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Sorry, but this sucks if we don't get a game in Denton

Yes, it's a better conference and except for the team to be added you know what you are getting. Actually, two teams. Air Force is rumored to be a Big East invite. Even if Air Force stays I'd like to know who they're inviting for the 12th member. There's not a lot available. If they were going to invite Utah State and San Jose State they would have already done so. At least one of those is unattractive and probably both. The only other acceptable choice in my opinion is Louisiana Tech, who seems hell-bent on CUSA. UTEP might leave if teams are added in the east or a Texas team is lost. Conference USA has teams more familiar to us but when the Big 12 and Big East are done will all still be there? Obviously at least one would have to leave to create a spot. And it wouldn't be a cellar dweller. Furthermore, if you believe this board we will never be accepted as a member as long as SMU is a member. (Never is a long time and I don't believe it). So, CUSA could be attractive or it may not be. As to time zones, four or five of those teams are in the Mountain Time Zone. If those in the Pacific Zone started games at 6PM they would be over here at 11-11:30. That works for me. We would also have the results of an afternoon game in Hawaii. I could live with not knowing the results of an evening once every four years. Remember, they're not included in any sport other than football. Finally, didn't someone say that Boise coming here wouldn't be light years ahead of Big West days? Are you kidding me? Where has he been the last eight years? Top 10 finishes don't count for anything? How many have there been that were members of CUSA or the Sun Belt?

I am fed up hearing how great things were during the Dickey years and how horrible they have been during the Dodge regime. He keeps overstating the obvious. How about writing about current conditions and our aspirations? We don't need to be reminded daily about how bad things have been for the last six years. We've lived through it and we're trying to get past it, not relive it. One more of these trips through memory lane and I'm done with reading about us in either the Denton Record-Chronicle or the Dallas Morning News. I'll eventually get my information from the athletic website or this board. It may not be as timely but I'll enjoy it more.

I don't want to park my car where I will be relieving myself?

Albeit a long shot, this is intriguing. If Hayden Fry were AD, he would first of all sound like a real Denton Chamber of Commerce mover and shaker because that is what he did the day he announced North Texas was interested in becoming a member of the Southwest Conference; he would announce that in light of the present landscape of the NCAA that North Texas would expand Apogee Stadium immediately to 40,000 and get her to 50,000 as soon as possible to accommodate more expected growth on campus, in Denton and Denton County; then ol Hay'boy would blow even more minds by saying North Texas wanted to be a player in some AQC as soon as we could and that the Big 12 would be a perfect fit. Only AD since NT Athletic Director Fry left Denton who I feel would have major cajones to do such wild Fry'esque kind of talk would be: Rick Villarreal RV has busted his britches a few times since coming to Denton but always seems to jump up swinging. He who does nothing makes no mistakes is what one ex boss told me even back when I was in high school. RV may have done a few other things at North Texas that would make the Pope cuss on Easter Sunday (like I'm not too crazy about TSU at Apogee Stadium next Fall myself), but whether you like RV or not.... .....he "IS" pro-active and has had to deal with most his time in Denton as AD the albatross of Fouts Field as our main money-making varsity sports home venue. He also had to hire coaches with Fouts Field probably being the last thing he would show a prospective new head football coach on a tour and had to probably bow his head in embarrassment as he showed a prospective new coach what football venue they would be recruiting toward. Yet I can close my eyes and hear Rick V doing and saying everything Fry had the audacity to say about us wanting SWC admission; also, when he wanted to get North Texas out of its teachers college modus operendi & Fry not giving a rat's butt what anyone on campus back in that day said to criticize him---that is, the hardy handful on campus who back then still wanted us to be the George C. Peabody College for Teachers. Now is the time for the University of North Texas to do some pretty bold, wild and crazy things because if we don't with the present landscape of the NCAA--someone else will. And like in sales, the worst thing anyone could tell us is.... "not now." GMG! This post has been promoted to an article

