KRAM1

Man, I hope the team hasn't given up. If so, that would make us this year's last year SMU. When a Texan gives up...as a team...that is the worst possible situation. Hard to recover from game to game in that situation. My heat bleeds green!

Seriously? Laughing? Player parents? Wow! One would think player parents would know better than to do such. Sad state of affairs.

Man, that's rough. My heat is bleeding green for these players. They deserve our support, but seems many are bailing out on the team. One can say it isn't directed toward the players, and it mostly is not at all, but the players see the lack of support, they feel the lack of support and they take it personally. You cannot blame them. If you were on the team you would certainly take it personally. All the empty seats, the black clothing and the tepid crowd noise all says "we don't care" to the players. They are working hard and when they see this stuff it hurts. Really tough to hear about this type of fan behavior, but given the situation it is understandable. Understandable...but just because one can does not mean one should. Tough times for the Mean Green faithful for sure.

Thanks, Brett. Trying to keep up a bit from New Zealand. Any score as yet? How is the crowd now that the game has started? Go Mean Green!

Indeed....Indeed. Just a double quote for emphasis!

Just had the National Day of Giving thing as I explained in my reply to Jesse's post. Very much a crowd fund approach. Donors gave $5, $10....whatever. Exactly what you are suggesting. Sorry you missed it, but it will return next year. In the meantime, the Mean Green Club accepts memberships as little as $25 and one can always add a tad to their current membership level anytime in any amount. You can also send a check in any amount right to the UNT Foundation with your isnstructions as to where you wish the funds to go. Also, no one has to be a millionaire to contribute to UNT's capital campaigns. I contribute to them and I certainly do not have millions I can donate...sure would if I could, but alas, just not able. Strength in numbers, indeed, as was demonstrated by the success in the recent National Day of Giving event. I appreciate your interest and willingness to give back to your university. Any amount at any time matters. Remember, it is not how much, it is only "if" one gives...our strength in numbers will prevail should more decide on "if".

Jesse, that isn't in any way our "big annual drive". UNT's Foundation applied to be part of the Annual Day of giving this year, and in so doing raised $83,000.00 which it did not have through lots of very small donations. The size and type of donations some here are advocating be raised through a Crowd Funding effort. It pretty much was a Crowd Funding effort, so hopefully these folks donated to UNT as I did through this Day of Giving effort. In fact, the Denton County totals placed UNT in the top 3-4 in dollars raised that day. It's a day where folks give to non-profits of their choice...another big winner that day was the Denton Animal Shelter. So, this is not in any way a "big annual drive" from UNT. But rather a newly engaged opportunity for folks making smaller donations to join their donations together to make an impact for the non-profit of their choice. That $83,000 generated from lots of $10, $25 and $100 donations will provide some additional scholarship support that was not already there and is just another step in building a donor base of support for UNT....large, small and in between donors alike...lots of first time donors in that total. So, that $83,000 is really sort of a big deal. Hope this helps change your mind about being "embarrassed". Not embarrassing at all, but rather significant in a very positive way. We can all hope more funds are generated next year as more people become aware of National Giving Day, and select UNT as one of their giving choices.

While the battle was certainly engaged under Dr. Rawlins watch....as can be seen by the successful completion of our latest capital campaign....never in the history of this great university has a president emphasized increasing our endowment and annual giving more than what we are seeing from Dr. Smatresk. As for just one example, record numbers in giving were recently announced from UNT's internal annual giving campaign by faculty and staff. I have absolutely ZERO doubt that we will see increasing numbers on a consistent basis in all areas of support for UNT going forward under his watch. Just recently in a lunch setting he was able to raise significant funds in support of our Merit Scholars initiative. So, while the start may have come under Dr. Rawlins watch, folks "ain't seen nothing yet" compared to what is coming under Dr. Smatresk's watch.

You must be new to GMG.Com.....oh, wait......

Indeed correct. But, the good news there is that that uphill battle has been seriously engaged for the first time in the history of our great university. Progress has already begun to be made, and while it will take some doing to successfully complete a $1Billion campaign, the next campaign is already being planned with an eye on a much larger goal than our last one. Here's betting the goal will not only be met but exceeded. UNT is building a team that will meet these challenges and succeed. Successful alums are being engaged by individuals all across the university as we speak to discuss UNT and to work to re-engage these potential donors. They are indeed listening, some are returning to campus for tours and athletic and arts events and other academic interest events. This tide is turning, and it is turning in favor of UNT.

In reviewing...yes, I did, the special section on SMU's 100th Anniversary....pfft! such a baby compared to UNT.....I noticed that in a line of "through the years" sort of photos they had a photo of the great Jerry LeVias (yes, Mean Green fans, SMU or not LeVias was great) dated 1965. I was fully expecting SMU to further the myth that LeVias was the first black player in Texas college football, but rather the statement correctly stated "SMU wide receiver Jerry LaVias becomes the first African American to receive athletic scholarship in Southwest Conference". Looks like at the 100 year mark they decided to start reporting it correctly. Thanks SMU and congrats on that first 100 years from your much older and much wiser neighbor to the north...the great University of North Texas! Oh, and congrats on completing that $1Billion campaign. Your alums and supporters are to be congratulated for the generosity.

