ADLER

Presidential task force prepared to examine athletics' future Forty-four presidents and chancellors at Division I institutions have been selected to serve on the NCAA Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Athletics. The task force, chaired by University of Arizona President Peter Likins, was established in January and will conduct its first in-person meeting June 9-10 in Tucson, Arizona. The task force will operate primarily through four subcommittees, each composed of about a dozen members. The four subcommittee chairs and NCAA President Myles Brand constitute the group's steering committee. The subcommittees are divided into the following topical areas: Implications of academic values and standards. Fiscal responsibility. Presidential leadership of internal and external constituencies. Student-athlete well-being. The subcommittees (rosters of which are listed in the accompanying box) will develop specific charges during the June meeting. Much of the subcommittees' subsequent work will be handled through tel- econferences and videoconferences rather than through in-person meetings. The overarching charge of the full task force is to explore the alignment of intercollegiate athletics with the mission, values and goals of higher education in such areas as fiscal responsibility, commercialism, organizational structure and transparency of athletics operations. Avenues the task force choose to arrive at those goals are likely to be varied. Likins said in January that one of the primary concerns on most presidents' minds is the realization that the rate of growth of expenditures and revenues in intercollegiate athletics is not sustainable. "If you think solely in terms of the economics of the enterprise," he said, "any business person has to worry about the sustainability." While Likins acknowledged that such a problem may be easier to discuss than to solve, he said the task force represents "a collection of thoughtful people who are well-informed and have the data in their hands -- and who love college sports and understand the value athletics competition adds to the development of young people -- but who also cannot help but see the trends and wonder what will happen if they continue unaltered." In addition to chairing the full task force, Likins also heads the subcommittee devoted to fiscal responsibility. That group will explore a much as possible the extent and depth of the financial problems facing Division I intercollegiate athletics. About 40 institutions claim to generate revenues in their college sports programs that are above expenses, but NCAA President Brand has said publicly that the actual number of schools making a "profit" in athletics is closer to two dozen. Part of the difficulty in assessing the breadth of fiscal issues is finding reliable data with which to make comparisons. Likins' subcommittee will need to address whether the NCAA is collecting the right fiscal data, and whether those data are sufficiently transparent to allow for fair comparisons and to assure individual institutional integrity. University of Texas at Austin President Larry Faulkner chairs the subcommittee on the implications of academic values and standards. Faulkner's group will look at specific value-based issues, such as how the collegiate sports model should differentiate itself from the professional model. Sportsmanship, diversity and Title IX also are topics likely to be undertaken by that group. Gerald Turner of Southern Methodist University chairs the subcommittee on presidential leadership of internal and external constituencies, which will examine, among other issues, the relationships between college presidents and boards of trustees. Ohio State University President Karen Holbrook heads the subcommittee on student-athlete well-being. Student-athlete time commitments and length of the playing and practice seasons for all sports will be on that group's agenda. NCAA vice-presidents Bernard Franklin, Jim Isch, David Berst and Kevin Lennon have been appointed to assist the four subcommittees. NCAA President Brand said there may be parallel ad hoc committees composed of athletics directors, conference commissioners and faculty athletics representatives to help the task force compile background research and help define the primary options when necessary. The task force is expected to be working on these issues over the next 18 months or so, though a specific timeline has yet to be established. Task force members Members of the Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Athletics Subcommittee on Implications of Academic Values and Standards Larry Faulkner, University of Texas at Austin, chair Michael Adams, University of Georgia Donald Beggs, Wichita State University Scott Cowen, Tulane University Shirley Ann Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Benjamin Ladner, American University William Lennox, U.S. Military Academy Mark Murray, Grand Valley State University Norval Pohl, University of North Texas Phillip Stone, Bridgewater College (Virginia) John Welty, California State University, Fresno James Wright, Dartmouth College NCAA Senior Vice-President Bernard Franklin, liaison Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility Peter Likins, University of Arizona, chair Clinton Bristow Jr., Alcorn State University Philip Dubois, University of Wyoming David Hardesty Jr., West Virginia University Walter Harrison, University of Hartford Robert Hemenway, University of Kansas Peter Magrath, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges Kathryn Martin, University of Minnesota Duluth Sidney McPhee, Middle Tennessee State University James Moeser, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill David Skorton, University of Iowa John Walda, partner, Bose, McKinney and Evans John Wiley, University of Wisconsin, Madison NCAA Senior Vice-President Jim Isch, liaison Subcommittee on Presidential Leadership of Internal and External Constituencies Gerald Turner, Southern Methodist University, chair Philip Austin, University of Connecticut Robert Caret, Towson University Carol Cartwright, Kent State University Gordon Gee, Vanderbilt University Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida George Hagerty, Franklin Pierce College Kermit Hall, University at Albany Robert Kustra, Boise State University Robert Lawless, president emeritus, University of Tulsa Graham Spanier, Pennsylvania State University John White, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville NCAA Vice-President David Berst, liaison Subcommittee on Student-Athlete Well-Being Karen Holbrook, Ohio State University, chair Richard Celeste, Colorado College Jack Jewett, regent, University of Arizona Robert Khayat, University of Mississippi William Meehan, Jacksonville State University Eddie Moore Jr., Virginia State University Carl Patton, Georgia State University Larry Penley, Colorado State University Shirley Raines, University of Memphis Kenneth "Buzz" Shaw, chancellor emeritus, Syracuse University Nancy Zimpher, University of Cincinnati NCAA Vice-President Kevin Lennon, liaison Official NCAA Site

