NT80

"Get a rope!" <_<

Outlaws victorious in opener LeSueur sparks dramatic ninth-inning rally for win 09:17 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer MINERAL WELLS — Reed LeSueur was scheduled to be little more than a fill-in for the Denton Outlaws in their inaugural season in the Texas Collegiate League this summer. That plan might have gone out the window on Tuesday night after a solid debut for the Utah Valley State outfielder and the Outlaws in an 8-6 win over the Mineral Wells Steam. LeSueur finished 3-for-5 and drove in two key runs that completed a dramatic ninth-inning rally to lift the Outlaws to a win in their first game of the season. Denton trailed 5-3 in the top of the ninth before scoring five runs to pull away for the win in front of a crowd of 283. “That was a great way to start,” Outlaws coach Derek Matlock said. “We kept fighting, had some guys get on late and had some big hits. That is what I like to see. We are going to be playing six days a week. If you don’t have guys who want to fight and play, they are all going to want to go home to their moms and dads in a month.” The Outlaws showed that drive after Steam closer Cory Gearrin recorded the first two outs of the ninth inning on a pair of groundouts and then got Andrew Brown to chase a pitch outside of the strike zone. Fortunately for the Outlaws, the ball bounced past catcher Adam Perry, allowing Brown to reach base. The next four Outlaws batters reached base, including designated hitter Thomas Sawyer, who reached on an error by first baseman Stephen Bradshaw that allowed two runs to score. LeSueur followed with a two-run single to center that gave the Outlaws an 8-5 lead. Denton signed LeSueur to a 10-day contract just before their game against Mineral Wells to help fill the void on the team’s roster left by several players who are still with their college teams. “A one-run lead in this league is never enough,” LeSueur said. “You have to put the ball in play. Everyone is going to make mistakes, and you have to take advantage of them.” The Steam appeared as if they would be the team to capitalize on a series of mistakes when they broke open a tie game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Bradshaw sparked the Mineral Wells rally when he drew a leadoff walk off relief pitcher Chase Bayuk and moved around to third on a pair of wild pitches. Outfielder Mike Mogard doubled to center to drive in Bradshaw and later scored on a wild pitch to give the Steam a two-run lead. Kyle Hollander prevented the Steam from extending their lead at the end of the game and picked up the Outlaws’ first win of the season. The Odessa College reliever allowed one run on one hit in 1 1/3 innings. The victory was one of several firsts for the Outlaws on the night. Outfielder Kris Jenkins hit Denton’s first home run, one of 10 hits the Outlaws posted on the night. Denton will continue its season with a game on the road at Weatherford tonight before returning home to host Graham on Thursday in its home opener. LeSueur likely will get a chance to play a large role in those games after his impressive start against Mineral Wells. “Coach Matlock knew of me and asked me to join the team,” LeSueur said. “I wanted to play in the league and was glad they asked me to play in Denton.” Outlaws stadium name changes The Outlaws’ stadium naming rights agreement with Coldwell Banker New Century Solutions has dissolved. The team entered into an agreement with the company to provide funds to help renovate its home field in exchange for the naming rights. The Outlaws changed the name of their field to The Ballpark on Bonnie Brae when their agreement with Coldwell Banker fell through. “Other people in the Denton community are stepping up to help,” Outlaws general manager John Hampton said. “We have not filled the void yet, but other businesses have come through.” Hampton said the Outlaws would maintain a relationship with Coldwell Banker and the change in plans would not prevent the team’s field from being completed in time for Denton’s home opener on Thursday against Graham. The Outlaws are playing on the field, which is owned by the University of North Texas this season. The team is expected to move into a new facility next summer. BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com. Denton 111 000 005 — 8 10 0 Mineral Wells 200 010 021 — 6 8 4 Justin Boyette, Brandon Alford (3), Daniel Edwards (5), Chase Bayuk (7), Kyle Hollander (8) and Damian Gomez. Jordan Kraft, Bryan Dykes (6), Brett Lester (8), Cory Gearrin (9) and Adam Perry. WP – Hollander (1-0), LP – Gearrin (0-2). 2B – D: Reed Lesueur; MW: Mike Mogard. HR – D: Kris Jenkins (1). Records – D 1-0, 1-0. MW 1-2, 1-2.

