NT80

They had a couple open houses at the AC last spring, with tours. I'd bet you could go there and someone would show you around.

I'd settle for a CUSA spot as our next move up....ASAP! <_

Thanks, that is better than "selling" a home game. I hate that the BCS sharks want a minimum 6 home games plus any semi-home games they can manipulate (Ark/ULM) and call an away game. And hasn't the 15K minimum attendance-average criteria been abolished?

What is the former Men's Gym (snakepit) going to be used for? I thought it would make a perfect volleyball-only facility.

A couple years ago a paint company, in Tyler I believe, offered to paint the roof for free for some advertising rights, it was declined. The stadium is in horrible condition and a lot of the roofing insulation is falling off into the stands.

Ask Troy if they would rather have played their home game with Mizzou in KC. I think not. And ask any Troy business. That will be a game forever remembered to Troy fans and the City of Troy, worth much more than any $500,000 payday for an "away" game forgotten in a couple years. Ask ULL fans about their game hosting A$M a few years back, with record attendance; would they have preferred it in Houston? NO way.

Thanks for the info Rick. It's frustrating to the fans when the program loses good players to grades ( and I applaude the rising GPA and graduation rates overall!). I don't understand some players not taking advantage of the academic help and maintaining all their opportunities, such a waste.

Wissel looked impressive in that first scrimmage I saw him throw. I didn't see a better passer out there that day (Meager was injured and I haven't seen him play yet). I don't understand why Wissel was let go, if he was.

spring was ugly for him

Tulsa looking to rebound By Ron Clements, East Carolinian July 20, 2005 (U-WIRE) GREENVILLE, N.C. -- Entering a new conference this year, Tulsa head football coach Steve Kragthorpe will try to turn back the clock to just two years ago. Kragthorpe enters his third season at the helm of the Golden Hurricane and hopes to find the magic that made him the WAC Coach of the Year in 2003, when he guided Tulsa to an 8-5 record and a Humanitarian Bowl berth. 2004 was a different story for the Hurricane, which finished with a 4-8 record. Kragthorpe is looking forward to a rebound year in 2005. "We're heading in the right direction," Kragthorpe said. "We've made significant progress in the last two years. We've tasted victory and we've also realized the fine line between winning and losing, particularly in the 2004 season. I'm excited about the opportunity to continue to build and grow our program." "Tulsa is one of four former WAC schools to join Conference USA in 2004, along with UTEP, Rice and Southern Methodist, and will be in the newly formed Western Division of the conference with the former WAC schools and Tulane and Houston. With a new conference comes new changes and new rivalries may be born. "The Western Athletic Conference has been good for the University of Tulsa," said Judy MacLeod, Tulsa's director of athletics. "Geographically and financially, Conference USA is a better fit for Tulsa's athletic program, and we'll be matched with old rivals and some new opponents as well." Tulsa returns just 13 starters from a year ago, including their quarterback James Kilian and the two starting guards off the offensive line. One player that is back is one of the top defensive players in the country -- linebacker Nick Bunting. Bunting, who was put on the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation's top defensive player, is a 6-foot-1, 230-pound junior and a Tulsa native. Surrounding Bunting with the necessary talent to be competitive in the Western Division of Conference USA is now Kragthorpe's concern. In addition to Bunting, the Golden Hurricane also returns both defensive ends from last season, Brandon Lohr and Robert Latu. Latu plays bigger than his 263-pound frame. He shuffled between end and nose tackle in 2004 and could do that this year also, with the transfer of defensive end Chadd Evans from Colorado. The Golden Hurricane also has five junior college transfers coming in that are expected to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. "We want to be a bigger and more physical defense and have recruited to that philosophy," Kragthorpe said. "As we have addressed our needs from a physical standpoint, I'm also encouraged by the fact that we have bolstered our defense with athleticism and speed at all positions." Bunting is joined at linebacker by his starting teammate from 2004, sophomore Nelson Coleman and Tulsa brings back two starters in the secondary -- juniors Bobby Blackshire and Shannon Carter. Tulsa's leading tackler from 2003, Kedrick Alexander, returns to the lineup after sitting out last year. Alexander had 121 tackles as a sophomore in 2003 while starting at safety. What Kragthorpe hopes to improve upon is TU's play in the close games. Tulsa dropped three overtime games last season, one at Boise State. Tulsa did beat UTEP 37-35 to close the 2004 campaign. Tulsa brings back a strong running game and enough offensive weapons that scoring points should not be a problem for the Golden Hurricane, as long as their new quarterback can minimize mistakes with the ball. Tulsa returns three starters on offensive line, both tackles and the center, junior Aaron Danenhauer, who will have to adjust to a new quarterback, now that Kilian has graduated. The question is who will replace Kilian, who was a three-year starter and threw for 2,247 yards last year with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, while completing 55 percent of his passes. Sophomore quarterback Paul Smith and redshirt freshman quarterback David Johnson competed in the spring for the starting job in 2005 and whoever starts, Kragthorpe feels good about the position. "Obviously anytime you lose your starting quarterback you have questions about that marquee position," Kragthorpe said. "We have two very, very capable guys in Paul and David. "We had the luxury of being able to redshirt Paul last year and this year he is bigger, stronger and more physical. David is a tremendous athlete and throws the ball extremely well. Both these guys can throw the ball vertically and outside the numbers," said Kragthorpe. "Both of their performances throughout the spring did nothing but confirm in my mind that we have excellent quarterback talent." One thing Tulsa does not lack is experienced weapons for the quarterback to get the ball to. The Golden Hurricane returns their top two running backs and its top two receivers from last season. "I'm excited about the explosive capabilities that we possess on the offensive side of the football," said Kragthorpe. "Modern day football has included an emphasis on explosive big-play opportunities. We feel that we have the weapons available to not only control the football, but create big plays." All-American kick returner Ashlan Davis, who set an NCAA record in 2004 with five kick returns for touchdowns, returns for his senior season and was a big spark for Tulsa's offense. The diminutive (5-foot-8, 179) but lightning quick Davis was second on the team in receptions in 2004 with 30 catches for 462 yards and his role on the offense will be expanded in 2005. If there is one position that Tulsa is deepest and strongest at, it is at running back. Tulsa boasts a strong running game with senior Uril Parrish and junior Brandon Diles returning. Parrish ran for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns last year while Diles had 616 yards and seven TDs, including 141 and a score in the upset of UTEP in 2004's final game. "Running back is probably the most proven position from a depth standpoint on the offensive side of the football," Kragthorpe said. "Both Uril and Brandon had quality years in 2004 and have proven that they can both be starters, having both started at various times in their careers." Tulsa's best player may be senior tight end Garrett Mills. Tulsa's leading receiver in 2004 with 51 catches for 560 yards comes back for his final year and is an All-American candidate. "Mills has proven over the course of the last two years that he is one of the most complete players on our football team," Kragthorpe said. "He's athletic, extremely intelligent and plays with great toughness and tenacity." Kragthorpe believes his team can rebound from a disappointing 2004 season and be competitive in 2005. "I believe that [C-USA] will be one of the most competitive conferences in the country," Kragthorpe said. "We have goals and expectations that we're continuing to strive towards. I feel like the future of Tulsa football is very bright with the addition of three strong recruiting classes, and yet I realize that Division I football is a very competitive environment and we have to continue to make progress at a significant rate to realize those goals."

