John’s Journal:

John's Journal: Remembering The Famous "Be The Light" Video

August 11, 2025 |

John's Journal

School staff and community members began posting photos and videos on social media, and it was really something to see. The message was simple: “We’re still here, we will return to normal, and we are thinking about our kids, teams and communities.”

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Henning’s State Champions Will Gather Again For Jacob

August 8, 2025 |

John's Journal

A plaque in the school, with a photo of Jacob, says, “There are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger and live just a little bit better.”

John’s Journal Favorite 15: One Step At A Time, One Foot In Front Of The Other

August 6, 2025 |

John's Journal

"We said even if I have to be in a chair on the sidelines, we’re going to lead and be involved and be a part of the team. And that was super inspirational to me."

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Hope For Henry In Annandale

August 4, 2025 |

John's Journal

These were just games, with the girls and boys basketball teams from Hopkins heading to Annandale for a varsity doubleheader. The overall focus was on a little boy who is in the minds and hearts and prayers of everyone who attended.

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Morris Senior Named Heart Of The Arts Recipient

August 1, 2025 |

John's Journal

“I’ve never worked with a kid in the arts who has had more obstacles yet has taken more out of what he does."

John’s Journal Favorite 15: The Great Bob McDonald

July 29, 2025 |

John's Journal

Amid all the hoopla of Bob McDonald's 59th and final season as a boys basketball coach, as well as his nearness to 1,000 career victories, something important can easily be forgotten. His players.

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Every Day Is A Good Day For Waseca’s Wendland

July 27, 2025 |

John's Journal

Wendland was fortunate. When he was struck by sudden cardiac arrest, he was surrounded by people who were trained in life-saving skills, at a school that had implemented plans to handle such a crisis.

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Thanks To The Miracle In Monticello, A Life Is Saved

July 24, 2025 |

John's Journal

“We rolled him over and knew immediately that it was serious.” Ryan was somewhat conscious but “clearly out of it.”

John’s Journal Favorite 15: Jackson County Central Football And A Viral Video

July 22, 2025 |

John's Journal

"It's how you respond, which is the biggest part, and they responded really well. Which is why something like 10 million people have seen the video. It’s how you respond."

John’s Journal Favorite 15: A Special Day At The Brave Like Gabe Invitational

July 21, 2025 |

John's Journal

Arvig Park in Perham was the site of the fourth Brave Like Gabe Invitational, an event like no other. Competition was certainly part of it, but there was camaraderie, there was support, there was fundraising, there was remembrance, there was love, so much love.

John’s Journal Favorite 15: A Circle Of Gold Is Complete

July 20, 2025 |

John's Journal

A mystery gold medal that was given to one of the members of the 1945 Eveleth Golden Bears -- and was found by a Minnesota native in 2018 in a Goodwill store in Texas -- is in the hands of the Drobnick family, completing the circle of gold.

John's Journal Favorite 15: Three Schools, Three States, One Team

July 18, 2025 |

John's Journal

The Campbell-Tintah school district is in Minnesota, Fairmount is in North Dakota and Rosholt is in South Dakota. Where the state lines intersect, Tigers rule the countryside.

John's Journal Favorite 15: Game Night At Roseau’s Hockey Cathedral

July 17, 2025 |

John's Journal

Even though some fans live in one town and are employed in the other, hockey draws a clear line in the ice. That was evident as Warroad fans grimaced upon paying for admission and having a big green Roseau Ram stamped on the back of their hand.

John's Journal Favorite 15: Nothing Stops Westbrook-Walnut Grove’s Kate Jorgenson

July 16, 2025 |

John's Journal

Kate may blush if you call her a miracle. All she wants to do is go to school, participate in her favorite sports (basketball, volleyball, golf, swimming), spend time with her family and friends and be a normal kid.

John's Journal Favorite 15: Spartans For Life

July 15, 2025 |

John's Journal

I witnessed something Saturday that was extremely inspirational and says a lot about what high school activities can mean to our kids and communities.

John's Journal Favorite 15: Perham’s Zach Gabbard Returns To The Gym

July 14, 2025 |

John's Journal

Just win. That’s what Zach has been doing since Jan. 20, when he collapsed on the court during a game at Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton.

John's Journal: Favorite 15 Stories Are Coming Soon

July 13, 2025 |

John's Journal

I will take the “Best Of” concept one step further this summer by posting some of my all-time favorite stories from my 15 years with the MSHSL. I am working on selecting 15 stories that I really enjoyed writing, and this process is quite in-depth.

John's Journal Best Of 2024-25 No. 1/ Coach To Coach, A Life-Saving Gift

July 9, 2025 |

John's Journal

Randy Taylor has been on the Titans coaching staff for 28 years, Jon Wessel for seven and they are very close friends … even before Wessel gave Taylor one of his kidneys earlier this year.

John's Journal Best Of 2024-25 No. 2/ The Owls Are Finally Home In Hancock

July 8, 2025 |

John's Journal

“Winning games is awesome but our goal is to turn them into men,” he said. “We have 26 kids on the roster and you could ask any of the coaches, they’re all like sons to us.”

John's Journal Best Of 2024-25 No. 3/ It’s A Special Night When The Jug Is On The Line

July 7, 2025 |

John's Journal

The good news: I never saw one flake of snow while driving home from Lake Crystal. The great news: I had one of the best experiences I’ve ever had at a high school sporting event.