KRAM1

One year contracts for both Coach Kee and Coach Sheffield.  Can you spell hot seat?  Interesting, as in past decades the Olympic Sport coaches were pretty much left alone.  Guess this is another example of Wren Baker and Neil Smatresk meaning what they say...that our Athletic Dept. is going to get better from top to bottom in all sports UNT fields.  For one, I hope both these coaches have great seasons and get to sign new and longer contracts at the end of their respective seasons.

Talked to John Williams today. They WILL be offering the Mean Green ticket packages again this year.

How familiar are you with their academics? I have worked with several Liberty grads and they were excellent...professional, knowledgeable, spoke and wrote well, showed up and stayed late, volunteered to do the little extra things around the office, did not take "days off" to take their pets to the vet like some of our employees and left their religion and philosophy at the door.  I would be more than happy to hire their grads as my experience with them was noting but positive.  Have you been to the campus?  I have...not to tour or anything., but just to walk around (I like college campuses)...pretty impressive and much larger than I expected.  And, no one tried to preach or "convert" us heathen Episcopalians while we were on the campus, but several did say hello in passing.

Interesting point made by Coach McCasland to me this last week...all CUSA teams' RPI's fall once conference play begins due to the quality of the conference teams. He really thinks the conference is better than it's rating, but hopes as UNT improves...and other conference teams improve...RPI's might increase during league play and CUSA can become more than a "a bid league".  His examples were, of course, Middle and Western who often have decent ROI's in OOC play, but see their ROI's drop once conference play begins.  BTW...he is pretty positive about seeing a nice win total improvement this year! 

Turnout in Plano was OK....I would guess 150-200.  On the other hand, turnout in Dallas was horrible last night.  Great venue...Dot's Hop House...owned and operated by UNT guys and big supporters of the program....and leaving out staffers and football players and Cheer team members I am going to guess 75 "fans", and mainly the same faces one sees at most every event.  I was shocked at how poorly this caravan stop was attended.  On the other hand, due to the terribly disappointing attendance, coaches and players were easy to get to chat with one on one.  I had excellent conversations with Coach Littrell, Coach Mitchell (met our new women's assistant), Coach McCasland and Wren Baker.  Mason Fine was a treat to chat with for a moment as well. In addition, at Dallas, women's golf, volleyball and track were all represented with coaches.  Too bad UNT fans do not care enough to find a way to make it to these events.  
I can guarantee you that if OSU had a Caravan stop last night at Dot's there would have been at least 750 to 1000 fans in attendance.  At least.  We, as UNT fans, really do need to find a way to support these events.  If, of course, we want to see them continue.
Fun evening for the few who made the effort...for $5 we got food a free drink and lots of fun.  By the way...I was home by 8:45pm back in Denton, so not late at all...even for a "school night".  Here's hoping for a solid turnout tonight in UNT's Denton backyard.
Oh, and don't bore me with another "win and folks will show up" mantra...after our HOD win under the McCarney team with season tickets and attendance declining the next year, that old dog "win and folks will show up" is getting pretty lame when it comes to UNT fans.
I am guessing turnouts in Houston and San Antonio will dwarf Dallas figures.  Sure hope so. Heck, I am thinking Little Denton will dwarf "Big D's" sad excuse for a turnout.
Let the excuses begin to flow......

Here is my understanding of the track/soccer facility based on what Dr. Smatresk said in a recent meeting I attended for the College of Arts & Sciences: the facility will be an outdoor facility and the soccer field portion, inside the track, is meant to be a practice facility for soccer.  Soccer games to continue to be played where they currently are played.  The new track facility is also to have offices built for track and field and soccer.
Now, as always, much depends upon cost estimates and the ever changing attitudes, opinions, wants and needs of the athletic department and university.  Until plans are completed and dirt is turned, all remains in flux.  
But, this is just another move by a university administration that finally "gets it" when it comes to what a "Tier One Athletic Program" can do for the university overall in terms of funding and enrollment.

