MeanGreen61

109. North Texas North Texas Preview Predicted Finish: 4-8 2005 Predicted Finish: 7-4 2005 Record: 2-9 After owning the Sun Belt for several years with trip after trip to the New Orleans Bowl, North Texas found out what it's like to be on the other side of things finishing dead-last in the conference. Considering the team was at or near the bottom in just about every major statistical category and loses only nine lettermen off of last year's team, there's reason to believe a turnaround can be just as quick as a fall from grace. Relative Strengths: running backs, linebackers Relative Weaknesses: secondary, quarterback http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Ra...006_100_109.htm

Lil' Abner (#28) is honored in the Chiefs Hall of Fame for his career accomplishments.

Think again ! football recruit class takes more hits A position shuffle begins as four more signees fall short academically and a fifth leaves the team. By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer Published July 11, 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TAMPA - More than a third of USF's football recruiting class from February won't make it to campus this fall, with news Monday that four more signees failed to qualify academically and a fifth quit the team. That brings the total to 10 players who signed with USF but won't play this fall, with eight failing to meet NCAA initial eligibility requirements. The newest four are safety Jerrell Young of Gibbs High School, offensive lineman Jeremiah Warren of Panama City, defensive end Joe Jackson of Miami and center Kevin McCaskill of Tallahassee. Dixie Hollins offensive lineman James Boger quit the team after two days of conditioning last week. The Bulls added a scholarship transfer in former Kansas State center Ryan Schmidt, who missed last season with a broken ankle. Healthy and competing for a starting job with the Wildcats this spring, he said he chose to transfer because of Kansas State's offseason coaching change to Ron Prince. "When Coach (Jim) Leavitt was being considered for the Kansas State job, I started learning more about him," said Schmidt, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound sophomore from Boca Raton who will sit out the 2006 season under NCAA transfer rules. "I talked with (former coach Bill) Snyder and he said he was a very good coach." USF's roster, released Monday, also shows that two reserves who had been on scholarship, offensive tackle Jerome Springfield of Lehigh Acres and defensive tackle Paul Uhatafe of Gibbs, are no longer with the team. McCaskill and Warren, who missed the NCAA requirements by two points on the ACT entrance exam, said they will retake the test this fall with plans to join the Bulls on scholarship in January. Jackson said USF has placed him at Butler Community College in Kansas. Boger, who was expected to continue a long line of players from Leavitt's alma mater, needed only two days to change his mind. "He said he didn't want to play football anymore," Dixie Hollins coach Mike Morey said. "I never would have never seen it coming. He didn't miss a day of practice here. It's a shame, a real disappointment." Of USF's 10 lost signees, five are on the defensive line. Tight end Shane McElwain and walk-on linebacker Treco Bellamy will now play at defensive end. Former quarterback Carlton Hill, arrested last month on a charge of possession of marijuana, is now officially listed as a receiver. New walk-ons include former Leto standout J.B. Bailey, a defensive back who last played as a quarterback at Tennessee Tech in 2003.

Info posted on the Sun Belt board. Turner Construction Company's Miami office together with Ellerbe Becket has been awarded a design/build contract by Florida International University to renovate and expand Golden Panther Stadium. The project is currently scheduled fro a June 2008 completion with the Golden Panthers playing the 2008 season in their new home. Upon completion, Florida International University's current 7,500-seat stadium will be able to accommodate 23,000 fans. The scope of work will also include private suites, a luxury club seating area, Alumni section and outdoor patios as well as increased tailgating areas. Other upgrades include new bathroom facilities, concessions, press box/media areas, field house expansion and new coaches' offices. "We are honored that FIU has selected us to be a part of this historic project. We are certain that this project will give Florida International University a venue to continue growing their athletics program and increase fan excitement. Turner has been working at FIU for the past 10 years and we are certain that this project will be a landmark for their campus," said Jay Fraser, General Manager of Turner Construction's Miami office. "Distinctive, intimate athletic facilities create identity and tradition for universities," said Doug Beichley, a principal in Ellerbe Becket's sports practice. "The new Golden Panther Stadium will energize fans and include them in the action. We've created a design that not only addresses how to generate spirited competition, but also how to generate revenue for the school."

