NT80

Mid-day madness was 12:30-1:30, and the Exes ceremony was at 2pm as I and a few others attended both. Not sure where Hopkins was, there was a guy in street clothes on one of the benches. ....................................................................................................................... Mitchell Leads White Team To 34-33 Victory In Green And White Scrimmage DENTON (10/18/03) – Junior transfer Marqus Mitchell proved that he can deliver under pressure, hitting three free throws with time expired to lead the White team to an exciting 34-33 comeback victory over the Green team in the intersquad scrimmage that wrapped up Mean Green "Mid-Day Madness" on Saturday afternoon. Mitchell, who finished with a team-high 11 points in the 20-minute scrimmage, took an inbounds pass with seven seconds remaining and dribbled the length of the floor before being fouled as time expired on a three-point shot. The 6-0 guard calmly stepped to the line and sank all three shots to give the White team a one-point victory. The White team trailed 20-27 with just over four minutes left in the game, but Mitchell scored seven of his 11 points over the remainder of the game to pace the comeback effort. Mitchell hit a three-point shot with 43 second left to tie the score at 31-31 before Michael DeGrate put the Green team back on top with a layup that setup Mitchell’s charge down the court and last second shot. The second leading scorer for the White squad was Shawnson Johnson, finishing with seven points. Mark Wilson, also a junior transfer, led the Green team with 11 points in 16 minutes played. Wilson went 5-5 from the floor, including 1-1 from beyond the arc. Michael Jones added eight points, four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal for the Green squad. The Green team, which outrebounded the white team 14-8, was led on the boards by DeGrate with five rebounds. Both teams shot at least 50 percent from the floor and were solid from the line. The White squad hit 8 of 11 free throws, while the Green team connected on 12 of 14 attempts. The "Mid-Day Madness" festivities also included three-point and dunk contests. The outing began with the three-point competition, won by senior guard Jerome Rogers. Rogers, tied for fifth all-time at North Texas in three-point field goals made, hit 19 of 22 attempts in the first round of the competition to send him to the finals against Jones. In the finals, Rogers connected on 16 attempts in one minute to claim the title. The dunk contest was won by Mitchell with a score of 27 from a panel of three judges, which included former Mean Green standouts Brandon Gilbert, Sam Funches and Kenneth Mangrum. All three-judges gave Mitchell a nine after he completed his three dunks. The Mean Green will open its 2003-04 season at home against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.