Gakusei, did you read the PMs that I sent to you? Were the Pit Crew interested in either design? I could probably also get a really good discount on the Green and White striped Rugby shirts, but the style has been discontinued and there are only XL, XXL, and XXXL sizes available.

"Join us for our annual Mean Green Blowout" How well attended have these parties been in previous years? Are they university spirited in theme?

An interesting note concerning a former North Texas coach in the linked story: "Jankovich a candidate at Fresno State -- Kansas assistant Tim Jankovich interviewed at Fresno State on Sunday, according to the Fresno Bee."

"Baker was one of UNT's top recruiters and signed freshman guard Michael Sturns in addition to Harold Stewart and Harold Edwards, who committed to the Mean Green on Wednesday." I would hate to lose an excellent recruiter like Baker. Those are three incredibly talented players and probably the nucleus of our future squads.

From his senior year in high school: Big Man Steve Verwers 6'11 Weatherford, TX Steve has been home schooled throughout his school years and plays in a home school league, coached by his dad. He had an outstanding summer and exploded on the recruiting scene playing for Team TExas. Played for BWBA Orange in the Full Court Press Fall Classic. A multi-talented athletic youngster with enormous upside. Steve shows the potential to become another Chris Mims the former 7'0 Center from the University of Texas who was the 1st round draft pick of the Cleveland Cavilers. Committed to Colorado State

I don't think of 6'10" as extremely thin, even at that height. And with a transfer year to sit out, could possibly bulk up a bit more. It seems like we could use this kid. Justin Barnett will only be available through the '05-'06 season, and incoming freshman Justin Howerton is currently our only center that will be here for the '06-'07 season. We need size in the middle. The team played well while Justin was playing in the pre-conference games, but once Justin was sidelined, the opposition was able to exploit our lack of size in the middle. Nicholson at Denver had a field day in a game which quickly turned into a rout.

from the Herald Democrat which covers the region of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma: Boys Player of the Year The center of attention Bill Spinks Herald Democrat Senior Justin Howerton of Howe is the Herald Democrat 2004-05 All-Texomaland Basketball boys' most valuable player. Howerton, who averaged 18.1 points per game, will play for the University of North Texas.

