Green Means Go!

I'm not sure how much of a bonus it is for the players. How much do they get to enjoy Hawaii on a trip like that? You spend two days traveling (8 hours in the air, as I recall). So, you go out on a Friday, let's say....you get there.....you have to maybe practice while there, have team meetings before the game. etc. . I mean, other than seeing the place, what would they get to do? They sure wouldn't get to go to the beach and do much fun stuff. Now, if we had an Open Date the week after the Hawaii game, I'd have no problem with. But, we don't. We have the game that many of us have circled on the calendar since it was scheduled: Navy on November 10. So, if you want a jet-lagged team, coming back and trying to get ready for Navy.....realize that this trip lessens your chances of beating Navy. Also, Hawaii has a bunch of thugs on their team. They seldom lose at home, because the other team's players' minds are not on the game. Finally, when you schedule Hawaii, you usually do it so, that it can help you in recruiting. This won't help that, at all. Anyway, after re-reading the article , I don't think we'll be playing there anyway. How the heck does a game with us, upgrade their schedule? (in the way the article said that the incoming team would do).

Chris, I think you may be thinking of last year's Nebraska b-ball game which was on Fox sports Midwest (or one of those). But, the Big 12 prevented it from being shown anywhere but Nebraska. I don't think they have those same restrictions for football.

I think the 6 o' clock game on FSN.....is a nationally televised game. So, it should be on all their systems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england...don/6724245.stm

I don't know the answers to your questions. All I do know, is that I asked Coach Fry if what I had heard was true. He confirmed everything that I had ever heard about the incident. I have always known him to be an honorable, decent man. So, I believe him.

Okay, I apologize then. I took your response the wrong way.

Thanks for feeling the need to verify my story, 93-98. Obviously, you're the Snopes of the board, and assumed it was bullshit. Geez........btw, your link is to a site run by Mustang enthusiasts and is not affiliated with Ford Motor Company. The next time I post something about the great Hayden Fry, I'll be sure to run it past someone who went to school 15 years after he left our campus.

The mag is available at Hastings here in Denton.....so I'm sure most places (with magazines) would have it. Minor, minor complaint: Almost all of Caris' answers have something to do with dancing and the dance team. Stuff like: "Why did you decide to go to North Texas?" (I'm paraphrasing here, but her answer was something like "to be part of a great dance team." I just wish she had praised the school some, all of her kudos were about the dance team.

Rick, from what I understand.....because of the fact that the car was named after the SMU Mustangs.......there has been a gentleman's agreement that both Ford and SMU can use the logo. So, I'm guessing that probably means that Ford came up with the logo.

I had heard about this before, but this weekend (at the Letterman's Fish Fry), Coach Hayden Fry confirmed this story to me: In 1963, Coach Fry and his SMU Mustangs played a game at Michigan. They were huge underdogs, but gave Michigan a heck of a game, before losing a close game. After the game, Coach Fry is in the locker room talking to his team, when one of his assistants comes to him, and says that there is a gentleman who wants to speak to him. So, Coach Fry goes over and that gentleman who wanted to speak to him was.....Lee Iacocca. Iacocca was then, one of the top executives for the Ford Motor Company. Iacocca told Coach Fry, that he and his group were so impressed with the way the Mustangs had played that day, that they had made up their minds, that they were going to name a new model of Ford car.......the Mustang. So, the reason the Ford Mustang is called that, is because of Hayden Fry and his '63 team. Also, Ford Motor Company sold Coach Fry the very first Mustang ever made for $1. (Coach said they had to charge him a $1 for tax reasons). By the way, I asked him if he still has that car, and he said that he wished he did, but "no."

To answer your question....I'd say: the great Earl Campbell (Tyler---John Tyler H.S.) in 1974.

My friend, the great Green Grenade II, just called to say that the Athlons national college football pre-season mag is out. He said that there are 3 pictures of the UNT dancer, who we voted for a few months back (Caris Tschauner---not sure if I have her name right, but hopefully you know who I'm referring to--she won their national Sideline Spirit contest). GGII said that they do a mini-interview with Caris (asking her why she went to NT; stuff like that). More great publicity for good ole UNT. (Normally, I wouldn't buy Athlons national mag, but this year I'll make an exception). Also, can't wait for Phil Steele's and DCTF.

I was told tonight that our 3 incoming freshmen who are enrolled in summer school are: Giovanni Vizza, Sam Dibrell, and B.J. Lewis Also, one of our former players, Scott Ford is the head coach at Los Fresnos (very south part of Texas). Scott, played under Coach Parker, and was a WR who played despite having diabetes. (just like Justin Padron.......if I'm not mistaken). Also, there are a few more players who have committed.........we'll be hearing their names soon. (one may be a player from Los Fresnos).

A couple of other tidbits that I now remember: Coach Lacroix told me that one of our former players, Benny Cherry (a DB for a few years; then became a LB).....anyway, Benny is working as a Highway Patrolmen.....and I think Coach told me that he's stationed in Wichita Falls. Benny was a great player and a really good guy. Also, there's a young man named Babb (from Celina)....who is listed as a DB on our roster. I asked somebody if he's related to our former LB Frank Babb, and was told that this is his son. Frank was one of the great LBs that Coach Fry brought in, in 1975. They all were great contributors (Frank, Burks Washington, Terry Champagne and Rex Glendenning). Rex is a real estate magnate who owns a lot of property in this area. And I was told that Frank Babb has for years been a top exec working for former Mavs owner Donald Carter (in the real estate side of Mr. Carter's interests). Great to hear that alums like these (all great guys) are doing so well in life.