Expanded article from DRC, mentions attendance towards the end....... .............................................................................................................. Outlaws use top pick on Auten 07:24 AM CDT on Friday, June 3, 2005 By BRETT VITO / Staff Writer EULESS — The Denton Outlaws picked up an insurance policy for their pitching staff on Thursday. Collin Auten, a right-handed reliever from North Central Texas College, was one of several players from across the area to attend a tryout camp for TCL teams before the league's annual media day. The Outlaws had the first pick in the draft and snapped up Auten to help bolster what will be a short-handed staff when the team kicks off its inaugural season on Tuesday with a game at Mineral Wells. The Outlaws' roster includes seven pitchers who will be playing with their college teams this weekend at the NCAA Division I Regionals. "With all of the guys we have playing in regional tournaments for these first couple of weeks, we are a little concerned with what we will have on the mound," Outlaws general manager John Hampton said. Eddie Degerman, a right-handed pitcher from Rice, could be one of the players the Outlaws will not have available at the beginning of the season. Degerman is perhaps the top player on the Outlaws' current roster, although he might not be a member of the team for long. Degerman is a junior and is eligible for Major League Baseball's First-Year Players Draft later this month. The former Grandada Hills, Calif., standout has an 8-1 record this season with a 2.87 ERA. Auten pitched 22 2/3 innings for NCTC last season with a 5.16 ERA and could help fill in if Degerman signs a contract and begins a professional career. The addition of Auten is just one of several last-minute maneuvers the Outlaws are trying to complete in time for their first season. The team is also in the process of completing renovations on Coldwell Banker New Century Solutions Ballpark. The field was home to the Liberty Christian baseball team through the high school season. Outlaws officials have been rushing to move the fence back and complete a series of other upgrades in time for the team's home opener against Graham on Thursday. "We still have a whole lot of work to do," Hampton said. "We are doing about $110,000 worth of renovations to our field and are about 80-90 percent done. We won't finish until Wednesday." Hampton and TCL commissioner John Blake both said they were confident that the Outlaws would complete renovations to the field in time for the first TCL game in Denton. "We are pretty happy with what they were able to do," Blake said. "It was a little nerve racking when we went through that time wondering if they were going to have a stadium built or not, but they were able to get a corporate partner and put significant money into renovating their field." Hampton was confident the Outlaws would be competitive despite not having any holdovers from the league's inaugural season. Several other teams have brought back players who participated in the league's first campaign. "Our coaching will be a big part of helping us be competitive," Hampton said. "Coach [Derek] Matlock is a great motivator and teacher who will get guys ready to play every day. That is important because a lot of kids are tired and worn out after playing through the college season." Matlock and the rest of Outlaws will have the benefit of playing in what Blake anticipates will be an improved league now that the TCL is heading into its second season. The TCL averaged 450 fans per game last year and experienced its share of bumps in the road. Blake said the league has paid particular attention to standardizing rules regarding rainouts and improving the quality of officiating heading into the TCL's second year. The prospect of adding a Denton team to the league is just one of the changes Blake hopes will help the TCL grow and boost its attendance average to close to 1,000 fans a game. Hampton said the response he has received from the Denton community has been tremendous. "I am curious to see what will happen on Thursday," Blake said. "I want to see how the Denton team will draw."

When you get your renewal football ticket package today or tomorrow look at the North Texas logo and font on the envelope. I'd bet you'll see that same "North Texas" on our helmets this coming season. No inside info, just a guess.

I'm surprised they are renovating and spending $110,000 on a field to use for basically 3 months. This Liberty Christian baseball field after the TCL season will be changed again into the UNT softball stadium. No mention either about how funding is going towards the new TCL/UNT baseball park to be built next to this. It is to open for the TCL season in 2006 "IF" they get enough funds to build it.

No underdog team here in UT or OSU = I don't care who wins or who loses, it's a non-event for me. Sure, I may watch the game if it stays interesting as I prefer any college game over a pro game. But, they are both FAT hogs in the mud pit; I'll cheer for the skinny runts!

