KRAM1

Well, with the tournament set to kick-off this weekend, I thought it might be nice to see who all is going to be in Hot Springs. I have heard from lots of folks, so it looks like UNT will be well represented. Just checking...who will be able to be there to help cheer the Mean Green on to victory? I know those who can't make the trip will be listening and cheering for the Mean Green as well, but I am told this is a "must see" in person set-up. My bride and I will be there...first time the schedule worked for us..can't wait to be there in person. Who else is making the trek?

The Fat Lady isn't even in the building as yet. Way too early. If anyone can win the Denia voters over its Derrick. Go get 'em!

Could be an effort to "make nice" with the local community. Coach mac is making a big effort to get the Denton business community behind him and UNT, and not just the Athletic program at UNT. Maybe he and RV felt that it would be a good idea to be generous and work with the community on this previously scheduled event so as to "win some friends". Could be...think about it.

Nice summation...I agree 100%. This was some "good stuff" for UNT. I'll say it again, every time I see or hear Coach mac I am absolutely convinced that this program is heading in the right direction! Be still my heart! What a great time it is to be a member of the Mean Green Nation. And, I think there will be many more new members to that great nation in the coming months.

Bring 'em on! GO MEAN GREEN!

I am in 100% agreement with Harry's statement. To expect a miracle turnaround is a lot to ask. What I feel comfortable asking for is that the Mean Green reflect the passion that Coach Mac displays and work hard to get better and better each time they hit the field be it at practice or in games. I do, however, feel that the record could be much different than 0-5. Dunbar is, indeed, the wildcard as is what others said about the QB and "in the trenches". Very excited to see what shapes up during spring ball. Then, we can look forward to additions in the fall. Some could have an immediate impact on the team. On another note, I met a young man working at a local restaurant this last week that is looking to walk-on under Coach mac. He is a local Denton product and plays corner. It was great to hear this kid talk so positively about Coach mac and what is happening at UNT. The kid is working out daily trying to build speed and strength and is really looking forward to walking on in the fall. He has met with Coach mac and I could tell that Coach Mac had him really pumped up about the opportunity. I do think this is just another positive by-product of our new HC and the new attitude he brings to the program. Got to tell you, it was really fun talking with this kid and seeing his enthusiasm for the program at UNT and where it is headed. I don't think the Mean Green faithful will have long to wait to witness the benefit of having Coach mac and his staff leading the Mean Green.

Tan Parker, State Rep out of the Lewisville area I believe, made a great point last Tuesday morning at Denton County days in Austin. He said...and I paraphrase...Folks, we do not have a deficit problem in the State of Texas. We have a budget shortfall problem. And that problem, while challenging as it may be, is a temporary problem. Texas is in good shape and much much better than the vast majority of other states. There is no budget deficit, and the shortfall will not be long lived as economic activity in Texas is strong and increasing. I think we all might want to think about what Rep. Tan Parker's comments mean for the state going forward. Tough times currently but the light at the end of the tunnel is not a freight train!

Really appreciate the update. I was hoping to be able to attend this game, but with my bride out of town and my referee schedule (3 games starting at 9:00AM) Saturday, there was just no way for me to get to Stillwater in time. It 's a good thing that call (non-call) was not the deciding goal. Like you, I'll write that off to lazy officiating and see this as a 2-1 loss after a 4.5 hour drive. It's spring ball, so no harm-no foul. It will give Coach Hedlund a good look-see at the ladies for the fall. A 2-1 loss at Okie State is not a bad deal. Thanks again... GO UNT SOCCER!

Question--and in all seriousness...will the move to C. H. Collins stadium keep anyone from attending the game that was actually planning on attending and can actually attend the game? I am not talking about opinions about what others may or may not do such as "students won't come", or "lots of fans won't like this move", but really, will this stop anyone from attending? Speaking only for myself...I can now attend (the Alumni Awards Dinner was scheduled for that Friday evening long before the spring game date was announced), and the move makes no difference. I'll be there as i think we will see a much different spring game than the ones we have witnessed the last few years. What do you think? Will you be attending? Does the move make a difference in whether you will attend or not?

