KRAM1

The Ginger Man in Dallas has a great monthly Beer Tasting. been there, it is great fun, and you get to try some reallty great beers and ales. By the way, if you like beer, you might want to try what my wife and I are doing for vacation next September...we are going on a BEER TOUR to Prague, bamburg and Munich. While in Munich we will be attending Oktoberfest! How's that for getting with the beer thing??? Should be great fun. We are signing on with a tour (small group) that handles beer tours around the world. If we like this one, we'll try more I am sure. I am a lucky fella as my wife loves beer as much as I do. Miller of Denton and Ben E. Keith have been and still are big supporters of UNT. It would be really a misguided approach to not support them just due to their ownership. Neither the owners of Miller of Denton or Ben E. Keith have much to say or do about who owns the stock in the "mother ship". If you don't like Bud or Miller, both distribute several other labels.

OK, this is the first Coach Dodge show of the new season...new season, new expectations, new attitude. Should be fun. I think we need to try to have as big a turnout as we can for this show. I decided that I will do what i can to attend, so count me in this evening. I liked the Hooter's location last year, and I though Sweetwater was a decent alternative after our Prez. Gretchen NIXED Hooter's for us...what was that all about anyway? OK, let's not go there again. But, I am hopeful the The Pour House location will be better than Sweetwater as far as acoustics is concerned. Couldn't be much nicer (and great prices) than the folks at Sweetwater...the beer at The Pour House costs more than at Sweetwater, but it has been nice and cold the times the wife and I have gone to The Pour House...but both are "local" places, so let's give them our support for hosting this event weekly during the season. And, by that I mean, if you like the place, go back when the show isn't on just to support a local business that supports UNT. And, stop by Sweetwater too...they remain UNT supporters. See you at the show...6:30PM at The Pour House! GO MEAN GREEN! I hope Coach DeLoach is there to say a word or two about the defense, AND I hope all the Athletic Dept. folks there will at least sit down and not talk to each other during the time the show is on air. We need to be respectful of Coach Dodge and George while they are "working". WE can all chat during the breaks. There were times last season at Sweetwater when you could not hear the show because all the Athletic Dept. folks (yes, and some others too) were talking all the time...and there were non-Mean Green Nation folks on that patio at Sweetwater too who did not "shut-up" during the On Air time. Anyway, who is coming tonight?????? See you there. GO MEAN GREEN!

In case you didn't know it...Inbev bought Bud, not Miller. Miller of Denton continues to support UNT AFTER its ownership change. Drink what you darn well want at the tailgate events, just show up for the games and actually get into Fouts BEFORE the kickoff (of the first half)! Me, I'll support those with my purchases who actually support UNT...foreign or domestic owned. Miller of denton pays some nice taxes and employs a bumch of good folks right herer in Denton. That's local enough for me...in this case!

DMN reports that delegates will be seated from Florida and Michigan...but who the heck cares??? It's over...it will be Obama and Biden for the Dems. Gotta love a Party that will put those two on a top ticket. The "Takings Coalition" has found their ticket! For the rest of us...hide your money now because they will want it all to redistribute to those who would rather get a hand out than a hand up. Gotta love it! Only in America...well maybe Venezula, China, North Korea, Cuba, France...and the beat goes on! Hey, just had to take that shot as I know there will be folks on the board today that will "enjoy" it so. Let 'er rip!

Folks, they may be "foreign owned" but Miller Beer does a great bit of sponsoring of UNT events, not only athletic but academic and alumni as well. Miller od Denton was every bit willing to help the Exes out with their events as the Exes were UNT! Miller of Denton should not be "boycotted" due to some misplaced "buy American" loyalty. I am all for "but American" and do all I can to support the concept, but you do need to use the brain along with your heart at times and think it through. Choose whatever beer you like, that is certainly fine with me, but let's not forget who is actually stepping up to help out UNT. I think we should support those firms and products that support UNT. But, then...that's just me. Adler, look around your home and office....got any foregin made products? Anything from China...liike say something from Nike perhaps? Hmmmmmm...just wondering. GO MEAN GREEN, BUY SEASON TICKETS, JOIN THE EXES/ALUMNI, JOIN THE MEAN GREEN CLUB. See yoou at Fouts.

ABSOLUTELY A GREAT IDEA! WAY TO GO COACH DODGE AND THE ATHLETICS DEPT!!! It is way past time that something positive is done to try to get the students involved more in UNT athletics. To those of you who want to try to find something negative to this...KEEP IT TO YOURSELF...this is 100% positive, and can only have positive results. Great job...now SHOW UP AT THE GAME...inside the stadium...with the new T-Shirt...just a great idea! GO MEAN GREEN!!!

