MeanGreen61

How good is Roderick Fleming? Thread from the OSU Rivals board. http://oklahomastate.rivals.com/showmsg.as...15&sid=&style=2

uhhh. Maybe he is remembering 3 winning seasons in the past 4.

From a post on the CUSA board. Part of a UTEP report. Sports Programs (to be implemented by 2014) -Baseball?based on UTEP?s regional location and ?citywide? interest in baseball (high school programs, El Paso Community College, professional baseball, baseball academy). Possible facility partnerships may be available within the city. -Swimming and Diving (Women)?based on ?citywide? interest in swimming and diving (high school programs, private swim programs) and Title IX legislation. Sharing facilities with the current UTEP Swimming and Fitness Center is a possible option. -Bowling (Women)?based on the relatively low start-up cost of implementing a program, ?citywide? interest in bowling (league bowling), Title IX legislation, and the possible availability of a state-of-the-art facility near the UTEP campus. -Equestrian (Women)?based on the relatively low start-up cost of implementing a program and on strong potential community support and access to both a facility and horses. Title IX legislation is also a consideration. Rodeo (Women)?based on local interest and Title IX legislation. Additional research is needed. -Competitive Cheerleading (Women)?based on a El Paso?s Quality of Life Committee Chair A.F. Ayoub and member Virginia W. Shapiro listened to a discussion about UTEP?s role in providing intellectual and cultural resources to the community. 39 current nationally recognized UTEP Cheerleading Squad and the possibility of developing a competitive UTEP Cheerleading Team. Title IX legislation is also a consideration. -Facilities (New Construction and/or Improvements) -Conduct a feasibility study to determine location, building components, and cost of a Men?s and Women?s Basketball Practice Facility. (Priority) -Construct an on-campus dining facility to provide meal plans for student athletes. -Conduct a feasibility study to determine the size, scope, and cost of the following additions or improvements to the Sun Bowl Stadium:Luxury suites -Club section with chair backs -TV monitors at concession stands and upgraded concession stands to provide greater customer service -Additional seating?in the event that the UTEP football program continues its progress and thus generates more fan interest both locally and regionally -Natural grass?in order to attract potential international soccer matches. However, associated costs and/or resources (e.g., maintenance, water) and a limited use requirement for a grass field may limit the feasibility of this option. -Conduct a feasibility study to determine the size, scope, and cost of the following additions or improvements to the Don Haskins Center (Priority):Luxury suites -Additional seating (15,000 to 18,000 total seats suggested), in the event that the UTEP men?s and women?s basketball programs continue their progress, creating more fan interest both locally and regionally. Additional seating would allow UTEP to host NCAA Basketball Tournament games and other special events such as concerts. -TV monitors at concession stands and upgraded concession stands to provide greater customer service -Upgraded arena lighting to provide greater fan entertainment -Additional office space for Men?s Basketball, Don Haskins Center, and Special Events staff -Secure a space for the football team to meet as one unit. -Upgrade the Baltimore Field/Football Practice Facility (lighting, storage, an additional practice field). -Upgrade the Kidd Field stadium seating and offices, to include a cover over both the track and stands, helping to eliminate sun exposure. -Construct an on-campus tennis facility for use by UTEP students, the UTEP women?s tennis program, and the El Paso community (e.g., tennis camps). -Expand UTEP?s Athletics Administrative offices to accommodate current and future growth in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. These offices could be built as part of the men?s and women?s basketball practice facility. -Football Game Atmosphere Enhancements -Develop a Mesa Street Block Party by closing off Mesa Street and/or working with the City to construct a tunnel under Mesa Street for pedestrian traffic. The area on Mesa Street from Baltimore Street to University Avenue could be named the ?Mine Shaft District,? as is done on other university campuses. -Improve the transportation system to ease access to the Sun Bowl:Coordinate efforts with Sun Metro to offer centralized pick-up and return for UTEP home football games at such places as Cielo Vista and Sunland Park Malls. -Organize on-campus shuttle system/customer service carts to take fans from one side of Sun Bowl Stadium to the other as well as to provide transportation to the stadium from parking lots that are not within walking distance. -Enhance merchandise stands and locate them throughout the stadium. -Extend the marching band?s activities prior to entering the stadium (e.g., performance on campus for tailgaters) and provide the band with additional scholarship assistance. -Miscellaneous Recommendations -Increase UTEP?s athletics budget to $25-$35 million per year so that UTEP can become a Top 25 Intercollegiate Athletics program. In order to achieve this goal, UTEP must become a consistent 40/10 program (average fan attendance of more than 40,000 fans per home football game and more than 10,000 fans per men?s basketball game).-Develop a Community Steering Committee to assist in the implementation of all initiatives and recommendations. -Develop satellite Miner Shop(s)/Ticket Centers throughout El Paso (e.g., East, Northeast) that would sell UTEP merchandise and tickets for all UTEP-sponsored events. -Explore a possible ?tie-in? (both at the conference level and individually) with the Sun Bowl football game. -Host first and second round games of the NCAA Men?s Basketball Tournament. -Host the conference men?s and women?s basketball tournaments. -Explore the possibility of creating UTEP?s own men?s and/ or women?s basketball tournament as a potential source of revenue. -Develop elite team camps and/or tournaments to attract prospective students from all areas of Texas and the United States. -Schedule competition in all sports programs with Top 25 teams as well as with the following regional teams? University of New Mexico, New Mexico State, BYU, Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, UT-Austin, Arizona, and Arizona State. http://ia.utep.edu/Portals/569/Quality_of_Life[low].pdf

