Glad To Be Green

It was a great night at the Super Pit and everyone played a part. The students were loud and on their feet the whole game. The rest of the North Texas crowd (mostly regulars) followed suit and were making noise constantly. The team performed at an extremely high level against a team that is still near the top of that league and is very talented. For the times when OSU got close, know that every team is going to make runs and then mistakes. However, this North Texas team weathered the tough spots and never relinquished the lead. The coaches made the right moves at the right times and controlled the game to our advantage. Remember it was only six years ago North Texas had won 16 games in four years. Everyone is welcome to add their concerns and doubts but anyone who can't appreciate the significance of this win is just looking the wrong way. Two years ago everyone was calling for Johnny's head. For one, I am so glad that we took the heat and stayed the course. Remember the same thing about Coach Dodge! So tonight, enjoy a well deserved victory and another big step for this athletic department. Congratulations to everyone! GO MEAN GREEN!

I must admit, that was pretty good. As far as renovations are concerned, the concourses have been resurfaced, extensive restroom modifications are well underway, new fencing goes up on the highway side starting early next week. Painting of the stadium should also begin next week. Renovations are being made to the ticket office as well. Be assured however these upgrades are not being made because we plan to be there long term. We just need to make it right in the interim. GO MEAN GREEN! Rick V

This is a valid compaint. I don't approve every detail of every facet of the program, but I am resposible. I have addressed this with the person in charge and we are having it fixed. If anyone should be up to date with logos it should be us. Thanks for brining it to my attention. Rick V

Happy Birthday George! RV

I know it has been a while since I made a post on this board. Topics are all over the place but one thing I think is common. Everybody cares about the program and wants to see it continue to move forward. Everyone's idea of what that means is different and therefore everyone won't be pleased with every decision. The focus however always has been and always will be on escalating the strength and competitiveness of North Texas Athletics. It means a progression in every sport and every area. It means a constant evaluation of the priorities and making additions and changes where needed. It also means taking the heat when necessary, especially at times when all the information out there, is not all the information. Or when conversations or comments are taken in pieces rather than as a whole. Everyone not only will, but is entitled to express their opinion and I welcome that. I don't take offense to those who have issues with me or the program nor do I become laxed or comfortable when posters say we are doing a good job. It comes with the territory. The bottom line right now is that there are a lot of good things going on in Athletics and at the University, more than is always transparent to fans or the general public. Be assured there is a concerted effort and continued support from leadership for the improvement of athletics at North Texas. That support runs from academics to facilities and everything in between. But things have be done in a way prescribed by the University and to ensure a long-lasting pattern of success. Remember it wasn't long ago that many were yelling for a change in basketball. Persistence and commitment led to a trip to the Big Dance. We may not seem to be able to move as fast as others at times but there are reasons (not excuses) for this. As an example many have talked about WKU and Central Florida and their stadium projects. At WKU, according to a reliable source, most of the dollars came from University funding for the project. Only about $5 million had to be raised privately. The same was true for much of the money on their basketball arena. That is not possible in the State of Texas. Central Florida started their stadium construction before much of the necessary money was raised. In fact I believe ground breaking took place before the naming rights were even sold. That is not saying that it is the way to do it or that we can do it. I want to make it clear is not a matter that any group is not willing to explore and support our projects. It's just the process. And for facilities, when Cat Osterman was here to film her commercial for Under Armour she commented to their crew how nice the field and dugouts were. I can assure you that is as good or better than many schools and if you check web sites you will find that this is true. Again please express your feelings, but do we have to tear our own place down without knowing the whole story? I know that I must continue to work every day as the Athletic Director building on strengths and improving my weaknesses, but I believe we can put our record up against many over the last six years. The fact that we have had to put into place about $20 million of facilities that most campuses already had, has improved our ability to recruit and compete. While Gender Equity studies and academics may not be important to some, left unattended they can be the impetus in breaking down the program and credibility on campus. We are not so big that these things are overshadowed by success on the field nor should they be allowed to do so. But you are all correct in that we must continue the progress that has already started. Remember we aspire to be like a lot of programs that have been around for a long, long time and have budgets far beyond that on which we operate. For instance, Texas will have a budget of over $100 million in 2007-2008 and many others will have tens of millions more than us. But that does not and will not stop us from pursuing and completing the objectives we have set for ourselves. We have worked our schedules to play games at home rather than on the road. That has caused a decrease in revenue but it is the best interest of the program in both football and basketball. We got SMU on the schedule ffor football and have Navy this year,, Air Force in 2009 and both Rice and Kansas State in 2010, all at home. Oklahoma State comes to Denton in basketball this year. All teams (other than golf) are now playing on very good on-campus facilities. How do we continue this trend and continue to improve and add facilities? We have to get more season ticket buyers and MGC members. Both go a long way in freeing up dollars that can be used for other things. So despite your feelings about me good or bad, your position on coaches or even the uniforms we might wear, please continue to urge everyone to buy season tickets for all sports, join the MGC and when asked make a commitment to a capital project. As I said five years ago, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our future, if we let it be, is very bright. We need you all to get there. GO MEAN GREEN! Rick V.

