KRAM1

Another positive write-up on the Mean green. After the last several years...and not just under Coach Dodge...I have to pinch myself to be sure I am actually awake and reading all the positive press about UNT. The times they are a changin' at UNT. Can't wait to see the "change" that will be the best football team the Mean Green faithful have witnessed in several years.

Nice article. It is really great to see all the positive press. It should help not only the team start to believe again in the greatness that can be North Texas football but also the alums and fans. That, is a big step in the right direction in itself.

I am never embarrassed by UNT. And, as Flyer says, this would not be a bad first-year record for Coach McCarney at all. It's really nice to see UNT stepping away from those days of the 1-win/2-win predictions.

So, how does one drink the beer from said non-disposable containers? Cup ones hands or rig up a straw? No cups allowed! Banning disposable containers also bans water, soda, juice for the wee ones, etc., etc. Your idea has merit, but UNT90 is also correct. Set up too many hassles and pricing barriers and the folks will find some other place to spend their hard earned recreational dollars. Do not for one second think this ban will have no impact on the tax base and merchants of NB. I would foresee a nice little city-wide tax increase coming for all the good citizen of NB should this ban actually take place, and NB might just lose some local businesses and employers as well. Again, I understand some of the issues the locals may have with tubers, but they may need to be careful what they ask for here as they might just get it. Is there absolutely ZERO compromise here? Could there be a deposit on all disposable cans and bottles that might help keep some of the disposables out of the river and off the banks of the river? I don't know...that's a fee on all citizens as well, right? Sort of like the good citizens in Deina now having to pay a $5.00 fee to park their own cars in their own neighborhood because they were afraid of some game day traffic 6 days a year! That's funny and probably not an expected consequence of the vocal minority getting their way. If you live in the area, please give us some background here and let us know exactly why this is such a big problem. Like UNT90 my family and I have done the tubing thing several times. Spent a good bit of money in the area as well renting a condo room, eating out for all meals on several days, buying "stuff" (beer, soda, water, snacks for the river float) and incidentals, buying gasoline, etc. And, we left nothing behind in either the river or on the river bank. All trash went into our floating cooler that "Tagged along" with us on the float each time.

Business folks are already gearing up for the lawsuit over this. Big hit to the city tax and business coffers if this actually takes effect. Guy on the radio this morning said they were trying to decide WHEN (not if) to file the lawsuit...either now or Sept. 1st when the reg is to take effect. He said it's just when they file. If you live in NB full time, I might see your point. I am just wondering, however, if this is akin to "throwing the baby out with the bath water"? Is there absolutely ZERO way to handle this other than a complete ban which to me would surly hurt the tax base and the restaurant and the hotel/motel businesses in the area big time. Is it really all or nothing?

Well, looks like there is a bit of a difference of opinion on whether the crowd was good or bad. But, my take on this is that this was the first real effort to do something like this, and from the video it looked like the crowd was OK. The student body has not all returned to campus and it was a first time effort without any real build-up. The word will get out and the event will grow as it is moved to "The Hill". Students who wanted to get there could...those who complained about the drive or walk wouldn't go anyway and would find some excuse for not supporting THEIR team. Just like some alums and fans do on a regular basis. The culture is, indeed, changing and it will start to change first with the freshmen students, and it will take a bit of time...and some winning to give it momentum. So, I'll say...very nice start to both the athletic dept. and the students. But, it's just a start...let's make it the start of something BIG!

Ok, but couldn't you also tell them while you were a subscriber? If everyone drops their subscriptions, there won't be a newspaper to complain to or about as they will be broke. Remember the Dallas Times Herald? Lots of papers have gone out of business in the US in recent years. Seems to me that while they will most certainly send you boat loads full of emails and notices (just like Sports Illustrated does me since I did not renew) those are sent automatically and say the same thing to every person. Hardly the "personal touch". You, of course, may be 100% correct, but to me it seems like I get better personal attention when I call and tell them that I have been a daily subscriber for many years and would like to talk to someone. UNT just needs more subscribers to call and "talk to someone" about UNT coverage. No one has personally called me from Sports Illustrated, but I got a personal call from a person with the Dallas Morning News Sports area recently and had a nice "chat" about UNT coverage. Had the gatekeeper and was getting nowhere until i told her I was a 35+ year daily subscriber. She then took my name and number and I got a call back within two hours.