Tommy: Why have you not gone after a second bowl game, it appears that with the NCAA expand the bowl opportunities the Sun Belt was left out? Commissioner Waters: Tommy, it is a close call and we certainly recognize the potential recruiting issues. The answer is somewhere between financial resources and competitive incentive. Financially, the bowls you are describing are really no-risk ventures for the sponsoring agencies. Conferences are guaranteeing $35-550K to the agency regardless if they have a team that qualifies or not. That is a pretty big leap in faith for us considering that in five years, only three times have we had a second team qualify (MTSU, Troy and ULL) and once there was an opportunity available (Troy in Silicon Valley). We receive roughly a million dollars each year from the BCS and we use that money to supplement our TV package in all sports, (football, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball and softball ( other sports are broadcast over the Sun Belt Network on the Internet). So, to operate a second bowl would require us to eliminate 10 to 15 productions. Not sure that is a good idea. From a competitive stand point, last season was really the first season where we got the impact we wanted from our football race. We went to the next to last weekend with seven teams still having an impact and interest on who would go to New Orleans Bowls. The last week we had four teams still playing a role in that decision. So by having one game, it ups the stakes for winning the championship and that creates interest on campus. Now did I enjoy, not being able to place ULL? Absolutely not, but I appreciate the fact that they come back this year with a resolve to win the game out right and take charge of there own destiny. The third factor, is the number and location of bowls. I believe that we will see the trend of last year continue, and we will see more conferences not able to fulfill their contractual obligations and thus be in need of teams with winning records (seven or more wins)and teams that travel well. What can fans do to help their team? Buy tickets and travel with your team. Not only is it fun, it makes a difference when that bowl director says. “How many tickets can you guarantee?” MAY Q&A'S http://sunbeltsportstv.nmnathletics.com/Vi...CRIBER_CONTENT=