Denton’s last 2 cinemas close UA theaters inside, outside mall shut doors Monday 07:24 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 14, 2003 By Dawn Cobb / Business Editor As the final credits of Secondhand Lions rolled at midnight Monday, the screens at Denton’s remaining two movie theaters darkened for the last time. Crews packed up films and closed the two United Artists theaters at the Golden Triangle Mall, leaving the city without a movie theater and 25 workers looking for employment elsewhere. DRC/Barron Ludlum United Artists theater manager Craig Summer will be wearing his bow ties in Lewisville from now on. Both United Artists cinemas — inside Golden Triangle Mall and outside the mall — are closed today. The last movie in the mall ended at midnight Monday. Like the Lions theme of two aged uncles learning to cope with the young Haley Joel Osment’s character, the older movie theaters are faced with the young competition of larger, more advanced theaters, officials say. But unlike many movies, this story doesn’t have a happy ending, moviegoers said. For manager Craig Summer, the closing ends a 15-year stint as the "Bow Tie Man" for his colorful collection of neckwear and as "the voice" on recorded movie listings that always began with "in beautiful Denton, Texas." The bow ties became part of his daily attire after he realized the longer ties could easily become caught in the film projectors. His wife began sewing his bow ties, creating such eye-catching concoctions as the "M&M" and "pink elephant" bow ties. On his last day behind a Denton ticket counter, Mr. Summer wore a black bow tie, pinned with tiny American flags. Soon, he said, his next ticket counter will be in Lewisville at the United Artists Lakepointe 10. As customers trickled in for the afternoon shows Monday, the man behind the bow tie and voice continued as if nothing were amiss, teasing adults and welcoming youngsters as he has done since he first began driving to the city almost daily from his home in Sherman. "Most of the adults were my customers when they were little kids," he said. "It’s been a good run." The United Artists theater on the mall parking lot opened in 1980 with four screens. At the time, it was the city’s largest and newest movie theater with four screens and 1,119 seats. In 1995, Mr. Summer opened the second United Artists theater, inside the mall. Across town on University Drive, the 1968 Carmike theater was expanded in 1983 to a five-screen movie theater. The Carmike theater, which closed in November 2001, remains empty. "It’s absurd that a city of over 90,000 would have to go to another city to see a movie, especially when we were much smaller and had three to choose from," said Mayor Euline Brock. In the late ’60s and early ’70s, cinematic offerings surrounded the Ssquare at the Fine Arts, Student Art and Campus theaters. In 1971, Ms. Brock remembered going to see "Gone With the Wind" and seeing a huge banner that announced Denton’s own Phyllis George as Miss America. "That was such a great moment," she said, also recalling "La Strada" starring Anthony Quinn, "The Lion in Winter" starring Katharine Hepburn and other popular movies at the time. "I think there is a market here" for movie theaters, Ms. Brock said. The city is more than a good candidate for a larger, new theater, said Ken Menard, vice president of Starplex Cinemas Inc., which operates six movie theaters in the North Texas area. "Denton definitely needs a theater," he said, "and could probably use a discount theater as well." The movie theater market is considered very competitive, Mr. Menard said. "There are so many theaters being built, they have cannibalized the old standing theaters," he said. "It’s difficult for old theaters to stay competitive." Competition moved into the Denton area when Rave Motion Pictures opened its 16-screen complex in Hickory Creek almost three years ago. Non-stadium-seating theaters are having a difficult time competing in the current market, said Jeremy Devine, national marketing director for Rave Motion Pictures. The news was not unexpected, he said, adding that Rave planned to add staff, if business increased, and could build more parking. Mall officials were notified on Monday, said Elizabeth Chandler, a spokesperson for Golden Triangle Mall. Attempts to contact Regal Entertainment Inc., parent company of the two theaters, were unsuccessful. What will happen to the vacancies left by both theaters remains up in the air as mall officials await word of possible new tenants, Ms. Chandler said. "We feel confident it won’t be empty for long," she said. "Several opportunities are out there for that space — for a different theater or some other use." The news left several moviegoers almost speechless. "I’m really sad because there’s nothing in Denton to go to the movies," said Connie Martino, who drives from Aubrey with her family to see the movies. The closest theater is the Rave. "For us, that’s a long drive," she said. Sherry Mullen of Denton and her husband, Larry, enjoy going to the movies every Friday night. Though they’ve traveled to Hickory Creek, the traffic jams have sent them back to Denton for their weekly date. "The traffic was so bad, we came back here," she said. Several shop owners inside the mall are concerned about the possible loss in traffic from residents wandering through the stores waiting for movies to start. "It’ll be a real loss," said Sean Kirk, manager of Museum Earth. "It exudes certain excitement, a certain incense of popcorn and creates an ambience in the hallway," he said, adding that customers often stop by to browse before venturing into the theater. "Anytime a destination closes, that’s unfortunate," he said. "And the theater is a destination."

Why would we do that?

College basketball to get longer 3-point line By STEVE HERMAN, AP Sports Writer October 7, 2003 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The 3-point line in college basketball is about to be moved 9 inches farther from the basket beginning in the 2004-05 season. Barring unexpected dissent by the NCAA's two smallest divisions, the new line will be set at 20 feet, 6 inches. The championships committees of all three divisions decided to keep the rectangular free throw lane, rejecting a switch to the trapezoidal lane used internationally. ``In Division I, it's essentially done,'' Marty Benson, the NCAA liaison to the basketball rules committee, said Tuesday. ``In Division II and III, the management councils have to look at it and either approve what the championships committee did or change what the championships committee did.'' Earlier this year, South Carolina coach Dave Odom, a rules committee member, said the extra 9 inches might discourage marginal shooters from taking longer shots. ``That would make the shot more meaningful,'' he said. The management councils meet Oct. 21-22. If they agree, the changes in all three divisions will take effect in the 2004-05 season. If they don't, the matter will be decided by the NCAA executive committee Oct. 31. That committee's options include approving the change for only the divisions that passed it, approving it for all three divisions or rejecting it for all three, Benson said. It's unlikely Divisions II and III will not go along, he said. Another proposal would cut from 16 to eight the number of predetermined sites for the first two rounds of the women's Division I tournament. If approved by the Division I management council and the executive committee, that change would take effect for the 2005 tournament. ``It's just the evolution of the championship. It creates more neutral sites for the championship,'' said Scotty Rogers, assistant director of the Division I women's basketball championship committee. ``You have a little more neutrality when only one of those teams could potentially play at home.'' The men's first and second rounds already are played at eight sites. ``The only difference, and it's a major difference, is that the women's proposal is for predetermined sites, meaning the host institution could play at home,'' Rogers said. ``The men's tournament does not allow that.''