News story posted on RamNation _______________________________________________________________ RamNation Home Forwards Thomasson, Verwers to transfer Five players from this year's squad will not be around for the 2005-06 By Joel Cantalamessa Managing Editor 3/28/05--Juniors-to-be Phillip Thomasson and Stephen Verwers, both forwards, have asked for and received releases from their scholarships and will transfer to another school at the end of the spring semester. Both were unhappy with playing time, head coach Dale Layer said in a press release. "Phillip and Stephen both felt that they would like to pursue an opportunity for more playing time at a different institution," the release said. "We have granted them both full releases, and wish them the best of luck in their careers in the future." Thomasson (6-7, 210 lb), from Burleson, Tex. played in 21 games, starting eight times, and averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Verwers (6-10, 225 lb), from Weatherford, Tex., and played in 28 games, nine as a starter, averaging 2.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. Both were part of a freshman class in 2003 that was regarded as a Top 20 recruiting class by at least one publication. The class also included point guard Dwight Boatner and Stuart Creason. Boatner transferred to McNeese St. during mid-season, leaving Creason as the only remaining member of the class still on the team. True freshman point guard Charlie Jones III initiated the transfer bug prior to the season when he abruptly left the program. Walk-on freshman guard Ryan Brown (Texarkana, Tex.), who redshirted this year, is also strongly considering transferring. Brown's decision to transfer is for different reasons, as he's paying out-of-state tuition as a walk-on and is trying to major in pre-med and is debating whether to give up basketball to focus on his education. Regardless, his departure would make five players from the 2004-05 team who will not be at CSU next season. "It was a matter of playing time, as well as some differences with the coaching staff," Verwers said. "I also wanted to be closer to home a little bit. I just wasn't enjoying my time here basketball-wise. I really liked the town and the people here, but basketball wasn't going well. I can't really comment on (all the other players who have left), but with me, I just had differences with the coaching staff. It was more than a playing-time factor. "I'm disappointed because I came here hoping to help turn the program around. But, there's some things you just can't control." When asked what he thought it would take for CSU to get the program turned around, Verwers responded: "I really don't know right now. That's a good question." Verwers had been debating a transfer in recent weeks, and met with Layer prior to spring break to discuss his options. Verwers said Layer tried to talk him out of it, and encouraged Verwers to take the spring break week to think it over. Upon his return, Verwers was convinced it was time to transfer, and received his release last Friday. Verwers plans to attend school closer to his home, and said Arkansas-Little Rock, Texas Pan American, and the University of Texas have all contacted him. He will have to sit out a year if he transfers to a Division I school, but said he thinks sitting out a year can benefit him. The departures of Thomasson and Verwers could leave glaring holes. Though neither blossomed in their two seasons at CSU, both were considered to have sky-high potential. Thomasson was recruited hard by North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, among others. Verwers, who came to CSU as a home-schooled prep prospect, averaged 27 points per game in a home-schooled league, and drew interest from Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, TCU, and Kansas. In 2003, TheInsidersHoops.com rated CSU among the best "mid-major" recruiting class largely on the strength of signing Thomasson and Verwers. In Mike Kunstadt's 2002 Texas Hoops Review preseason player rankings, Thomasson rated No. 4 and Verwers No. 9 for the state of Texas. Layer and staff, who already are looking to fill Boatner's scholarship with a junior college point guard, will now have two more scholarships to fill. The Rams had visits from two players this weekend, including one from 6-11 post player Ronnie Aguilar from John W. Marshall high school in Los Angeles. Aguilar reportedly gave a verbal commitment today. They already have four incoming players slated to be on campus this fall: junior college point guard Cory Lewis (Dodge City CC), junior college forward Michael Harrison (Northeastern JC), guard Stephan Gilling (Chino, Calif.), and power forward C.J. Clark (Cypress, Tex.). Calls to Thomasson were not immediately returned Monday, but according to Layer, Thomasson will have several offers. He believes Thomasson could end up in the Missouri Valley Conference or the West Coast Conference.