I won't be posting for the next few weeks. During this process I have tried to keep things clear and dispel inaccurate information. In the process I made what I do now feel may have been an unintended insensitive statement about a dear friend. Randy Butler, although not well known is a very good and respected coach. In my attempt to clarify the contact reported in the newspaper article I wrote that he was not a contender. I was responding to the statements attributed to Coach Butler by the Clarion Ledger that we initially contacted him to ask if he was interested in the job which was incorrect as he initiated the contact. Any coach that would manipulate a situation like that in the media could no longer be considered for a job by me. That was the basis of that comment. I apologize as I can easily see how some may be upset. Therefore let the rumors fly, the inaccuracies persist and the bashing of the latest mentioned candidate or me continue. I won't attempt to monitor or clarify the information on the board during the duration of this process. I love to communicate with the fans but feel it is best to refrain from any further communication until the job is complete. GO MEAN GREEN!

Once again, I stand by my story. Don't have alot of time right now to continue to address each these kinds of situations. Once it says in the article that "I" said I contacted them, then you'll know I did. Gotta go.

Let me stop this now. I received a phone call from Coach Butler and returned his call. I asked if he was calling because he was interested in the job. I invited him to apply and send info same as all candidates. I did not initiate contact. I can also now promise you that while I do know Coach Butler and he is a good friend, he is not a contender. Rick V

I understand and I agree. There was a response that said that the statements were the "truth" and I was just inquiring as to what that fan saw as being those circumstances so we could address them or answer them. Let's beat MTSU!

I agree we have to be more positive. Could someone clarify for me though what difficult circumstaces you think are present and what are we trying to survive? Just asking for a clarification.

The women's facilities and the athletic center were not luxuries or even a chioce versus the stadium. The women's facilities were necessary to meet the plan that Mr. Helwig had laid out for both the NCAA in the certification process and for an OCR report. They were required per a review of our situation by an independent expert in the field. In addition we need to provide our young ladies with the facilities they deserve as Division I athletes. The Athletic Center was the priority I was assigned when I arrived because we had no facilities to recruit to or provide proper strength and medical spaces for our current kids. What we all "want" many times has to be tempered with what we need and the needs have been met. I guess someone may view that as an inability to make a decision. If so it doesn't bother me. We all want a stadium and not many people can be more frustrated than me and my staff that we had to build basically every facility an athletic department needs (now in place) before we could even address the stadium project. We have to deal with the complaints about sight lines and bathrooms and everything else that is Fouts' Field. But Fouts is not the the only challenge for us. If it was then Tulsa has just as big a challenge and UAB and Akron have worse situations. Southern Miss, Boise State and many others play in substandard facilities but seem to rise to the occassion. Hell TCU plays in a 60 year old stadium that's been painted to look better, but has no luxury boxes or suites and concessions are sold out of auxilary units for the most part like we do. They're in the TOP 15. It is not my intention in responding to rant and rave and defend myself. I have made and will make the decisions that need to be made about facilities or any other area of the program. Because they don't conincide with the individual wants of everyone doesn't make them wrong. Nobody demanded a new stadium or athletic center or as far as I know any other facility before 2001. In fact nobody donated significnat money for any phase of the athletic program before 2001. Now we expect facility in 6 years. It doesn't happen that way on any campus (sorry, except OK ST). As we now crank up the stadium process, I hope everyone that is demanding its' construction is just as excited about it going up and willing to depart with the dollars needed to make it happen. Don't expect others to pay for what we want. This is an everybody project and it "will be" completed just like the other facilities have. It will change the way people look at us for sure as the other facilities already have. But it will not fix all of our problems and deficiencies. Attendance didn't generate significant additional revenue even during a four year bowl run and Mean Green Club membership while significantly higher than four years ago still lags far behind where it needs to be. That won't build a stadium and definitely won't generate the necessary revenue to fund other projects. And this doesn't address the other problems that prevent competitive programs. I know that. You know that. And those deficiencies must and will also be remedied.