I think they went 3-2 in the Okla. tourney the week before including a 5-1 loss to OU. These games will be good experience for the spring season.

College soccer Marin leads UNT in 9-0 Grambling St. blowout Senior forward Marilyn Marin scored four consecutive goals in the first 17 minutes of the first half to lead the North Texas women’s soccer teamto an easy 9-0 victory over Grambling State at the Mean Green Soccer Complex on Friday. Marin’s hat trick is the 10th of her career and the fourth time in her career that she has scored four goals in one game. The Mean Green (7-2) dominated the game from the onset as Marin scored 46 seconds into the contest. Marin tallied her second goal of the night in the 11th minute on a header in the box off a corner kick from Kristen Campbell. Marin made it a natural hat trick just 45 seconds later with a goal 10 yards out and collected her fourth goal on a header in the box to make it 4-0. Junior Jessica Koschmann scored her first goal of the season to give North Texas a 5-0 lead at the half. Four different players scored goals for North Texas in the second half. North Texas improved to 6-0 at home this season. The Mean Green returns to action Sunday as they battle No. 2-ranked Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

I think UNT's first softball game as a team is today. From the Sept. 10 NTDaily article: "The first action the Lady Eagles will see in 2003 will be between Sept. 26 and 28 at the Oklahoma Shootout. NT follows up the shootout with the Mean Green Fall Classic on Oct. 4 and 5 and the SK College Classic on Oct. 11 and 12."

Soccer: North Texas blows out Nicholls State 06:57 AM CDT on Monday, September 22, 2003 Junior forward Melinda Pina collected her second straight hat trick and third of her career as the North Texas (6-2) women’s soccer team cruised to a 7-0 victory over Nicholls State at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. Pina now has a career-high 12 goals for the season and has notched six goals and 15 points over the last two games. "She’s playing tremendous right now," said North Texas head coach John Hedlund. "She looks faster than she ever has and what I’ve really noticed about her this year is that she is very composed in front of the net and really able to put the ball away." Pina started the scoring off for North Texas with a goal in the 38th minute. Senior forward Marilyn Marin scored her sixth goal of the season just two minutes later giving the Mean Green a 2-0 lead at the half. Pina then put the game away with two goals on two breakaways in the 55th minute and the 57th minute that made it 4-0 North Texas. North Texas is now 10-1 when Pina and Marin score goals in the same game. Alyssa Carrier, Kelly Adkins, and Richelle Magalhaes all scored their first goals of the season in the second half to round out goals for the Mean Green. Goalkeeper Briana Buchanan made six saves to record her fifth shutout of the season which ties her for the second most in North Texas single-season history. "We were a little frustrated in the first half but once the goals started coming we really played well. What I’m really pleased with is that we were able to get more people involved in the offense and become more of a balanced team," Hedlund said. North Texas has now won three straight games and improve its record to 32-2-2 at home since the 1999 season. The Mean Green closes out its homestand against the Grambling State Tigers on Thursday.

Reb, I think I saw you at the tailgate area before the football game, were you there? I wanted to come say Hi but got lured away by friends doing other stuff. I appreciate your posts and UT point of view on our programs. Did you enjoy the football game? You picked a good one to see.

They said the same thing when they hired Bliss.

2003-04 basketball player preview

??????? That's what started this whole mess at Baylor in the first place, Bliss trying to entice and pay at least two recruits outside the rules, in addition to recruiting a pysco-murderer. He did learn something at Smuu!