1) Giovanni Vizza and two of our incoming freshmen WRs.....are in town, planning to go to summer school this summer. Not sure who the WRs are, but one might guess that GV's teammate (Sam Dibrell) is one of them. This, of course, leads me to believe that GV is going to be given a shot at being our starting QB this fall. 2) RV mentioned the stadium......and mentioned a time frame of 16 months. Not sure how he phrased, but it made me and others feel that he meant that the stadium would be built in 16 months. I don't want to start anything on here, because it was kind of vague. He didn't say that we would definitely have a stadium in 16 months. I guess I'm kind of being vague....all I'll say is: RV mentioned stadium and 16 months. What that means....I'm not totally sure. Anyway, if it's going to be ready by the start of the 2009 season.....we have 27 months as of right now. Maybe, 16 months is how long they think it would take to build it.....once started. But, he sure acted like we would have one, and have it in the very near future. 3) Talked to several of our new coaches. Coach Gandy, Coach Lacroix, Coach Rausch, Coach Ford and Coach Drake. To a man, they were all gentlemen....and seemed very interested in talking to fans/alums. These guys are class acts, just like our new head coach. 4) The October 27th MTSU game, will feature a reunion of our 1978 team. Coach Fry will be at the game. and speaking of Coach Fry.... 5) He was asked to speak, and gave an extemperaneous speech about North Texas that was pure greatness. You can tell that Coach Fry genuinely loves our school, and we are blessed that he still comes back for events. It was a great event. I'm sure glad that the great Green Grenade and I attended.

An update on Troy's big brother, that I found on DMN today: Former Celina football player, Tyler Franklin, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – the most common type of bone cancer – on his left leg in February 2006, will begin his first day of classes at Oklahoma State Monday. His father, Scott Franklin, told me today that he dropped him off in Stillwater Tuesday. Tyler has been cancer-free since December after undergoing 17 chemotherapy sessions. A week before he was diagnosed, Tyler had signed a letter of intent to play football at Texas A&M-Commerce. Obviously, those plans changed. Tyler plans on staying involved in football. He will study strength and conditioning and is expected to join OSU’s strength and conditioning student staff, Scott said. Tyler plans to coach football. Since undergoing chemotherapy, there have been no signs of the cancer returning. “We’re hoping and praying that it stays the same,” Scott said.

Celina’s Troy Franklin (6-5, 278) said he orally committed to North Texas Tuesday night. Franklin, who plays on both sides of the line in high school, said he will play offensive tackle or center in college. North Texas’ first-year coach Todd Dodge played a big factor in his decision. He has also received offers from Tulsa, Iowa State and Colorado State. Franklin is listed in SportsDay’s Top 50 recruiting list for the 2008 class. Oral commitments are non-binding. The first day a football recruit can sign a national letter of intent is Feb. 7. (Note that he is already in the DMN Top 50 for next year. And, I think this is the first I had read that Iowa State and Colorado State had offered.)

This is the arena in Hot Springs. It seats 6,200 and looks pretty nice (I would guess it's fairly new...I've never heard of it). http://www.summitarena.org/ One other thing that there is to do in Hot Springs that time of year: Oaklawn Park is open for horse racing. Not sure if they have casino gambling in their horse track or not.

Since you can't tell from that (unless you're a Rivals subscriber)....he signed with South Alabama.

Here's Rivals on Mr. Webb: http://rivals100.rivals.com/viewprospect.a...002&Sport=1

Watts is from Houston (Worthing). http://dallasnews.rivals.com/viewprospect....432&Sport=1

Texas' depth on the offensive line took a hit Wednesday when two young offensive tackles – sophomore J'Marcus Webb of North Mesquite and redshirt freshman Roy Watts – announced they are transferring. Webb (6-8, 310) played in 12 games at offensive tackle as a true freshman last season, working at both right and left tackle. Watts (6-6, 315) redshirted last season and worked on the scout team at right tackle. Webb and Watts both said they want more playing time. They would have been backups next season to left tackle Tony Hills, a senior, and right tackle Adam Ulatoski, a sophomore. Heralded freshman Trey Allen (6-4, 3-5) of South Grand Prairie is also expected to vie for playing time this season.

Maybe you should check out ticket prices at some other college games, and you'll realize how much of a bargain NT games are. I think Tech charges $75 for tickets when the Ags come to town. That's one ticket. A family of four can see all five of our home games for $200. And not even be in the stinkin' end zone. Sell some plasma.......

0footballfan0............have you tried this Family Fun Pack before? Seems like it would be the thing to do, for a family man on a budget. Mean Green Family Fun Pack $200 ( Sections H & I ) The Family Fun Pack is designed for the family who is looking for an economical option to enjoy Mean Green Football. With the Fun Pack a family of 4 can enjoy reserved sideline seating and a meal for the entire season of Mean Green Football. The Fun Pack includes: 2 - Adult Tickets Pizza ( Lg. ) & 4 Soft Drinks 2 - Youth Tickets ( Additional youth tickets = $50 ) And, that $200 is for all the games....those are season tickets. Looks to me like, if you went to just a few games on individual tickets....with two adults and a couple of kids, that you'd be out $200 pretty quickly. This package gets you all the games for that....plus concessions at each game.

funny line, CBL.