Here you go...unlike KingDL, I would definitely talk to someone about a position if I thought they were "right" for the position and had the skills required with or without a degree. I am in the camp that does not believe everyone needs to go to college. In fact, the "C" college students often end up being managed by the "A" student who reports to the company owner who did not go or dropped out of college! Some of the most successful business owners I know, and by the way some of the wealthiest folks I have dealth with in my career in banking and financial services, do not have college drgrees. Yes, some folks should re-think going to college. There is too much "pressure" on going to college. Some folks need time to decide, try some other avenues and then maybe go back to school if they think they need it. Folks, lots of job satisfaction and lots of income available in plenty of positions not requiring a college degree! I think way too many job positions "require" a college degree than should really do so.... You make the decision...for me, college was a "no brainer" choice, for others, not so much. Whatever floats your boat. I know of one very successful...very successful...local business owner who has been so busy creating a successful business that he really did not have time to finish his degree at UNT. VERY smart guy, excellent businessman, very successful, well know locally, etc., etc. No degree...gee whiz, sure no problem here. I know lots of college grads that would "change places" with him in a heartbeat when it comes to being successful in business and careers. There you have it....surprise anyone? GO MEAN GREEN...BUY SEASON TICKETS...JOIN THE MEAN GREEN CLUB...JOIN THE EXES/ALUMNI ASSOC. !!!! See you at Fouts on the 6th!

John Denver...let's see...baseball...throw over to first...throw over to first...scratch yourself...step out of the box...call time out, throw 10 pitches to the same batter...throw over to first, scrtch yourself again....quick shot of the right fielder scratching himself....man, I can hardly contain myself with all the action. OBVIOUSLY, you did not watch the game I was describing.

97 and 03...Oh, those poor poor broke students. I can hear the chant now! Give me a break here...First, I am not "on the students"...being a two time grad of UNT and a one time grad of two other universities, I know full well what it takes to put oneself through college...AND, I also know that the money is there for the things that are really important to the students. Yes, there are plenty of exceptions, but, generally speaking the disposable income of college students is plenty high enough to afford a small fee for tickets IF they choose to buy them. Just prance yourself through the Student Union sometime and take a look at what they are eating, drinking and buying...most items are NOT the necessities of life that the poor downtrodden and over expensed college student would be buying if on the subsistence level of income you suggest. By the way, I am a member of the Mean Green Club, I am a member of the President's Council, I am a life member of the Exes or whatever it is called these days, and I do buy season tickets!!! AND, as a student I went to the games! Both as an undergrad and a grad student, so I do, with 14 years of college life, a few degrees and lots of more years with kids (3) while being a grad student know a bit about what it takes to "make it" on one's own dime as a college student. AGAIN...and hear me on this...I realize there are plenty of exceptions, BUT not in relation to the number of students who actually attend games! I am not getting "on the students"...been there...done that life several times...go back and read my post...I believe I mentioned students being ONE of several parties to help fund the new stadium. When the students start actually showing up at the games, the FREE games for students and supporting the program, well, maybe what they say can be heard a bit louder to all the "decision makers" on campus. Which, of course, is not me. GO MEAN GREEN....thanks for all you do for our students 97 and 03...your efforts ARE appreciated. See you at Fouts!

NO way the students are going to be THE major source of funding...but could and certainly should be ONE of the several major sources of funding including corporate sponsors, alumni, ex-students (grads or not) and simply "friends" of the university. In my opinion, the City of Denton should look at finding a way to help BIG TIME...what's that wonderful "Sports Commission" Denton has doing about the stadium I wonder. They could and should be helping in some concrete way to move this along. Denton will gain along with UNT with a new stadium. So, students, you are not alone, but you cannot and should not be left out of the funding plan!

OK, not to get the soccer thing going again, but did you happen to catch the USA's win last night in Guatamala (1-0) in a World Cup Qualifying game? GREAT game if you like action for all you "soccer is boring" folks. It was like going to a fight and having a soccer game break out. First win for the US in Guatamala!!! Players being carted off on stretchers bleeding...and you said soccer was a non-contact sport...some great saves from both goalkeepers and really some great runs by Guatamala. I thought Guatamala actually out played the US squad (Landon Donavon is a mystery to me), but the US took advantage when it had the chance. And, Ruiez (Guatamala, ex-FC Dallas) is one DIRTY player! So, this game had it all. For you football fans it was a 7-0 win for ythe US. For the rest of us who understand that giving 7points for a TD and extra point is inflating the score, it was a 1-0 victory for the US with plenty of rough play, tough decisions by the referee and hostility from the home Guatamalan crowd. Was it the prettiest game I have seen...not on your life, but it did keep my attention the whole way and was a "rough and tumble" affair. It was great to see the US get three points from a "away" World Cup qualifier ina very hostile environment. OK, your turn...