Regents promise action Baylor's governing board looking for source of payments 08/10/2003 By LEE HANCOCKand JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News Stunned Baylor regents are reeling from the cascade of events Friday that led to the school's admission of major wrongdoing in its basketball program and the resignation of head coach Dave Bliss and athletic director Tom Stanton. One regent, Carl Bell, said Saturday that he now questions whether a select booster group created after Mr. Bliss arrived at the school – an organization dubbed "the 6th Man Club" – could have been a source for improper payments that Baylor president Robert Sloan described as major NCAA violations. He and other regents say sorting out the exact source of the illicit payments – whether from boosters or others – is a priority for the university's governing board. "We obviously want to know who is connected to the program, who has access to that amount of money," said the Rev. Phil Lineberger, a regent from Sugar Land. "We have an audit committee who will go through all the records of the athletic department to be sure that money is all accounted for." Dr. Sloan also announced Friday that the men's basketball program would be placed on at least two years' probation and held out of next season's Big 12 Conference tournament and other postseason play. And, he said, the athletic department's drug testing policies will be revamped because results of some failed tests were concealed by members of the department. Four regents said Saturday that Dr. Sloan told them in a hastily arranged conference call before the violations were made public Friday afternoon that Mr. Bliss had come to his office earlier that day and admitted direct involvement in improper payments of tuition for two players. Regents said one of the players was identified as Patrick Dennehy, whose June slaying – allegedly by friend and fellow teammate Carlton Dotson – prompted allegations about improper payments, frequent drug use and other serious problems in Baylor's basketball program. The other player given improper tuition payments was not identified to the board, regents said, but was described as a current team member. Payment credits Dr. Sloan also told regents that Mr. Bliss said money used to pay the improper tuition payments was from his own personal funds, board members said. After the violations and resignations were announced, one regent recounted learning that Mr. Dennehy's tuition account at the university showed a series of $1,000 payment credits that were "very different" from the norm – in part because there was no indicated source. "There were indications that a unusual series of $1,000 credits existed on Dennehy's tuition payment record, and it appears there are questions in this area," said the regent, who asked not to be identified. "The administration needs to clarify this as soon as possible." Most regents who agreed to talk about Friday's tumultuous events asked for anonymity because they said the board was specifically warned that its afternoon conference call was a secret, executive session. The controversy over Baylor's basketball program had been discussed only briefly in a routine conference call on Friday morning. Regents said Dr. Sloan and several board members talked about their trip with Mr. Bliss, Mr. Stanton and other athletics department officials to a Thursday memorial service for Mr. Dennehy in San Jose, Calif. "This is the irony of this whole day," said Mr. Bell. "There were some very positive comments about the tone of the service, positive in making the best of a very unfortunate, tragic situation." Regents said it was during the second, emergency conference call meeting at 4 p.m. that Dr. Sloan outlined what Mr. Bliss had told him after coming to his office with Bill Underwood – a law professor named last month to head an internal investigation of reported improper payments involving Mr. Dennehy and other alleged improprieties in the basketball program. Dr. Sloan told regents that the coach "came to his office and said he needed to talk to him and wanted to tell him that he was guilty of infractions and wanted to offer his resignation," Dr. Lineberger said. "It was a real shock to the president because they had just been to the funeral together," Dr. Lineberger said. Board members began asking questions, but the conference had to be cut short so Dr. Sloan could go to a scheduled 4:30 p.m. news conference to announce the resignations and NCAA violations. One regent said several regents were disturbed when Mr. Bliss said at the news conference that he had been made aware only that day of the violations, because Dr. Sloan had told regents that the coach had acknowledged having direct involvement in the payments. "That's not the same thing," one regent said. Another board member said regents got few other details in the conference call. The regent said that the money expended was alleged to be Mr. Bliss', adding, "I have a hard time believing that's the whole truth." Added a third regent: "If a coach or an assistant coach is paying a player's costs, that money's got to come from somewhere. The question is, where does it come from? ... It would be a little unusual for a coach to take it out of his own bank account." One regent noted that Mr. Bliss' admission does not clear up questions of improper payments, because the university has not yet addressed allegations by some of Mr. Dennehy's friends and relatives that coaches helped him make a down payment on a sport utility vehicle and helped with his share of a luxury apartment and other expenses. Mr. Dennehy's parents have said they helped him but couldn't afford to cover Baylor's $17,000 tuition and other expenses. They said they did not qualify when they tried to apply for financial aid. "I think we need to know how those apartments got paid for," the regent said. "If Baylor didn't provide that down payment on the car, I don't know where it did come from." In the wake of Friday's revelations, Mr. Bell said he has begun questioning whether an elite Baylor basketball booster group organized after Mr. Bliss took over as head coach in 1999 could've been a source of money improperly used for players' tuition. He said the 6th Man Club has "15 to 20 members" who pay $1,500 annually for the privilege of meeting with Mr. Bliss to watch game tapes, hear about recruiting prospects and get a personal perspective on the program's goals and competition in the Big XII Conference. Mr. Bell said he joined the group at the behest of Doug Smith, the Bear Foundation executive director. Athletic department spokesman Scott Stricklin said that, according to Mr. Stanton, the 6th Man is a level of giving in the men's basketball division of the Bear Foundation, the Fast Break Club. But Mr. Bell said the club is separate from the school's older, less-expensive Fast Break group and offered three or four exclusive "fellowship" gatherings with Mr. Bliss each year at members' homes. Wants full accounting He said the group's membership fees were earmarked for a basketball discretionary fund, which he assumed would be used for legitimate expenses such as electronic and videotaping equipment. "To be honest, I have thought about it, particularly last night and today. I wonder if that is the source of some of this," Mr. Bell said. "I certainly hope that none of those funds have been used in any way improperly," he said. "Right now there's a question about that." Mr. Bell said he also wants a full accounting of the failures of the athletic department's drug testing program – a problem that wasn't shared with the regents before Friday's news conference. "The drug matter troubles me because there are allegations from persons close to Carlton [Dotson] and Patrick [Dennehy] about drug use. Also other athletes," he said. "I was under the impression as a regent that there were very strict rules to be followed for testing, for the timing, and assurances have been made, obviously erroneously by Bliss and others, that all these procedures were followed precisely." Mr. Dotson's estranged wife, Melissa Kethley of Sulphur Springs, told The Dallas Morning News last month that her husband and five or six other players gathered regularly at the couple's apartment to smoke marijuana. She said her husband and other players got enough warning from coaches to fake drug tests, and she saw another player come to their apartment and give Mr. Dotson a clean urine sample to help him pass a drug screen. "One of the things that I'm saddened about today is the irony of this whole thing. A lot of angst was created over the drug sting operation and undercover agent allegedly going after the Teke fraternity," Mr. Bell said. Regent Jaclanel McFarland of Houston was threatened with impeachment over accusations that she had leaked word of that drug sting, but the matter was dropped last month after officials said a two-month review was inconclusive. "This is the real distressing thing to me: The real drug problem is not with the Tekes. It's with basketball," Mr. Bell said. "If the Baylor chief of police and administration is going to do an undercover or behind-the-scenes surveillance of alleged drug use by Baylor students, it was clearly focusing on – I'm sorry to say – some petty shoplifting, and not the armed bank robbers."