GMAC Bowl moves to January Officials say higher-profile position on night before BCS Championship Game will help the bowl and Mobile Friday, July 14, 2006 By RANDY KENNEDY Sports Editor Mobile's GMAC Bowl will join the early January college football lineup beginning this season when the game moves to Sunday, Jan. 7. The switch from having been held the week before Christmas to being the sole nationally televised football game the night before the Bowl Championship Series national title event could be a boon to the eighth annual contest, officials said. While two NFL wild-card playoff games will be played during the day on Jan. 7, the GMAC Bowl will have no competition when it kicks off just after 7 p.m. "Our only hesitation was: Why do you mess with what has been successful?" said Jerry Silverstein, president of the GMAC Bowl. "But to play in prime time the night before the national championship game offers more exposure for the city, the teams, the conferences, GMAC and the bowl." The GMAC Bowl has a contract with ESPN to televise the game. Silverstein said ESPN has given him the go-ahead to schedule the game for January through 2010. Silverstein said bowl officials maintain the right to continue to play the game in January or move it back where it was. "ESPN opened this opportunity, and it was a mutual agreement to move the game," Silverstein said. "This will allow everyone more time from the end of the regular season to prepare for the bowl." Dave Brown, ESPN vice president for programming and acquisitions, said the game will have a unique position in the bowl season lineup. "On the eve of the national championship game, we think this move will provide tremendous exposure for the GMAC Bowl, GMAC, the city of Mobile and the participating conferences," Brown said. The game will continue to feature a representative of Conference USA against a team from either the Mid-American or Western Athletic conferences. There will be no change in the way the teams are selected or in monetary payouts to the universities and conferences involved, according to Silverstein. The game will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium 20 days before the Senior Bowl. Among the players who have participated in the GMAC Bowl are current NFL stars Ben Roethlisberger, LaDainian Tomlinson and Byron Leftwich. The 2001 game between Marshall and East Carolina is still the highest scoring postseason game in history, with Marshall winning 64-61. "We think this is an unusual and unprecedented way to improve our game," Silverstein said. "This should really help our TV ratings and be a win for everyone involved."

Incoming University of North Texas freshmen Sami Vance of Weatherford, Ashley Vickery of Dallas and Caitlin Woltje of Sugar Land let out a cheer for their group, the Green Glories, during a spirit competition on Thursday at the UNT Lyceum. The Green Glories won the spirit competition, part of the second day of freshman orientation for a group of 475 new students. Eight UNT orientation sessions are planned for this summer.

Are many "whoevers" showing up

Editor's Note: This story is part of a series. The News-Star is profiling all 12 members of the Sun Belt conference as Louisiana-Monroe completes its transition from the Southland Conference this summer. North Texas enjoying bright days in the Sun Belt Conference By Keith Prince kprince@thenewsstar.com Located in a part of Texas (35 miles north of Dallas-Forth Worth) where it would be awfully easy to get a "lack of exposure complex" what with the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers lurking, the University of North Texas is doing just fine, thank you. Maybe that's because it has over 31,000 students, a ton of famous alumni and has been winning Sun Belt Conference championships by the bushel basket recently (11 in the past five years). Although it's football title train finally got derailed last fall, prior to that the Mean Green had won four straight conference championships under coach Darrell Dickey and boasted the nation's Division 1A rushing leaders in both 2003 (Patrick Cobbs) and 2004 (Jamario Thomas). With that record, the Mean Green earned the host slot in the first three New Orleans Bowl games hosted by the Sun Belt Conference champ. As for the university overall, North Texas is the fourth-largest university in Texas and offers 93 bachelor's, 114 master's and 49 doctoral degree programs, many of which are nationally recognized. It also has an alumni base that starts with NFL Hall of Famer "Mean" Joe Greene of Pittsburgh Steelers fame, includes top PGA Tour golfer Don January and reads like a Who's Who in the entertainment business. Among its former students are musical giants Pat Boone, Don Henley, Roy Orbison and current sensation Norah Jones as well as famed author Larry McMurty ("Lonesome Dove", "Terms of Endearment"), plus former Miss America Phyllis George and famed television journalist Bill Moyers, former chief correspondent and senior news analyst for CBS News. The Mean Green were also coached by Hayden Fry (1973-78) before he eventually carved out a Hall of Fame record at the University of Iowa. North Texas' current stint of athletic success has come under Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal who arrived in 2001 and has not only overseen championship row, but also organized a giant fund raising success story. Villarreal has directed the building of an $8 million athletic facility (training suite, locker rooms, and administration and football offices) at North Texas that compares favorably to the elite collegiate athletic programs in the nation.