Blue Raider Zone article. Reshuffling the Deck Conference Shakeups As Unpredictable as the Games Themselves BlueRaiderzone.com tries to dispel some of the myths about the benefits of MAC membership, breaks down the pros and cons of the debate and dives deeper into the complexities of what is likely to be the single largest shift in conference realignment in collegiate athletics history. -crw Every year about this time, we hear rumbles out of Bowling Green, Ky, that Western Kentucky is moving to the Mid-American Conference. Most of that speculation is based on Western Kentucky’s athletics’ director desire to move his athletic department into a more prestigious conference. So, where do the motives of Wood Selig originate? Perhaps a bit of his desires are based on an elite group of narcissistic Hilltopper boosters who think the Sun Belt is out to destroy Western. A more plausible reason is he wants Western’s basketball program in a better basketball league, which leaves you to wonder if he’s really weighed the pros and cons of joining the MAC? But just maybe there’s a deeper reason that no one is talking about? Although we know where it’s most likely to originate, there’s no clear perspective on how any shift in Division I athletics will occur and how that will impact the Blue Raiders. It’s similar to how we know the next big earthquake will likely occur somewhere in California. It’s what happens next that becomes so unpredictable, and all you can do is prepare as best you can. There are different avenues of thought on how Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky compliment one another. On one hand, it seems likely that Western’s intent on being in a higher profile basketball conference will split the on again, off again rivalry. On the other hand, Western’s interminable and deliberate move to Division I-A football would afford both Universities a partner opportunity most fans would never be willing to contemplate much less entertain. The Blue Raiders bring to the table an all-around athletics department that (a number of outsiders have been impressed by) includes an improving basketball program and a football program with unlimited potential. Western brings unrivaled basketball tradition for a non-BCS school and both just happen to be in a close proximity to one another in an area that just happens to be in a Top 30 media market. You can draw your own conclusions from that, but remember one final point. Chris Massaro and Selig are still very close friends. Perhaps joined in a unified mission the two schools are more powerful working as one than mutually exclusive of one another? Before diving further into realignment scenarios, we need to address what happened in the summer of 2003 regarding the MAC. On the heels of losing Marshall and UCF to Conference USA, the MAC began internal discussions about expansion. Those internal discussions quickly led to secret closed-door meetings with both Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee. Contrary to what Western fans believe or think both schools were courted by the MAC; however, there was a catch. The catch was the MAC was only going to offer invitations as a package deal. It was either both or neither. Then athletic director, Boots Donnelly, made one of his best decisions telling the MAC that MT wasn’t prepared to leave the Sun Belt at that time. As a result, Western Kentucky’s potential invite to the MAC was dealt a major blow. Every year since then, the MAC rumbles emanate from Bowling Green at the end of the academic year. Since 2003, there has been a healthy debate about whether MT should be considering a move to the MAC. It’s not really clear if the MAC would still be interested in the Blue Raiders considering its overtures were shunned a few years ago. With Temple’s addition to the MAC, it would seem unlikely that Middle Tennessee would be a target. It’s also unclear if Western is still a viable candidate for the MAC without a nearby travel partner. Despite those uncertainties, we can draw some pros and cons about a hypothetical move to the MAC. For a breakdown of the pros and cons, click here. Whether he knew why it was or not, Boots Donnelly’s decision to stay in the Sun Belt was the best choice for the long-term success of the Middle Tennessee athletic department. The Blue Raiders do not belong in a conference that has a footprint in the upper Midwest. Should Western Kentucky have the opportunity to join the MAC and seize it, the rivalry between the two schools will fizzle once again as Middle Tennessee looks elsewhere. The Sun Belt Conference represents the best alternative for building Middle Tennessee’s program right now, although the future is rapidly approaching. It may seem contradictory at this point considering the previous statements, but just about everyone who’s willing to be objective knows the Sun Belt’s existence is a bit tenuous pending the next phase of realignment. Perhaps Wood Selig understands that too, which precipitates his candid desire to join the Mid-American Conference? Selig may very well realize the long-term future of the Sun Belt Conference is fragile, so it’s tough to blame him for wanting to be proactive rather than waiting to see how everyone else’s decisions are going to effect them. Middle Tennessee’s fate (along with a few other Belt schools) rest primarily at the hands of the Big East and Mountain West. First, how will the Big East split manifest itself? That is probably the single biggest unknown. Second, (and this makes a big assumption about how the Big East split goes down) will the Big East and Mountain West be content with smaller nine-team conferences or will they decide to build 12-team Super Conferences? The Big East may never move to add four teams. It could be content with adding only one school to form a nine-team conference, but in this day and age of the almighty dollar who is willing to bet on that? If it happened that way, the Sun Belt would thrive as a I-A Conference building up and eventually surpassing the MAC and Western Athletic Conference. But the reality is C-USA is once again going to take major hits from Big East expansion, and it’s likely to be at the Sun Belt’s expense. At least five teams and maybe even six or seven could depart C-USA for the Big East and Mountain West. The Sun Belt’s demise evolves from a handful of schools jockeying for inclusion to C-USA or the possibility of a merger. Either way, the Sun Belt’s existence – at least as a Division I-A football conference – would dissolve. Middle Tennessee needs to be a force in the Sun Belt to ensure it is one of the first calls made by C-USA in this particular scenario. Perhaps not moving to the MAC was a bit of a gamble? Be that as it may, the Blue Raiders likely destination in this alternate universe would be a Memphis-less Conference USA. One set of circumstances that could prove to be interesting for Middle Tennessee is whether Memphis would attempt to block C-USA membership should they be snubbed as the ninth and final member of the Big East? The five-game football series with the Tigers and Massaro’s long-time friendship with Memphis athletic director, RC Johnson, is a promising sign and points to better relations with the school to the west. It’s unlikely; however, that Memphis would be left out of any major Big East expansion. And none of this takes into account what happens if the Mountain West makes the first move or if the Big East split results in a complete collapse of that conference as a I-A entity as we know if today. You can already envision the political backstabbing, schools jockeying for power, and under the table deals being made. And you thought it was messy the first time around with the Big East? The moral to this story is it’s not likely to go down like you think. As a matter of fact, BlueRaiderzone.com has learned there is a scenario that would be a major coup for Middle Tennessee. It also involves Western Kentucky. Although the scenario that would put the Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers in the ideal conference situation seems far-fetched, stranger things have happened. Regardless of what scenario eventually plays out, the bottom line for Middle Tennessee is that dominos are going to fall and the Blue Raiders need to be in a position of strength. That means football and men’s basketball must be firing on all cylinders.

