ParksAndRecRick

Very poor... maybe that's why the marketing dude their is "outgoing".

JQ is a special player and a special person. Here's wishing Johnny another chance to catch on! He has done a lot for Mean Green football and I hope his dream does come true!!!! ParksAndRecRick

Dear Mean Green Nation, I, like each one of you, are excited for the Coach Dodge era to begin. I am excited about the new uniforms. I am excited abou the season ticket sales. I am excited about the enthusiasm around the football program at U.N.T. There is one thing that we have to offer...the true opportunity to be "The Team of the Metroplex". We are a public University with growing prestige and numbers. And, we are the ONLY team in the Metrplex that can fill a stadium with a good program. I don't mean this as any attack on the wonderful few years that TCU has put together as well as the turnaround the Mustangs managed after the big defeat to the Mean Green. But, TCU, despite having a grand run as one of the Top 25 teams in America really can't fill their stadium. Fort Worth does what they can...but, they have not captured the heart of the Metroplex and I believe their best days have passed them. I have a lot of respect for the Coach Bennett, but no matter how many wins SMU has....they will still have to give tickets away to hit the NCAA requirements. Dallas is not and will not support the Mustangs. And, that is sad. However, Coach Dodge, a strong array of supporters, huge alumni base, and fans from other parts of the Country are poised to support a local, public University...and thus we are positioned to be "The Team of the Metroplex". If you looked at media coverage the past few months since the Coach Dodge hiring, I'm sure it is doubled that of SMU and TCU combined. And, the future is just beginning.... So, with that said... "Lets Unite to Excite!!!" We will rally the students, the alums, the City of Denton, the City of Southlake and the entire Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex. Our time is NOW! From exciting new uniforms, to dynamic coaches, to new facilities..... As FireFightingRick alluded to in an earlier post.... It's gonna be kewl...to be Mean Green!!!! And, it's been a long time since we could say that! Lets Unite to Excite!"

I know how we all want the Mean Green to beat the Ponies again, and I know Coach Dodge will have our boys ready, but this will be a tough battle. First, we don't give them enough credit. With their Coaches job on the line, they played some good football down the stretch with a very young football team. Very much like our big upset win over Middle Tennessee at home that started our awesome run in the SunBelt. So, I would feel better about the game if this was the first game in the series. SMU has circled that game since last year. Much like Baylor did after our trouncing them at the House of Mean. The Waco re-visit was not near as kind. With that said, I believe the Mean Green will prevail, but those that now me, know that I think that way every Saturday. I just think that will be a war at Ford Stadium. And, for those who haven't been there....it is one of the nicest small stadiums anywhere. Gosh, the upcoming season is an exciting one! And, the future is pure GREEN! I know when Coach Dodge has the team rolling....Fouts will be filed to the brim each and every Saturday home game. TCU has shown it can't do that....and I think even though SMU has a grand chance to be a Bowl team this year, I doubt folks will get real excited. That is what we have to offer! The bandwagon is alive in Denton. See everyone on August 4! Let's Unite to Excite!!!!ParksAndRecRick

New helmets! New day! New Vision! Let's unite to excite!!!!!

I love the new helmets. I have thought our uniforms were at times a little boring and it's fun to see a new and exciting look. It is funny that our colors were the same as SLC, but who cares that the helmets look like their helmets. It's a new day for Mean Green football and I personally think it wouldn't be the same without new uniforms. The countdown is on! See ya August 4! ParksAndRecRick

Let's move forward...

George spent a segment Tuesday morning lauding Coach Dodge and all the excitement going on in the land of the Green. He talked about the Riley switch from U.T. to U.N.T. the early 2008 commitments, the season ticket excitment and how excited he was about the upcoming football season. George is one of the true heros of the Mean Green! We are so lucky to have his passion and talent in the Mean Green family! See everyone August 4!MeanGreenRick

G. Harvey Portrait Stadium is also in consideration... ...as is Larry McMurtry Lonesome Green Park or.... Don Henley Eagle's Landing Park or.....Dr. Phil's Quick Draw McGraw Staidum or.....The Mean Joe Green House All are finalists! More soon! ParksAndRecRick

UNT GRAD is making it happen: Sam Moon Trading Stadium

For some good laughs... Go to You Tube and watch "Riley Dodges' Secret Weapon". Very funny! And... ain't it GRAND to be GREEN!!!!! Also, nice collection of his highlights....

Harry I second your "wow"! It is another major indictator.... Things Are A Changin' and We All Need to do whatever we can...to keep the excitment rolling! Our time is NOW! Go Green! The Team of the Metroplex hails from Denton Texas ParksAndRecRickSaysWow!!!!!