When we scheduled this game three years ago, I knew it would be a big day for North Texas. I thought that by this time the Mean Green Nation would be a united front , sights set on taming the ponies. I signed on the board tonight hoping to read a lot of first game buzz and instead I see people ripping Talons, Talons ripping alums, fans ripping coaches, and on and on. I just returned from the pep rally (over 3000 students attended and screamed and yelled for hours) and an alum was ripping the athletic department because we nor the coaches cared about the SMU game and that the players and coaches didn't understand the importance of this game. This jab coming at an event which was a joint effort between the athletic department, the SGA, RHA and the office of student development that was specifically geared to keep students here for the SMU game. To rev them up and prime them for tomorrow's game. Game day T-shirts, pon poms, footballs and foam eagle claws were given away as the Talons manned and operated the cannon and the bell and the Head Coach, players and I encouraged student support at tommorow's game. I think it is also importatnt to note (addressing another post) that a season football schedule and first week (SMU) activity schedules were put up on the wall in every freshman's dorm room prior to move in and the Talons as well other groups were coordinated through the athletic department to make that happen. Folks lets make it clear. We all understand the importance of this and every game to the future success of this program. It is big because it is a cross town rival, a regional opponent, a C-USA school and so many other reasons. More importantly it is the next game and a home game and one that we need to win. Everyone understands this from the equipment manager to the players, the coaches and this staff and regardless of others' view I can assure you we have prepared for this day. IT'S TIME TO UNITE! IT'S TIME TO GRAB THE ROPE AND PULL TOGETHER! IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO SUCCEED NOT ONLY AGAINST SMU BUT ON A REGULAR BASIS IT MUST BE AS A WHOLE AND NOT BEATING EACH OTHER TO DEATH. SOME PEOPLE NEGLECTED AND TORE THIS PROGRAM DOWN FOR 25 YEARS. LET'S PUT IT BACK TOGETHER...TOGETHER! REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO BUILD THE MEAN GREEN NATION AND DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ASSURE THAT GROWTH. SEE YOU TOMMORROW! GO MEAN GREEN!

There is no longer a coach's radio show. We have now gone to a TV format that can be seen on NTTV channel 22 locally as well on the website to get to a wider audience and with repetitive airings. Go to front page of meangreensports.com and click on link at Mean Green Insider for free at your convenience. The first show is up now and the new show will be available at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday. Questions can be mailed in to Hank Dickenson by Sunday and we will get to as many as we can. Hope you enjoy. Please give us feedback.

Ticket sales are good, although I'm not sure how the ponies are doing with tickets. More room for green but we gotta get em out.

I promise that I will keep everyone updated on our progess with these two areas but right now there are many loose ends that must be tied up before any public statements can be issued. I know some will say that's just another way of saying no progress but I assure you it is not. Nothing will please me more than the time when some announcements can be made. Also understand that neither of those has been a deterrent to conference membership for other schools and will not be the deciding factor for us. Never the less they can enhance our program and bring the additional benefit of bigger visiting schools. I understand they are very important.

