untcampbell

Houston Eagle, what a joy to see that missive in print. If you are sitting among similar-minded fans at the games, I want to join your section. That, amigo, was the retort I have been trying to offer for years. To paraphrase a line from a well-distributed book I look at occasionally: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and he who sows generously will reap generously. Give what you can, not reluctantly or under compulsion. Be a cheerful giver. If that happens enough, you may get what you REALLY want (wins). GMG

If only we could get as many people to the games as we used to get to the practices...allegedly. I have been to a few practices in the past...other than for scrimmages, I can't recall seeing more than, and I will be generous here, 50 people (usually about 5-15 fans from this board and a few parents of players that lived in the metroplex). I don't disagree with the notion that we shouldn't be doing anything to piss off fans. I just think fans need to respect the wishes of the coaching staff on this one and let their anticipation build for game day. I just thank the Lord daily for providing this invaluable internet "suggestion box" to voice all of our complaints. And SE, I owe you appreciation for providing the inspiration for my avatar! GMG

Incredibly simple, logical and well put, UNT90. GMG

Softball is to athletics what Mayberry is to the rest of the world...the way it used to be, or at least the way it should be. #oldmanspeak #RIPSheriffTaylor GMG

1975 .............3 ..................35,530 ........................ 11,843 For you guys that were there in 1975, was the above attendance for 3 Fouts games or inclusive of the 2 TX Stadium games and 2 Fouts games? Above says we averaged 11843 for Fouts-only games. That number is fairly consistent with what I have heard about Fouts attendance, even in the Fry years.

This has probably been discussed already, but Boise may end up staying in the Mtn West with this news. A couple of news stories were tweeted today regarding this by the Cache Valley paper (Logan/Utah State). They never contractually left the conference, as I understand it and it seems the upside, if it was ever there, of moving to the Big East has been further compromised. I am sure I have missed the full impact of the decisions today, but times still be interesting to me. GMG

As a future NOLA resident, a 2-4 per day newspaper reader and a NT J-school grad, this NEWS saddens me. I thought the T-P had a formula that works...THE source for local news, a bit of sensationalism, supportive of the local arts, a vocal and visible editorial section, excellent investigative writers, a strong, prolific classified ad section and the best real estate resource for its city of which I am aware. GMG

All 3 CUSA teams are out with two losses. Both Sun Belt teams are still playing, ULL without a loss and USA with one loss. USA needs two wins to advance, ULL just one. GMG

Good start for the Sunbelt as USA and ULL both win first round games. USA actually took the conference championship, only the second time ULL did not win the Sunbelt. I think I saw all CUSA entries. Tulsa and Houston won, while UAB lost. This is a double elimination tournament, starting with regionals. Regarding NT, the ladies ended up with the program's second best win total, second winning season and second fewest losses. They achieved their best conference record to date, in a fairly tough conference from top to bottom. The Mean Green had its best ever home record, at 15-5-1. The team played 18 games against NCAA tournament teams. North Texas struggled against top-20 teams, going 0-11 (ULL, Baylor, Oklahoma and Houston). Five of those were one-run losses, four in extra innings. NT returns all of its pitching but will have to replace lots of offense, including 3 of its top 5 hitters, among them all SBC DH Maddelyn Fraley. 7 players were signed to replace 5 seniors. Conference RPI rankings as of May 14, 2012 #1 Pac-12 #2 Big XII #3 SEC #4 ACC #5 Big East #6 Big Ten #7 Sun Belt #8 Mountain West #9 CUSA #10 WAC #11 Atlantic Sun #12 MAC #13 Missouri Valley #14 America East #15 Southern GMG

Again, my recall is fuzzy, but I think the schools from which we are getting recent transfers are increasingly higher profile schools. That seems to be a credit to the coaching credibility and facility upgrades. GMG

Lots of fun to watch these girls having fun. They enjoy the game and enjoy being a team. Nice winning season for the team, second most wins. GMG

Mean Green get first two on in the top of the third and can't score. ULL comes to bat, tied at nil. GMG

Yes...and they have nice fan support in FL (or at least they did Thursday during their round 1 game). ESPN has ULL #6 ranked in the country. We took them to extra innings in 2 of the 3 games we played this year, before being swept in Lafayette 7-6 (10 innings), 5-4 (9 innings) and 11-4. Remember the ladies play 7 innings, so we gave them two really strong games in the Saturday doubleheader. Today, we run-ruled FIU after 5, so Ashley only pitched four innings. I am not sure how much the girls can pitch (physically), but she may be able to pitch some tonight. ULL clearly has the pitching with both their 1 and 2 starters winning at least 22 games. Neither one has as many innings as Ashley over the last couple of days, but our second starter Brittney Simmons has just pitched a few innings, and thus should be fresh. GMG

Ashley Kirk rebounds today, throwing a complete gamer with 6 K's, 3 hits and a walk against the host team. A two-run blast from Brooke Foster, and RBI single from Lisa Johnson and solid defense holds up. Next game will be against a better seed, either the 2 or 3. Think that game is in rain delay. GMG

3-1 Final Does it hurt, pal? Does it hurt?