Where did that come from!

Post from the Sun Belt board. Alan Farley Associate Athletic Director Middle Tennessee State University Phone: (615) 898-2210 Fax: (615) 898-5056 Dear Blue Raider Zone Members, Now is the chance for you to truly put "stock" in Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raider Athletic Association has an exciting opportunity for ownership in our new football field in Floyd Stadium. SPORTEXE is installing a new state-of-the-art synthetic turf called PowerBlade. Floyd Stadium is the first college stadium in the nation to have this type of new technology playing surface. This is as close to natural grass as it comes. Starting on Tuesday July 11, 2006 until Friday Aug.18, 2006, you can purchase shares of stock in the new football field surface that is currently being installed for the upcoming season. Each share will cost $250.00. This is a one time limited stock offering. Each commemorative share will be numbered and will be issued on a first come basis. With this being a limited offering, you need to act now. Each Stockholder will receive an invitation to attend a Stockholders reception that will give you the first public opportunity to see and walk on the new field and will also get to view our new Nike MT football uniforms at a private showing with Coach Stockstill. Each Stockholder will also receive an authentic numbered stock certificate to display in your home or office. As an added bonus, each Stockholder will receive a pre-game sideline pass for the season opener on Thursday, Aug. 31st against Florida International. You will be on the sideline for the first game to be played on the new surface. Take ownership today by contacting the BRAA office at (615)898-2210 and purchase your shares today. There will no shares sold after Friday, Aug.18, 2006. Put your "STOCK" in Middle Tennessee!! Alan Farley Associate Athletic Director

New Mexico St. linebacker killed in drive-by shooting Associated Press LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A New Mexico State University football player who was set to be one of the Aggies' starting middle linebackers this season has died. Shana Leaupepe, 21, died Friday in Long Beach, Calif., after a drive-by shooting, Aggies coach Hal Mumme said Saturday. Leaupepe was visiting family in California when he was killed, Mumme said. "Shana was an outstanding young man, and we are shocked that this has happened," Mumme said in a news release. "Shana was a wonderful friend and teammate, and our hearts go out to his family. We've lost a special young man whose time at New Mexico State left a lasting mark on our coaches, players and staff." Leaupepe was the leading tackler in 2004 for the Oilers of West Los Angeles College. With 56 tackles, he led his team to a 7-3 mark and a conference championship. In his two years at the college, he tallied more than 100 tackles and was named an all-conference selection twice. In high school, Leaupepe played middle linebacker for the Samoana High School Sharks in the Utulei Village of American Samoa. In 2003, he helped his team to an 8-2 record and a second place finish in the conference. Leaupepe had planned to major in sociology at New Mexico State, according to the school's Web site. Mumme said Leaupepe will be buried in American Samoa. The funeral date and time have not been set.

