Double Eagle

Agree with Mean Green 93-98

The March 25th Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings have UNT ranked #55 in the NCAA Division 1 Women's Division. UNT has an 8-8 match record to date, but has played an extremely difficult schedule. Ten of their sixteen matches have been against teams currently ranked #69 or above (listed in order played): Lost to #18 Oklahoma (7-0) @Norman Lost to #12 USC (4-0) @ Los Angeles Lost to #31 Utah (4-1) @ Los Angeles Lost to #45 Arkansas (7-0) @ Fayetteville Beat unranked Southern Illinois (4-0) @ Fayetteville Lost to #27 Houston (5-0) @ Houston Beat unranked Miami of Ohio (4-1) @ Denton *Lost to #21 Tulsa (4-2) @ Tulsa Beat #61 Kansas State (4-3) @ Tulsa *Beat unranked UTEP (4-1) @ Irving (indoors due to weather) Beat #57 TCU (4-3) @ Ft. Worth Lost to #67 Louisville (4-0) @ Denton Lost to #69 Denver (4-3) @ Denton Beat unranked Liberty (5-1) @ Denton Beat unranked New Mexico (5-2) @ Denton *Beat unranked Louisiana Tech (4-1) at Denton ALL REMAINING MATCHES IN DENTON: 3/29 11:00 Memphis 4/2 3:00 UTA 4/14 11:00 UTSA* 4/12 11:00 South Alabama *denotes conference opponents 4/16-4/20 CONFERENCE USA TOURNAMENT IN NORFOLK, VA GO MEAN GREEN!

The March 25th Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings have UNT ranked #55 in the NCAA Division 1 Women's Division. UNT has an 8-8 match record to date, but has played an extremely difficult schedule. Ten of their sixteen matches have been against teams currently ranked #69 or above (listed in order played): Lost to #18 Oklahoma (7-0) @Norman Lost to #12 USC (4-0) @ Los Angeles Lost to #31 Utah (4-1) @ Los Angeles Lost to #45 Arkansas (7-0) @ Fayetteville Beat unranked Southern Illinois (4-0) @ Fayetteville Lost to #27 Houston (5-0) @ Houston Beat unranked Miami of Ohio (4-1) @ Denton *Lost to #21 Tulsa (4-2) @ Tulsa Beat #61 Kansas State (4-3) @ Tulsa *Beat unranked UTEP (4-1) @ Irving (indoors due to weather) Beat #57 TCU (4-3) @ Ft. Worth Lost to #67 Louisville (4-0) @ Denton Lost to #69 Denver (4-3) @ Denton Beat unranked Liberty (5-1) @ Denton Beat unranked New Mexico (5-2) @ Denton *Beat unranked Louisiana Tech (4-1) at Denton ALL REMAINING MATCHES IN DENTON: 3/29 11:00

Followed up with a 4-1 victory Saturday over Conference USA foe Louisiana Tech. Junior Spinkmeyer back at #1 doubles and played at #6 singles slot after 6-months absence due to injury. I assume she will move up after she gets back into playing shape. This should strengthen the team in both doubles and singles. Conference tournament coming up in mid-April. GO MEAN GREEN!

I think I heard something about George Derr Stadium as a birthday gift. What do you think?

Rick, sounds like you are a celebrity...I'll be sure to ask for your autograph the next time I see you! Just goes to show how long t-shirts can advertise a university!

I think that Voertman's and/or the bookstore missed a tremendous opportunity by not having championship t-shirts to sell at the selection party..they could have made a lot of money and spread the word around the metroplex long after the tournament is over. I guess we are still learning how to maximize our opportunities for exposure on a daily basis. Maybe we could have chipped in and bought this guy a t-shirt to wear!

Catch George with Babe now

JJ live interview with Joe Trahan on Channel 8 tonight at 10:20 pm

My perspective was a historical one. Those of us who have been around awhile (high school in the 60's), I think, will agree whether small town or large town, in general, weekly support of high school athletic events has declined over the years as more entertainment options have become available. My point was that we cannot take for granted that freshman (or transfer students, for that matter) come to us with the innate desire to support UNT athletics. It has to be cultivated and that will take persistent and consistent effort. Of course, it is much easier when we are winning, but we have to take the same attitude about instilling pride whether we are winning or not. These are the students that become loyal alums, give money to the university, and support its efforts. So, those of you working freshman orientation....don't give up...every fan you make is one more we didn't have before!

In today's DMN Mavericks Briefs, there is a footnote article indicating that Avery Johnson, coach of the Mavs, said his allegiance is firmly behind North Texas now that his alma mater (Southern University) didn't make the tourney. "Since Southern didn't make it and they're out of it, I may give him (JJ) some more tips," Johnson said. " WE need to upset somebody in the first round. I'm excited about North Texas." I see a beautiful friendship in the making between two classy coaches--not too bad to have Avery as a fan, is it? Check out full text under "Buckner, George have outside job" at http://www.dallasnews.com/sports

Will these champion t-shirts be avaliable at tomorrow's Selection Show Party at the Athletic Center for those of us driving up from Dallas/Ft. Worth? Seems like a natural place to make lots of sales!