From the UNT athletic site: .............................................................................................. Alvin Brooks Former University of Houston head coach Alvin Brooks brings nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience to North Texas on head coach Johnny Jones’ staff. Brooks, who served as an assistant coach at Texas Tech the last two seasons, has enjoyed a long association with Jones that dates back 20 years ago when they both were collegiate players and competed against each other in the NCAA tournament. After his playing career, Brooks first served as an assistant at Lamar and Houston before heading the Cougars program for five years and then joining the Red Raiders staff. "We are very fortunate to have a person joining our staff the caliber of Alvin Brooks who has coached at the Division I level as both a head coach and assistant," said Jones. "He not only is a great recruiter, but he has a great understanding of the game." Brooks, 41, was an assistant coach at Lamar and Houston for 12 seasons before being named the Cougars’ head coach prior to the 1993-94 season. He was the UH head coach for five seasons, compiling an overall record of 54-84 that included a second-place finish in the old Southwest Conference in 1995-96 with a 17-10 record and 11-3 league record. He spent one year out of coaching before joining the Raiders’ staff two years ago. A Texas native who has spent his entire coaching career in the state, Brooks was the starting point guard on Lamar’s 1979-80 team that advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament. Brooks first met Jones in the 1981 NCAA tournament in a second-round match-up between Lamar and LSU, where Jones starred in the Tigers’ backcourt. After graduating from Lamar in 1981, Brooks began his coaching career as a graduate assistant on the Cardinals’ staff that following season. He coached at Lamar for five seasons before joining the Houston staff in 1986. Prior to the 1993-94 season, Brooks was picked as just the fourth head coach in Houston history. "I’m excited about joining the North Texas staff and the opportunities that are here," Brooks said. "We have a very experienced staff. I’m glad to be a part of it and I think we’ll have the chance to do some exciting things at North Texas." Brooks is a former standout player from Wheatley High School in Houston, where he earned all-city and All-Great Houston honors as a senior when he averaged 25.9 points and 9.0 assists. He started his collegiate career at Sam Houston State, where he was named Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year after setting the school’s single-season assist record with 165. He attended Henderson County Junior College his sophomore season before transferring to Lamar in 1979. As a junior he helped lead the Cardinals to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament. Brooks was a second team all-Southland Conference pick as a senior, when he set a school record for most assists in a game (21), season (249) and career (432). He was drafted by the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs in 1981, but opted to return to his alma mater to being his coaching career.