July 07, 2006 Mitch Vingle C-USA looks bowl savvy; recruiting updates; West sculpture YE OLDE notebook: Conference USA may not be a Bowl Championship Series league. But in the business of bowls, it certainly must be considered a champion. ARTICLE http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2006070640

Scroll down for Sun Belt Q&A http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Ask_CFN/Ask_CFN.htm

2 Navy 2A Texas

Bummer. This guy is just ranked as the 9th best in the country by Scout.com. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=4&pid=20&yr=2006

Woodward articles from Scout.com. http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=380848 So did Jenks, Ok. Rising senior Steven Woodward, who many considered one of the nation’s best, also did quite well with solid kicks. http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=387310 Steven Woodward #7 - Steven Woodward - Jenks, Oklahoma - (Kicked off 1 inch) - Wonderfully accurate. Kicks usually dead center every time. Disciplined kicker who gets to the ball quicklyANALYSIS: D-I caliber kicker. Scout.com Kicker rankings. http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=4&pid=20&yr=2006

FSN is a national broadcast. It would show FoxSW if regional. 1st game of a double header. 2nd game is Louisiana Tech @ Nebraska.

http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Features/TV.htm Date Game Time Network Sep. 2 Sat. North Texas @ Texas Noon FSN Sep. 9 Sat. Oklahoma State @ Arkansas State 7:00 p.m. ESPNU Oct. 6 Fri. Louisville @ MTSU 8:00 p.m. ESPN2 Oct. 18 Wed. UL Lafayette @ Florida Atlantic 7:30 p.m. ESPN2 Oct. 28 Sat. UL-Monroe @ Arkansas TBD ESPNU Dec. 22 Fri. New Orleans Bowl 8:00 p.m. ESPN

Isles' short list for AD gets shorter North Texas' Dickenson no longer pursuing job By Lee Goddard Caller-Times July 1, 2006 The list for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's new athletic director just got trimmed as candidate Hank Dickenson withdrew from contention Friday morning. Dickenson cited a few reasons in deciding to remain as a senior associate athletic director at North Texas, including support from his colleagues in Denton and the time it has taken for A&M-Corpus Christi to make a final decision. "I think it was a culmination of factors," Dickenson said. "The bottom line is I've been here a long time, and there have been a lot of people lobbying to keep me here. I'm in a good situation here with great people." That leaves Baylor associate athletic director Bill Chaves, Troy (Ala.) senior associate athletic director Scott Farmer and Cincinnati associate athletic director Brian Teter as the remaining candidates to have interviewed. Dickenson said he informed search committee chair Ann DeGaish on Friday morning of his decision to withdraw. He had nothing but praise for DeGaish and the search committee. But Dickenson expressed some frustration with something the search committee does not control - the time it has taken to make a decision. Dickenson was the first candidate to interview, starting the process June 5. Farmer was the final candidate brought to town, leaving June 20. The position has been vacant since Dan Viola abruptly stepped down in late February. The announcement of four finalists occurred May 26. "They're taking a long time in this process, and I can appreciate taking the time to make a good decision," Dickenson said. "The timelines continued to get pushed back. At some point, with football season coming up, I knew I had to make a decision at a cut-off point. "Last night I did some soul-searching with my wife, and came to the decision." President Flavius Killebrew, who essentially has the final decision in the hiring, said he was a bit surprised that a candidate withdrew, but it wasn't completely unexpected. Saying he did not yet know Dickenson's reasons for pulling out, Killebrew cited the timeline as a difficulty some candidates might have. "People at this position sometimes get nervous when the timeline doesn't run to plan," Killebrew said. "Yeah, I wasn't expecting him to withdraw, but I'm not totally surprised, either." As for the timeframe, Killebrew was out of town at the beginning of the week, and has spent time in Austin on university business over the past two days. He said he was sorry Dickenson withdrew, but that the school still had "three viable candidates." For Dickenson, time was of the essence for a few reasons. With football season approaching, this is one of his busiest times of the year in terms of strategic planning. And, as is the case with other candidates, there are children and new school districts to consider. From a professional standpoint, the longer the search continues, the less time a new athletic director has to come in and make an immediate mark. "The longer it goes, the tougher it will be for a person in the Corpus job to make an impact in year one," Dickenson said. "I think that's the most critical year for a new athletic director - year one. "I never knew where I stood. I never knew if I was in the top two or bottom two. I thought at least it would have been cut down to two (candidates) by now." Instead, it's now down to three. Contact Lee Goddard at 886-3613 or goddardl@ caller.com