An Open Letter to University of North Texas Students from Head Football Coach Dan McCarney First and foremost I have to say THANK YOU to all the students for the support that you showed this football team in the Houston game! Every player on this team said that it was the best atmosphere that they have ever played in. I said in my postgame press conference and would like to reiterate here that I was emotional when I came out from the locker room and saw the student turnout. It was a special night and I just wish our performance on the field could have matched the enthusiasm and passion that the students and the whole crowd brought to the game. We are building this football program one piece at a time. Primarily, we have to develop a level of character that will transcend the field of competition. As a coaching staff, we are demanding that our players are accountable for everything they do, from going to class, to the way they present themselves in the community and as contributors to this team. It is not going to happen overnight, but we feel that if we create an environment of responsibility it will pay off in the long run. There is nothing that I want more than success for this program, and I am probably more impatient than anyone, but I also understand you cant change the culture overnight. In our first three games we have played one of the toughest schedules ever at North Texas. We are the only team in America that has faced three undefeated opponents and it looks like there is a good chance all three of those teams could finish the season undefeated. We have made improvement and I am confident that we will continue to improve and we will win some games this year. I am again asking for your support this weekend when we play Indiana. It is the first time ever that a team from the Big 10 Conference has traveled to Denton. They are used to playing in front of crowds that exceed 75,000, but based upon what I saw against Houston, I know that Apogee Stadium can be every bit as intimidating. Like I said before, it begins and ends with the students. You are the energy that this team fuels from. The student body is what this team plays for. I implore you to be patient as we build this program into one that you can be proud of. The transition is tough, but the end result will be worth waiting for. It takes a collaborative effort to succeed at the highest level in anything you do and we know that we cant do it without your support. Go Mean Green, Dan McCarney Head Football Coach University of North Texas This post has been promoted to an article

Coach Mac's efforts to engage the students, alumni, and larger community are unprecedented. And very much appreciated from this alumnus.

Why don't the female referees wear skirts so we can tell them apart from the other man referees?

Possible conference game?

Let's apply for SEC membership. I hear publicly stating that you're interested is en vogue these days.

While I really do appreciate the effort being made to involve these faculty and staff members, I find the "excuse" to be indicative of the attitude of way too many who earn their paychecks and livings from UNT. It's often, pay me...pay me more, but don't ask me to do anything in the way of supporting the hand that feeds me! Really really sad. Please do not EVER tell me who these faculty and staff members are nor in what departments or areas they serve. I am asked on a regular basis to donate to various departments and programs at UNT. And, I give. And, I give often. My wife and I are permanent members of the President's Council due to the level of our giving, and we have hopes of "moving up" to the next level in the next couple of years. So, I guess it's OK to ask me to support your academic departments and other UNT functions with my hard earned money, and to sit and hear from department development officers and faculty members why I should donate and hear why faculty and staff certainly think I should because their various departments "need the money" and that I am alum of UNT, but, heck, that ticket price is just way too expensive and the "free" parking is too far away for these folks to help support the same university they seem to think I should support. Nice...says a great deal to me about the "stinking thinking" of many of those who owe their living to UNT. Nice real, nice. Again, please do not mention these folks by name nor the departments in which they are employed. And, no! UNT should not lower ticket prices...these same folks wouldn't come if the price was $5.00 per game. Really a lame excuse. Says a great deal about these people.

You know, I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. I admit it. But the guy is doing everything right. Really really excited for the MG. Great great hire.

If MWC considered Utah State....I've got to think they'd consider us. And I know all the realignment stuff is mostly football driven....but in b-ball, the MWC has several teams better than anyone in the Belt: San Diego State, UNLV, New Mexico, Nevada. So it would be a major b-ball upgrade, as well.

Why just the other day I saw a guy on Carroll holding a cardboard sign that said, ”Please help. Need food and UNT tickets.” I followed him back to his office in the GA building and bought him some Jimmy Johns, but told him there was no way I was going to contribute to his football addiction.

Just park in front of John Weber's house.

I've got to agree. And I think we take a MWC slot yesterday, if offered.

No way. Boise State coming here now would be light years ahead of what it was like in the old Big West days--and light years away from us hosting Troy. Fresno State, Nevada, Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico, UNLV, and SDSU all have major skins on the wall in the two major sports. There is no way that Arkansas State, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, or South Alabama could match up with those MWC schools in gaining the attention of fans.

No we aren't a small private school but there people posting here that have small privates. That is evident in their insecurity laden posts. We have a hell of a lot to offer, i really get tired of people, especially alumns, that try their best to keep UNT down.

No need to be sorry. This absolutely sucks without a return game. I don't know why we keep doing this (assuming no return game). Not excited at all. Not like it's an easy trip either.

The funny/sad thing in all of this, is I guarantee that after all the crying Baylor did about having Texas schools in the Big 12 for rivalry, economy, etc, they'll make absolutely no effort, and probably work against, adding any Texas schools.

Can't promise that for basketball, but I'm fairly certain that if I ever get a job, live in the area, and UNT gets a baseball team, I'll be at every game, even Tuesdays. Baseball plays four games a week for 14 weeks, not counting the post season, so that's 28 home games a year for your run of the mill warm state program (the glaring exception being the SEC schools who play 187 out of a possible 56 games at home). How's THAT for running up the gas bill in support of the ole' college?