A very factual, in-depth report Harry, good job! I can't wait for the scrimmages to start.

They have Cobbs listed as a sophomore; he is a junior, correct?

TCU assistant hoops coach Steadman resigns amid violations August 5, 2003 FORT WORTH, Texas (Ticker) - Texas Christian assistant basketball coach Jai Steadman resigned Tuesday amid a report of violations, including impermissible transportation and academic assistance. An internal investigation revealed that Steadman provided transportation that helped a prospective student-athlete "solve an F1 international student visa problem" and assisted an enrolled student-athlete with a paper. Steadman was the restricted earnings coach for the men's team. "Basketball, like all other TCU sports, abides by the rules and is a program of integrity," coach Neil Dougherty said. "It is extremely regrettable that this coach erred in judgement to the extent that he broke NCAA and institutional rules." According to Dougherty, the school's "internal checks and balances caught the problem early enough to self-report and resolve the issues." In addition to accepting Steadman's resignation, TCU suspended the prospective student-athlete for 20 percent of the 2003-04 schedule and required him to reimburse the estimated value of the transportation, or $386.64. The student-athlete whose paper was changed will not be sanctioned. The school said he had no knowledge it was being expanded. The disciplinary actions follow NCAA rules guidelines, according to TCU. The NCAA was unavailable for comment. "I regret this situation more than I can say," athletic director Eric Hyman said. "We have made it absolutely clear to everyone that we will not tolerate any violations of the rules." "This situation is extremely disappointing," added chief academic officer and provost William Koehler. "But I must say, I am very pleased that the administrative staff we have in place worked so well." The school will conduct training programs for athletic department personnel and student-athletes to ensure they are aware of proper procedures.

Amy Wiseman / NT Daily Head coach Johnny Jones will be coaching at NT until at least 2008 after receiving a contract extension last week. The Mean Green posted a 7-21 record during the 2002-2003 season. Contract extension follows disappointing season for Jones Jamel King Staff Writer July 31, 2003 With an injury-plagued 2002-03 season and a 7-21 record behind him, men's basketball head coach Johnny Jones received a two-year contract extension until 2008. After leading the Mean Green to 15 victories in 2001-02 the team took a nose-dive last year. Sickness and injuries forced Jones to use 13 different starting lineups, thanks in part to Leonard Hopkins', the team's second-leading scorer, season-ending injury nine games into the season. Before the rash of misfortune, NT won the school's first regular season tournament title in 21 years with its best start, 3-2, since 1994-95. Athletics director Rick Villarreal said Jones exhibits all the qualities the athletic department looks for in head coaches. "We looked at things across the board," he said. "Not just on the court, but off the court as well. He's a very caring, concerned and giving person. Those are traits that have endeared him to not only me, but also the players and fans." Enduring the frustration of last season is what Jones has done. Riding the momentum of its first winning season since 1995-96, the Mean Green looked poised to compete for the Sun Belt Conference championship. Thirteen conference losses and a last-second free throw in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament later, the Mean Green was preparing for the 2003-04 season. Jones said the team battled all season long despite the setbacks. "People that are close to the program know the number of injuries we had last year," Jones said. "But anybody who came to games could see that the kids continued to play hard, and I don't think our record was indicative of the type of team we had last year." Those games included plenty of close calls. Eight of NT's 14 conference games were decided in the last minute or in overtime, with six games won by six points or fewer. The Mean Green finished the season 4-8 in games determined in the last minute. Since Jones' arrived in April 2001, the program has taken steps in the right direction both on and off the court. Two of Jones' six signees have graduated, with the other four still in school with good academic standing. Also, seven out of eight seniors have also graduated under Jones. He said the extension adds to his credibility as a long-term mentor for recruits in the future. "The way we are recruiting is that we want to recruit from high school and have those players come spend 4 years here," Jones said. "It is important to be able to sit in a living room with a player and his parents and be able to guarantee that I will be their coach for all of his four years." Under the contract extension, Jones will be locked up until 2008, when he will make $168,852. His original five-year contract runs from April 2001 through April 2006, starting at $120,000 yearly with guaranteed 5 percent raises each year. That includes performance-based bonuses for the number of season tickets sold, winning the conference regular season title and post-season tournament, getting to and advancing in the NCAA tournament and meeting academic achievement goals.