Big issues for a big conference By Mike DeCourcy - SportingNews If you had trouble getting a hotel reservation last week in or around Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., now you know why. The Very Big East was in town for its annual meetings. So now that they've learned how to squeeze 16 coaches and athletic directors around a conference table, they'll be working on how to squeeze 16 teams into the same basketball league. The major issues, from least to most important: Madison Square Garden's seats for the tourney aren't simply divided evenly among the teams. Each school gets an allotment of tickets -- last year it was 500 -- and can order more. Even though the conference might not put all of its teams in the field, it has decided that all teams -- even the ones that don't get to compete -- will receive their share of tickets. The tournament field. Because there are 16 teams, it's possible to have a four-day tournament involving all of them. It's also possible that if the league follows that course, it never will have another NCAA champion. Commissioner Mike Tranghese advocated restricting the tournament to 12 teams and giving byes to the four highest seeds. The coaches opposed that because of self-interest and the possibility that a competent team could finish 13th. But Tranghese is right. If the best teams must play four games to win the championship, they will be at a disadvantage against champions from other leagues. Scheduling. The league quickly decided to use a 16-game schedule. At this level, playing 18 league games would remove some flexibility to take on moneymaking nonconference home games and probably would lead schools to cannibalize one another in the regular season. But because the league's TV partners, CBS and ESPN, want access to marquee games, it makes little sense to have all teams play one another once with only a single repeat opponent. Would you rather have one Connecticut-South Florida matchup or two Connecticut-Villanova games? Each team instead will have three repeat opponents and miss playing two league partners each year. The identity of the repeat opponents has not been determined because TV folks will have a considerable influence. The networks would like to wait until college rosters are safe at last from the NBA draft. Logically, you can figure on Cincinnati-Louisville, Pitt-West Virginia and Syracuse-UConn. Bids. If it seems there won't be enough NCAA bids to accommodate the deserving teams among 16 Big East schools, maybe it's OK. They're used to it. Since the Big East expanded to 13 teams in 1995-96, the league never has produced more than six NCAA entrants. But if this Big East were to enjoy a season equivalent to what the Big Ten produced in 2000-01 -- when seven of its 11 teams made it -- it would work out to 10 bids for the Big East. That's nearly one-third of the at-large field, which would be hard for the rest of college basketball to digest -- including selection committee members, regardless of their protests that they pay no attention to conference affiliation. Tranghese, a former selection committee chairman, emphasizes to coaches the importance of high-quality victories in and out of conference. "I have no reservations whatsoever that if we have a lot of teams that are qualified, they'll all get in," he says. Whether this will become the Too Big East will be more obvious next March.

I felt the same way. I saw North Texas fans I never saw at games in Denton. I learned many came from far away places just to watch a North Texas football game, on a weeknight, and in a strange city. I too felt we could travel anywhere and were in OK shape as a true 1-A program!

I would say we have played some quality teams in Colo St., Memphis, and USM. Cincy and their (lack of) fans was a mess and we should have made a larger statement against them. That win in 2002 was the best game for us although nothing will beat the experience of the first trip in 2001 and the whole Bowl atmosphere that year.

Article from NT Athletic's site. It only mentions 12 courts being constructed but the Master Plan shows a 13th "Center Court" also. Anyone know if this has been cut out of the project? Tennis Complex breaks ground article Master Plan view of Tennis facility