How many people attended the games when there is not an inter-city rivalry match up?

Being a big city high school educator for 38 years, I totally agree with you, Screaming Eagle. Over the years, loyalty to one's high school and support of athletics, in general, has diminished. Too many distractions and split loyalty among many schools from the community. It is totally different in one high school towns. So, we have to build our own fans, starting with freshman orientation. There will be resistance from some freshmen, but not all--we just need to cultivate one proud student at a time. We keep plugging away..then follow up with an entertaining product that makes an athletic event a fun place to join your friends. This will not happen quickly or easily, but progress has been made and we need to keep up the battle and not get discouraged. Personally, I think our new President will be very helpful in our cause and students will see this. It all begins at the top and we seem to have a good start in that area. We, as alums, need to show our school pride in our communities and promote our university in all the ways we can (wear your UNT shirts). Visiablity is crucial and it is free. If people see the pride we have in the university, it will spread. We are located in different parts of the state, so we can have an impact on a large area. Sometimes the small things work the best--try to recruit at least one new fan in your home town this year and this can grow exponentially. GO MEAN GREEN!

Rick, You did a fine job expressing the feelings of many of us long-time loyal North Texas fans. Thanks! The casual fan doesn't know what he is missing.

Just some observations: 1. I think our new President and her apparant support of athletics and her pr skills will help us in the future with alums 2. Promotions cost money--is every member offering suggestions on this board a member of the Mean Green Club? 3. If money is tight, you can still show up at the Selection Show Party--the more people see us supporting UNT the more they will want to become a part 4. Students in high school today do not show the same spirit for high school sports as they have in the past (38 years in the high school education business)--we will need to continue instilling that in freshman orientation, etc.--we will have to build it one student at a time--don't give up on this! 5. Show your pride by wearing UNT clothing as often as possible---free visiabilty 6. Have the Athletic Department expand its emphasis outside the city of Denton---schedule events at times that those working in Dallas/Ft. Worth can also attend, while contending with the 5:00 weekday traffic 7. Bring at least one extra person to every event you attend These may be "baby steps, " but for the most part they are doable right now and will not cost much money. If we build the foundation, things can expand exponentially. The main thing is not to give up if things didn't work the first time. I have been a loyal fan for almost 40 years and seen lots of ups and downs. I see a chance for very positive movement if we continue with improved performance on the field/court, and for that we should hold our athletic department accountable. However, we also need to hold ourselves accountable. Alumni and student support is crucial and we have to accept our responsibility in this quest for success. My question to you: are you doing all you can to to promote the University and its programs?

Oops...I meant Mr. Watson, not Watkins. Actually I had a brain lapse...Calvin Watkins was my high school principal 42 years ago! Thank you, Mr. Watson--I do know your name!

If I were a parent (or in my case, a grandparent) of a potential recruit, I would have been impressed with what I saw and heard from JJ and CWat on C52 this evening. They represented the university very well. Both were very articulate, team-oriented, and placed empahsis on things other than just the x's and o's of basketball. You could see the respect they had for each other and their teammates. As a traditionalist, I was extremely pleased to hear CWat say "yes, sir" to the host several times. The combination of playing in the NCAA Tournament and having such great examples of the program can do nothing but help the recruitment of the "parents" of potential recruits. Job well done, Coach Jones and Mr. Watkins---I couldn't have been any prouder of my university than I was tonight having it represented by the two of you. GO MEAN GREEN, FINISH!

You are correct. I corrected myself on a later post--in all the March Madness excitement, I got a day ahead of myself!

Sorry, in all the March Madness excitement I was a day ahead of myself...it is tonight at 6:30 p.m. for JJ to be interviewed on Soubthwest Sports on Channel 52, not Friday. I hope my error doesn't cause anyone to miss it!

It was announced this evening that JJ will be an interview guest on KIA Southwest Sports on Channel 52 at 6:30 pm Friday.

My experience is that you have to get a national reputation as a good tennis team first...then you can recruit better American talent. Also, most really good American players do not complete their college career, but turn pro before using up their eligibility. Our best bet is to try to get our name out with a good team (with foreign players if that is all we can attract now) and then hope we can attract more good solid American players later. If not, we need to stay competitive by recruiting the foreign players.

If the New Orleans Bowl happens to match SMU vs. Middle Tennessee, who would you support--SMU and Phil Bennett who were willing to schedule us this year (and who we beat) and is a Texas team or Middle Tennessee (or maybe Troy), the SunBelt representative?

I am impressed with the following: 1. Proven can improve a program 2. Emphasis on academics 3. Most players are American--looks like good recruiter in USA and doesn't depend on foreign players Looking for good things to happen! As a former player, this looks very promising.