This is coordinated with the WingSpan Gala that takes place earlier that evening and was worked around the band's schedule. If the Gala was on the day of the Spring game you lose Gala attendees like Coaches and AD personnel who donor enjoy chatting with at these donor events that raise scholarship monies plus possible donor attendees who don't want to sit through the Spring Game and then put on a tux for a formal affair just a few hours later. Very important for UNT to focus personnel and donors on the Gala.
By the way...not saying I disagree with your line of thinking.  Just giving you a bit more info.

Folks...I would not, as yet, be buying tickets for either Arizona or Vegas.  A high placed staffer in the athletics dept. has been mentioning the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26th in Detroit. Ouch! 
Man I hope that is a really bad rumor.  If it ends up being this one, I am definitely out.  Would have to leave Christmas Day or even Christmas Eve which would have me spending Christmas Day in Detroit!  Way too many family obligations and plans already in place to even try to make this one! 

EARNED IT!  Great job young Mr. Jenkins. 

True. While Army was uncharacteristic with Their sloppy play, UNT engineered some of that sloppiness by its play.  To say that UNT did not not earn this win with its play or even indicate as much is doing disservice to a UNT defense who stood tall against that triple option offense, an O-line who made plays when it counted, to Wilson (160 yards I think), to Ivery, to Fine and some spectacular play by Jeffries on D.
To see the emotion in person of the Mean Green players was worth the trip.  The Mean Green WIN this one by earning it and surprising Army with its speed and and ability to adjust to that triple option.
The Mean Green overcame some untimely penalties, turnovers of its own and two missed field goals. 
But, the offense and defense came up big when it counted.
Very proud of this team.  Even prouder when I saw some of our players going over after the game to shake hands with some of the Cadets in the stands after the game.  Also...no one at this game took a knee during the National Anthem.

Very few cared to have official reserved seats...took less than 5 min. To install before each game. No biggie at all. Plus...much much less expensive than having to hire all the "ushers" for each game like they do for the men's games. When you don't have to police the seats and aisles you need many fewer workers. Saves cash. Much much less work, less trouble printing and issuing season tickets as well. For the few of us who bothered to buy season tickets, there was some initial angst over the "general admission" policy change, but the athletic department was very open to finding a compromise that worked. Both sides handled it politely and professionally and we're open to compromise. Things tend to work out when that's the case. They did...people were fine with it.

Class Act by the Green Brigade.

Thought it was none too classy that the SMU band was playing during our band's playing our Alma Mater after the game for the players.

Yes...just completing a $200,000,000 capital campaign successfully when a couple of multi-million dollar pledges get completed. Dr. Montecino and President Smatresk spoke to this issue just today during the UNT Alumni Association quarterly board meeting. Several large donations have come in and/or are being completed currently. Dr. Monticino who heads up Advancement mentioned no challenges completing the drive due to any of these issues. In fact, he spoke optimistically about exceeding the goal in the next few days.

The bad news, yes, some future donors might have second thoughts due to the current financial situation. However, the good news is the "irregularities" are of the "accounting" nature...not of the theft or fraud nature. Bad news, indeed, but not the kind that would "scare off" most donors capable of giving in the six figure plus range. Most folks are giving for a purpose, a scholarship, a program, etc. and not just to the university. This is not a problem that will cause any real long-term damage....just some relatively short-term belt tightening in some areas, and some changes to the way things are done moving forward. A black eye? Sure. Any lasting long-term damage? None, unless the issues continue. That will not happen.

BIG day for UNT baseball today...about 4:00- 4:30PM today a vote will be taken on the increase which includes baseball. Report is that some $3MM has already been raised for baseball from donors. Keeping fingers and toes crossed.

President Rawlins recently stated, "We're a lot better than people in the region and state think we are, and one of the reasons we get overlooked is because so much attention is paid to athletics". Think this guy gets it? Indeed he doies...indeed he does.

As a matter of fact...many universities "get it" these days...A&M reported that the surge in athletic success helped a great deal in the university recently raising $700+ MM...yep, athletics and success in athletics is important to the overall success of a university. The BOR at UNT gets an opportunity to help today. My guess, slam dunk approval.