The students DON'T show up now in any significant numbers at all...and it is FREE. I don't think UNT risks much in the way of student attendance by adding a small fee for tickets. Besides, in spite of wjhat some on this board think, I would hazzard that over 2/3 of the students do not pay their own way to UNT. They have help from Mom, Dad, Grandparents, scholarships, etc. Yes, some of those work part-time for their spending money (as I did), but "most" UNT students of the undergrad variety are probably NOT paying the full cost of their education on their own. Those that are, well, don't pay the extra for the tickets and keep buying text message minutes, paying bar tabs, smoking those cigs and cigars, and drinking those $4.00 Starbucks coffees, etc. It's all about choices folks...if you don't want to pay the extra small fee for tickes (which might actually "help" get some students to show up at the games), well, don't pay it and don't show up...these folks aren't showing up now in any significant numbers. Probably won't happen, but many schools are doing this, and yes, I agree, that you get a better turnout for OU and Texas than you do for MTS, Tulsa, ULL, etc., etc.

NICE...VERY NICE. Good to see the low temps and the rain. Denton is even considering lifting its outdoor burn ban. What say you to that FFR? Good idea or not?

The dallas Morning News has reported that Texas Tech has SOLD OUT its season tickets for the first time in hiostory. Great news for them. But, what I found interesting is that it included the note "including student season tickets". Not being a Tech fan, I assume this means, like many of the Big XII schools, students pay an athletic fee AND they must purchase...PURCHASE...game tickets. Imagine that? Are you listening and looking UNT...think stadium funds, etc., etc. Think help with the Athletic budget overall. Hey, if the students have to pay even a nominal fee for tickets...they might actually SHOW UP! Now, that Mean Green fans, would really be something!

Abner Haynes Joe Greene Don January Tony Worrell or Hayden Fry (tie)

Best move for Riley and UNT football is to redshirt. But, then again, I am not the coach and I am not making the call. Touigh call for sure.

I am with Adler on this one...Willis is a good QB, but not the prototype for the June Jones offense...plus...Willis did not participate in spring ball (discipline reasons) so must be way behind in learning and actually executing the offense. While the two new frosh QB's didn't do spring ball either they may already have experience in the "run and shoot" style offense and are certainly (if reports are correct) quicker at releasing the ball than Willis. Sometimes being a "big dog" on campus means taking on a little personal responsibility. Justin just may have learned this a bit late.

GO ladies...I think they have the potential...even with what has been going on in the off-season...to win the conference. I do think the potential is there...

PRICELESS, Greenjoe.....PRICELESS!!!!

I'll go with 5 wins and hope for 6...5 would be a nice improvement and will show some real progress...GO MEAN GREEN!

Yep...don't go! Spend your money in the US of A. We need the boost to the economy!

Greenjoe...call the athletic dept. and ask. How hard can it be?

Hank is definitely a plus for UNT. I once told him that "when he goes" to make sure it was not to some small, non-discript college. He is too good for that. I am glad he didn't take this job (or wasn't offered the position). He can stay here and help UNT until he gets the shot he deserves at a much bigger program than A&M-CC. And, I agree....that was a cheap shot about the stadium funds. If you want to take chaep shots at folks there are much more deserving tagets than Hank.

My only problem with this whole thing is that talented athletes just keep getting "special" treatment after "special" treatment. This kid has now learned that he does not have to follow the rules (which, of course, he never actually felt he had to in the first place-even at OU) and he will still be treated as if he is something special. Everyone knew he would be picked up by some college/university. Just happens to be Troy in the Sunbelt. I am OK with Adler's line of thought. What's good for the 'Belt is ultimately good for UNT. Until, of course, UNT can "earn its way" out of this "who cares" conference. Talk about discrimination, athletes, rock stars, movie stars and politicians never seem to have to follow the rules. It's just us folks out here who seem to keep buying the tickets, voting and paying for all these spoiled brats.

Also, there has been some talk about the swimsuits the American men and women are wearing this year. SO????? This guy is amazing, and is a great champion and olympic sportsman. This is an athlete kids can be proud of looking to for inspiration. GREAT JOB...let's all hope he gets EIGHT golds. Just amazing dedication and effort. U-S-A!!!! U-S-A!!!!!