Mean Green Sprinter Advances At NCAA Regional Meet Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 05/27/2005 Norman, OK (05/27/05) – Mean Green sprinter Kory Williams won his heat in the 400-meter hurdles preliminaries, advancing the senior to the finals at the NCAA Midwest Regional Meet. Williams, the Sun Belt Conference 400-hurdles champion, turned in a time of 52.24, earning the fourth slot for Saturday’s final race. The top five times in the finals will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Championships next month in Sacramento, Ca. Williams owns two of the top three times in school history in the event, both of which were set earlier this season. The women’s 4x100-meter relay turned in the fifth fastest time in school history, but fell just short of qualifying for the finals. The team of Rachael Runnels, Osaze Aghedo, Chastidy Russell and Chi Chi Echebelem finished with a time of 45.58 and finished ninth. The top eight teams qualified for Saturday’s finals. The 4x100 team finished second at the conference meet and turned in three of the five fastest times in school history this season. The men’s 4x100-relay team finished 11th at the regional meet. David Schwein, Derek Logan, Brandon Irabor and Johnny Quinn finished in 40.42, capping off a season that included a first place finish at the Sun Belt Championships. Mean Green long jumper Rhonda Williams finished in 15th place after a leap of 18-11.75 (5.78-meters). Ciji Brooks competed in the 100-meter hurdles and finished in 11th place with a time of 13.78. The junior’s time is the second fastest in school history, further illustrating her domination over the event at North Texas. Brooks now holds four of the top five times in Mean Green history. Brooks will have another chance at the national championships when she competes in the shot put tomorrow. Three-time regional qualifier Deidra Wesley will also be competing tomorrow in the high jump, as well as Bonnie McKernan in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the men’s and women’s 4x400-meter relay teams.

I think Hollywood has run out of new movie ideas. Many producers now take the easy way out with re-makes just to get $ from fans of the old classics.

NMSU is a class program. I wish you would have stayed in the SBC but I understand your move West. If the WAC fails come back and join us. Good luck, Beat Boise!

North Texas gets early commitment 08:40 AM CDT on Saturday, May 28, 2005 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer The North Texas men’s basketball team got a jump on its next recruiting class and reunited a pair of old friends in the process this week. Collin Mangrum, a 6-4 guard from Howe High School who will be a senior in the fall, confirmed Friday that he has orally committed to play for the Mean Green. Oral commitments are non-binding. Mangrum plans to sign a national letter of intent during his senior year at Howe before joining the Mean Green for the 2006-07 season. Mangrum and Justin Howerton led Howe to the state tournament last season. Howerton has signed a national letter of intent to play for UNT beginning in the fall. “Going down there with Justin was part of my decision,” Mangrum said. “He will be able to help me out and answer any questions I have.” TCU, SMU, Stephen F. Austin and Baylor were all in the early stages of recruiting Mangrum when he committed to UNT. Mangrum caught the attention of Division I programs across the state last season when he was named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches all-state and all-state tournament teams in addition to earning a first-team spot on the All-District 13-2A squad. Mangrum averaged 15.6 points a game last year, a total he pushed to 22 points a game in the playoffs while playing point guard for the Bulldogs. He has also spent time at small forward and shooting guard during his high school career. “Collin still has a lot left in him,” Howe coach Tim Rose said. “His biggest attribute is he is a hard worker. He was the last player out of the gym again today.” Mangrum honed his skills during the off-season while playing for the Dallas Mustangs, a summer club team that features some of the area’s top players. Mangum is hoping the experience he gained playing during the summer will help him make the transition to playing at the Division I level. “It’s definitely a big jump to Division I,” Mangrum said. “I will have to stay in the gym and work hard to be the best I can be.” Mangrum committed to UNT before his senior season so that he could start preparing for his future a little earlier and not worry about the recruiting process. “Committing early will help me focus and get ready,” Mangrum said. “I will have a chance to visit campus and get comfortable. Committing early takes the pressure off.” Mangrum said UNT recruited him to play both guard positions and small forward. Rose said he anticipates Mangrum developing into a shooting guard in college because of his athletic ability and shooting touch. Rose said UNT’s coaches first became aware of Mangrum while they were recruiting Howerton and quickly joined the list of Division I teams interested the Bulldogs’ younger Division I prospect. UNT will have three to four scholarships for its next recruiting class, including the one the Mean Green’s coaches offered Mangrum. UNT finished with a 14-14 record in the 2004-05 season after falling to Arkansas State in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament at the Super Pit. The Mean Green have won at least 13 games in three of four seasons under head coach Johnny Jones.

I too am looking forward to seeing Justin play for NT. Is he playing this summer with anyone? Welcome to the board.

I hope this actually happens.