If we want greater revenue to help fund these new women's programs, a new stadium is a must. Football and basketball are the only revenue producing sports. To attract fans and quality opponents to play at UNT we must have a modern football facility. Fouts was built in 1952 and while some cosmetic changes have and are being made, many aspects of it (like restrooms) still date it to the 50's.

Houston, Smu at home...... Lady Eagles 2003-04 basketball schedule

Info from the WKU/SBC board: "Anyone remember Chris Marcus who was a projected lottery pick with Western Kentucky before he got hurt. Well he was signed as a free agent by the Denver Nuggets two days after th draft. He weighed 335 at the Chicago Bulls physical. He said the day before the draft he was back down to 320, but his ideal playing weight is 285-290. He also stated that his ankle feels the best it has in 2 years and he has even started playing ball on it again. The Nuggets stated that they think they got the best Center in the draft that Marcus's injury was a blessing in disguise because it allowed them to pick him up and still get Carmelo Anthony. They think Marcus has a chance to contribute right away if he can get into playing shape."

The New Orleans Bowl is Dec. 16 and the Indiana game is Dec. 29.

From the DRC: Basketball: Villarreal to extend Jones’ contract North Texas basketball coach will have job security through 2007 season pending Regents’ approval 07/12/2003 By Ethan B. Szatmary / Staff Writer University of North Texas athletic director Rick Villarreal has recommended the school’s Board of Regents extend the contract of head basketball coach Johnny Jones through the 2007-08 school year. The UNT Board of Regents will vote on Villarreal’s proposal at its Aug. 21 meeting. "Coach Jones has done an outstanding job both on and off the floor," Villarreal said. "He possesses all of the qualities necessary to build a successful program, and we want him to be here a long time." Reached on a recruiting trip in Baton Rouge, La., Jones was excited by the news. "I was not aware it was going on right now," said Jones of the extension. "If that is the case, then I’m definitely thrilled that they feel the program is headed in the right direction." Jones hiring in 2001 paid instant dividends, leading the Mean Green (15-14) to its first winning record since the 1995-96 season. But last year the Mean Green suffered through a rash of injuries and illnesses, including a season-ending injury to second-leading scorer Leonard Hopkins in December and nagging injuries to guard Jermaine Greene. North Texas finished at 7-21. "It was unfortunate we had a lot of injuries last year, but anybody who came to games could see that the kids continued to play hard, and I don’t think our record was indicative of the type of team we had last year," said Jones. Given his second-year struggles in a sports world where quick fixes are not only expected, but usually required, Jones said he’s pleased his superiors aren’t afraid to nurture the program. "I think the administration shows that they’re sincere in their efforts to make sure we get the program going, and they understand it does take time and energy to do that," said Jones. "It says a lot about our administration, athletic director, our president and our chancellor if that [they’ve decided to extend his contract] is the case, because we’ve graduated seven out of our eight seniors — the kids have done what they’re supposed to on and off the floor and have represented UNT well." Jones’ original five-year contract runs from April 2001 through April 2006, starting at $120,000 yearly, plus a $10,000 per year radio contract and performance-based bonuses for season tickets sold, winning the conference regular season title, taking the post-season tournament, advancing in the NCAA tournament, or meeting academic achievement goals. The contract guarantees five percent raises each year. Under the contract extension, Jones will be locked up until 2008, when he will make $168,852. All of the performance-based incentives remain the same. Despite the longer contract and a bigger payoff down the road, Jones said nothing motivates him to win better than Jones "I don’t think anyone can put more pressure on me than I put on myself to make sure that we make this a winning program," he said.

