Smitty

That is limited thinking. SMU is a detriment to a whole lot more than religion.

Remember, the only alternative to becoming an older alumnus is to become a dead alumnus. I'll take older.

I don't much about construction, but by comparison: Ownby stadium was demolished starting in late October, 1998. Ground was broken on Ford Stadium in 1999, and the new stadium opened on September 2, 2000. That's from Wikipedia. We don't have the demolition work, though there will obviously be considerable excavation to do. But if the engineers are really ready to go, SMU's timeline suggests it might be possible to open in 2010. However, after waiting so long for a new stadium, I can easily wait until 2011 if that's what it takes to do it right.

Well done, sir. Well planned, well executed. Congratulations, and thank you.

Not anyone I know.

I have no problem with scheduling a I-AA opponent next year, in 2010, and in 2011, just not the the opener at the new stadium. I don't know that a Nichols State would generate a sell out, even in a new stadium. I would hope so, but I have my doubts. And, hopefully, three years from now we will have built up some confidence.

Army or Navy would be an excellent choice. Potentially winnable (I'm sure they'd say the same thing about us) and just about guarantees a big crowd. That's something to take into consideration - filling up the stadium for the first game. I'd avoid opponents like Nichols State or Texas State for that first game. You could play them later, but not the opener. For publicity purposes, that first game really needs to have a big crowd.

How about Bill Belichick in a pink fleece? Now that could raise money. I'd make a contribution to see that.

Absolutely love the avatar. The greatness of Underdog! Now I need to find a Super Chicken image.

Running unopposed, I home the result was unanimous!

Of course we can laugh. I just don't think laughing at the gesture should be the only reaction. And I know that's not what he was saying, but it is what was posted. And it was just a slip and I know he didn't mean it, as shown by his apology. That's cool. Now what really would be funny would be seeing a pink ribbon on the chest of Bill Parcells.

Thank you to the students who voted in this election - pro and con. You cared enough to participate and vote, and that is what this nation needs. And a huge thank you for making the dream of a new stadium at the University of North Texas more possible than it has ever been before. For those of us who have been attending events at Fouts Field for twenty, thirty, and forty years (or more), for those of us with "North Texas State University" chiseled on our diplomas, you cannot imagine the importance of this vote. There are a lot of things to be proud of at North Texas, a lot more good than bad. But the sore spot that is Fouts Field (and, by inevitable and unfair association, the football program) has long been a source of embarrassment. After a few decades, you just don't expect things will ever change. Sometimes we tell stories about the old days and we wear Fouts on our sleeve as if long suffering is some kind of badge of honor. Perhaps it is. Perhaps remaining so long through the bad times is a badge of honor, but I promise you that none of us - deep down - want to wear it forever. Every one of us have dreamed about calling a nice stadium home, and I look forward to ripping that worn-out medal from my chest when I walk into the new stadium. We are a step closer to that that day, and we alumni have you students to thank for taking the first step. You have made Mean Green history, and I promise you that this alumnus, for one, will step up and contribute to the stadium fund. I know others will as well. We will follow the trail that you have blazed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I know there was trepidation over a large voter turnout, but I think the level of participation and the convincing result makes this an even stronger statement in favor of the new stadium. The students really stepped up. This is the first time I can remember when the student body - not just a few individuals like the hard-core on this board - stepped up and said, "We want more from the athletic department, we expect more from the athletic department, and we're willing to pay more to support the athletic department." These students deserve tremendous credit for doing what has not happened at North Texas before. This is a very encouraging day, one to be long remembered.

Not sure why you'd laugh at that gesture for such a deserving cause.

I realized earlier tonight I need to a Mean Green Club member userbar. I was already planning a stadium-donor userbar, but I thought I would bring that out once the fund-raising really gets going. I assume that will kick into overdrive at some point now that the student funding is arranged.

I'm sure there is. I just can't think of it now.

A new userbar:

Congratulations, Rick!

Is it possible to program tranquilizers into a message board? You guys must have been hell on Christmas eve.

"I think it will pass...but it is more probable that it didn't..." WHAT?

Nominated for the most ill-advised post of the year. Congratulations.

Or one potato, two potato? Odd or even?

I had to look that one up, too.

How about rock-paper-scissors, best two-of-three?

Or my wife's long-ago, extremly-former boyfriend, who got her a car battery for her birthday. I'm not making that up. There is still a bounty on his moron head. He's been in hiding longer than Salman Rushdie.