ESPN 'SportsCenter' Puts Tommie-Johnnie Game In Nat'l Spotlight
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The biggest small-college game of the year in Minnesota is this Saturday when St. Thomas plays St. John's, and even the world-wide leader of sports is making the trip to Collegeville.
Increased local attention around Tommie-Johnnie football games is nothing new, but having ESPN broadcast its "SportsCenter" show on the road, live from the game site, is a pretty big deal for the Division III schools.
St. Thomas coach Glenn Caruso said the game is still the main focus, but exposure on a national level is immeasurable.
"Once the game starts, it's not very important at all," he said. "I think when you look at the greater picture of what the event of Tommie-Johnnie means to so many people, I think it's pretty clear that it's a big source of pride."
The broadcast goes live at 6 a.m. St. John's athletic director Tom Stock says he expects a sizable crowd even that early.
"We've never had anything like this before," Stock said. "I don't know if we'll get to 5,000."
WCCO Radio is your home for St. Thomas football and we'll air the game live. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.