Lighted golf balls and equipment is currently available. We have done it a few times over the years...and may well again. I will post if we are going to do it. Night golf with actually lighting the course tends to be expensive and although there were courses here (normally par 3) that were lighted....I think most have went out of business do to the cost. Other parts of the country still have some though.... The Lighted Golf Ball and Flag Sticks and Some Markers is fun.... Too many times i have seen my golf ball fall into a creek... ParksAndRecRick

I believe it is a new degree within the Recreation and Leisure Studies progam within the College of Education. You might email Dr. John Collins at jcollins@unt.edu for more information. We have talked about assisting one of the grads look for a job with our new minor league baseball team. ParksAndRecRick

I believe Rangers will Rally. Rally enough to finish 16 games back! ParksAndRecRick Grand Prairie....proud home of the Grand Prairie ____________________. Play begins in the American Association as rival for Fort Worth Cats in 2008.

It's been a wild time the past two weeks in Grand Prairie, with extensive media coverage over the propsed minor league baseball stadium. But, as always, the voters get the last and most important say. And they said, YES to a $15 million dollar minor league baseball stadium. The Stadium will house Grand Prariie's team in the American Association, the same league of the Fort Worth Cats. Construction will begin in two weeks and the stadium will open for the 2008 baseball season. In addition, citizens overwhelming passed a new $15 million dollar Senior Citizen facility, destined to be the finest in the Metroplex. It is all GRAND on the Praririe. ParksAndRecRick

Some stadium thoughts.... There were a few clever things about ASUs stadium. Especially the restrooms which also served the tailgate area. The trees and shade make it a grand place for tailgating. I thought the fans were into the action. I had a good experience their. I have never thought LaLa or ULM were all that hot. Akron is an absolute dump! The only neat thing it adjoins the home of the Soap Box Derby. Terrible. I didn't care for Tulsa. I know their doing some work. But, they did give us GRAND seats! I hate to say this again...but, the best small stadium I have been in is SMU. And, one neat thing they do is open their dressing room before the team gets there to kids. Everything is layed out...it is a good branding thing. However, they don't get many folks there. They have some nice suites (which is a must these days...I don't like that the glass don't open though). And, the seats are on the field. If the seats at Fouts were not a mile away...it wouldn't be half as bad. But, lord the noise is gone and the views and excitement are very poor. Tailgaiting is nice though at Fouts thanks to the Athletic Staff. They have done a nice job. And, parking sucks at almost every campus stadium.

Some stadium thoughts.... There were a few clever things about ASUs stadium. Especially the restrooms which also served the tailgate area. The trees and shade make it a grand place for tailgating. I thought the fans were into the action. I had a good experience their. I have never thought LaLa or ULM were all that hot. Akron is an absolute dump! The only neat thing it adjoins the home of the Soap Box Derby. Terrible. I didn't care for Tulsa. I know their doing some work. But, they did give us GRAND seats! I hate to say this again...but, the best small stadium I have been in is SMU. And, one neat thing they do is open their dressing room before the team gets there to kids. Everything is layed out...it is a good branding thing. However, they don't get many folks there. They have some nice suites (which is a must these days...I don't like that the glass don't open though). And, the seats are on the field. If the seats at Fouts were not a mile away...it wouldn't be half as bad. But, lord the noise is gone and the views and excitement are very poor. Tailgaiting is nice though at Fouts thanks to the Athletic Staff. They have done a nice job. And, parking sucks at almost every campus stadium.

Johnny will play in the NFL! Case closed!

I'm Proud for Him! JQ WILL play in the N.F.L. "Book It"! The (award winning) ParksAndRecRick

Ok...beat me up. I would love Ford Stadium home of SMU in Denton. Wonderful small stadium. Bring it to the real "Big D"!!!!!

What a GRAND pick-up for Coach Jones! Ain't Life GRAND being GREEN!!!!!

Don't Miss Coach Dodge this morning at 9:30am LIVE on The Ticket 1310am with Georgio talking about the Spring Game Sunday! See Ya at "Air Fouts" on Sunday!!!!!

ParksAndRecRick and a Bunch of Mean Green Faithful and Parks and Recreation Alums will be making the trip to the Land of Dodge Ball! Can't Wait!!!! See Y'All at Air Fouts!

I ran into Rick at the NCAA Basketball Annoucment in Denton. He said he was still experiencing computer problems and he and his wife were doing well. I told him he was missed....