Football: UNT football staff assigned new recruiting areas Evans takes over as coordinator for departed Bell 09:01 AM CDT on Saturday, April 29, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer The North Texas football staff is back on the road for the spring recruiting season with new assignments and a slightly different approach. UNT changed recruiting coordinators following last season after longtime UNT running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Bruce Bell retired. Assistant head coach Kenny Evans took over for Bell and has reassigned territories to each assistant. The biggest change in philosophy was giving each coach a small group of area schools to recruit in addition to a larger area of the state that will serve as their primary assignment. College coaches spend a few weeks each spring visiting high schools, watching spring practices and film of last season’s top juniors. “Everyone will have between five and 10 local schools, which will give us a chance to cover them better,” Evans said. “The local area is too much for one person to cover.” UNT has signed a few key players from the greater DFW area the last few years, including second team All-Sun Belt Conference wide receiver Johnny Quinn of McKinney and quarterback Daniel Meager of Richardson. The Mean Green had five other players from the area start in its 2005 finale. UNT’s kicker and punter were also local products last season. The Mean Green signed seven players from the immediate area in its last recruiting class, but didn’t land a player in The Dallas Morning News’ list of the area’s top 100 recruits. Several of the Mean Green’s top players the last few seasons have come from the Houston area, including offensive lineman Dylan Lineberry, who was a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last season. The Houston Chronicle ranked linebacker Eddrick Gilmore among the top 100 players in the state when he signed with the Mean Green in 2005. UNT is looking to bolster its success in the Dallas area while maintaining its connections across the state. “We want all seven of the coaches we can have out recruiting on the road, but sometimes they can’t get to a place like Houston on one of the days we are allowed to be out because of their schedules,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “This way they will have a local area to work. “We want our coaches to have a feel for the local schools. We have done well recruiting locally, but we want to get everyone involved with a local area.” One factor that could help the Mean Green is the addition of former Ryan assistant coach Ramone Archie to the staff. Archie will coach UNT’s running backs and recruit Ryan, Denton, Keller, Southlake and Grapevine in addition to South Houston and Beaumont. Archie’s local area contains high schools that were part of Ryan’s district last season, giving Archie added knowledge of those schools’ players and connections with their coaches. Ryan head coach Joey Florence said that Archie would be an asset to UNT in recruiting no matter what territory he is assigned. Archie is just one of three new UNT assistants who are out on the road, although one is returning to the staff after an extended absence. Fred Bleil is in his second stint as UNT’s defensive coordinator and will recruit schools in Flower Mound, Haltom and Richland. Thomas Dunson is on the road for the first time after being promoted from graduate assistant coach to a fulltime position as tight ends coach. He will recruit West Texas and North Fort Worth. The addition of Dunson, 27, and Archie will give UNT a younger group of coaches on the road this season than in past. Both are working as college coaches for the first time at UNT. “I don’t think age matters in recruiting,” Evans said. “It comes down to how much you want to work.” All of UNT’s coaches will be doing at least a little of that work closer to home this spring. UNT RECRUITING TERRITORIES The North Texas football staff is in the middle of the spring recruiting season. The following is a list of the areas each coach will cover. Kenny Evans — Oklahoma high schools, junior colleges and high schools located from Aubrey through Denison Eric Russell – High schools in a territory starting in Carrollton and extending through East Texas Harold Etheridge – High schools in North Houston, San Antonio and Austin, plus a local area including Irving and Coppell Thomas Dunson – High schools in West Texas and North Fort Worth Fred Bleil – High schools in Flower Mound, Haltom and Richland Ramon Flanigan – High schools in the Dallas Independent School District and a territory that extends from Dallas through Gainesville to Wichita Falls Ramone Archie – High schools in a territory including South Houston and Beaumont and a local area including Denton, Keller, Southlake and Grapevine Mike Bugar – High schools in a territory including South Fort Worth, Arlington and Central Texas