I apologize for not responding earlier to some topics but my password was not working and Harry was on vacation. I want to at least give you accurate info on a few subjects that have been topics on the board lately. Before I start however I want to apologize for not keeping the lines of communication more open. I did so early on but with the amount of activity we have had to handle ovr the last 18 months I have been remiss in this area. I will resume my communication on a regular basis. Moving on: 1.) Texas Bowl - the new Texas Bowl applied for approval in June of this year and were approved listing four conferences for tie-ins: the Big XII, CUSA, the MWC and the Big East. (See article on the Big XII site.) From e-mails and coversations the conferences were chosen for these reasons. The Big XII and CUSA created the financial solvency required to keep the bowl alive. The Big East and the MWC were chosen as alternatives in the event the other two conferences did not have enough qualifying teams to fill the spots and the national prominence of those two conerences. The major reason that the Sun Belt and therefore North Texas were not considered is that in only two years of the last five have we had enough qualiying teams to fill more than one bowl. In 2001 if the New Orleans Bowl had not made it possible for North Texas to go with a losing record than it would have been only one year. In addition we have not traveled as well as other bowl conferences have. I have been aware of this bowl and the make-up since June as I was at the meeting and think it's important to note that even today the whole situation with tha bowl is not settled or confirmed. The one thing everyone has missed here is that we do have access (though admittedly limited) in the event that the conferences that do end up being connected to the bowl cannot fill their spots. All we have to do is be bowl eligible with a 7-4 or better record and not be the champion of the Sun Belt. How do we insure that would be an attractive choice? 2.) Conference affiliation - continuing to beat down the Sun Belt does nothing but beat down North Texas. No one understands more than I do what an affiliation with a conference like CUSA would do for this university because of our location. The rivalries, the ability to travel, etc. all make sense. Commissioner Waters and I have talked about this before. However entrance into another conference is possible one way and one way only. That is when there is an opening. Memphis didn't get into the Big East when Louisville did because there were a limited number of spots. So until the time comes that a good option comes along we must continue to enhance the Sun Belt make ourselves a player in future realignment by enhancing budgets, facilities and competitiveness in our current conference and in OCC. How else do we become more attractive? 3.) Facilitiy growth-A new football stadium and a baseball stadium and program have always been integral parts of my vision for the future of this institution. Eleven new facilities later they are even more important. We have continued to cultivate these areas and made good progress. The fact that we have not been public with those dealings does not mean that these projects are not moving forward. However to expect that any program or anyone could in five years could complete all the changes that were needed at North Texas and bring it to the level of schools who have been committed to athletics for decades comes is just unrealistic. How do we get these last two essential pieces? Well you want leadership and I'm going to give to you. I apologize for nothing we've done over the last five years as we have made great strides in every area of the program. Our student-athletes and coaches are much better off today and our fans and alums now enjoy many of the aspects of the program not available just a few years ago (tailgating, video boards, available merchandise, a recognizable brand and national recognition, etc.) But that is in the past and I must look to the future. I understand your frustration in some areas because I share some of those same concerns. We must now be at the top in the Sun Belt across the board and be competitive and beat out of conference and regional opponents in every sport. We must now recruit the very best athletes especially in this area even though we may not get some in the end. Our coaches must exude a positive outlook as we now have a good situation and we must sell it. Nothing less can or will be accepted. I know that tennis and swimming are not important to most of you but those last two hires should speak volumes of what we now expect in all of our coaches. People who expect to win, people who recruit outstanding athletes and people who expect to be a nationally competitive and ranked program. Although they come from a Big 10 and Pac 10 program, they feel they are now in a better situation and have facilities and support systems that will allow them to field nationally competitive athletes and programs. And they go out and sell it every day. Be assured that every coach must now approach it that way as most of the deficiencies that once hindered their efforts no longer exist. If they choose not to approach it that way then they can't fit into the future of this program So how do I answer the questions I left above. Like it or not most of it is up to our fans and alums. The Mean Green nation must quit complaining and whining about everything from conference affiliation to coaching preferences. Until everyone of you buys season tickets and fills the stands, contributes to the program and creates the same positive attitude we want from our coaches and administrators we will continue to give others reason to tear us down. We must travel in larger numbers to the next bowl game to show our strength and entice other bowls to consider us when openings occur. We have to galvanize our efforts and not allow the excuse that I'll get involved or attend when everything is fixed. If we do then the mission becomes much tougher. No program is successful in every area, every year and not every coach is going to be popular with every fan. The successful programs that don't have hundred year traditions (see Va Tech, Fla. State, Kansas St.) began to succeed when fans alums were challenged to support and responded. Well our hole was much deeper as those schools were never 1-AA and never allowed to flounder as we have. The challenge is much greater but achieveable. Do not lose sight of the progress that has been made over the last five years and know from those successes that the rest is possible. I have fought for five years to change things for the better and will continue to do so. Those fights have not and may not in the future be seen on a public level. We will fight those fights that need to be fought publicly, but also use good judgement in matters that affect our future opportunities. Now I know this message will spur detractors but it will not detour me in any way. I am committed more than ever and will hold all entities of the athletic department accountable to stepping up to the level we must attain. I don't ask each of you to always agree with me but I challenge each of you to agree to support the progress of this program. As always for those of you already doing so, we appreciate your support and keep the faith. GO MEAN GREEN!