I think we all feel sorry for anyone who is in a position of losing their job. Teachers are certainly not immune to the facts of life with today's economics. One reason we are in this mess is that we seem to have a "not in my backyard" attitude to all this. Tell me that you didn't see this coming over the last 2-3 years with all the layoffs and job losses in the private sector, with the declines in property values, with all the foreclosures and business closings? Yet our public schools just went on their merry way acting like "not in my backyard" and that it would never hit the public sector. Where was your outrage when all these people were losing their jobs and losing their houses? Lots of folks are still trying to "pull themselves up with their bootstraps". Your only answer is to blame the conservatives. Well, just in case you are not aware, the conservatives alone did not get us into this mess. Ever check out all the expensive entitlement programs your liberal friends have stuck the taxpayer with? This is not a conservative or liberal issue and your trying to tun it into one simply shows the shallowness of your understanding of it all. I just spent two days this last week in Austin talking with our state reps and senators and their policy folks and staff members. They are facing a budget shortfall...not a deficit spending situation that will last for many many years as our national deficit will. Texas will recover and recover within a couple of years. Yes, tough times...tough decisions, but it wasn't just the Republican reps and senators that were talking big cuts to me...each democrat office I talked with was signing the same message. My wife is a retired Texas public school teacher now working part-time at UNT. She has been involved in this stuff during her career, and it hurt. I have been "laid off" and had to suffer salary reductions during my career. Yes, hard and a bit maddening, but you can recover just as the Texas economy will recover. We all hurt for our great teachers, your Mom included, but if the school districts had done even a little planning when the facts were well known that this was coming well over two years ago, maybe some would not be wondering about losing their jobs now. Funny how administrators and teachers all stuck their collective heads in the sand and said "not in my backyard" instead of planning for what was a certainty to come. Well, it's here...and it hurts...and no one...NO ONE...is happy about it. But, time to figure out how to deal with it other than to keep on spending the money you don't have.

Really great evening all the way around. Good to see the "return" of this team to the team that was "on" during the first half of the year...never trailed in the game, and played some much better defense...plus, the offense seemed to return. This is a good springboard for the last re-scheduled game and then off to Hot Springs on a high note. Great chow in the Mean Green Room before the game from Outback as well. If you are still "on the fence" about joining the Mean Green Club, this is a nice benefit that you really want to consider. Good Mean Green companionship before the game, good food, cold beer, wine and/or soft drinks. I realize not everyone can make it to the games early enough to take advantage of this benefit, but for those who can, it really is worth considering. Where else can you get a decent meal, and cold beer/wine for $8.00 a head other than at home? Really nice to see the seniors get a good crowd and sendoff. These guys have played their hearts out for UNT for up to four years...well done seniors...well done! GO MEAN GREEN! We are off to Hot Springs on a high note!

UPDATE... I believe we have found our title sponsor...METZLER'S BBQ has expressed interest in helping out and I will be speaking more with them this next week. That would give us our Title Sponsor and the location for our after-game party/awards ceremony! Also...I spoke with TONY MITCHELL at last night's game, and he agreed to be our third referee for the game. I will need to get all the details to him, but he said "sure, I'll referee for you" when I asked. Things just keep developing...this is going to be fun! Be there to play or to watch and enjoy the after event party as well...you will have a good time! I promise. GO MEAN GREEN...GO MEAN GREEN.COM BASKETBALL CLASSIC!

Two updates to report. I believe we have found a title sponsor and location for our after game party...METZLER'S BBQ has shown interest in helping us out! That's great news and I'll be talking more with them soon. That would give us their place as the site for our after party...nice! Good BBQ and cold beer! Secondly...I think...think...I have secured the services of TONY MITCHELL to be our third referee. I'll confirm both of these as we move along, but it does just keep getting better for this event. The support we are getting from the Athletic Dept (big help with the title sponsor and facilities, etc.), the business community in Denton (Metzler's BBQ), Terri Cuffie (helping with our referees and adding a player for us), and from many generous GMG.com supporters with their agreement to play in the game (without them none of this happens), and from the many other generous GMG.com donors has been fantastic so far, and I suspect will get even better as we move forward. We do need that PayPal site balance to start moving to the right again...we are stuck on $90 for our $500 goal. If you can help...even with $5 it would help a great deal. Come out of the 26th of March and be part of the fun. I think you will enjoy yourself while helping to support the UNT Cheer Squad! GO MEAN GREEN! GO GMG.COM CLASSIC BASKETBALL GAME!!!!

Update.... Two referees announced... The Mean Green's own RAQUEL CUFFIE from our women's team and SHANNON SHORTER from our men's team have agreed to be referees for our CLASSIC on March 26th. Let me see anyone argue a call with these two roaming the court! Thanks to Raquel and Shannon. This is getting better and better all the time! You want to put this on your "must attend" list....Still time to sign up to play and/or make a donation in support of the UNT Cheer Squad! Thanks to Raquel and Shannon! GO MEAN GREEN! GO GMG.COM CLASSIC!