ULM students approve fee hikes By Jordan Blum jblum@thenewsstar.com University of Louisiana at Monroe students approved $50 in fee increases per semester to pay for new athletics facility renovations, additional student support services and more funds for the Student Government Association and several campus spirit groups. Turnout hovered just past 10 percent, with about 900 of 8,286 the students enrolled casting votes. The referendum involves about $l.4 million, depending on enrollment, annually in new funds. "I am thrilled," outgoing SGA President Kyle Gallman said. "We've spent nearly a year — since October — working on this." The referendum involves three new fees — a $20 Athletic Success fee, a $22 Student Success fee and a $2 31Ambassadors fee — in addition to an SGA fee increase from $5 to $8 and a Spirit Groups fee increase from $1.45 to $4.45. All fees are on a per semester basis and include $25 for each of the two summer sessions. So if a student were enrolled for the fall, spring and both summer sessions that would generate $150 extra in fees. "I was concerned," Gallman said, referring to the amount of money they were asking. "But I wasn't surprised. This week we've seen overwhelming support." The athletics fee would pay for updating athletics equipment and improving maintenance, while helping pay for Title IX improvements. The student success fee is to help jump start the new Student Success Center with student counseling and tutoring. Athletic Director Bobby Staub said it is a "great day" for athletics. The funds will help ULM make the transition into the Sun Belt Conference, he said. Exact expenditures are currently being determined in strategic planning, he said. The 31 Ambassadors student group, the War Bonnets and other spirit groups have existed primarily on their own fundraising efforts and they needed a boost, Gallman said. SGA president-elect Rob Carroll said he is excited the students spoke up and supported the referendum by a "two-to-one margin." Even though Gallman said he was disappointed by the 10 percent turnout, that is about average for ULM elections, he said. Besides Carroll, new SGA officers are Rebel Fornea, vice president, and Michelle Miers, secretary. Shelby Allen is the senior class president, Adam Trevillion is junior class president, Micah Pulliam heads the sophomore class and Brady Middleton is the new assistant to the president. Originally published April 28, 2006

