven games for the Mean Machines and led them to their 10th national title.

He was invited back this season but decided to return to the United States in hopes of getting a look from North American teams.

With the cancellation of the AFL season, Nicolet found his way to af2 and the Green Bay Blizzard, where he began the season as the backup to incumbent Gino Guidugli.

With Guidugli sidelined because of a pulled groin muscle, Nicolet received his first af2 start last Friday in a 56-28 rout of Milwaukee. He threw for 175 yards, passed for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another score.

The game didn't come without its hitches. The Blizzard struggled near the goal line and settled for five field goals within 30 yards.

But given it was his first start, Blizzard coach Bob Landsee was pleased with the 23-year-old Nicolet.

"I think Mark did a great job," Landsee said. "It's like with any rookie quarterback, he's nervous as all getup. But once he settled down, he did a good job."

Landsee wasn't sure whether Guidugli would be available for today's home game against Iowa (3-3), but he was confident in Nicolet's ability to lead Green Bay (3-2) if needed.

Nicolet said he will be ready.

"It's about knowing you have to be ready whether you're starting or you're coming in — if that's what needs to happen," he said. "Either way, you have to be ready to go and taking the same mentality because that could be your only opportunity. You have to be ready, week in and week out."

Hillsdale Daily News: Steel City Lessons

Rj Walters
Hillsdale Daily News
May 6, 2009

On Friday Tom Korte intercepted a Charlie Batch pass, without even realizing it at first — and at 8 a.m. Monday he was taking the first of several final exams at Hillsdale College.

Such is the life of the former Charger linebacker who is fresh off his first three-day minicamp as an NFL player.

Signed by the Steelers to a two-year rookie contract as an undrafted free agent, Korte said minicamp was an incredible experience, crammed full of foreign terms, a heavy new playbook, and familiarizing himself with teammates and coaches.

He also said it was a whirlwind that was impossible to appreciate because so many thing were happening all at once.

“It was pretty incredible, it was intimidating and new and exciting. It was kind of hard to appreciate it all because things were going so fast and I had to learn the playbook and keep in mind not to act like I was some fan, I’m a player,” he said. “I didn’t get the full experience and I don’t think it has really sunk in yet that I’m going to be with these guys for a while and these guys will be my teammates this summer.”

Full experience or not, he already knows what it’s like to intercept an NFL veteran, albeit at a practice facility without fans filling the stands.

Full Article

Photo from Hillsdale Daily News courtesy of Pittsburgh Steelers

Berube Leads Chargers on Pre-Season All American Team

Consensus Draft Services has issued its 2009 pre-season NCAA Division II football team. Hillsdale native and Charger senior-to-be Drew Berube leads the selections from Hillsdale College.

Berube, a 6'4" 262 pound defensive lineman was named to the first team. Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer was tabbed a second teamer while quarterback Troy Weatherhead and wide receiver AJ Kegg received honorable mention recognition.

View full team.

Nicolet Finally Gets 1st Pro Start

Former Hillsdale College QB Mark Nicolet got the start Friday night for the Green Bay Blizzard of Arena2 and led the team to a 56-28 win over the Milwaukee Iron.

Nicolet got the start in place of injured Gino Guidugli. He threw for 175 yards, 2 passing TDs, and ran in a 3rd.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905020446

Korte Picks off Batch in 1st day of Steelers mini-camp

I briefly chatted with an exhausted Tom Korte last night. He shared that his mini-camp experience had gotten off to a great start, including an interception of former Lion and now Steeler backup QB Charlie Batch.

Here is an article from Pittsburgh Blitz about Day 1.