From all I've seen and read, Howard Johnson and Lee Jackson are both suspects in the recent but different outrages at NT. I hold the BOR accountable for these messes in hiring as they are the ones that approved them both. I applaud the BOR for their Athletics support but am concerned at their hiring skills.

Don't expect the "vibrant" shade this year. I've heard what they ordered with the time deadline will look very similar to last year's color, maybe a little lighter, but that's just thru the grapevine. Who knows?

That's probably when Athletics gets the uniforms in from the supplier. I don't expect much of a change in the unis; perhaps a small Mean Green instead of North Texas on the jersey neck, a tweak in color, not as light as some are expecting, and a change in helmet font from script to the new lettering....I'd still prefer a bold "NT"! <_<

They should be doing this on Campus with students and parents roaming around soon!

I bet he would like to.

I'll say Eagle Point, and Liberty Christian is a part of that. We were about a month away from starting work on making the Warehouse next to Fouts our new Athletic Department Complex and renovating Fouts to stay there forever. Then the Radisson call came and asked NT/Dr. Pohl if they wanted to purchase the lease back on the golf course. We did, and Dr. Pohl helped develop the major Athletic plans for it, made the Denia neighborhood accept it, and the rest is on it's way up!

Dr. Pohl will be missed, he was a fan's kind of President. He was very easy to talk to, and would listen, and attended more athletic events than any other President I'd seen around NT. He seemed to have a good relationship with RV. I wish it was Lee Jackson leaving instead. <_<

The article is about the 12th added game and how AF could renew it's rivalry with CU to fill it. I don't think it would affect our game. This would be a good game to have in our new stadium as it would bring a good crowd. Virginia was also rumored to be coming to Denton in 2009. Now that would be some home schedule!!

Put me in for a $100 donation also. I appreciate the work you guys go to at the games with the setup, cooking and all. It does make a statement to fans that come to tailgating to see some serious 1-A smokers being used.