About half and half. Students filled three full sections on the east side and nearly four on the west with another two or three hundred in the southeast corner. Students really got into the game and were a factor. The community is beginning to come out more but it's still slower than we would like. Hope everyone will come out on Saturday.

Once again an uneducated comment from the cheap seats. It's a shame that the writer who wrote the story didn't clarify or bother to note that the attendance number for last year was for the whole year. The attendance he used for this year included games up only up until now which included all games over the holidays when everyone was gone. The number was lower last year for this period. Isn't ironic that our staff promoted good enough the past four days to have over 4,000 tonight. I will reiterate that my staff does that all the time but it also takes wins and committed people to fill seats. We would have one more but I noticed you weren't there and haven't been all season. As I said the other night some people will find the negative in everything. Thank goodness you're in the minority. By the way Green Bat isn't it funny how people that have worked in the same profession think so much alike.

It is no longer dependent on them although I believe they will be a part of it. Look for good news soon.

I take a chance every time I respond to comments made on this board, in the newspaper or just in casual conversations. However there are so many stories and suggestions flying around I feel it is in the best interest of this program and its' continued progress...and we do continue to make progress... to address and clarify them. This is not venting and is not intended that way. I am only responding to questions and comments on the board over the last couple of weeks. First, I have not and do not apply for every job that comes open. I have been approached by some schools over the last two years because we have been successful. You need to understand that many times when a name comes out as being involved with a school it is not because you apply for a job but because someone is interested in you or a search firm thinks you would be a good fit. And sometimes when a job comes open, rumors eminate from an innocent newspaper item which is what happened in this instance. Here's the rest of the story and more. 1. The article in the Lafayette paper was a small portion of an interview with a reporter out of Lafayette that I have known and respect who wanted the perspective of an AD that had been at multiple mid-major schools, had helped advance programs to the point that others considered them successful and was a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The gist of the interview, which was about 30 minutes long, covered a number of areas and was intended to explore the challenges schools in our conference and at the mid-major level face every day. The article was one of a series of columns that appeared and just happened to be about media and community exposure, a problem that this university and not just this athletic department has experienced for a long time. My comments were written not in whole, but rather as pieces and does not really convey my thought which is that lack of a local radio and television station makes it difficult to infiltrate the local and regional market on a regular basis. Throughout the rest of the interview I was asked to compare everything from travel to media market to access to post season play. As most of you would expect I was extremely positive about our situation here in those areas. 2. The blurb about no contact from Lafayette came from a question posed by Brett Vito as a result of the column. I told him at that time that I was not sure why he was asking as that there had been no mention of the job and I had not been contacted about a job. It was that simple. Suggestions about game days First let me state that I feel we are "up to the challenge every day" and and if we don't do those things that someone sends in doesn't mean we failed anything. I know that suggestions made are done so with best intentions and I appreciate them. But it's easy to direct from the balcony when you don't have to worry about all the expenses or logistics or reprecussions. Though we are limited in resources I know we provide as much as most places we visit throughout the year. We know because we evaluate other venues and operations at all away games. I also realize that many of the people complaining about a lack of promotions and other game aspects haven't come to a game recently and don't really know what we do in many areas. But that does not mean we can't get better and we want to. I must also address the person who complained about promotions and activities for the tournament last year. Although we don't run the peripherals of the tournament (Sun Belt does) there was plenty of promotion and great activities. You must have been in hibernation. Ask anyone who came. 3. Promotion suggestions- I have always had an open ear about promotions and we have implemented suggestions from fans. But to continually say that we don't promote the product is just not true. From season posters to table tents, game week posters, newspaper ads, A-frame signs, game day campus and yard signs, message boards, elementary school programs, $1 hot dog night, video tents and pre-game band promos for students, t-shirts, kid's funland on the concourse, kids' halftime events, televising games on public access television, game day spirit truck on campus, coaches' live radio shows in public venues, tailgate parties, e-mail blasts, family packages, enhanced Mean Green room, etc. we are constantly putting information out and promoting the product. We're not sure items like spotlights are the answer as they are expensive and in our confines don't make the impact that generates sales. If they worked others would be doing it. Free tickets are not the answer. It was the method before we got here and that didn't work. If sometimes seems that if we're not feeding fans, providing T-shirts and giving them free tickets to the game, then we're not promoting. I may be wrong but we believe that most of the people complaining or suggesting don't live in Denton and therefore don't see much of this. And whether we like it or not it is economically impossible to put enough radio and newspaper spots to penetrate the Dallas market. The sad part for fans not coming is that the real marketing tool these days is the game itself. With good tickets as low as $5, affordable family packages and a product that is outstanding our fans should come without further inducement. We play in a league that is in the top half of the country and those who are coming know it. Once you come to a game here you will come back. That said, I want you all to know that I am willing to listen to any additional ideas anyone might have and welcome your input. Sometimes I am not sure what you consider a promotion so it would help. E-mail anything you would like to see us try. Keep in mind that until we have sufficient paying customers in the stands on a regular basis, some things will not be economically feasible. 