KRAM1

I've been asking that question and waiting on a solid answer for some time now. The prevailing "wisdom" of many is that all you need do is to win at UNT and fans will flock to the football and basketball games. Well, I don't recall that many sell-outs when DD was winning the Sunbelt and UNT was going to the New Orleans Bowl...nor that many fans when Fry was beating the likes of Oklahoma state, Houston, Tennessee, etc. And, basketball attendance is really lacking for such a winning program. The tired old "win and I'll come watch and so will lots of other people" is getting a bit lame when it comes to UNT. However, on the flip side, one should never count out winning as a catalyst for improved attendance. I see attendance, season ticket sales, Mean green Club membership, Alumni Assoc. membership, etc. all on an upswing these days, and that is a great thing. Maybe lots of different things are "in play" to help that happen including the new stadium, a resurgence of UNT pride, the hiring of some new development personnel, etc., etc. So, keep the faith, I think we'll see increased attendance this season for both programs and even more next season with the opening of the new stadium. It all starts with each person. Each person saying positive things to others about UNT, each person wearing Mean Green gear when appropriate, each person doing what they can (and only what they feel they can) to support financially the university, each person joining the Alumni Association to help them with their work, etc., etc. I can't "make" anyone support the Mean green nor act and say positive things, but I can control what I do and say in support of MY UNIVERSITY. GO MEAN GREEN!

Just a quick note of thanks to those who stopped by our table yesterday and purchased an item or two or three...we had fellow GMG.com members, players parents, alumni and friends purchase yesterday to get our fund raising event off to a good start. Still need plenty of more folks to consider a purchase, but it was a nice start. Also want to thank RV for allowing us to sell at the Kickoff-Cookout and 5K yesterday. Really helped, really appreciated the support. Thanks to all...see you at our Clemson Watching Party (location to announced soon) and before each home game this season. GO MEAN GREEN!!!!

No, it's too much fun yanking your chain after you were so amazingly out of line about it all. I am still taking little wise-cracks on the board disguised ever so non-subtly about it all thanks to you from the "usual suspects". So, yes, payback is a little fun. I think I will have a big "surprise" for everyone regarding this next year's GMG.Com Bowl with a date set well in advance and a surprise or two to thrown in for good measure. I will name it the "Non-graduation Day Memorial GreenP1 GMG.com Bowl" in your honor. OK, just for you, I'll stop. I'll have some notes on next year's game as soon as some "official" approvals come through....if and when they do, but I do have my fingers crossed. You won't want to miss next year's event...and an event it will be if I can get all things lined up....stay tuned!

In my opinion it went GREAT! The weather cooperated with a slight breeze for the 5K event, and while the course was a bit hilly for this "old guys" liking, it was a good run. I actually ran the whole course when I had not planned to do so in part because the weather was decent. The scrimmage, while the offense did have its struggles, showed (again in my opinion) that UNT will be a much different and better team this season. We, Denton Chapter of the UNT Alumni Assoc., had a decent opening sales day with several Mean Green fans stopping by our table to purchase T-Shirts, mugs and/or posters honoring the last year at Fouts Field. Got a chance to talk with several players parents (got some interesting insights), RV, and many of the Athletic dept. staff including Hank D., Dan Johnston, Jon Burkett, etc., etc., etc. Several of the UNT Volleyball squad members were there helping and it was good to chat with them. Food was good and crowd was decent. And, got to pick up our season tickets and parking passes. Also, hope everyone noticed that the great Johnny Quinn was in attendance and ran the 5K as well. All in all, a really fun time....I hope everyone who attended enjoyed the day as much as my bride and I did.... GO MEAN GREEN!

Good luck Gabe. Thanks for all you did for the Mean Green Nation. And, I, too, agree that gabe was one of the best UNT ever had in that position...I also recall the great drex did a pretty good job in that field as well some years ago. Good luck with the nelson gig...we will miss you. GO MEAN GREEN!

Just a bump...remember...bring cash Saturday...OK, we will take a check as well, but will not be able to take credit cards. Please help if you can as all proceeds go to help UNT students with scholarships. Thanks in advance for all your support. GO MEAN GREEN! GO ALUMNI!

I hear there's agraduation taking place somewhere in Tasmania that week. Draft simply cannot happen then...could be a parking problem. Really, good luck getting your number!

Let's all hope that it is a VERY SHORT vacation.

I think UNT will surprise a few folks this year, but it does look like Coach Hedlund and his team is going to have to "earn" some respect this season. I have no doubt that they will. Season starts this weekend with two games. Friday (today) and Sunday. If you get a chance, come out and support the Mean Green. That Sunday afternoon game may be a bit warm, but, heck, it's Texas and it's August. The vast majority of Coach Hedlund's team is very used to playing in the Texas heat in August, so....GO MEAN GREEN!

I am absolutely thrilled with all the good news relating to the basketball program recently. GREAT STUFF. The fact that UNT is getting this great PR is also good for the University as a whole and the athletic programs in specific. Man, here it is August and the BB program is getting such good press. Be still my heart! Hey, maybe the football program will get this sort of great press in January and February during basketball season. Could happen, you know after that 7+ win season this year! GO MEAN GREEN!