The arena will be located in their large South 40 parking lot at Cooper and Mitchell streets, seat 6,500 and cost ~$38 million. UTA Special Events Center artist drawing

No. 13 UL Lafayette Holds Off Mean Green, 4-2 Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 05/12/2005 Bowling Green, KY (5/12/05) –The North Texas softball team came back to tie No. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette but was unable to hold off the Ragin’ Cajuns in a 4-2 loss in the second round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon at the WKU Softball Complex. The Mean Green (14-37) is now 1-1 in the 2005 conference tournament after beating New Mexico State, 2-0, in the first game. North Texas lost to UL Lafayette (48-8) in the second round of last year’s SBC tournament. Freshman pitcher Kristina Fowler (10-20) took the loss on the mound for North Texas. She pitched six innings and allowed four runs on five hits. Four of the five hits were for extra bases. Heather Bobbitt (17-0) earned the win for UL Lafayette, giving up one earned run on five hits. Louisiana-Lafayette jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off a RBI double by Ashley Evans. Jill Robertson scored after starting the inning with a walk. Joy Webre tacked on a second run in the second inning with a solo home run to left field. North Texas tied the game at 2-2 off three hits and a Ragin’ Cajun error in the fifth inning. Monica Garcia knocked in the first run with a double to left center. Christen Jonse scored on the play after reaching base on a fielder’s choice. Brittiny Chapman scored the tying run from third after Kelei Walker reached base on an error by the pitcher. Crystal George did not let UL Lafayette remain in a tie for long. She hit a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning to put her team ahead, 3-2. The Ragin’ Cajuns added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning with the team’s third solo home run. Mandy Hacker singled in the top of the sixth inning but was left stranded on base. North Texas plays Middle Tennessee on Friday, May 13 at 1:30 pm in the consolation bracket. The Lady Raiders lost to FIU in the first round by a score of 2-1.

Waters’ Homers In 9-7 Loss To No. 9 Baylor Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 04/27/2005 DENTON (4/27/05) - Sophomore Susan Waters hit a three-run homer against No. 9 Baylor, but the North Texas softball team came up short in a 9-7 loss to the Bears on Wednesday night at Denia Park. The Mean Green (10-30) lost its sixth straight game, and the Bears (44-8) extended the series record against North Texas to 4-0. Baylor jumped out ahead, 6-0, after three innings of play off two home runs and a Mean Green error. North Texas kept it close by scoring five runs in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore Kelei Walker posted a two-out single to start the comeback. Walker moved to second on a single by freshman Kristina Fowler and then scored on an error by Baylor. Senior Stephanie Cranmer knocked in the second run with a single and then Waters recorded her fourth home run of the season to tack on three more runs. The Bears responded with two runs in the fourth to go ahead, 8-5. North Texas came within one run again in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on two hits and one error. Sophomore Christen Jonse doubled to start off the inning, and Walker posted her second hit of the game. Tessa Lynam posted her second home run of the game in the fifth inning to give the Bears an insurance run. All seven of the Bears runs were unearned. The Mean Green was unable to get a runner on base in the last three innings. Fowler (7-17) took the loss for the Mean Green, pitching seven innings and allowing five earned runs on eight hits. North Texas returns to conference action when it hosts New Mexico State this weekend. The Mean Green plays a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 1 pm.

Then put both. Smaller "North Texas" with Eagle head below or beside, like Boise.

I expect we'll see a version of the "stacked" North Texas on the helmet, with no eagle. They are still concerned nobody knows who they are playing or watching. <_