Down 2-1 end of 4. Ladytop brought home two with a gapper triple in top 2. Ashley not having her best but battling. Now pulled after giving up a leadoff triple, pop up and run-scoring single. NT trails 3-1, top 5. Brittney Simmons throws 5 pitches to get out of the fifth. Winner gets likely winner #5 ULL playing FAU after this one. GMG Cool palm tree lined outfield as the sunsets on a cool early evening.

NT goes up 1-0 after 1 on a leadoff double by Rupp, home on a sacrifice fly. GMG

Game starts at 4 pm...silent auction at 3:30 (NT memorabilia, DM-signed football, etc and a pretty nice guitar signed by Josh Abbott, Randy Travis, et al)...pics with Miss Texas at 3:00. Good opportunity to come see the ladies play for a good cause. GMG

Nice insight, Green Flag. I have had a few conversations with Coach and find him to be a guy who deeply cares about his program, his players and the school. Can see why his players like him. He is responsive to emails also...very prompt, to even basic questions. That kind of behavior doesn't seem to mesh with what you have heard from area coaches. Not questioning your sources, but it never makes sense to me why coaches will behave in ways that AREN'T in their best interest, in almost sabotage-mode. I used that argument with Fake a few times, and have to admit in retrospect, Dodge DID seem to behave against his best interest. That said, a program is not going to progress as quickly if a coach purposely ignores the area in which he or she can most cost-efficiently recruit. Coach TJ career record is 127-135, .485. He inherited a program that was 81-139, .368, before he arrived. I support this coach but then again, I am one of the last to NOT support NT coaches. I greatly enjoy watching this team, win or lose because the team ENJOYS playing, the ladies are competitive (they have want-to) and the players carry themselves as nice ambassadors for the school. I, and I presume all those involved in the program, expect and anticipate the program's continued improvement. GMG

Coach TJ is a good and very positive, high integrity guy. He started very young, and is in his fifth season. He has set a base foundation that provides higher pre-season expectations and results that are better than his predecessor. Hopefully, he can build off that as he moves forward. The team has a nice facility and it appears Coach provides an atmosphere that the ladies enjoy being a part of. It is interesting to talk to some of the parents. I learned that the best pitchers generally are committed to programs by their 9th grade season. My hope for the program is that we establish a more prominent presence locally, drawing more recruits from the great Metroplex programs, and that we expand the fan base to provide a more rowdy home field advantage. GMG

NT goes to Troy and pulls off the three game sweep and pulls ahead of Troy to the fourth seed for the SBC tournament May 9-12 in Boca Raton. Not sure, but they may play Troy again in game 1 (4 vs 5 seed)....if so, that game will be Wednesday, May 9, 4:30. North Texas finishes the conference regular season at 13-10-1 in conference. This is NT's highest SBC conference win total and Coach Hubbard's second above- .500 conference finish in his five seasons as head coach. NT can move to .500 on the season against SFA May 2, in the annual Play for Kay game at 4 pm: All proceeds raised benefit DFW’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in honor of Mean Green loyal supporter and long-time friend and co-worker, Kay Johnson. Come out early...LLS has put together some great events for that day including a pre-game concert (still working on final details), hosting Kendall Morris (current Miss Texas) to Lovelace Stadium for photos/autographs as well as a silent auction (should be some very nice UNT memorabilia from coaches). Congrats to Coach Hubbard and the Mean Green.

86, I hope you get to keep all your +'s when a thread is removed. I think the ex-girlfriend had it removed. GMG

I don't think there is anything wrong with "taking time" to find the right guy. 10 days, by the way, doesn't seem like an eternity (ask SMU). The future of the program won't be won or lost over the next 10 days. Find the right guy...period. GMG

Couple of things of note: It was his brother Brant that talked about being at practice today. Brother is a high-school junior, plays hoops, hockey and XC. Twitter page had a picture from March 30 of the FIU spring game. Good signs: Brock brought the family for the visit. I like that he visited us second (hopefully last). If facilities have anything to do with it, I think we have a chance. I hope we can welcome the Berglund's to the family soon! GMG

Dunbar is gone...but I think we have a few behind him worth bragging about. This will be my first trip to Manhattan. Can't wait to see the statue of liberty, Brooklyn bridge and the new WTC #1. Really, looking forward to this game and seeing how the purple do it. GMG