FIELD ANNOUNCED FOR 2006 PRESEASON WNIT June 28, 2006 – The 16-team field for the 2006 Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament was announced today. The field for the prestigious women’s college basketball tournament includes 11 teams that played in the postseason last season. Baylor, BYU, Dartmouth, Hartford, North Carolina State, Purdue, St. John’s and Stanford played in the NCAA Tournament, and Belmont, Hofstra and Idaho State qualified for the Postseason WNIT field. They will be joined by High Point, Iona, Loyola-Marymount, North Texas and Wichita State in this fall’s Preseason WNIT. The single-elimination tournament opens Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 with first-round games. Second-round games will be played on Nov. 12-13, semifinals on Nov. 15-16 and the championship is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19. All games are played on home campuses, which are determined after each round. In last year’s Preseason WNIT, Connecticut defeated Oklahoma and went on to a 32-5 season, advancing to the NCAA’s Elite Eight round. First-round games: All 2005-2006 team records in parentheses Thursday, Nov. 9 Belmont (22-8) at Purdue (26-7), 7 p.m. ET Iona (17-12) at St. John’s (22-8), 7 p.m. ET High Point (20-10) at N.C. State (19-12), 7 p.m. ET Loyola-Marymount (17-12) at Stanford (26-8), 7 p.m. PT Friday, Nov. 10 Dartmouth (23-7) at Hartford (27-4), 7 p.m. ET North Texas (19-8) at Baylor (26-7), 7 p.m. CT Hofstra (19-12) at Wichita State (15-13), 7 p.m. CT Idaho State (17-13) at BYU (26-6), 7 p.m. MT http://www.womensnit.com/

UNT’s Dickey expects no ill effects from diabetes 09:07 AM CDT on Thursday, June 29, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Darrell Dickey said Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with diabetes, a condition that is not expected to impact the four-time Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. “Diabetes is in my family’s history,” Dickey said. “Everything looks ok so far. It won’t affect me at all.” Dickey, who is entering his ninth season at UNT, will have to monitor his diet and exercise, but does not expect to have to make any major lifestyle changes. Being diagnosed with diabetes is the latest in a series of medical problems Dickey has overcome since last winter. Dickey fell ill on Jan. 29 following an official visit weekend for UNT recruits, but spoke during the Mean Green’s press conference on National Signing Day on Feb. 1. Dickey returned to the hospital and had his gallbladder removed on Feb. 4 before bouncing back in time for the Mean Green’s spring practices that began on Feb. 13. “After surgery the diabetes kicked in and started causing me some problems,” Dickey said. “I didn’t know what the cause was. When I went and got tested that told me what the problem is.” Dickey has lost more than 25 pounds since the end of last season. “I feel very good going into the season,” Dickey said. Atterberry lands job in Tyler Former UNT assistant coach Duke Atterberry has accepted a position as running backs coach at Tyler John Tyler. The longtime high school coach spent two years on UNT’s staff as tight ends coach and recruited Oklahoma high schools. “Tyler John Tyler is a good program and I have a friend on that staff,” Atterberry said. “I am looking forward to getting back into coaching in high school. I appreciated my time at North Texas. It made me a better coach and a better person.” Atterberry signed tight end Charles Brown and defense lineman Tim Patton, a pair of recruits who are expected to develop into key players for the Mean Green. Brown caught three passes for 14 yards as a freshman last season and is expected to compete for additional playing time as a sophomore. Patton, a Class 5A all-state selection as a senior last season at Tulsa East Central, is among UNT’s top prospects in its 2006 recruiting class. Women’s basketball UNT draws Baylor in Preseason WNIT UNT will play Baylor in the first round of the Preseason WNIT on Nov. 10 in Waco. UNT was one of 16 teams invited to play in the event. All tournament games are played on the campuses of participating teams. Game sites are determined after each round. “It’s a great opportunity to play a former national champion,” Slinker said. “We hope fans will come and support us and also to see Baylor.” UNT received a bid after winning the Sun Belt Conference West Division title and finishing with a 19-9 record last season. The Mean Green lost several key players after last season, but do return their fourth-leading scorer in Amber Jackson, a forward who averaged 7.7 points a game as a redshirt freshman.