Hedlund Announces 2005 North Texas Soccer Schedule Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 04/26/2005 DENTON (4/26/05) - The University of North Texas has announced its 2005 soccer schedule, which is highlighted by a school record tying 11 home games. The Mean Green will begin the season on Friday, August, 26 with a match against Eastern Illinois in El Paso, Tex., followed up with a game against UTEP on August 27. North Texas begins the home portion of the schedule on Wednesday, August 31 against Texas State. Since the 2000 season, North Texas has been nearly unbeatable at home, compiling a record of 37-2-3. North Texas also has non-conference road games against SMU, Houston, and Northwestern State. The Mean Green will begin defense of its Sun Belt Conference Championship on September 30 with a home game against league newcomer Troy. North Texas will also face its fiercest conference rival,Denver, at home on Oct. 21. North Texas will have five league home games this season and four road games. The 2005 Sun Belt Conference Tournament will take place Nov. 2-5 in Mobile, Ala. North Texas is coming off its best season in school history by advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time, along with notching a school record 16 wins and capturing the Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship. 2005 North Texas Soccer Schedule Aug. 20 Alumni Game 7 p.m. Aug. 26 vs Eastern Illinois^ 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at UTEP 1 p.m. Aug. 31 Texas State 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at SMU 7 p.m. Sept. 7 Grambling State 7 p.m. Sept. 9 SW Missouri St. 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Sam Houston St. 1 p.m. Sept. 16 Rice 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Houston 1 p.m. Sept. 23 at Northwestern St. 7 p.m. Sept. 25 TWU 1 p.m. Sept. 30 Troy* 7 p.m. Oct. 2 South Alabama* 1 p.m. Oct. 7 at Louisiana-Lafayette* 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Florida International* 1 p.m. Oct. 14 Arkansas St.* 7 p.m. Oct. 16 UALR* 1 p.m. Oct. 21 Denver* 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at Western Kentucky* 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Middle Tennessee* 1 p.m. Nov. 2-5 SBC Tournament& ^-El Paso *-Sun Belt Conference game &-Mobile, Alabama.

George Dunham is usually the football banquet M. of C. I imagine RV will speak but not run the thing.

Mean Green Basketball Banquet Is Soldout Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 04/25/2005 DENTON (4/21/05) - The 2005 Mean Green Basketball Banquet is soldout! Tickets are gone for the North Texas basketball teams’ annual banquet, set for Tuesday, April 26 at the Gateway Center. The program begins at 6:30 pm with dinner being provided by Metzler’s BBQ. North Texas Associate Athletic Director Hank Dickenson will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Head coaches Johnny Jones and Tina Slinker will give out team awards following presentations of the highlight videos from the 2004-05 seasons. The men’s basketball team finished its season with a 14-14 overall record and 6-9 conference mark. The women also posted a 14-14 overall record after clinching second in the West Division of the Sun Belt Conference during the regular season.

Gottfried Adds Eugene Harris to Tide Basketball Staff Monday, April 18, 2005 TUSCALOOSA – Eugene Harris has been hired as assistant men’s basketball coach, effective immediately, at the University of Alabama. The hiring was announced Monday by Crimson Tide head coach Mark Gottfried. “Eugene brings experience, having been in the ACC and SEC for 17 years,” said Gottfried whose staff had a position become available when Orlando Early was hired as head coach at Louisiana-Monroe on April 11th. “As a Scottsboro, Alabama native, his relationships with coaches in this state and the southeast are invaluable. He has always been part of building a winner, and I am confident he will add to the success we have had here at Alabama. I have known Eugene for more than 20 years and have always been impressed by his demeanor. He is professional and driven and has a warmth and sincerity that all combine for the makings of a great college coach. He defines the word “class”. He has recruited and produced a number of NBA players and has been instrumental in their development as people as well as players. He has a 90 percent graduation rate of the players he’s personally recruited. He will be a great asset on the bench as well as in practice with his maturity and experience in game situations.” Harris, 50, has coached basketball at all levels, as a junior high coach in Florida, as a head coach at Pelham High School in Pelham, Ga., and at Rickard High School in Tallahassee, Fla., and on the collegiate level at the University of South Alabama, as assistant coach at Clemson from 1984-94 and as an assistant coach at Auburn from 1994 until 2001 when he was named assistant athletics director for special projects. “I’m excited to come and work for Coach Gottfried because he’s a coach who is a star,” said Harris, a 1979 Florida State graduate. “In a short while, he’s been to the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Our next step up is to win the national championship. That’s the reason I came here. The Athletics Director, Mal Moore, is committed to basketball and I know I will love working for Coach Gottfried because I’ve watched him out in the field and he’s a fearless worker. And the thing that really sold me on this is his 100 percent graduation rate. That shows that he’s committed to the total person.”