I sure wish that is all it took. But, if you were around during the Sunbelt Conference championship and New Orleans Bowl years...not to mention the Hayden Fry era when UNT was winning against some "big boy" opponents, you would realize that "just win games" did not add up to decent coverage from the DMN or the Ft. Worth Star or even the old Dallas Times Herald (the now defunct Dallas evening paper). If only it were as easy as "just win games" when it comes to coverage for UNT. Cancelling subscriptions does no good what so ever. Telling them you keep subscribing because they cover UNT is the much better play. If they know you cancelled, well, they don't need to care what you think any longer, but if you subscribe and tell them your thoughts on their coverage and ask for extended coverage, and get your fellow fans and alums to ask for extended coverage they have a reason to listen and perhaps do something about it. My guess is that there are UNT grads on the staff at the DMN that don't even let the paper know they are grads. I heard from a DFW area businessman the other day who mentioned he had two UNT grads on staff who never go to games, never mention UNT, do not wear UNT colors nor talk about UNT. That, folks has been the problem for way too long. If the DMN and others don't know you exist, well, why should they care to cater to you?

Matt, that could be interesting indeed. You will have to let me know how the "playing with the ladies went".

Absolutely...excellent plan, Sir. I do hope you take time to drop by the Alumni Pavilion before the game to pick up one of the limited edition commemorative coins. First coin toss ever and all that. Great plans for a great weekend. Looks like Emmitt is getting the party started. GREATNESS!

Well, they may not be in the area, but each has a very large fan base in the DMN's subscription area. I think it's simply a way for the DMN to gain some readership that they may not otherwise have. I think we have all noticed that these schools seem to have a good number of folks wearing their colors. Heck, Texas even has an entire store open in Ft. Worth (off 7th Ave. near the new In and Out Burger) for their gear. Right in the heart of Frog country there is a store dedicated to Texas gear! So, while these schools may not be "in" the DFW area, they are certainly in the subscription area and the viewing area of the metroplex. I just wish that UNT got more of the coverage. And, i think it will as soon as the alums and fans start demanding that UNT be given the coverage. That coupled with the new stadium and some winning football should do the trick. But, don't for even one second think that both ESPN and the DMN know how little respect even UNT's own fans and alums have given the program and school over the last several years. Why should the DMN and ESPN pay attention if the school's own alums and fans wear other university colors, bad mouth their own school and programs and never stick up for UNT at "water cooler" and discussions and social functions? UNT is doing everything it can to earn the respect of the metroplex and its own alums and fans can help that a great deal by letting people know that you are proud to be a member of the great Mean Green Nation. Show up and support the program...numbers talk. Join the Mean green Club, join the Alumni Association, donate what and when you can to your academic department. It all counts and it all matters. As alums, fans and friends, when we demand respect we will get respect. You can be part of the solution, or you can sit back and wonder why these other schools continue to get more "press" than UNT in the DMN.

I have noted some chatter on the board recently about the Dallas Morning News previewing every local and most Big XII teams but not North Texas. Well, I don't know if some letters and calls may have helped, but I note in today's DMN sports section that UNT will, indeed, be previewed this Saturday (Aug. 27th) along with TCU. I wonder if the sports folks at the DMN "woke up" and added UNT...seems that may be the case, or if they were always slated to share the day with TCU, but it's there in print this morning. Thanks to all who may have written or called the DMN. Hopefully, next season UNT will have a review day where it is not sharing the day with any other team. But, hey, it's a start and it's positive for UNT. Will be interesting to see who writes it (probably Vito) and what is said. If Brett does it, it will probably not be new to those of us who follow Brett locally, but might open a few eyes around the metroplex to the Mean green.

Hooking up with CBL perhaps?

Irene's schedule is for THIS week. The Mean Green is in Miami next week. Last i saw winds were predicted to be in the 70's IF Irene even hit the Miami area. There is some doubt of that as the mountains in the Dom Rep and Haiti might cause the storm to "up and over" or miss entirely. Don't fret yet, it's next week's weather you want to watch. Maybe it's good this is getting out of the way now. It will be "fair skies and following winds" for the Mean Green's game. Book it Danno!

Memories...memories. I believe I even saw myself in one of the crowd shots...and, no, not the one with the "Stars and Bars" flying! Lots of great hangouts now gone, but the memories remain. Thanks for posting this.