4. In-game activities. People have complained about a lack of cheerleaders at some games during the holidays and that is valid. However most of our cheerleaders live out of town and are not on campus. That is not unique to North Texas. In fact at Tulsa there were not only no cheerleaders but no band and no dancers. We have not had a game this year without band or dancers even during the Christmas holidays. Cheerleaders have returned but I agree must get more active. Overall however our support groups are really good. We are trying to work out the logistical problems of a mike man with our speaker system. I like the suggestion and hope we can make it work. 5. Concessions- unless you have 10 stands open like a pro game there will always be lines. We are now opening everything we can and will open satellite stations but remember crowds dictate our ability to open stands. It doesn't make sense to open five stands when there is a trickle until halftime. It is the same at a lot of places and as we continue to expand the options for customers we will unfortunately continue to have lines. We will work to serve as quickly as we can. 6. Students- we meet with sorority and fraternity presidents at the beginning of the year and our coaches went out prior to basketball season to speak with them. We do communicate our schedules to these groups as well as other student groups with our staff and our coaches throughout every semester. 7. Coaches. Someone questioned the coaches I have hired. Those that I have brought seem to be holding their own. Jim Bob Jackson won a conference championship and has had a lot of success since then. Our swim team has improved consistently over the last three years and broken nearly every school record while moving to the middle of the pack in the conference but I know we can and must make more progress. Cindy Padgett, the women's golf coach I hired who recently had to leave to join her husband, had her team win twice in the fall and positioned them to make a run at this year's conference title. Our softball team though young has already beaten Big 12 and C-USA teams and will only get better. And Johnny Jones is already the 5th winningest coach in school history and just signed the 29th rated class in the country. Let me also comment on two existing coaches that seem to be getting a lot of time on the board. A lot of people now want to let Coach Dickey go although 8 months ago he was a hero. One losing season does not erase 4 straight conference championships and bowl games and he has earned the right to turn it around. And in the 6th toughest conference in the coutry according to the RPI, Tina Slinker is 13-5 with 2 losses to top 25 teams. Her latest loss came as she sent one of her best players home for violating team policy, a practice I applaud. We sure have come a long way when we complain about these kinds of numbers. I love your passion and respect your concern but must temper it all with rational decisions. Many programs would like to be making the progress we see every day. 8. Lastly, I want to address some numbers being thrown around. In the first month of my being hired I did state to the board that we would need over $90,000,000 to get this program to a point where it was on solid ground and could be compared to the better programs in the country. To break that down we said it would be 9,000,000 for the athletic center, 30,000,000 for stadium renovation, 16,000,000 for women's facilities, 3,000,000 for a baseball stadium, 2,000,000 for a new track and 20,000,000 - 30,000,000 in endowments. Although at that time I did not realize the depth of the apathy and lack of connection that existed at this university, the number is still right. I will be the first to admit it has been much, much harder than I could have imagined. But it is not impossible. And although some facilities have cost less today the athletic center, the women's facilities and an academic center have all been put in place and the athletic department owes less than $4,000,000 (2,000,000 already covered by pledges that are being payed out over the next two years). It must be noted that nearly $1,000,000 of that amount was used for video equipment and new turf in the stadium. an expenditure that was necessary but unexpected. Someone also complained that this money was loaned by the university. That is incorrect. It came from commercial paper that the athletic department is responsible for and has already payed back over $400,000 in just six months. The remaining debt will be paid from monies saved and raised by the athletic department. In addition to those projects, we have added players' lounges in basketball, projectors and sound systems everywhere you look, new transportation for teams and over 30 new computers that don't get figured in the regular budget. We also added new seating and tables at basketball, a new floor and new lighting. All of this is paid for and came from private dollars raised on an annual basis. Now we must continue to raise more money than at any time in the history of this program or any comparable program to make the stadium a reality. But remember to be a successful fund raiser the constituency must be willing to step up when asked. It recently took Auburn (over 40,000 season ticket holders and competing for a national championship) over 3 years to raise $60,000,000 for the athletic department employing a hired firm staff of three and a department staff of full time athletic development people. Therefore we know it will not be easy but can and will be done. They stepped up. When asked will we? 9. Academics- 67% graduation rates and all teams above the APR. Enough said. I tried to cover the areas most people were questioning and complaining about because I want you to know the view from my position. I hope you trust my positions as I have never hidden our negatives and have always been willing to discuss our shortcomings. I do not need accolades but do expect that people acknowledge what this staff has done. Many of you do and I really appreciate that for my staff. You also need to know that despite the negative sentiments of some, I do want to be here and I work hard every day to prove that. You also need to know that I run this department and will make the decisions necessary to elevate this program. I have the same commitment and passion I had four and a half years ago when I took this job. I know there will always be detractors regardless of how many good things an administration achieves because everyone has their own agenda. Everyone has a certain tradition or protocol or game day experience they treasure and any change or lack of emphasis on that particular event causes concern and many times anger. I must confess that I am often guilty of the same behavior. But let me assure you that everything we implement, be it about safety, programming or direction of the athletic department is in the best interest of the entire program. My passion to do these things is strong even though, as someone suggested, I'm not an alum and I will continue to do them every day until someone tells me it is no longer my job. I will keep my ears open to those who offer suggestions and help. I will not be frustrated or deterred by critics who don't know the whole story or don't accept that the right thing is being done. I accept that we will sometimes make mistakes. Most of all I understand that you don't change the entire complexion of a 70-80 year old program in four years and I intend to stay the steady course to get where we need to go. It may not be at everyone's desired pace or even my desired pace but at the pace our alums and constituency allow us to move until the challange is met. And whether you agree with me or not, honor your alma mater by helping where you can. In closing, I reflect that I really do hope other programs might have an interest in pursuing me. You should too. It means we, and that's all of us, are doing great things at North Texas. GO MEAN GREEN! P.S. I respect and love our people. I refuse to call out any posters by name, although I know who you are, but I need to say that I put no faith in the negative opinions of people who have a lot ot say but give very little more than an opinion (no attendance, no season tickets, no MGC). Especially when face to face you say how much you support what we are doing. P.S. P.S. It's time to crank up our quarterly public forum again since our expansion is about finished for now. Please e-mail if you would attend. It's a good thing but only if people participate.