College football: Blue Raiders trying to fill roster with walk-ons http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar.../606280316/1006 By ADAM SPARKS (Murfreesboro) Daily News Journal MURFREESBORO - Watching the film "Rudy" at his Lexington, S.C., home, future Middle Tennessee State football player Brandon Gantt can't help but be inspired. "That's the way a walk-on's story should go," said Gantt, an invited walk-on for MTSU. "It makes me want to fight every day to earn a scholarship and playing time when I get to Middle Tennessee." New MTSU coach Rick Stockstill hopes the same passions will arise in other Blue Raider arrivals not under scholarship this fall. Stockstill is trying to kickoff a program for walk-ons that would eventually award scholarships to the top one or two members of the scout team each season. He's calling to all corners of the state and beyond for hard-working and talented high school players largely overlooked by the recruiting process. "A guy from West Tennessee or Middle Tennessee or anywhere else who wants a chance to play I-A college football, they've got a chance here like none other," Stockstill said. "A lot of times, (walk-ons) will be guys who were planning on going somewhere else or even here (at MTSU) just for school, but they were a good high school player. Well, they can come out and help us and actually get a chance to earn a spot on the field." Stockstill's positive pitch to potential walk-ons is likely due to perhaps the thinnest depth chart in I-A football. The Blue Raiders currently have less than 70 scholarship players on their roster, including 14 incoming signees which Stockstill would like to mostly redshirt. The combination of previous academic penalties, another previous NCAA violation and early departure of student-athletes before their graduation has left MTSU football with a scholarship allotment much closer to the Division I-AA maximum of 63 than the I-A cap of 85. Entering fall camp, MTSU will have only nine returning offensive linemen under scholarship. "The hardest guys to find are big guys, but that's where you have the best chance to play sooner than later for us," Stockstill said. "We could use more offensive and defensive linemen and maybe some more wide receivers." That's where Gantt - who was also recruited by East Carolina, William and Mary, Richmond, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina - may find playing time at the I-A level. "I'm going (to MTSU) to try to play quarterback, but if receiver is the quickest route to the field and to making plays, I see no problem in trying that," Gantt said. A dual-threat quarterback at Heatherwood Hall (S.C.) High, Gantt passed for more than 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 950 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior last season. He led his team to a 24-1 record over the last two seasons and a 2004 state championship before earning MVP honors at the North Carolina-South Carolina All-Star game - passing for 215 yards, rushing for 40 yards and scoring four total touchdowns. Originally published June 28, 2006

On line 2006 Fan Guide. (PDF) http://www.nmnathletics.com/pdf7/38978.pdf...CRIBER_CONTENT=

From the MTSU board. MUTS gettin' ready for upcoming season ! Football - June 27, 2006 Football summer workout photo gallery The Middle Tennessee football team is well into its summer workout program in preparation for the 2006 season. The Blue Raiders have weight training, conditioning, and then workout on their own with 7-on-7 drills. The Blue Raiders will open the 2006 season at home against conference foe Florida International on August 31. PHOTO GALLERY http://www.goblueraiders.com/?go=story&doc=5361