You have hit on something that has bothered me for a long time. That is the complete ignorance of many of the citizens of this great nation regarding anything about it's history, its government and the political process. All you have to do is chat with someone to find they can't spell "Constitution" much less know anything about it. They can't tell you the difference between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution much less discuss in any way how the Fed works, etc. They have no clue who their Representatives or Senators are, how many years they serve in a term or what party they represent. One has to wonder why this is so. I have my thoughts on the subject and perhaps you have yours, but the fact is that it is a major issue and it is a shame. Just witness Jay Leno's "man on the street-Jay Walking" bits sometime and listen to the answers to his very simple questions. Sure, that's an over-the-top example, but try it yourself sometime with some folks when you find yourself in a crowd. You might just be amazed at the answers you get and the "deer in the headlights" stare from those who even have college degrees. Sure, it's no where near everyone, but these folks vote. At least they have the right to vote. An uneducated voter base is a very dangerous thing indeed. Perhaps Jefferson had a point, perhaps not, but it is clear that the responsibility of being a citizen in this great nation of ours is being ignored by an awful lot of people.

I am BIG TIME jealous, but am glad to see those Mean green faithful that are able to make the trek to Miami. Do the Mean green nation proud folks...cheer for the Mean Green long and loud and let those Florida folks know of the Mean Green nation. Bring us all home a VICTORY!

As if everyone didn't already realize it, I like WHY NOT NORTH TEXAS! I believe I was the first to add the exclamation mark and indicate that it was a statement and not a question. So, unbiased I am not. I have been accused (rightly so) of being a big time "homer" when it comes to the Mean Green and I wear that claim proudly. You can read doubt in the phrase if you want, but that's simply one's opinion. To me it indicated that the Mean Green can realize it's goals in becoming a championship program from top to bottom and that people should stop thinking (and saying) that the Mean Green is anything less than a top notch program. It's all positive in my opinion, and was first mentioned by none other than Coach McCarney himself. It's time all alums and fans and friends of the Mean Green stop thinking about the Mean Green in any terms other than as a "Champagne Program" (used by RV). So, WHY NOT NORTH TEXAS INDEED! Why NOT North Texas as SunBelt Champion? Why Not North Texas as a Bowl Champion? Why Not North Texas as a destination for 4 and 5 star recruits? Why Not North Texas as a university with the finest athletic facilities? Why Not North Texas as a Tier One university? There is absolutely no reason North Texas cannot be that program and that university. It's time for all alums , fans and friends to start believing, talking and acting like they are proud of being a member of the great Mean green Nation. As an alum and a fan, I don't take a back seat to any other university...WHY NOT NORTH TEXAS INDEED! So, just me being a "homer" and loving it. I am proud to be a member of the Mean Green nation and I don't mind telling anyone that I am!

Mike...how'd it end up? After those last two games where was Tech ranked? Really, I can't recall. Look, agree, Leach had some decent years at Tech...won some games and that is not in dispute. It's in the record books. Lots of coaches have had good runs and then little to nothing. Once Leach finally gets another job as a D1 head coach and if he again has some winning seasons strung together and if he can make it something other than all about him and his ego, I'll buy what you guys are selling. Why in the sam hill does anyone care about Mike Leach? Seems there are several man crushes going on here for some reason. The guy is out of coaching, and it doesn't seem that any D1 schools are beating down his door to hire him...well any schools at any level much less D1. You guys can carry on without me. I am really tired of talking about the guy. I'd take Canales before Leach, but we have Coach Mac and Chico. I am plenty good with that.

No, but my wife would claim that I am that person.

Great to see Boomer as #8. FFR has put in tons and tons of work over many years. Without Rick, there would be no Boomer. Boomer is a tradition we can all count on and love. Boomer is a treasure and unique to UNT. I cannot wait to hear how loud Boomer is going to be in Apogee stadium, and I hope they have to get lots and lots of powder as UNT will be scoring a lot of TD's this year. GO BOOMER...thanks Rick.

OK, player parents...are you out there???? I know some player parents read this board, and since the parents ARE allowed into the scrimmages, I would guess that some were present this morning. Not asking for "state secrets" here, just some little tidbits of info for those of us who are not allowed to witness the scrimmages and practices. Some folks are "high tone" enough to get in...others, well, we beg for any info possible. OK, thanks people for the -1's. It's a private joke between me and someone and that :"someone" called me "high tone" in an earlier thread. It's not a jab at anyone...it's a JOKE. You guys have no sense of humor. Thanks. Boo to whoever did this!

Well, that was one great game. I'll give you that. Fun to see Tech beat Texas, but remind me who won the Big XII that year? Don't think it was Tech.

Nope...many economists believe that FDR's programs were responsible for actually prolonging the Depression. It took WWII to bring the US (and the rest of the world) out of the depression. There have been several good articles and books written on this subject. You will always get a "yes-no" argument on this, but the more time passes the more objective people get on FDR (my Mom still thinks he was God's gift to the US and she's now 86) and his policies.