Precedent was ignored and UALR was left hanging. The National Invitation Tournament snubbed UALR on Sunday night, abruptly ending the Trojans’ 2004-2005 season with an 18-10 record. For the first time since the NIT expanded to 40 teams in 2002, teams with Rating Percentage Index ranks of less than 90 were left out of the field. This year, No. 55 Akron, No. 61 UALR and No. 80 Oregon were not invited. The NIT snub ends the UALR careers of Brandon Freeman, Zack Graber, Darius Eason, Richard Hardman, Columbus Willis, Josh Jacobs and Michael Pridgeon. "I just feel bad for our seven seniors and our entire basketball team," UALR Coach Steve Shields said, just before addressing the team late Sunday. Tw o S u n Belt Conference schools did get in. West Division champion Denver (18-10, 87 RPI) will play at San Francisco, while Western Kentucky (21-8, 63 RPI), which finished second to UALR in the East Division and lost to the Trojans twice, will host Kent State. UALR was 3-3 against NCAA Tournament teams, while Denver was 2-2 and Western Kentucky 0-1. UALR beat Southern Illinois, Louisiana-Lafayette and Southeastern Louisiana and lost to Oklahoma State, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. Western Kentucky’s loss was to Louisiana-Lafayette, while three of Denver’s four games were against Louisiana-Lafayette. The other was a loss to Stanford. "I don’t think [strength of schedule] has a payoff when you look at us and Western Kentucky," Shields said. "When you look at nonconference strength of schedule, Western Kentucky’s is 222 and ours is 24. And we played six teams that played in the NCAA Tournament. That is what is so disappointing." UALR went through Sunday’s practice session at Trojan Fieldhouse believing it was going to be included in the NIT field. But doubt started to creep in as Athletic Director Chris Peterson’s phone wasn’t ringing. Finally, the Associated Press released the list of first-round games around 8:30 p.m., officially finishing the season. "When you look at our strength of schedule, beating Southern Illinois and Louisiana-Lafayette and sweeping Western Kentucky, and us winning the division, I’m not sure how we are excluded," Shields said. "On one hand, you can look at it as you didn’t take care of business in the [sun Belt Tournament], but I think you need to look at the entire season." Mid-majors Davidson (62 RPI), Virginia Commonwealth (66), Drexel (71), Oral Roberts (79), Western Michigan (81) and Cal State Fullerton (107) all received bids. UALR has not been to the NIT since 1996. Arkansas Democrat * Gazette

On the court, Hines. I bet he becomes more of a vocal leader as well by next season. Off the court, Pit Crew. The Crew's enthusiasm was contagious for the rest of the crowd. Hopefully it will continue to grow.

And the conference rankings. Schedule strength Rank CONFERENCE W L Rtg Rk RPI 1. Atlantic Coast(11) 194 114 .5728 1 .5749 2. Pacific 10 (10) 168 115 .5659 2 .5659 3. Big 12 (12) 199 125 .5626 3 .5637 4. Big East (12) 203 125 .5600 4 .5602 5. Southeastern (12) 203 136 .5553 5 .5545 6. Big Ten (11) 184 129 .5545 6 .5515 7. West Coast (8) 132 99 .5342 7 .5422 8. Missouri Val.(10) 169 128 .5331 8 .5354 9. Mid-American (13) 184 163 .5287 9 .5315 10. ConferenceUSA(14) 220 170 .5276 10 .5282 11. Mountain West (8) 115 98 .5122 12 .5158 12. Sun Belt (11) 146 150 .5128 11 .5112 13. Western Athl.(10) 144 132 .5066 13 .5041 14. Colonial Athl.(10) 148 145 .4996 14 .5018 15. America East (10) 140 143 .4939 16 .4968 16. Ivy League (8) 100 112 .4913 17 .4916 17. Atlantic 10 (12) 150 175 .4994 15 .4900 18. Big West (10) 133 139 .4811 18 .4850 19. Horizon (9) 111 131 .4810 19 .4773 20. Atlantic Sun (11) 138 165 .4748 23 .4768 21. Southern (12) 146 171 .4723 24 .4767 22. Patriot (8) 101 118 .4765 21 .4740 23. Metro Atlantic(10) 129 158 .4751 22 .4738 24. Ohio Valley (11) 125 167 .4771 20 .4723 25. Mid-Continent (9) 106 138 .4717 25 .4682 26. Southland (11) 114 148 .4590 26 .4614 27. Big South (9) 108 136 .4528 28 .4566 28. Mid-Eastern (11) 126 178 .4467 31 .4528 29. Northeast (11) 132 175 .4472 29 .4506 30. Big Sky (8) 88 119 .4467 30 .4475 31. Southwestern (10) 101 161 .4248 32 .4256 32. Independents (8) 59 153 .4529 27 .4182