Meh....considering the source.

That "struggling on the fringes" is a 100% self-inflicted wound. But, you actually do know that..... being the self-appointed basketball expert from afar that you are.

Agree totally. But, man, what a streak of bad luck Tony has had with all those terrible coaches from college to the NBA to Puerto Rico and overseas who just don't know how to coach. Here's hoping the folks in Golden State know how to coach because that is obviously the only thing holding back this incredibly gifted athlete.

It did, yes, I was there. I believe two of the teams the Super Pit hosted were Ohio State and Texas A&M. It has been a few years however.

Fall of 1966.... But before that drove up from Dallas with my Dad to watch Abner play....so, really before 1966, but the fall of 1966 pretty must started me on this ride for the long haul.

Party was over before the announced Pavilion opening time. Harry arrived way before it was set to open to alumni members and their guests. The Pavilion is a great asset and the university, the Association and the Advancement folks are trying to find ways to use it for events other than just an hour or two before home football games. Tough to have such a facility sit idle so much of the time. And, even on game days, it is rarely over crowded. So, lots of thought going in on how to best and better use that great asset. Pavilion is open to alums and their guests before every home game. It just doesn't open at 10:30am for pre-game activities.

They can be picked up for free at every game. You have been in the Club area, right? They are sitting on every table. Yours for the taking.

Anyone else notice in the program listing of MGC donors that Coach a Mac is listed at the highest level of $15,000 & Above, Coach Benford is listed as the only donor listed in the $10,000 - $14,999 level while Jalie Mitchell is listed in the $5,000 - $9,999 level. First time I can recall our coaches stepping up to such levels of membership. Very kind of all of them. It is great to see our coaches leading the way. While names may be missing due to print time deadlines vs when one joins and/or renews their membership, it is always interesting and enlightening to read through the listing. Thanks to everyone in those listings for helping to provide scholarships for our student-athletes.

You are correct....I was meaning that last year we enrolled 5 new Merit Scholars....this year we enrolled 15. Sorry if I was misleading in how I phrased that. If you were at the game today you saw our Merit Scholars honored on the field during a time out. That was really nice.

Thought we saw a few inside productions. What was it or is it folks are expecting other than what we saw? Like many, I really miss Beyond the Green. That was some great stuff.

As to your last question...I can tell you "absolutely" is the University upping its game in both those area. Some recent hires at both the dean and faculty levels point directly to your question. And, regarding research grants, well, the pressure and emphasis is on. Right now UNT is woefully behind Tier Ine institutions in this regard. But, Dr. Smatresk has placed serious emphasis on faculty, deans, etc. in obtaining research and scholarship dollars. I think if you would talk to and Dean, Departmental head and most faculty you would find that they have heard that message. I am guessing that all will hear that message or they will be looking for a new gig. The "good news" is that much has resulted from this initial emphasis...see the Jim McNatt donations and the others mentioned above...and note the large donation received recently by the Arts/Design folks and the hire of the new dean for that college and the recent fantastic hired of a new dean for the Mayborn School of Journalism....both home runs! Plus, the naming of Dean Graves to the Provosts position is definitely a nod in the direction of increasing emphasis on research and scholarship dollars. This will take some time...additional personnel moves are still to be made...some more than a little significant...but the wheels are in motion. UNT is definitely headed in the right direction.

It is? What's actually funny is your comment. I have never felt that he is "harping" on me. He "harps" on his pet issues, not me. Why? Because I know and he knows that we are on different sides of certain issues, and we enjoy the back and forth here and in person. And, if any one was looking we were together for an extended chat at the SMU game and we make a point of saying hello at each game. It isn't personal with us...as it seems to be with some. And, he ALWAYS is one of the first to donate to any of my projects in support of UNT...without having to be asked...and is often the first to volunteer his time as well as his funds.

Thanks...on this issue I will take that jerky first line as a compliment. You definitely have that vast ego of yours in high gear on this one. It has zero to do with the officers to me....what they did or did not do wrong will be handled. It's about the fact that this happened in the first place given the world today and the violence that has taken place in our schools that has resulted in way too many killed and injured including lots of kids. I would much rather have someone embarrassed a bit and remain uninjured than to be seeing the carnage and watching on the news as more parents bury their kids. You can argue the points of search all you wish, but I don't think you are either a lawyer nor have you ever been a sworn law enforcement officer. I'll breath easier that someone acted in the best interests of the safety and security of those inside that school...kids, staff, visitors, etc. And, will be happy that all the "second guessers" and arm chair QB's and holier than thou know it alls can now debate the political correctness of how this was handled...all the while erasing any shred of personal responsibility from a 14 year old kid described as a young genius. Since ideas other than yours are not welcome, and usually are not, I will bow out of this discussion wearing my badge of honor that I was pegged in the same light with UNT90 on this one...perhaps only this one, but A-OK with me on this one.

Denton...long before you were problems even born. Ha! Well, maybe not that long before....Youhave any kids at that school, r kids in any schoo?