Not a shot back but rather an informational message. We have good people in the academic center. It is easy to point the finger there, but the numbers say otherwise. Graduation rates are up to 60 % and our APR was the highest for public institutions in the state. We had eight teams with a 2.8 or better this past semester and only 1 student outside of football is not eligible for next year. It is not the job of anyone to sit in class with a student-athlete and make sure he goes to school. That is a responsibility of that young man or woman. We do check classes but this is not a baby sitting service. Plenty of football players are doing great and handling that responsibility. There are any number of proposed cures including sitting in class. At Middle Tennessee they recently adopted a department-wide policy that equates missed classes with missed playing time. East Carolina has a similar program. Others teams use different approaches to promote and enforce class attendance. We have confidence that our coaches can handle their teams and currently allow them to determine their own processes, which they have done with much success in the last four years. I have consistently heard Coach Dickey as well as all of our other head coaches demand that players meet their responsibility of going to class, making the grade and getting a degree. Many student-athletes heed the words, but there is a small minority that never will. Our kids today have better facilities, more computers, more summer school and 5th year funding, and a new academic center set to open in August. People in the academic department can only do so much and I think they do a great job. The proof is in the total numbers and not just this isolated case of 5 athletes. If more money and more people were the cure, then our the Big 12 friends would have better numbers than ours. This is a case of a small group of individuals provided with opportunities failing to take advantage of the benefits available. They have been given plenty of attention, encouragement and even prodding from the academic center to take care of business. We may be forced to change the system in the future but for now we will entrust our coaches to solve the challenges within their teams. Let's hope that these young people, as well as others, learn from this situation. They hurt not only themselves, but their teammates, their coaches and everyone who love Mean Green Athletics. GO MEAN GREEN!