How many non-Division 1 programs has North Texas played in each of those 4 seasons? What is the record against Divison 1 programs? Those are the only games that are factored into the NCAA equation for determining team strength.

Here's a couple of pictures of East Carolina's brand new baseball stadium. The seats were being installed when these photos were taken. It certainly is a beautiful facility. I would love to see the North Texas Ballpark be comparable when completed.

Unless you're reporting on Howerton's game, I'm only kidding guys. I saw that video clip and just had to use it somewhere.

Wow, are these guys prepared. The Athletic Department is already offering Live Video Streaming of our baseball games. That's amazing considering that forming the team was just recently announced. Somebody deserves a pat on the head. STREAMING VIDEO OF NORTH TEXAS BASEBALL GAMES

Obviously, we needed every player to perform well this game, but for the game MVP, I had to go with Justin. After comparing the two games against Denver, it is clear just how important he is to this team. Barnett was injured and had to sit out the game at Denver. The Pioneers pushed the ball inside to Yemi and started a dunkathon against our outsized defenders. When Coach Jones made some adjustments to stop the slaughter inside, Denver destroyed us with precision 3 point shooting. North Texas was was never competitive in that game and was down 25 points much of the contest. Even though Justin didn't score a whole lot of points, he kept the opposition's center from having free roam in the paint on defense. At Denver, Yemi Nicholson disrupted everything that North Texas tried to do inside, and his defensive ability was neutralized when he played against Justin in Denton. Size does matter. Having Barnett clog the middle allows our other players to cover our opposition's perimeter shooters. When Justin's healthy, we usually win. When Justin's sitting out or severely slowed by injury, we usually lose.

There is a Denton TCL site, but it hasn't been updated. Denton Outlaws web site Additionally, there is the Texas Collegiate League site at: Texas Collegiate League web site February 01, 2005 - TEXAS COLLEGIATE LEAGUE FEATURES PLAYERS FROM 84 SCHOOLS IN 2005 The nation's top college baseball programs will be well represented in the Texas Collegiate League in 2005. The projected rosters include players from 84 different schools, including 24 who advanced to the 2004 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Denton Outlaws team information Denton Outlaws 2005 Roster