Former kicker tries out with Cowboys Despite tough transition, Bazaldua cherishes NT career By Shawna Wright Staff Writer April 27, 2006 Former NT football kicker Nick Bazaldua tried out to kick for the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, April 14. “It went well,” Bazaldua said. For Bazaldua, being at a tryout with the Cowboys was like a dream. He was star-struck as he saw the Cowboys players only 20 yards away from him – players he had grown up watching. “Drew Bledsoe is a monster,” he said. “He’s huge.” During the tryout, he made 7-of-9 kicks. His two misses were from 40 and 45 yards, and they hit the uprights. He connected on all 50-yard kicks. Bazaldua said he was not expecting too much from the tryout because the team was really looking for a kickoff specialist. He is better at kicking field goals. “Kickoffs are not my strong point,” he said. “It’s pretty tough to kick the ball from the 30-yard line into the end zone on a consistent basis.” The tryout with the Cowboys is not the only shot Bazaldua has at making it to the NFL. He spoke briefly about the NFL draft this weekend. “I guess I’m nervous, I’m not gonna lie,” Bazaldua said. “It’s hard for kickers to get drafted.” Bazaldua said the 48 hours after the draft are the most important for kickers. During this time, kickers who were not drafted usually sign with teams as free agents. If these two opportunities don’t work out for Bazaldua, he could go to several rookie mini-camps after the draft. He also plans to work out with the Canadian Football League. Bazaldua’s football career started at Desoto High School. He played both kicker and punter for the team. He showed promise both athletically and academically, graduating 16th in a class of more than 500 students, and he also scored a 26 on his ACT. Many colleges showed interest in him. “UT wanted me to walk-on, but that didn’t guarantee me anything,” he said, “and I got a few Ivy League letters.” Bazaldua ultimately went with the only school that offered him a full ride – NT. He said offensive coordinator Ramon Flanigan recruited him. “He was a good recruiter,” Bazaldua said about Flanigan. “He’d talk to you like he was just one of your friends.” Bazaldua noticed a number of differences between high school football and college football; differences he had to quickly get used to coming in as a true freshman. “Here it’s more of a business, there is no loyalty involved,” Bazaldua said about playing for NT. “In high school if you have a bad game, they really don’t care. Here, if you have a bad game, they’ll bench your ass in a heartbeat.” He remembered one instance in particular where he had a bad game. “My freshman year, I got a kick blocked against Arizona,” he said. “They ran it back for a touchdown. We lost that game 14-9. I had coach [Eric] Russell trying to eat me alive.” Bazaldua said he felt frustrated and was looking to transfer at the end of the season. “I even had my dad try to call other schools and stuff,” he said. Part of his frustration was based on the fact that he was the youngest player on the team and was inexperienced. “I was the only freshman playing,” Bazaldua said. “So all the other guys I had met were going out drinking, and I was traveling with the older guys.” Mean Green strength coach Chris Seroka said Bazaldua never showed how frustrated he really was. “I spent as much time with them on road trips as anyone, and he seemed light-hearted and comfortable,” Seroka said. The older guys were a bit of a trial to Bazaldua at first. “They messed with me a lot,” he said, “and they were probably joking, but when you’re a freshman, you take it personal.” Junior defensive tackle Sky Pruitt was Bazaldua’s roommate and remembers the amount of heartache the kicker went through. “Everyone was really hard on Nick because he missed a couple of kicks,” Pruitt said. “I remember thinking, I’m glad it’s not me. He handled it better than I could have because they laid it on pretty thick.” Pruitt’s favorite memory of Bazaldua was when he kicked the game winning field goal against New Mexico State to send the Mean Green to the New Orleans Bowl. “It was perfect,” Pruitt said. “We were all on one knee on the sidelines, holding hands, just praying.” Pruitt said Bazaldua’s deciding kick was something he’d remember forever. “We all went out on the field and dog piled him like in the movies,” Pruitt said on the team’s reaction. In the end, the choice to play for NT proved to be good for Bazaldua as he has achieved a number of accomplishments. He holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in the Sun Belt Conference. Bazaldua also received the [Wall Street Journal] Student Achievement award – a post-graduate scholarship of $7,500 from the NCAA. Bazaldua plans to graduate in August with a degree in business finance. He only has two business classes left to take and five elective courses, and he plans to take all nine hours in July. In case Bazaldua is playing with a professional team, he has plans to finish his classes through correspondence courses. He is determined to finish college and get his degree. Former kicker tries out with Cowboys

