KRAM1

I definitely agree with Silver here...this is a mighty big issue that has yet to be resolved. I heard Coach mac speak last evening before the Basketball game, and he is very much focused on improving the defense. In fact he agreed with quite a few of us when he said there would be plenty of emphasis upon tackling in the spring and fall practices. Not to mention fundamentals for the entire defense. This guy is a defense first guy so I expect to see some big improvements on that side of the ball. That is very good news indeed! GO MEAN GREEN!

Hard loss to take. No excuses for this one, but no one is more disappointed in the result than JJ and Company. It does appear that the team is mentally exhausted. I do not think they have given up and as long as the only way to get to the Big Dance is to win the Sunbelt Tournament, there is still hope and I will hold to that hope. But, this was tough to take. Please do not give up on this team and JJ. let's try to bring a BIG CROWD to the last home game and send these guys off to the tournament knowing that the Mean green faithful is behind them all the way. Good things can still happen for this team. You gotta believe...the fat lady may be warming up, bur she isn't singing yet. Time to shut her up! GO MEAN GREEN!

Absolutely, BUT we must make certain that the spending goes where it should...to the classroom and not for more administrative support of administrative towers. Texas ranks FIRST in the US in workers per 10,000 of population. For every 10,000 Texans our state-supported schools employ 273 people. That's ahead of even New Jersey with just 266 school workers per 10,000 people. We're #1...GREAT, isn't it? If that were teachers it might be great but what makes Texas #1 is all the folks in the public school workforce who do anything other than teach! Nearly 1/2 of the 661,000 public school workforce in Texas does something other than teach! With many teachers about to lose their jobs or have to take a salary cut isn't it interesting that the non-teaching payrolls seem to grow and grow...all being supported by your tax dollars and mine. Interesting too that these same folks who make up such a big percentage of the public-school workforce could not see this coming. With the private sector losing...no hemorrhaging jobs the last several years and with countless private sector employees being either laid off, fired or having to take pay cuts, could not the educators see this coming and perhaps prepare a bit for the reality of lowering property values, lowering tax revenues???? We do have plenty of non-teachers...you would think someone, anyone would have said that the schools needed to prepare sooner than later for some very tough times. While private sector folks were waling the unemployment lines school districts were still hiring and spending like nothing was happening to the economy...and now school board cry and moan that they will have to lay off teachers and close schools. Yep, like where were you when this was all coming to a head...with your collective heads in the sand, that's where. I have a nephew who teaches in the Austin ISD and he has already been told to prepare for a pay cut. At least he has a job, but if there is any bloated ISD in Texas full of feel good just got to have special programs, it is Austin. I really feel for the teachers of Texas. They will take the brunt of the pain while the admins and boards do everything in their power to keep all the "feel good" programs and administrative staffs. Too bad, but it's not like this wasn't known to be about to happen. Anyone with even the slightest sense of economics knew it was coming...I guess all those school administrators and board members just thought it would happen to everyone but them! Good luck with that...the oversight and planning has been all but criminal in the Texas Public schools. Our teachers do more and more with less and less while administrative and facilities budgets grow bigger and bigger. Now everyone wants to blame the big bad Texas government for the fact that they stuck their collective heads in the sand for the last 3-4 years. UGH!

For those of you who may not have noticed and who are wanting to help raise some funds for our great UNT Cheer Squad...and who are not able to either play or attend the GMG.COM Basketball Classic on march 26th, a PayPal donations button has been set up on the GMG.Com forums page. Just look to the right hand side and there you have it. We wanted to make it easier for folks to help out with this great project in support of the UNT Cheer Squad. Any amount...any...would be both greatly appreciated and is greatly needed (I can assure you of that). Our stated goal for the entire event is a net ...net...of $1000 for the UNT Cheer Squad in this our first GMG.Com BB Classic. The PayPal site itself has a $500 contributions goal. Can we get there? can we raise more than the $500? I am 100% certain that we can WITH your help. Please consider a donation...any amount...and please let others know about the game, the reason for the game and how they can help with a donation. If you are like a friend of mine, and just do not like doing anything through payPal...just PM me and I'll give you my address where you can send a check. I am counting on the Great Mean green nation to help out, but most of all, the wonderful Mean Green Cheer Squad is counting on your support. Let's show them that we do appreciate all the work they do, the time they give and the help they provide to the University of North Texas. Can we? ABSOLUTELY! Will we? Well, I say yes! Thanks so much....you ARE appreciated! GO MEAN GREEN...GO UNT CHEER! Go GMG.COM!