UPDATE...Two referees announced as confirmed... WE are scheduled to have a great team of referees for our game...at this point we have none other than; 1) Raquel Cuffie from our UNT Mean Green Women's Team; and 2) Shannon Shorter from the UNT Mean Green Men's team. How's that for some greatness, Mean green fans???? If for no other reason you will want to come out to see the refs work the game. It just getting better and more fun...still time to sign up to play and/or make a donation in support of the UNT Cheer Squad! Stay tuned, we might have additional updates with other "star" refs for your sports pleasure! Thanks to both Raquel and Shannon for volunteering their time to help....you are greatness! GO MEAN GREEN! GO GMG.COM CLASSIC!

Rudy...please check you PM's...

Seems some of our own don't have much respect for UNT either. Nothing is ever good...everything is always bad and somehow they don't get any respect. Maybe the branding campaign will do more good "at home" than anywhere else. One of the challenges that UNT and its fan base is facing right now is change. While the change seems to definitely be for the better, it is change none the less. Some folks have a harder time adjusting to change than others. No crime there. You can see it in small towns (Denton is just coming out of this itself) when change starts to happen and all the folks who thought they were in control and whose influence may have been bigger than it should have been start losing that influence as new ideas, new people and just sheer numbers of people start to show up. Happens with lots of organizations, lots of towns and lots of universities. UNT is doing what it can and for the most part what it should to become a championship athletic program across the board and a Tier One University from the academic side. Some people will have a difficult time with this if they don't see the bigger picture and realize it is what they have been saying they want all along. I get it, it's hard...harder for some than others. If you are the type of person who wants UNT to be the same old UNT they have come to know, well, maybe that will cause a problem. But, change is coming and so far as I can tell it is very positive change. I feel better about MY university overall than I have in a long time. It is great to be part of the Mean Green Nation right now,and it should get even better. The train has left the station and has left the "old" attitudes and past grievances behind. Will there be bumps along the way? Absolutely, but complaining about everything one doesn't like, or think they have a better answer for, or who seem to think they were "dissed" for one reason or another will not help. What will help is to keep a positive attitude through this period of transition, to offer thoughtful and respectful opinions, to volunteer time and talent, to buy season tickets and to actually attend games and to donate whatever one can to support the program.

PRICELESS!

Look closer.

I don't know how many "other major universities" Rick has attended or how many other Alumni Associations he happens to be a member of so I cannot comment on that part of his remark...but he sure seems to indicate that he knows a lot about those operations.... the slur part is in bold. You can see it anyway you want...I'm fine with however you want to define it for yourself. For me, I know what the message was and who it was aimed at! It was aimed at a great bunch of volunteers who actually are trying to do something other than complain and have given of their time to volunteer and work to help improve the image and reach of the alumni association...not to mention to raise funds for UNT student scholarships.

PRICELESS! Plus 1 for you, sir!

I am just wondering if Boone Pickens has a point that this great nation of ours may well go down as one of the stupidest in history. here we sit on huge natural gas and oil reserves and we continue to be held hostage by our stated enemies and some so-called friends in the Middle East while we fight a war on two fronts and pay for it all. Good grief. The US and Canada have more oil and gas reserves than necessary to get the US off the Middle Eastern tit when it comes to oil imports. Every administration I can recall since Truman claimed to have oil independence as a goal. In recent years the goal has been stated stronger and stronger, yet little to no progress is being made due to neglect, special interest groups and administrations (both democrat and republican) who actually want to do what it takes to get the job done. Can they even spell nuclear power? Every time the price of oil declines a little the American public "puts the peddle to the metal" and drive along their merry way, and the politicians go back to sleep on this strategic and vital issue. Then some numb nuts in the Middle East does something or doesn't do something and the price of oil spikes and everyone goes nuts again and yells and screams for energy independence. Unfortunately, this time will probably be no different. Promises will be made and pledges will be touted around in campaign slogans, but it will, unfortunately, stop there. Yes, Bonne may just be right....The US might just be the stupidest nation on the face of the earth when it comes to this situation. In the words of the immortal Charlie Brown, ""good grief".

Silver...never any problem with an open discussion, but FFR's comments hardly indicate an open discussion. Throwing around personal slights and mean spirited comments to advance a personal agenda is not open discussion. The Alumni Association (it hasn't been the Exes for a few years now) is not exempt from open discussion. Never has been. Open discussions imply being responsive to actually listening to what one has to say...not posting slurs and smears on a message board. If anyone would like an open discussion regarding the Alumni Association, as a member of its Board of Directors I am all for that. Just leave your personal attacks and petty bitches at the door. That sort of thing never helps and is more a reflection on the party doing that sort of thing than on the person or organization being attacked.

Hmmmmmmm...you are right. We'll have to see.

Emmitt...check your PM's