Alexandria

Blasting out coast to coast and border to border on rural radio and hometown radio stations, it's time for America's Hot Barn Report with Monty James.

Monty James for America's Hot Barn Report, hunkered in at a Holiday Inn Express in beautiful Alexandria, Minnesota.

We have a couple of most excellent affiliates in these parts, KICK-FM, up for a Marconi Award for best small market station, and KWAD, or KWAD, in Wadena, Minnesota.

A lot of lakes and huge walleyes in these parts, and a lot of Minnesota nice people to brighten your day with a, "How the heck you doin' den? Really good, den."

Some of the greatest players of all time are centers, scoring leaders, defensive wizards, everything in between.

Today's guest, Andrew Wiener, director at West Central United AAU in Alexandria, Minnesota.

Andrew and I had a fun discussion a few months back about Hakeem Olajuwon.

And so I thought, why not bring him back and talk some more about elite centers.

I'm just looking here, 1998 guy.

So I was in middle school.

Uh, Monticello actually came to Alexandria.

So he was in our, our home gym and, uh, Uh, we did win.

that?I made that for you, sir.

Smoke and Brews and Q's out of Alexandria, Minnesota.

What a cool name.

Hell yeah, man.

Okay, we're going to start with some news, though.

North Star Christian, based in Alexandria, Minnesota, is moving forward with a girls program.

They do not have teams or rosters yet, but they do have an advisory board, which includes former University of Minnesota head coach Brad Frost, legend of the game and world native Gigi Marvin, and Pete Samarja, who pops up on literally everybody's roster as a goaltending coach.

Yes.

So Brad's name is out there, but what is Brad actually doing is the question.

And we know Pete is just – Throw my name in any hat and he'll go coach some goalies.

But whose boots are actually on the ground in Alexandria? It doesn't matter.

This team, I know girls high school hockey fans aren't going to like to hear this, should be very successful.

Okay.

And it was in Alexandria, Minnesota, which is two hours north of where the airport is.

So that was at 8:30 in the morning.

Our presentation, get to the airport for a 1:15 flight, and, uh, there was a layover in Chicago.

Well, joining us, our guest analyst today is Jim Emter.

He is CEO of Van Ahn & Company up in the Alexandria, Minnesota area.

Jim, thanks for being with us today.

Michelle, thanks for having me.