Check out the donations section on the forum home page. You can now donate to the game/UNT Cheer Squad on-line through the GMG.com site using PayPal. Some people have told me that they cannot play but would like to help with a donation. Well you can do that now two different ways: 1) Just use the donations site on the GMG.com board itself, or 2) you can mail your check directly to me payable to UNT Athletics with UNT Cheer Squad on the memo line. My address is: Mark Miller 3608 Montecito Dr. Denton, TX 76205 Appreciate the support. Our goal is to raise $1000 for the Cheer Squad...the PayPal site on GMG.Com reflects $500 as that is the goal for that site's donations. Can we meet it? Can we break it on the upside? I think so, but we need your help...please donate any amount you feel appropriate...any level of donation will be greatly appreciated. The Mean Green Nation is a generous and special "nation". I am 100% confident that we will not only meet, but exceed our goal. Thanks for helping and GO MEAN GREEN!

When Being Biggest Isn’t the Best We know we’re big here in Texas, but does our public school payroll have to lead the nation? For every 10,000 Texans our state-supported schools employ 273 people. Come on, you say: New Jersey just has to lead Texas in that category, right? Wrong. New Jersey has just 266 school workers per 10,000 people. We’re No. 1! Aren’t you proud? And we could be proud—maybe—if the numbers reflected classroom teachers trying to stuff Shakespeare, the Declaration of Independence, and some algebra into young minds. In fact, nearly half our 661,000 public school workforce does something other than teach—administering, record-keeping, answering the telephone, cleaning, transporting, serving meals, and maybe devoting time to how they can avoid having their salaries and benefits trimmed, like so many private sector workers who pay the teachers’ salaries. The question we need to ask is, how come we need almost as many folks doing support work as there are doing the stuff for which schools supposedly exist in the first place—teaching kids? Big budget cuts are coming in government spending all over the United States—here as well as New Jersey, New York, California, and Wisconsin (where public workers lately stormed Capitol Square to protest). The money, as everybody and his dog knows by now, just isn’t there. Raise taxes, and you damage recovering economies and cause deterioration in private sector payrolls. Spending cuts in the government sector reflect reality: namely, too many people in legislatures and public bodies indiscriminately threw around money in the fat years that allowed them to hire more people than necessary to do the job. Even teachers are going to lose their jobs as public schools retrench. But when you’ve got nearly as many non-teachers on the payroll as teachers, you find ways to get by with fewer services at lower cost. By the way, it’s also how you learn what you really need as opposed to what public employee unions tell you.

Don't know about the rules regarding reaching out to Tony Mitchell. If anyone here is an NCAA rules expert speak up as it might be fun to have Tony involved somehow in the event. What is this Facebook of which you speak? Just kidding...any idea who owns the Facebook page you are talking about? Do you know who runs the Mean Green Sports Facebook page? I would be happy to make contact and see what we might can do...but this is billed as a GMG.com members event first and foremost. Don't want to tun it into an "all-comers" tournament event at this point...I'm just looking for a few more folks who want to have some fun and help out the Cheer Squad by raising a bit of funds for them. OK, great ideas...many thanks...appreciate the ideas. Let me know if you have any info on the Facebook thing. Anyone know the NCAA rules regarding Tony Mitchell and being part of something like this???

Army, well at this time there is no "drop dead" date as we are still a month out, but if I had to set one I would say, by the close of business on FRIDAY MARCH 11th. That would give us two weeks to get the game shirts printed and any other purchases or arrangements firmed up. Think the schedules will be out by then? When does spring baseball kick off? Really appreciate your interest. Hope you can play...if not I may try to twist your arm regarding a contribution to the cause.

Folks...still time to sign up or to order a GMG.Com Classic one of a kind first edition players T-shirt even if you can't play. Spectators are certainly welcome as well. As an added bit of fun....it appears we will have an autographed UNT Football and an autographed UNT basketball to auction off at the event. Come have some fun and help us raise a bit of cash for the well deserving UNT Cheer Squad. If you can't play or can't come and watch the action and be part of the after event party, and you want to donate, but a t-shirt ($25) or bid on either or both the football or basketball just send me a PM and I'll get with you and get you all the details. Any size donation would be greatly appreciated. Our goal is to raise $1000 net of expenses for the Cheer Squad. OK, players needed...sponsors needed...donors needed...bidders needed...IT'S WIDE OPEN but we will have to LOCK THE GATE soon. be part of the action March 26th. Tip-off is 1:00PM...it's gonna be fun. You really don't want to miss it. You will be able to tell your grandchildren that you were involved in the very first GMG.com BB Classic!!!! Just think about that for a moment.... GO MEAN GREEN...GO MEAN GREEN CLUB...GO UNT ALUMNI...GO GMG.COM BB GAME! Really good things are happening these days thanks to YOU!

Until proven otherwise, any game worries me right now. But, last night showed they can win when put under a good bit of pressure. maybe, just maybe it will be the catalyst to get the team out of its funk and headed into the home stretch on a positive note. See you at the Super Pit Saturday! GO MEAN GREEN!

