Announcement (Sept. 28) | Watch Live

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Two decorated football alumni return to Saint John's Saturday to be a part of Johnnie GameDay – Live From Collegeville at the SJU Tailgate. Tom Wicka '90 joins WCCO-TV's Frank Vascellaro as a co-host and College Football Hall of Famer Blake Elliott '03 will star in two segments of the show.

Wicka is in his fifth season as a volunteer assistant coach for the Johnnies' defense this fall, while Elliott joins two other SJU All-Americans and guest stars, defensive lineman Zach Frank '25 and quarterback Aaron Syverson '24.

Tune in to gojohnnies.com and SJU athletics' social media Friday for the final announcement regarding the show's personalities and guests!

Johnnie GameDay – Live From Collegeville debuts from 11 a.m.-noon and will feature interviews with Johnnie coaches, student-athletes and special guests, as well as the:

-"Ring the Bell" Challenge
-Keys to victory
-Johnnie spotlight
-A tour of the legendary SJU tailgate 
-Game predictions and picks

Johnnie GameDay – Live From Collegeville is proudly sponsored by E-Wealth Partners, Gary's Pizza, Dream Home Furniture & Mattress, Impero Ventures, Proviant Group Wealth Advisors, Jax Cafe and Excelsior Insurance & Brokerage. 

Elliott
A 2019 inductee into the SJU J-Club's Hall of Honor, Elliott joined his head coach, SJU's legendary John Gagliardi, in the College Football Hall of Fame this past December. Elliott ended his career with three NCAA playoff records, two MIAC records and 29 SJU receiving records. He won the Gagliardi Trophy, which is presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division III, in 2003 and was a finalist in 2002. His NCAA all-divisions record for consecutive games played with a reception (47) was not broken until 2008.

He finished his career second all-time in all NCAA divisions in catches (327) and second in NCAA Division III in touchdown receptions (56). Elliott posted 369 receptions for 4,826 yards and 63 touchdowns in his career, as well as rushing for 744 yards and eight touchdowns on 109 carries (prior to the 2002 season, the NCAA did not recognize playoff-game stats in season or career totals). 

Elliott was just as dangerous on special teams, totaling 3,065 yards and seven touchdowns on 195 returns, kickoff and punt combined.

Wicka
Wicka was a three-year starter at linebacker and a member of two NCAA playoff teams (1987 and 1989) and the 1989 MIAC championship squad. Wicka was named All-MIAC twice (second team in 1988 and first team in 1989). After graduating from SJU, he has gone on to a long and successful career founding and leading businesses in the direct marketing, commercial printing and health care tech services industries. That included serving as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, as well as owner of IWCO Direct, for almost nine years, and as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NovuHealth from 2012 to 2020. Currently, he is a founder and investor with River Road Investors. He was the recipient of the 2025 Bob Basten Award, presented annually to a former Johnnie football player who has exhibited outstanding leadership traits.

Saturday
If you're coming to the Saint John's-Bethel game, get there early, wear RED and be part of the live audience.

Can't make it to Collegeville?

Watch Johnnie GameDay - Live from Collegeville on the MIAC Network from 11 a.m.-Noon, free of charge.