Baseball: New TCL franchise short on funds to complete 8000 seat stadium, may wait one season 08:53 AM CST on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer A local group of investors that has founded a Texas Collegiate League baseball team in Denton has raised only half of the money it needs to build a stadium on North Texas property with its construction deadline for the upcoming season rapidly approaching. Team official John Hampton said designs for a $4 million facility that include 1,000 chair back seats and 8,000 total seats are complete. Team officials are hoping to finish fund-raising for the facility at a series of meetings in the next few days. "We need to get started on the stadium in the next few weeks," Hampton said. "Right now the decision is whether to build the stadium this year or next year. We don’t want to build something that is not first class." The team has already secured an alternate site for its first season, that is set to begin June 7, if its new stadium is not finished. The TCL team and UNT have entered into an agreement to share the facility. The TCL team would use the field during the summer, while UNT’s club team would use the field during the school year. UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said building a stadium would be a key step toward reviving the Mean Green’s baseball program. A UNT varsity squad would share the stadium with the TCL team. While the Denton TCL franchise is still unsure of its future home, the team has chosen a nickname and has its initial roster in place. Hampton said the team will be known as the Outlaws. Eight people submitted the name during a contest earlier this fall. Hampton said the first person who submitted the name would be declared the winner at a press conference in mid February and will receive tickets to this fall’s World Series. The Outlaws’ roster includes several top collegiate players, including Texas catcher Taylor Teagarden and former Ryan pitcher Jackie Smith of New Mexico. Teagarden was a key cog in Texas team that advanced to the championship round of the College World Series before falling to Cal State Fullerton last season. Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Collegiate Baseball all named Teagarden to their preseason All-America teams. Teagarden hit .273 with 10 home runs in 2004. Smith pitched 15 2/3 innings in relief for New Mexico last season. He played on two of Ryan’s state championship football teams and intercepted a pass in overtime of a 42-35 win over Smithson Valley in 2001 state title game. He was also a member of the Raiders 2002 state title team and a standout baseball player for Ryan. Juston and Jordan Street are also on the Outlaws’ roster. The twins’ father James Street was a standout pitcher for Texas, but is best known as the quarterback who led the Longhorns to the 1969 national title. Huston Street, the twins’ older brother, was a standout pitcher for Texas who is now playing in the Oakland Athletics organization. The TCL is a summer baseball league that features college baseball players who have yet to complete their eligibility. The league includes teams based in cities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including Highland Park, McKinney and Coppell. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. 2005 Denton Outlaws C Brett Lewis UTA C Taylor Teagarden Texas 1B Steven Clay Ranger JC 2B/OF Blake Womble Baylor SS Ryan Booher Odessa College 3B/P Kurt Pessa Rice OF Kern Watts Evansville OF Blake Mitchell Oklahoma OF Elvis Herrera Loyola Marymount UTIL Alexy Hernandez Fla. Southern UTIL Matt Moake Rice UTIL Brett Fenner UTA UTIL Josh Corn Stanford UTIL Damian Gomez Dallas Baptist P Kerr Foster Baylor P Nick Cassavochia Baylor P Daniel Edwards Kansas State P Justin Boyette La.-Lafayette P Brandon LaFollette Purdue P Eddie Degerman Rice P Juston Street Texas P Kyle Hollander Odessa College P Chase Bayuk Kansas State P Jackie Smith New Mexico P Jordan Street Texas P Blake Kronkonsky Oklahoma State

The last official release from the Denton TCBL franchise in October had been that the initial $650,000 for stadium construction had been raised more quickly than anticipated, and that the team was debating raising another $2.2 million to proceed with building Phase 2 into the initial construction. Phase 3 when complete, would have a 7,500 seating capacity. And then, for months, there wasn't any new information. Frankly, I'm just happy to see the Copperhead's games that are scheduled at the Denton Outlaws facility. I was starting to get a little concerned when there was no news for so long, and the Outlaws web site hadn't been updated.

