Rose Prepares for St. John's

Known not only by his football team as one of the best defenders, but the whole entire Suburban East Conference (SEC) as well, former Ponies standout Andrew Rose will attempt to do what he does best at St. John’s University this fall.

In two full seasons as a starting linebacker for Stillwater, Rose and his fellow senior teammates only experienced three losses in their careers, all to the hands of SEC rival Mounds View.

Most of the success of the Ponies the past two seasons is in large part of their defense, which Rose was a major contributor of.

“Stillwater has always been known to have a strong defense and some of their best teams were solid on that side of the ball,” Rose said. “I just wanted to do my part to make our team the best it could be.”

Similar to Stillwater, St. John’s has only had four defeats the past two years, so Rose once again will be stepping into a historical program that is ready to compete for titles.

“I look forward to it,” Rose said. “I think anyone who follows football around here knows what St. John’s does and the traditions they have.

“It is an honor to go up there and play, just like it was for Stillwater. Both are great programs to be a part of and I am fortunate enough to get to play for both.”

In total individual defensive points, Rose finished second on the Ponies as a junior in 2009 and was first on the team the past season.

Stillwater calculates its defensive points by tackles, sacks, interceptions, fumble recoveries and touchdowns.

With the defensive numbers Rose put up, he was an easy choice for numerous conference and team honors the past two years.

Rose also had the opportunity to give now former Ponies coach Scott Hoffman an appropriate send-off after 11 years as head coach and more as an assistant in the program.

As head coach, Hoffman was able to end his coaching career with two SEC championships as well as two trips to the section finals.

“I just talked to him the other day and said he was happy for me and everything that is about to come my way,” Rose said. “I was just happy to be a part of two seasons that were as good as they were and have him end his long career on a good note. I enjoyed playing for him and am thankful for what he did for me.”

Rose will now move onto the Johnnies program and be playing for one of the most legendary coaches in all of college football.

John Gagliardi is in his 58 seasons as head coach of St. John’s. He has a total of 478 wins and a winning percentage of .782.

Expectations are high with the Johnnies, as they were with Stillwater.

“Everyone in this area expects the Ponies football team to be good,” Rose said. “That is not any different at St. John’s. There are going to be players that are used to winning and I can’t wait to get up there.”

If, and that is a big if, Rose needs any advice, he can as he always has done, look to his older brother Josh for advice.

Josh was a member of the Ponies football team from 2000-02, where he played running back and defensive back.

He then took his play to Bemidji State University where he was another cog to the defensive engine.

“I have always looked up to my older brother and absolutely love what he has done for me,” Rose said. “I know I can always count on him being there for me.”

Rose just competed in the at TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.

He was on the North team, which won 17-7.

“I just had fun with it,” Rose said. “I didn’t take it as serious, but more of an opportunity to take in the experience of playing on that field with some of the best players in the state.”