So let me get this straight. Old UNT football: Rancid, falling down stadium Tailgating in a scorching parking lot @ $10 High school coaching staff @ $275,000 for the head coach GA Tickets $10 New UNT football: Shiny state-of-the-art $78 million stadium @50% paid for by students, ~25% by Apogee (NPV of $20 million annuity not taken into consideration) and ~25% by donors/general public with outstanding interest on the bonds and ongoing maintenance also not taken into consideration. Tailgating on a grassy hill that used to be a golf course @ $10 and a walk or $250 GMG membership for parking College coaching staff @ $600,000 for the head coach I'M NOT GONNA' PAY FOR THIS! TICKETS SHOULD BE EIGHT DOLLARS GOSH DARN IT ALL TO HECK! As an accounting student, I'm afraid it would take some very creative valuations and shady statements of cash flows to make the above equation work, but since Andersen's went under, that would be a tough statement to come by. I believe the cheapest season tickets are $110 for 6 games, coming to $18.33 per seat, per game. That would be an approximate 25% discount from single (premium) game pricing, which would be a fair deal.

This week I've invited a few faculty and staff members to tailgate and attend the game this Saturday with my wife and I (we had a great time for the Houston game). We were soundly rejected because the prices have gone from 10 to 24 dollars and parking is now 10 dollars. I know what you folks are gonna say, "Football costs money and now that we have better facilities, etc...the prices have gone up (like Cowboys stadium)." But, considering that this program has a long way to go in terms of public perception, wouldn't it be smarter to make UNT games inexpensive and fill the stadium and not instantly raise prices? I know that faculty/staff are a small portion of the UNT fan base, but at this point shouldn't we be attempting to bring EVERYONE into the scene? It won't deter my wife and I, but it's a shame that prices have already driven off potential fans.

OK, I'll bite....name me a professor who cannot afford a wing-zone or 20 yard line ticket to the game. Really? I know newly minted grads working to find a job that attend the games. Really, a full-time employed professor or staff member cannot afford a ticket? I think it is more honestly put that they choose to spend their money elsewhere...not that they cannot afford to attend the game. Let's be honest here and stop all this...the tickets cost too much stuff. Attend, don't attend, but be honest about it all. This "times are tough" stuff is getting a bit old when one is talking about people who ARE employed. I do not think UNT professors are standing in the food stamp line these days. And, certainly not the professors I know who make considerably more than I do at the present time. I get it...some don't care for football, and that's fine. I just think this "excuse" stuff is a bit much when it comes to "ticket prices are too high" and "times are tough". We are talking about EMPLOYED folks here, not the unemployed!

We all understand that, but there is NO EXCUSE to play them twice without a return game. I can understand going up there for one game to get a paycheck, but twice in three years!?!?

Why does everyone assume that NT wanted a 2 to 1 or even home and away? I assume this is the guarantee game of those years, and many have expressed their dislike of playing at LSU, UT, OU or the like. From a financial perspective there is no comparing the close to $1m for a guarantee game versus the income of one home game. Add to that on a 1 to 1 deal you would have to return the game at basically your cost. I think RV has done a great job in basically reducing the guarantee games to one a year. If Iowa is it for a couple of years it is a good thing. Add the McCarney factor and his history of playing well against Iowa and becomes even more appealing.

everything i read says only cusa team big east would consider is ucf, and that s.florida is opposed to that unless necessary to save league. ecu brings little to the table. if big east does add cusa team, then cusa would reload from belt on east coast. they have 4 texas teams in a 12 team conference, and want no more. plus marshall and ecu want another school closer to them, such as w.k. or perhaps fau. once dust settles, i still think belt picks up enough wac schools to go to 12. don't think sjsu,idaho,utah st,or even nmsu would be considered. la tech must be wondering what the heck is going on, as wac just added dallas baptist and cal somebody for baseball only, uta for baseball and basketball, denver and seatle for basketball only. no way la tech gets into cusa with their small market.

The Pope?

Get a home game or don't play them, period.

If they need a place to meet we have a nice, new conference area built into our new stadium. I'm sure they could use our place for free.

I'd say the MWC Prez is about to Benson TCU into staying.

I'd rather play Iowa than LSU or Alabama 100% of the time. Iowa is always good, but they are no world beater, and we still get paid. I guess I'm in the minority, but I like this.

Well this thread took an odd and unexpected turn. Certainly not agreeing with Cheapy McCheaperson and his apparently all non-alumni professorial cronies...but what if UNT dropped the price a touch for just the wing zone? I was really surprised the Houston game was not a sell out...even more surprised that the wing zone (rather than the corners) was only about 2/3 full most of the day. $10 wing zone (or maybe upper wing zone? Not sure if that'd be do-able)...$20 for GA...$35 reserved. I know many feel that cost drives up perceived value...but I also think that assumes a lot of other factors, one of which being a quality product (which I'm sorry, we really haven't seen for 10 of the 12 quarters this team has played). Baring just a remarkable improvement in coaching and performance, the product isn't selling tickets...and apparently the stadium isn't to the point where it can sell out the first game against an in-state opponent. Even as I'm writing this I'm questioning my words...but the AD may need to think up something to help sell this place out...product and new-ness didn't hack it...it may be gimmick time.