BIG day for UNT, for UNT Athletics and for UNT baseball today!

Well, I see folks who were not at the event have spoken up in their usual style. That's fine...no harm. It must give them a moment of comfort, so it's all good. But, maybe someone who did attend should add a little something. Good crowd this evening...much better than last year, and, for one, I really enjoyed the new format in that all Mean Green Club members were invited. Had the feel of a Mean green Club MEETING.

Format included an introduction and thanks to the Reps from Jessica, then a short chat by RV (talked about how well UNT showed in a study produced by Texas A&M discussing the athletic departments in the country who get the most out of the budgets they have to work with...UNT came in 1st in the SunBelt and 6th in the nation overall). That's a good news-bad news deal for me...absolutely great that UNT is doing so well compared to other D1 schools with the funds it has available to it, but seems to indicate UNT has far too little in the way of funds to work with these days in its efforts to move up and forward.

Jessica and Taryn presented the awards to this year's Mean Green Club Volunteer Representative Program winners...Lance White won the overall award this year, and Todd Samuels won this year's Mean Green Spirit Award. Congrats to both Lance and Todd for all their great work on behalf of our UNT student-athletes. And, my personal thanks and congratulations as well go to all the Mean green Club Volunteer Reps who have demonstrated their willingness to do what they can in support of the Mean green Club and UNT's student-athletes.

Coach Mac then got up and gave another one of his patented speeches that pretty much kicked off the fall camp (begins with some meetings on Sunday with first practice on Monday). He did mention a couple of injuries (both previously announced), but said everyone else was "good to go" for fall camp. He seemed genuinely excited (doesn't he always?) about the arrival of fall camp and the approaching season...and he also mentioned (but did not name) a new verbal that he received just prior to coming into the Mean Green Club MEETING.

Jessica, RV and Coach Mac also took time to thank the entire Mean Green Club membership who demonstrate their support for the Mean Green and do so much in support of the program.

I did notice quite a few new faces in the crowd...and they were noticed by several others besides me as well. I think that was a highlight for me as new faces mean new support and that is, indeed, a very good thing. Always great to see the "regulars", but so exciting to see new faces and get to meet new members and fans of the Mean Green.

Thor...you were missed as a fellow poster, "old guy student", was asking for you. Wanted to meet you, and probably talk a little beer and Oak Street Draft House...I probably made a poor substitute for you, but I tried. Sorry, you had to miss the event, THOR. I think you would have enjoyed it as much as I did.

If anyone wants to add anything more specific, please do as THOR was not the only one who probably had to miss the event, but would have actually liked to have attended.

All...so far we have 42 players signed up...we need a bunch more to make this work best...here is who we have playing so far...if you are "missing from this list" and would like to play, please let us know...still plenty of time. Thanks to all who have made the commitment so far:

Medpilot21
smoothfresh
THOR
NT03
meangreenacct
Texas Stranger
B. Futrell
J. Attaway
R. Morley
Rudy
MDH
L. White
K. Chapman
Harry
ArmyofDad
Rela'mpago Blanco (The Fake Lonnie Smith)
R. Archie
Marshall P.
D. Dean
C. Corley
MeanGreenTexan
YIPYKIA
Keith7
C. Smith
Emmitt01
forevereagle
Jared vaughn
M. Maggard
A. Maggard
J. Case
Rico
AstroMike
V. Davidson
G. Davidson
Dru
untcampbell
Ian
meangreendrew
UNT90
Deadman
Solis

And one returning Ref from last season...UNTFlyer
And two new refs are joining us this year...Kyle Atterberry and Will Atterberry! Welcome Atterberry's!

As you can see, this is shaping up to be a great event. Talk to your friends and neighbors and let's get these rosters filled. You really do not want to miss out! Thanks so much to all who have signed up already. Need more info? Just PM me or call me: 940-382-7871.

UNT is a smoke free campus!