Ecklund-Johnson, Eric

Sport Prophecy (Fall 1988)

This looks like it could finally be the Vikings' year, After coming within a game of the Super Bowl last season, Minnesota seems poised to make the trip in 1989. And, I think, contrary to their history, they will win the big one this time.

Sport Prophecy (Winter 1988)

In the NBA: New York in the Atlantic, Cleveland in the Central, Utah in the Midwest, Los Angeles in the Pacific. Other playoff teams that will be a threat in the spring: Denver, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit.

Sport Prophecy (Spring 1989)

Well, now for Pietisten's 1988-89 All-American Basketball Team

Sport Prophecy (Fall 1989)

Here are my pre-season All-Pro picks. Note that I picked twelve defensive players in an attempt to include players from both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. I couldn't think of a punter or a kicker for this team, but punters and kickers aren't real players anyway.

Sport Prophecy (Winter 1989)

Here are my NBA picks for this season. Division winners: Boston, Detroit, Utah, and Los Angeles. Other teams to watch for in the playoffs will be Phoenix, Cleveland, New York, and Chicago.

Sport Prophecy (Spring 1990)

NBA—NFL All-Stars (Summer 1990)

Here are the NBA players I would like to see at these football positions

Sport Prophecy (Fall 1990)

Pre-Season All-Pro Picks

Sport Prophecy (Winter 1990)

Pre-Season All-American Picks

Sport Prophecy (Spring 1991)

NBA Picks

Sports Prophecy (Winter 1991)

Larry Bird (Fall 1992)

I know what many of you must be thinking. You’re thinking that Larry Bird’s retirement has about as much to do with Pietisten as a review of Ozzy Osbourne’s last album. Well, you are probably right, but Bird was my hero and also my father’s; and my father is managing editor, so here it is.

Ricky Williams Wins the Third Waldenstrom Trophy (Fall 1998)

This year's Waldenström Award for the top college football player goes to Ricky Williams (Running Back, University of Texas).

The Pietisten All-America Team (Winter 1999)

Sport Prophecy (Summer 1999)

Chad Pennington of Marshall (Fall 1999)

The choice for this year’s Waldenström Trophy is quarterback Chad Pennington of Marshall. He has led Marshall to an undefeated season this year and has probably been more crucial to his team’s success than any other player in the country.

Pietisten 1999-2000 All America Basketball Team (Spring 2000)

Summer Doldrums—July, 2000 (Summer 2000)

I always hate trying to come up with a prediction in the summer.

Chris Weinke Wins the 2000 Waldenström Award (Winter 2000)

This year, against all odds, the trophy goes to another Twin Cities native—Chris Weinke of Florida State University. After leading the FSU Seminoles to the national title last year, it appears that he will again quarterback his team in the championship game. If that argument fails to sway the reader, the 33 touchdown passes he has thrown should be enough.

The Waldenstrom Award 2001: Cornhusker Eric Crouch (Summer 2001)

Pietisten Pre-Season NFL Picks (Summer 2002)

The 2002 Waldenström Award (Winter 2002-2003)

2003 Waldenström Award (Winter 2003-2004)

The Sport Prophet has been accused on occasion of having a pro-Minnesota bias. After some soul searching, the Prophet has concluded that, yes, there probably is a kernel of truth in this accusation.

NFL predictions (Fall 2004)

“I Expect to be Surprised…” (Summer 2006)

I was asked to write something about the intelligent design debate from a behavioral science perspective. I guess the first thing I should say is that, although I believe in an Intelligent Designer, I think that the idea of intelligent design is probably best kept as a matter of faith, rather than scientific theory.

Troy Smith, Ohio State Quarterback, Chosen for 2006 Waldenström Award (Christmas 2006)

The NBA Draft (Spring 2007)

Maybe people think prophecy is simply a matter of inspiration given to the prophet in a momentary flash and all he has to do is say it.

The 2007 Waldenström (Christmas 2007)

The Waldenström Award is given for outstanding play to the college football player Pietisten selects. Again this year we are faced with a difficult decision.

Thoughts on the Jayhawks’ NCAA Championship (Spring 2008)

I will admit that I am a convert to Jayhawk basketball. I was once indifferent to their wins, losses, and frequent early exits from the NCAA tournament; however, the scales fell from my eyes shortly after I accepted a job at the University of Kansas Hospital and I have seen the light.

The Waldenstrom for 2008 (Christmas 2008)

Report from the YMCA Five-year-old Tee-ball league, Johnson County, Kansas (Summer 2009)

My daughter, Violet, has decided to play Tee-ball this year, largely because her friend, Macy, signed up for the team.

Sport Prophecy (Epiphany 2010)

In lieu of a sport prophecy, I would like to use this space to pay tribute to the retiring editor, Phil Johnson.