Post by SpaceRaider on the MUTS board. excerpts from the Jonesboro Sun: ...Arkansas State isn’t the only Sun Belt Conference school with quarterback question marks. Several coaches from around the league said they hadn’t solidified their No. 1 quarterback by the end of spring football practices last week during Tuesday’s Sun Belt Conference teleconference. Arkansas State, which won the league with a 5-2 record in conference play last year, will have a new starter at quarterback next season following the departure of senior Nick Noce. ASU finished its spring practices with redshirt freshman Corey Leonard and sophomore Travis Hewitt still battling for the position... ...North Texas coach Darrell Dickey said he believes his team is in much better shape at quarterback following the spring work. “I’m much more pleased this year at this time than I was last year at this time,” Dickey said. “ ... This year we have got three young men that we think can play and they are all taking care of their business off the field. Meager went through spring but had some days he missed. Matt Phillips had an excellent spring, probably better than anybody. And Woody Wilson, a junior college guy that we signed, really showed signs that he can do some of the things that we’d like to do offensively.” ... ...[uL-Monroe] will look to sophomore Kinsmon Lancaster as Jyles’ replacement. Lancaster played sparingly last season at quarterback as Jyles’ backup and also some at receiver and slot. “He’s a guy that is an athletic young man, that is sharp and very intelligent,” ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie said. “We believe he’ll lead this football team..." ...Florida Atlantic, which finished tied for last in the Sun Belt, is still looking for a new quarterback for the fall. The Owls were steered by senior Danny Embrick last season but came out of spring workouts with nothing settled. Among the competition for the starting job is sophomore McKinson Souverain, junior Sean Clayton and redshirt freshman Rusty Smith. Clayton and Souverain both saw action last year with Clayton taking the majority of the snaps as the backup... ...Troy coach Larry Blakeney said his spring workouts produced a quarterback that was well ahead of the pack. Omar Haugabook, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior college transfer, will go into fall as the Owls’ starter. Haugabook beat out returning senior QB Carl Meadows among several others as the Trojans switch gears to a more pass-oriented offense... ...Middle Tennessee returns Clint Marks for his senior season, while Florida International will return Josh Padrick for his senior year. Louisiana-Lafayette quarterbacks Michael Desormeaux, a sophomore, and senior Jerry Babb also return with Desormeaux the likely starter...

April 27, 2006, 12:58AM Houston Bowl looks at survival options Licensing board to review game, but decision not expected this week By JOSEPH DUARTE Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Houston Bowl officials will huddle with conference leaders today in Orlando, Fla., to discuss the long-term viability of the financially strapped game. The bowl still owes a portion of the $1.2 million payouts to the Big 12 and Mountain West conferences for participating in last year's game and is searching for its third title sponsor in seven years. ARTICLE http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...bc/3823191.html

Construction Continues At Mean Green Village Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 04/26/2006 Volleyball Court Project Photo Album DENTON (4/26/06) - The spring season is starting to wind down at North Texas, but there is still a lot of work being done at the Mean Green Village. The volleyball center is getting a new floor, and landscaping is starting at Mean Green Village. ARTICLE & PHOTOS http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...0&ATCLID=271308

Transcripts allegedly tie Bush to sports agency By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports April 26, 2006 Transcripts of parole violation hearings for New Era Sports & Entertainment associate Lloyd Lake not only detail alleged links between the marketing agency and USC running back Reggie Bush but also indicate contact with Trojan offensive tackle Winston Justice during the 2005 college football season. http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AvZ4...=yhoo&type=lgns

Extra Point - End to I-AA nomenclature highlights likely changes By Matt Dougherty, The Sports Network Philadelphia, PA - As early as the end of the week, the I-AA name will likely take its place with the dinosaurs, dodos and 8-tracks. It will be extinct. Do not be alarmed. Nothing changes for your alma mater or favorite school. A name change is on the way, but Division I football will still be distinguished into two groups in order to keep statistics and the action will not have any effect on governance or voting structure. http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c.../AGN4017222.htm

Name ONE (other than Stanley) from the '05 or '06 recruit classes.

Yep.

With JC All-American credentials seems that he'd expect to be a starter and maybe didn'd measure up ?

From the NT Daily The win was a good way to end the spring season against an outstanding program like SMU,” said John Hedlund, NT head coach. “We had a successful spring with victories over teams like SMU and Oklahoma, and a strong performance against the Chinese National team.” The Mustangs ousted NT from the NCAA tournament last season with a 3-0 victory. NT won the regular season game 3-1. The Mean Green returned all 11 starters from last year’s squad. With the win, the Mean Green finished its spring season with a record of 4-2-1. The team’s most impressive victories were over the Mustangs and the Oklahoma Sooners, while its two losses were to perennially-ranked Texas A&M and the Chinese National Selection team. “This is probably one of our most productive spring seasons with the results we’ve been getting against strong competition, so I couldn’t be more happy with it,” Hedlund said. “What these girls do in the summer with their training will translate into their performance in the fall, but as of right now, I think we look pretty strong heading into our fall season.”