July 10, 2003 Las Cruces, NM - The New Mexico State men's basketball team announced its 2003-04 schedule this week which includes 12 road games, 15 home games and is highlighted by a ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday game in late February. The Aggies will open the season with five straight home games from November 22nd to December 6th before hitting the road to face probably their toughest non-conference opponent Tulsa. "I like our schedules for this coming season," head coach Lou Henson said. " We have lots of home ball games and we have a tough schedule. When you look at UTEP and New Mexico with our home and home games, then you have Tulsa and the tournament in Utah, I think we have a very competitive schedule." New Mexico State's schedule in November and December will be packed full of non-conference opponents including Tulsa (Nov. 14th), in-state rival New Mexico (Dec. 3rd and Dec. 22nd), I-10 rival UTEP (Dec. 6th and Dec. 17th), Utah State (Dec. 30th) along with Texas-San Antonio, Texas-Arlington, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Eastern New Mexico. The Aggies then open Sun Belt Conference play on the road against North Texas on Jan. 10th. NMSU will play eight home conference games in 2003-04, along with seven away contests, including an away game against 2003 Sun Belt Conference Champion Western Kentucky. Henson and company will also host an ESPN Bracket Buster Saturday game on February 21st against a team to be named later. This will be the first time NMSU has hosted such a game. The Bracket Buster Saturday concept will match some of the nation's top NCAA Tournament hopefuls, providing participating teams with an opportunity to play a top-notch non-conference opponent just weeks prior to the NCAA Selection Sunday. "We're honored to have been selected by the conference to participate in this year's Bracket Buster Saturday and exited that ESPN has chosen to give us a home game. Being awarded a home game is a real salute to our fans who have led the Sun Belt Conference in attendance the past two season," said NMSU Athletic Director, Brian Faison. The Aggies will finish the regular season with conference games against both Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock before making a trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky, on March 4-9 for the 2004 Sun Belt Conference Championship. While opponents are set, game dates and times are still subject to change due to televison. The Aggies' television schedule will be announced later this summer. 2003-04 Men's Basketball Schedule Sat. Nov. 22 New Mexico Highlands Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Mon. Nov. 24 Texas-Arlington Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Nov. 29 Eastern New Mexico Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Wed. Dec. 3 New Mexico Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Dec. 6 UTEP Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sun. Dec. 14 @Tulsa Tulsa, Okla TBA Wed. Dec. 17 @ UTEP El Paso, Texas 7:05 p.m. Sat. Dec. 20 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Mon. Dec. 22 @ New Mexico Albuquerque, N.M. 7:05 p.m. Mon. Dec. 29-30 @ Utah State Tournament Logan, Utah vs. Texas-San Antonio TBA vs. Utah State TBA Sat. Jan. 10 @ North Texas Denton, Texas 6:05 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 15 New Orleans Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Jan. 17 South Alabama Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Wed. Jan. 21 @UL-Lafayette Lafayette, La. 6:05 p.m. Sat. Jan. 24 Texas-Pan American Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Mon. Jan. 26 Florida International Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Thurs. Jan. 29 @ Middle Tennessee Murfreeboro, Tenn. 6:05 p.m. Sat. Jan. 31 @ Western Kentucky Bowling Green, Ky. 6:05 p.m. Thurs. Feb. 5 Denver Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Feb. 7 North Texas Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Thurs. Feb. 12 @ New Orleans New Orlenas, La. 6:05 p.m. Sat. Feb. 14 @ South Alabama Mobile, Ala. 6:05 p.m. Wed. Feb. 18 UL-Lafayette Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Feb. 21 TBA Bracket Buster TBA Mon. Feb. 23 @ Denver Denver, Colo. 7:05 p.m. Thurs. Feb. 26 Arkansas-Little Rock Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Sat. Feb. 28 Arkansas State Pan American Center 7:05 p.m. Mar. 4-9 @ Sun Belt Conference Tourn. Bowling Green, Ky. TBA

We lost Blakeley and Spud and a good basketball program all at the same time.