The UNT Bookstore just announced extended hours for this weekend-TAX FREE WEEKEND-and 20% off on UNT gear. With the Kick-off Cookout Saturday, I thought it might be a great time to go by theUNT Bookstore and look at the new UNT gear. My bride bought me a new polo there the other day that is rally nice. It's going to be 20% off and no tax (that's another 8.25%-I think) this weekend. It's even open Sunday! http://inhouse.unt.edu/bookstore-extends-hours-offers-discount-aug-20-22-tax-free-weekend I have attached a link (I hope it works) with the info and UNT Bookstore weekend hours. Just in case you might be interested in some new UNT gear! GO MEAN GREEN! See you at the Kick-off Cookout Saturday!

Now, that's a very good thing indeed!

Now, that is really sad. Amazing to me the guy even admitted that he attends UNT. Something is really "out of whack" with so many UNT students and alumni these days. Is UNT the Rodney Dangerfield of Universities???? Just can't "get no respect"! I really think it is good to engage these folks and start a conversation about UNT. Might not win many "converts", but could just make a difference in one or two. One convert at a time if that's what it takes. Thanks for stressing the positives that are UNT these days.

Sorry to hear that...my wife and my experience leaving that game was 100% different. We were thanked by several different people for coming to Norman for the game, offered encouragement for the rest of the season and even offered an adult beverage or two. I have been to games in Norman many times (being an OSU grad as well as a UNT grad) and even after getting drilled by OU as a Cowboy fan wearing Cowboy (OSU) gear I was not treated badly. I'd go to a game in Norman any time and expect to have a great time and to be treated well by the Sonner Nation. Really sorry you had that experience. From my experience that is way out of the ordinary. But, then again, jerks can be found almost anywhere and if you are unlucky enough to run into one it can ruin your game day experience I am certain. BTW...the only time I have been spit upon is when I was wearing my Air Force uniform in public during the days of Viet Nam. My how times have changed...and very much for the better.

I would really enjoy seeing the data on this. I would have to bet that attendance overall at college games is much greater than the pro games in a season and that more money is spent on college gear than pro gear. Seems to me that many of the people filling NFL stadiums are also big time college fans. Not trying to take anything away from the NFL, but I have to think the economic impact of college football across the nation is much bigger than NFL football. I am sure someone has done a study or two. Anyone?

Many thanks...what you mentioned is one of the great things about college football. I have never been mistreated (nor have I mistreated) by home team fans when I do get to attend away games. In fact, just to opposite, and I would imagine this is true in the vast majority of cases. Thanks for the hints. GO MEAN GREEN!!!!!

I found it to be true in oh so many ways and regarding oh so many different things. Just like the vast majority of the wisdom my Dad passed along to me. Much of which at the "time of passing along to me" fell on deaf ears only to be remembered a few years down the road. The guy did not have the "book learning" (left before HS graduation to join the Army Air Corps in WWII), but he was a very smart and wise man none the less. Great Dad, great husband and even better friend as I grew into adulthood.

Where is the best beer and burger joint near the stadium????

I, too, think the college game is much more exciting and much more fun to watch. Pro basketball turned me off a long time ago, and I watch pro football when there isn't a college game to watch. I love attending college games in person, but you would have to pay me to go to a professional game. The atmosphere is just not the same at all when you compare college football and basketball to professional football and basketball. It's like my Dad said about BBQ..."it's all good son, some is just better than others!" He said that about several things as I recall.

Why? There is nothing about UNT's new stadium that isn't first class. You pack the new stadium on game day, and you would have to be dead not to realize it's a "big time" stadium and big time "feel". OK, so it's not Jerry World, but I'd rather watch a game at UNT's new stadium any day than at Jerry World...or in TCU's new stadium for that matter...unless of course UNT was playing there! GO MEAN GREEN! The Mean Green Nation takes a back seat to no other team with this new stadium! Can't wait for that first game!

Insurance...something it seems you know a good deal about. Insurance and opportunity to use an athlete at various positions. You may recall that both Riley and Nathan went down last season and it cost Thompson his red shirt year. TD has vowed to never let that happen again more than once in the press. makes sense to me to have a "back-up" that is ready to play in case that happens again. Plus, think of the different "looks" a team will have to plan for when playing the Mean Green this season. All good news...all good news and, in my opinion, no sinister behind the scenes plot to return Riley to the #1 QB role.

I, too, am glad to see Riley getting reps at QB. Just shows the diversity of the offense that Chico is installing this season. Everyone seems to be really pumped about Chico and the offense he is building, so why question him now about Riley getting some reps at QB? The kid is a QB and was our #1 QB last season before the injury. So, why not? I am really excited about the things we should be seeing this year in offensive sets and plays. Why not use all the talents you have in every spot you think they can help make the team successful? I'll let Chico decide if and how much time Riley will see at QB, etc. If you really do stop and think about it, this is all positive news from the offensive side of the ball. Now, let's get that "D" going..... GO MEAN GREEN!

Absolutely great news! Glad that SUMG posted it, and I have to compliment Quoner on his excellent post re: basketball/football. That's some greatness right there with that post. This is really exciting news for the BB program and JJ, and will be even better when he actually signs. If the stands are not MUCH fuller this season for the games, well, then there is just no justice and there would be no explaining the Mean Green fan base. If ever, the team has earned the right to play before great crowds (size...because the enthusiasm has been there the last couple of years), it is now! GREAT JOB JJ...man, this really gets me excited on a Tuesday morning...great way to start a day in the Mean Green Nation. Thanks so much JJ and team!

Really?

Exactly....this is really exciting news for JJ and what he has been doing locally. UNT BB is continuing its rise to be one of the top programs around and certainly one with a bright future. Can't wait to see how far this year's team can go in the NCAA's! Great job JJ and team. GO MEAN GREEN!