From a News Star article. (Interesting to see how their students will vote on the fee). Money talks Look for Louisiana-Monroe to announce soon the addition of a new scoreboard at Malone Stadium. "We're in the final stages of signing off on everyting with the scoreboard manufacturer," ULM athletics director Bobby Staub said. "Our plans are to have that ready for the opening game." There's also been talk of an artificial playing surface too. It's still too early to call that one a done deal, although an effort is being made to raise money for the project. ULM could gain a big financial boost this week "if the student body is willing. Students can vote this week to add a $50 fee for each fall and spring semester, with the funds going to the athletics department, the Student Success Center, the 31 Ambassadors, the SGA and the spirit groups. Of the $50, $20 would be earmarked for ULM athletics. Staub estimated an annual boost of $350,000 for the department to help modernize athletic facilities, improve compliance and improve maintenance and general upkeep. "The other projects will come out of our strategic plan," Staub said. "This student fee will factor into that, to see what we can do and the timeline." He added, "There are a lot of things from a facility standpoint that we need to turn our attention to. I think our strategic plan will identify those areas.

UCF wants Texas in '07 The powerful Longhorns could help the Knights open their new stadium in a game on ESPN. Kyle Hightower Sentinel Staff Writer April 25, 2006 They say everything is bigger in Texas, especially college football. Well, if everything goes right, Orlando and UCF could be getting a bite of that national spotlight soon. UCF assistant athletic director John Marini confirmed talks are under way between UCF and Texas for future football games. The 2007 game would be in Orlando -- the first game in UCF's new on-campus stadium -- and would be televised by ESPN. In return, UCF would play two games at Texas later this decade. Coach George O'Leary was at a charity golf event Monday and was unavailable for comment, as was Athletic Director Steve Orsini. O'Leary unveiled the possibility Friday to those in attendance at the kickoff event of his 2006 summer coaches tour at UCF's on-campus Fairwinds Alumni Center. UCF currently has signed contracts to play non-conference games against Florida, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana-Lafayette in 2007. A game at Tennessee is expected to be bought out, and the continuation of the USF series remains up in the air. A game with Texas would seem to be a replacement for the lost game against the Volunteers.

Ah yes, the obligatory 'glass is half empty' post

Beat 'um on their home turf Mean Green Soccer Defeats SMU, 2-1 Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 04/22/2006 DALLAS (4/22/06) - The North Texas soccer team defeated SMU, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon to conclude its spring season. Sophomore Heather Hutyra knocked in the first goal, and junior Kristen Campbell posted NT's second. North Texas led at the half, 2-1, and was able to hold the Mustangs scoreless in the second period. "The win was a good way to end the spring season against an outstanding program like SMU," said head coach John Hedlund. The Mean Green lost to the Mustangs in the first round of the NCAA tournament last fall after defeating them during the regular season. NT returns all 11 starters from the 2005 team that won the Sun Belt Conference Championship for the second year in a row.

Denton High School. 1952.

Looks like a Hannity & Colmes discussion

College Football News. http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Features/TV.htm

Yahoo! Sports report: Reggie Bush's family home By Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports April 23, 2006 SPRING VALLEY, Calif. – In this sprawling hilltop community with a breathtaking view of Sweetwater Lake, it was no secret who lived in the 3,000-square-foot house at the corner of Apple Street and Luther Avenue. That home, residents would tell you, was where Reggie Bush's family lived. That is, until this weekend, when the family abruptly packed up and vacated the residence – less than 24 hours after Yahoo! Sports approached Bush's mother about information linking the property to Michael Michaels, a man who is alleged to have tried to play a role in steering Bush toward an agent and who also has ties to a sports marketing company. Days before Bush is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, unanswered questions about the residence and how his mother, stepfather and brother came to live in it within the last year have prompted the University of Southern California to refer the matter to the Pacific-10 Conference for an investigation. NCAA statutes prohibit student-athletes or their families from receiving extra benefits from professional sports agents, marketing companies or their representatives. A breach of these statutes could result in an athlete being ruled ineligible, and games in which they played could be forfeited. FULL ARTICLE http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AoN5...=yhoo&type=lgns