Byerly was seen as a running threat simply because of his size...he would flat run over people when "forced" to run. There were not designed running plays for Byerly but improvised when he had to scrammble. I hear Meager has some speed and running ability if needed on an option play but just doesn't have Byerly's size to meet a LB head on. Meager is thought to be a more accurate passer, which in my opinion is what we need at that position to start with. We need to be able to establish a passing game. Running options for a qb are last in my mind in this offense.

Four UNT players out for '05 Projected starter at quarterback among three who are ineligible 09:46 PM CDT on Saturday, July 16, 2005 By BRETT VITO / Denton Record-Chronicle DENTON – Joey Byerly, a sophomore who was projected to start at quarterback for North Texas this fall, is among four players who will not play for the Mean Green in the 2005 season, coach Darrell Dickey said Saturday. Byerly, redshirt freshman lineman Micah West and junior fullback Chris Nevins will miss the season after failing to meet NCAA participation requirements, according to Dickey. The coach said that senior linebacker Montrell Parks has decided to give up football. "Joey, Micah and Chris have all informed me that their intention is to address their situation and return to the team as soon as possible," Dickey said. The loss of Byerly leaves UNT without a quarterback on its roster who has thrown a pass in a college game. Byerly spent last season as the primary backup to Scott Hall and was expected to compete with redshirt freshman Daniel Meager for the starting job in spring practice. Byerly took the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense after Meager injured his right shoulder during the early stages of spring workouts. Meager underwent minor surgery in March. Byerly completed nine of 24 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown in UNT's spring game. He threw for 73 yards on 12 attempts last season. Hall passed for 1,806 yards and 14 touchdowns while earning second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as a senior last season. Barring a late addition, the Mean Green will enter fall practice with six players listed as quarterbacks on its roster. Meager will join junior Cullen Mills, sophomore Jonathan Ieans, redshirt freshman Kellen Haynes and freshmen Steve Warren and Matt Phillips. Mills temporarily left the team during the off-season. West, Nevins, and Parks were projected to be backups this season. UNT has won the last four Sun Belt Conference titles and will enter the season with a 25-game conference winning streak.

I'm sure Ieans would do fine at some position, just not qb. And if you saw spring practice then you'd note the same.

Local business owners oppose Texas A&M game's move to Dallas By Jeremy Reynolds, University Daily July 15, 2005 (U-WIRE) LUBBOCK, Texas -- The announcement of a possible move to Dallas for the Texas Tech and Texas A&M football game could be more than six months away, but local business owners are making their voices heard now. The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of the business community, and its general feel of what a move from Lubbock, Texas, to Dallas for the game would entail for their businesses. Eddie McBride, president of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, said he received 448 responses. "It was an outstanding response," McBride said. "We got a 16 percent response rate." Of the 448 who responded, 40 percent took the time to write in comments. McBride said that it is uncommon to get even 10 percent to write comments. He said the initial reason for the survey was to get a feel of the community as well as gain information that can be presented to the athletic department so they can make a more informed decision. McBride said 90 percent of the business owners who answered the survey were opposed to the move, and 63 percent said home-game weekends have a positive impact on their business for the year. Nineteen businesses said the impact for them is more than $100,000. "I like to see games stay on the campus from a business and student perspective," McBride said. "All homes games are big games for the business community. There is a great relationship between Texas Tech and the city of Lubbock." McBride said that Tech students believe that the city does nothing for them and does not care about them one way or another. He said that that is not true and city does care about what happens on the Tech campus because what is good for Tech is good for the city, and what is good for the city is good for Tech. Christina Roe, manager at Chili's Bar and Grill, said home football games have a significant impact on her business. "We wouldn't get the extra business that we usually depend on in the past," Roe said. "I don't think it is fair to anyone." Troy Davidson, general manager for TGI Friday's restaurant, said he feels very strongly about the game staying in Lubbock. He said moving the game is bad for the economy and for the university. "We do about 30 percent more on the Tech A&M weekend," Davidson said. Jenny Altman, manager for the Outdoorsman, said she had heard about the possibility of the move and her store, which her parents own, does not want it to move. "Our store has been here for 25 years; it's a mom and pop store," Altman said. "Common sense tells us that many people come to Tech for home games and they come to shop. We get lots of parents coming in to buy clothes for the kiddos." Hotels such as the Howard Johnson Inn look forward to Tech home games and moving one could hurt their overall business. Jay Patel, general manager of the hotel, said his business would lose approximately $10,000 in business if the game were moved. "Hotels and restaurants are starving in October and November," he said. "Because there is no other business besides the Tech football games."

15 nay vs. 3 yea = not eligible The board has spoken

LSD, er LSU, had a big change this off season getting a new head roach, er coach. It will not be a well-oiled National Champ team we play that first game.