Although the team name hasn't been formally announced, information is being leaked from other league sources. Read the notes in the 'Briefly ... ' section. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Marshals ready for Round 2 McKinney eager to go after the championship in TCL's second season 12:46 AM CST on Sunday, January 16, 2005 By LUKE GILLIAM / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News McKINNEY – What a difference a year makes. McKinney Marshals general manager Shayne Currin talked comfortably from his office at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch last week about the upcoming season. His relaxed demeanor was in sharp contrast to a year ago, when he was scrambling and conducting business from a cellphone as he prepared for the Marshals' inaugural baseball season. "I'm 90 days ahead of schedule," Currin said. "We learned a lot of lessons on the business front last year." Currin had his roster completed in October, and he has already lined up housing for players who will come from all over the country to play for the Marshals this summer in the Texas Collegiate League. Currin spent last week at the National Baseball Coaches Association convention in Nashville, Tenn. He said the league's growing reputation among college coaches has resulted in more talented players coming to the TCL. "The complexion of the entire league has changed," Currin said. On the Marshals' roster, 23 of the 27 players are coming from Division I programs. There were 11 non-Division I players a year ago. McKinney produced the best regular-season record (33-17) and won the Tris Speaker Division – only to be swept out of the first round of the playoffs by eventual champion Coppell. Winning the league title is the team's only goal this season, Currin said, and the roster was assembled accordingly. The Marshals return 13 players, the most of any team in the league. Currin credits the laid-back approach of TCL manager of the year Kyle Hope and the generosity of owner David Craig for the holdovers. Craig had division championship rings made for each player. Among the key returners are outfielders Louie Alamia and Trey Rachal, along with shortstop Jose Salazar. Pitchers Bryce Cox, Josh Geer and Jacob Marceaux are slated to return but could be taken in June's amateur draft, according to Currin. The Marshals will once again have a local flavor as freshmen Matt Smith and Brandon Glover (McKinney) and Jake Arietta (Plano East) are on the team. Hope returns with pitching coach Mike Henneman and hitting coach Jack Clark, both former major leaguers. The Marshals will open the season June 7 at Coppell. McKinney will host the league's All-Star Game on July 11. Tickets will go on sale in March, and the Marshals have dropped prices to $6.50 for adults and $5.50 for seniors and students. Gabe Nesbitt Field will be all reserved seating this season. Briefly ... The league has cut its schedule from 54 games to 48 and reduced the roster limit from 30 to 27. The Granbury Generals franchise folded in the off-season. The Colleyville-Grapevine LoneStars franchise relocated to Euless, and the Denton Outlaws joined the league. The TCL Futures Game is July 24 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, and the championship series is slated for Aug. 5-7. E-mail lgilliam@dallasnews.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Although it's still very early, some of the league teams are already pushing season ticket sales (Highland Park, Coppell, and McKinney) the Coppell franchise started updating their schedule on thier website today. Coppell Copperheads TCBL Schedule Page

I saw this archived story, was it ever put on GMG.com? Mayor pushes Denton growth Paul Knight Staff Writer October 07, 2004 Mayor Euline Brock envisions a future Denton that stands apart from other booming suburbs in the area and becomes the "third city" in the Metroplex. Brock, a NT distinguished alumna, said NT plays a major role in both the Denton of the future and the past. "We would be nothing without UNT," Brock said. "[NT] shaped who we are as a community." Brock said Denton is in a transition of either becoming another large suburb of Dallas or becoming a city that stands alone. Because of major growth in Denton and the surrounding areas, Brock said it is time to decide what the city will be. "We have two choices," Brock said. "One is that we are a real city and we act like a city, or we're just going to be a really large place taking what's leftover from the south of us." To examine the problem of setting Denton apart from other cities, the city hired an "economic development consulting firm" from Austin. After examining other north Texas cities, the firm suggested Denton's theme be, "The Creative and Intellectual Capital of North Texas." "It really does fit Denton, and it doesn't fit anyplace else," Brock said. She said there are several areas Denton must improve to become a great city. One is Denton's sports industry, and the city will focus on collegiate level sports. Brock said she hopes the city can build a new baseball complex that will rival Frisco's minor league stadium, and bring NCAA baseball to NT.

And for those of you coming to the game watching party, try to stop by Steve and Barry's Collegiate Sportswear Superstore in Grapevine Mills Mall. You will easily be able to envision the possibilities if there were Mean Green merchandise available in line with all those burnt orange, maroon, and crimson products.

D'Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Game time is 7:30 in Dallas, 6:30 is for the Mountain Time Zone. I'll get it corrected on the party announcement after we've firmed up a few commitments from fans, and gotten our reservations set with the bar.

Mean Green Game Watching Party The game starts at 7:30 Thursday night. Men's Basketball North Texas vs Denver Fox Sports Net Rocky Mountain will telecast the game, and we will all be watching it at The Sportsmans Bar and Grill at the Embassy Suites in Grapevine. I have reserved a section of tables and and two large screens for our group. The management has extended the Happy Hour pricing for beer to run through the duration of our game. The Sportsmans Bar and Grill is in the back of the lobby of the Embassy Suites in Grapevine. The Embassy Suites Hotel is the tall hotel directly behind the Bass Pro Shop and Outdoor World superstore. This function is open to all fans. Invite your Mean Green friends to join us. The more people that show for the party, the better. I hope to see all of you there. Go Mean Green!