I'll go with the theory that any win right now is a good win. I was a bit surprised at the defensive effort and have to say it's the best defensive effort I have seen in awhile...not that good, but the effort was there. UNT couldn't keep their big guys from scoring down low and it seems every prayer shot they sent up went in for the Jags. But, the Mean green stayed with it, worked hard on defense, still threw up some really ugly and untimely shots on offense, but hit the shots when they needed to to get the win. GREAT JOB guys...I hope this helps get it going for you for the tournament. I guess we'll see the effects of the win Saturday at the Super Pit. Can't wait. I think good things are starting to return for the Mean Green! Interesting that George was taking those shots near the free throw line and taking himself out of position for rebounding missed shots. he has a decent jumper...some went in some didn't but it was interesting to watch. A double double for George is a return to form after the Western Kentucky game last Saturday. GREAT to get the win and it wasn't an easy one. Thanks to all who turned out to support the Mean green. I hope for a bigger crowd Saturday. Just have to show these guys that the Mean green faithful have no given up on them. BE THERE!

Agree. Let's get some rears in the seats tonight and show this team our support and that the Mean Green nation has certainly NOT given up on them! My bride and I will be there to watch the Mean green end the skid and return to their rightful winning ways! GO MEAN GREEN...On to Hot Springs with a Bye!

GO MEAN GREEN...Too bad the UNT faithful don't get a home game. But, Frisco is close and I am planning on making that game as I will be working the FC Dallas Showcase for the US Merchant marine Academy's men's soccer program. May be able to make the game in Norman as well. Hope so. GO MEAN GREEN! Excellent line-up for spring for the ladies and should give Coach Hedlund a good idea of what he has to work with for the fall and where he needs to concentrate training efforts. I expect good things from this squad. GO NORTH TEXAS!!!!!!

Sorry, this in no way is "proof" of serious football fans. This is proof of one very stupid Alabama fan. Serious fans of football do not act this way, they respect the sport and the teams that play the game. Serious football fans are respectful of their opponent's' property and programs. They support their favorite team with a passion, but it is not misplaced into some stupid act of violence or other misconduct. I know what you are trying to say here, but please do not equate serious football fans with this sort of immature and destructive behavior.

For the life of me I just don't understand this type of behavior. What did this guy think he was accomplishing other than to shed very poor light unto the University of Alabama? What he has done is to create a lot of good will and feelings for his rival while he heaps shame upon shame on the University of Alabama (regardless of whether this guy is a grad of Alabama or not). I would prefer some public humiliation, a rather large fine and public service to a long jail term where the citizens have to pay to hose and feed this idiot. A short county jail term...say 30 days...then an extended probation based on restitution and community service and fine actually paid. Maybe they should make him bear the costs of re-planting and then make him actually do the manual labor to replace the trees...all the while Auburn fans could "cheer him on". The guy is an idiot and has a warped sense of how to support his team. I can only hope and pray that no UNT alum or fan would act in such a manner as to bring this type of shame upon UNT. If I were the President of the University of Alabama I would already be on the phone to Auburn offering any assistance I could...and that of the University of Alabama to help right this wrong. Maybe Alabama can make some lemonade out of the lemons this guy created in the name of the University of Alabama.

Is daddydumpsalot playing? I have no indication that he is at this point, but he would be more than welcome to sign up...as would any other GMG.com poster or any other member of the great Mean Green Nation.

BUMP..Sorry folks, well not really...I just need to keep this top of mind. GO MEAN GREEN!

Hold on there Rick...the kid nees to get a ship to OKIE State...the home of the US Wrestling hall of fame.

I really doubt that would be news to anyone. I would have taken a wild guess on that issue and figured you were opposed to the death penalty. I have mixed feelings about it, but generally support the death penalty as some folks just seem too vile and kill for the "fun" of it. I see no socially redeeming value in those kind of people and tend to feel the world is a much better place without them. However, every time a condemned person gets ultimately proven innocent through some new evidence, i have pause to think about my position. Then, along comes some child rapist and killer and I am right back in full favor. Tough call, I realize that, but if I were on a jury and the evidence was there, i would have no problem sending some crazed killer to the death chamber. I think it is a very challenging issue. In the case of this guy...good riddance, see ya scumbag! Glad the taxpayers are no longer having to pay room and board and health care for this scum of the earth. It certainly will not help bring the poor disabled young lady they killed but, but it rids the world of one more scum bag who doesn't need to take anyone else's oxygen!