Fixed.

I'll go with a guy not on the list..............James Hamilton. Against Bama he got to show the coaches what he could do. I think because of that, the offensive coaches will try to get him on the field more (not in lieu of Lance--Lance will still get his carries).

Guess we'll just have to take the SEC offer then.

Just goes to show you that most college profeesors think like their students.

Neinas is friends with Lane Rawlings, and you're right about Neinas being a very good choice for a long term candidate. This means he will put in a good word for a conference that attainable. I doubt it's the Big 12, but if that were the case I wouldn't be opposed. The interim label is to get him in before a vote and he has enough connections and respect to potentially save the big 12. What incentive would be offered to the interim guy who saves the conference during the time they need a commissioner most if it weren't a potential long term gig? If the conference is still around with an auto-bid, the interim guy would have proven that he's a miracle worker at this point.

I just went to look at ticket prices to take the family and you can get a Family Fun Pack for $75 to the conference games or $100 to the other games. That's a great deal when you think about four drinks, four food items and four tickets. Link is here: http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=1800&ATCLID=205038763#ind Now, I just need to put on my sneakers and get ready to feel the burn when hiking from Fouts Field parking with kids in tow. That should be fun ... not. Will be happy to see the pedestrian bridge next year.

The difference between us and the other Big 12 alternatives in Texas, is that our fanbase and recruiting would go through the roof in the Big 12 relative to the other possible schools. I very much doubt that schools like TT and Baylor want the sleeping giant to finally awaken anytime soon.

That "new" FIU Stadium is a joke, a bad bad bad one at that. Iv seen run-down inner city middle school locker rooms look better then FIU's visiting locker room. The design & facilities at the stadiums terrible. Our radio broadcast team was set up under a pop up tent during a lightning storm for heaven sake. FIU other facilities are on par though The basketball crowd is embarrassing for Isiah Thomas though. WKU has the smallest FBS stadium in the nation and have nothing going for them besides basketball to be honest. ULM NEEDS to go back to FCS, please NOW Louisiana(Lafayette) are on par as far as facilities, REALLY good fan base Troy is improving their facilities and have the records to back it up. FAU has new facilities but coaching change is coming at the end of season for football. Possible resurrection of Mike Leach be thrown around. MTSU has some good facilities as well. ASU is falling behind but nobody seems to notice since its Jonesborro(sp). North Texas has set the bar. Appogee, duh. Mean Green Village and plans now set on Baseball, Indoor Practice facility(Football,Basketball, Golf, etc) New T&F stadium, upgrades to The Superpit This is just my personal opinion of the top of my head.

I hope UT is happy being an Independant that goes 5-7 or 7-5 every year and is only relevant in college football the 1st or 2nd week of the season, cause that is where they are headed as long as they insist on keeping the LHN money to themselves. Bear with me: No other conference is going to take TU with the LHN in it's current form. Texas won't let it go. UT will be forced to stay in the Big 9, which will dissolve because members of that conference don't like the LHN and will bail as quickly as possible to another conference. Texas being Texas willl think that they don't need anyone and will go independent. When they try to put together their schedule, they are going to find that only the cream of the crop BCS schools will do home and homes with them. Why would a Clemson or T A&M play Texas when they are playing a BCS conference slate which easily takes care of their SOS? Hope Texas likes playing Alabama, OU, Ohio St., LSU all in the same year, because this is where they are heading. If Texas fans liked last years performance, just wait until UT becomes the Notre Dame of the South and you can have that record every year. This will end up costing the Horns much more money in the end than ESPN paid them for the LHN.

In my wallet I have a ticket stub from the 11/24/2001 OU-OSU game at Norman. This endzone seat (section 38, Row 55, seat 8) cost $50.00. I bet it costs more now. Why was I at this game? My wife is an OSU grad and we enjoyed listening to the OU homers gradually lose their bravado during the game as OSU won. Why do I have this stub in my wallet? It was watching my wife cheer at the game that I decided that I wanted to marry her.

Plus....the tickets are higher for this game and the Houston game....because they're "name" teams. Just like the K State game last year. Most schools charge higher prices for their premium games. BTW....they can always go give Jerry Jones $29 to stand in a hallway at Cowboys Stadium.

Someone needs to expand and kill the WAC.

Sadly, I'll have to agree with you. Hope I'm wrong IU 28 NT 17

I don't think this makes nearly as much sense as you think it does.

Here is an 11-team conference that would make sense. 10 conference games and no conference championship game because really that wouldn't add much: North Texas Houston Memphis Cincinnati Louisville Tulsa Kansas State Iowa State Arkansas State Southern Miss Louisiana Tech

Believe it or not, there IS a significant difference between the 2.