Club Members,
 
The Review:
It’s always a little saddening when the season ends for our team – there is nothing better than Vikings football. As I look at the season you can’t help to mention the 10 – 6 record and winning the NFC North Division. Being champions again – it’s where we belong. Only 10 teams had double digit wins this year and we were one of them – what an accomplishment. Even though Philadelphia out played us (in the second half only) to advance in the playoffs; the 10 & 6 record says a lot about how close this team really is to being an elite team. Adrian became the first Viking in history to lead the league in rushing – wow, 2000 is on the horizon. That’s what I call a foundation to build on – there were times in my life I dreamed this could happen; now it’s reality. The team ended as the 17th ranked offense and the 6th ranked defense. A 6th rated defense without E.J., Jared hurt, Madieu Williams missing the front third of the season and Pat Williams missing the last two games, this unit is stout. In review of this year – you have to say this teamed positioned itself to make a serious run at the Super Bowl next year.
 
Now we enter into the changing phase of football and let me be the first to say – I hope Leslie Frazier is a Minnesota Viking next year. Yes I do want the best for him and his family, yes I do believe he is worthy of a head coaching job, but darn it, I’m a Viking fan first and I really admire this coach. So let the chips fall where they will with regard to Coach Frazier – he’ll always be a Viking in my mind. After the coaching changes phase we get to look forward to the draft and free agency changes. Fortunately I only have one prediction: I believe our team will improve as much next year as they did this year – this team has done a real good job of identifying it’s needs and the available talent to fill those needs, both through the draft and free agency. This team has shown a keen awareness to this phase of football – that trend will continue.
 
Watch out Packer fans – we own the Norse Division and we’re keeping it.
 
Football Freddie’s Season Ending Trivia:
 
Trivia Question: Who Are We?
Clue 1: At the beginning of the 2008 season there were 4 active players with over 12,000 yards receiving, can you name them?
Clue 2: Colts, 49’s, Cowboys, and Patriots
 
Answer at the end of Newsletter.
 
Club Awards winners:
Purple & Gold – Brad Childress
Purple Helmet - Jared Allen
Purple Jersey - Adrian Peterson
Hall of Fame - Cris Carter
Jim Smith Service - Rick Conwell
Lydia Prieto Spirit - Esther & Larry Prieto
 
Club Information:
We’re now starting our year end review and planning for this summer’s training camp visit – can you believe the dedication. One of our first agenda items we’ll be addressing the loss of two board members. Eric Johnson and Linda Millard have stepped down. Eric is moving to Oregon – following work. Amber has found work there also and we hope the best for them and their family. Linda is leaving for a similar reason. She is moving to Texas to follow work. Both are true Viking fans and will be staying club members – hoping to hook-up with us in Mankato or at California dinners in the future. I want to thank Linda for all those bowling events – she ran those 100% by herself. And I would like to thank Eric for all the years he rode the pine selling drawing tickets, never missing a game. I couldn’t operate without quality people surrounding me and Eric and Linda are good examples of good people. Best wishes on the next phase of your lives. As a result Chris Harpole (who was vetted earlier in the year) will be joining our board next year and will be participating in our year end review and planning session. I would like to welcome Chris to the board. Chris has barely missed a game in the last few years, is always pitching ideas to improve the club and has true purple colors and purple values. Chris is one of participants that came up with the idea for a tip jar for charity. I believe Chris will be a great asset for the club. We do have another opening that we plan to fill next year – any interested party can email me. More information will follow as we get closer to next season.
 
Charities: We’ll be sending out checks to the Page Foundation, The Link, Oscar Reed’s Boys to Men Group and Brent McClanahan’s Educational Fund for $500.00 each. In addition to this we raised $168.00 for Brent’s educational Fund throughout the year in the Tips for Charity campaign. Thank you everyone for your generous donations and for supporting our fund raising efforts.
 
Hall of Fame Update:
Cris Carter, Randall McDaniel and John Randle are finalists for the 2009 Hall of Fame class. I would like to congratulate Cris, Randall and John – this is truly a great honor and all are deserving of this recognition. Another personal note: if Randall McDaniel doesn’t make it this year – the selection committee will hear from me. Randall is probably the best offensive guard to ever play the game – 12 consecutive Pro Bowl starts, he’s the man.
 
Go Vikes,
 
Wm. R. Martin
President
Southern California Viking Club
 
Answer to Whom are We? Marvin Harrison, Isaac Bruce, Terrell Owens and Randy Moss