Maybe we should chat with him about moving it to Saturday? What do you think? Anyone interested in sending him a few emails or thoughts on this? I do wonder why Friday as how do you make the spring game a big event if held on a Friday? How do you set up for tailgating when you can't even get into the lot due to the student parking until late that day? Anyway, one would think UNT would like to create a buzz and start a tradition of doing things BIG for the spring game...an opportunity to set up new stadium tours, an opportunity to sell Club Seats and/or season tickets, a tailgate opportunity to get folks connected with UNT, an opportunity to set up some student related activity centered around the spring game...and best of all...the opportunity to have the GMG.com Flag football game played prior to the start of the spring game. So many opportunities to get folks fired up and back on campus with a Saturday game...maybe even use it for the 5K run...or a bike tour/race...so many fewer opportunities if a Friday, but I guess we will see...

Folks...I am 100% aware that this is not football related, but it definitely is GMG.com related. Check out the info on the basketball board regarding the GMG.COM BASKETBALL CLASSIC to be help march 26th at the Mean green Village Gym...tip-off at 1PM. This is a fund raising event to help the UNT Cheer Squad and is being set up for all who wish to play in the 1st Annual GMG.COM Basketball Classic can do so...male or female. This will be a fun event, but we need more players for it to be an even bigger success. We have the blessing of the Athletic Dept. through none other than RV himself and we have the support of Paul Batchelder (Cheer Squad sponsor along with many other duties in the ADept) and Jeff Luster in the basketball office. We hope to have both an autographed football and basketball to auction off at the event...there will be the games and then an after event party and "awards" ceremony at a local establishment. Cost to play is $25 and that includes the collector's edition first printing of the GMG.COM Basketball Classic players T-shirt. If you would like to play (no skills required I can assure you) please go to the basketball thread and sign up in the blog with your ht., weight, playing experience, etc. which will be needed for the player draft. I will also need your t-shirt size. T-Shirts are also available for purchase, and we would love to have those who can't play but are wanting to support the UNT Cheer Squad to send in a donation...large or small...all accepted with appreciation...checks can be made payable to UNT ATHLETICS. You can place "Cheer Squad" in the memo line. PM me for additional details...Corporate Sponsors or individual sponsors are very much welcome. We can add a company logo to the playing shirt for sponsors...I can provide info as to sponsorship amounts and benefits...I know there is some GMG.com'er out there who has a company or works for a company that can and would like to help this event raise money for the Cheer Squad. PLEASE...we need support. So, head over to the basketball board and open the thread pinned near the top for the GMG.Com BB game...open it...click on the link to the blog and sign-up....YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT TIME and you will be helping to support the UNT Cheer Squad at the same time. OK, this will probably get moved, but would be great to pin it on the football board as well...we need as many folks as possible to see this info. Thanks...GO MEAN GREEN...GO GMG.COM BB CLASSIC!

Welcome to the board...send me a PM and I'll fill you in on the benefits of joining the Mean green Club or to owing season tickets in the new stadium. But, most of all...really glad to have you and yes, please check out the basketball game tonight at the Super Pit. As NT03 says, we could use the rear end in the seat and I'll wager you will have a very good time at the game. WELCOME ABOARD! and GO MEAN GREEN! You will soon find out that many good things are happening at UNT these days!

Just another episode in what has become common in Dallas, Dallas County and in DISD these days. I was born and raised in Dallas and love the place. But, it is fast becoming a "Chicago-style" city in terms of its governance. Then you add the Jerry World fiasco at the Super Bowl and the area just can't seem to catch a break. John W Price is an effective politician and represents his constituents the way they seem to want to be represented, but he definitely has anger issues and is probably the biggest user of the race card one has ever seen. If it really isn't racist, he'll make it up and claim it is...that's his mode of operation and I think he does it to mask some very large personal insecurities. The guy is immature and needs to grow up. In the meantime Dallas' reputation suffers big time and the citizens of Dallas and Dallas County pay the price. The guy is fast becoming a clown. Too bad, because as I mentioned, he can be a very effective rep for his district and he is pretty fiscally conservative if you look at his record. Bottom line, all the good he does is overshadowed by these anger management issues.

OUCH! The Spring Football game is set for a Friday and it happens to be the very same Friday that the UNT Alumni Association has its ALUMNI AWARDS DINNER scheduled (the dinner was scheduled long before the game date was announced). man, that's a killer for me as a Alumni Association Board member I will be involved with the dinner that evening. I am assuming here that the spring game will also be an evening kick-off. I cannot imagine it being a day game on a work/school day. I also had hopes of scheduling the GMG.COM flag football game for the day of the spring game to be played prior to the spring game kick-off. Oh, well, the flag football game will go on, just on another date/time. No problem, just hate to miss a great opportunity to have lots more people see the game and/or participate. I hope everyone enjoys the spring game...except those of course at the Alumni Awards Dinner honoring some of UNT's great and deserving alumni. I'll have to get my spring football fix at some of the practices and scrimmages. It's gonna be fun to be a member of the Mean green nation...yes, it is! GO MEAN GREEN!