Huff

I agree, greenjoe but I was told that the big expense on the score board/video boards is going up. The supports for a higher video board cost a lot more. By having a lower video board/score board they can have a larger board for the same amount of money as they could have if it were higher. I also think that by having the score board/video board at the lower level it encourages fans to leave that area and go to their seats in the stadium, but that last part is just my opinion.

I had heard the same thing as NT80 about fans on the deck area during the game. I had heard that the large team meeting room near the deck would be used for lettermen to gather prior to the game but that once the game started everyone would be asked to move to their seats in the stadium. Of course, things can change between now and the first game, but I think that is the plan as of now.

The new location for the scoreboard will take up about half the viewing area from the Touchdown Terrace. Fans will still be able to see the game from either end of the area.

I think they ought to have one "old school" bathroom where we guys get to pee on the wall like we did in olden times at Fouts Field.

NO

The scheduling of Houston for the first game is a done deal. The atletic department is having to work with Tennessee to change the game with them that was scheduled for that date. Tennessee is willing to move the game to later - 2015 or so - or take a fairly small buy out of the game. This came from a VERY reliable source within the athletic department.

1) No 2) Yes

Most of our fans would like to be in Conference USA but as long as SMU is in that league, we will not get in. That leaves us the choice of a conference that stretches way to the east (Sun Belt) or a conference that stretches way to the west (WAC). To me, going to the east is a better choice.

I did not like being in The Big West and do not think I would enjoy going west again.

There is one more area where they might need a waiver. Nebraska is set to start the 2011 football season in The Big Ten. That leaves The Big Twelve with only 11 teams. You need twelve teams to have a conference playoff game. It will be interesting to see how that works itself out, too.

Friday night on the 10:00 PM sports on Channel Five, sports reporter Newy Scruggs reported that Texas told The Aggies that if they were not in the same conference that Texas would not play them in any sport. That could be described as hardball or chicken bleep depending on where you are sitting. It might put an end to those who think the Thanksgiving weekend football game could go forward even if The Aggies go to the SEC.

UNTFLYER, I think Arkstfan addressed this in a different segment. I think he said that if there were only four teams left in a conference they did not get to keep the money from the departing schools or keep the money earned previously by the departing schools. I believe he said that the money and shares would go with the departing schools.

I spoke to Gabe in the ticket office a few days ago. He said tickets to the game would be available after August 1st at a cost of $30 per ticket.

Our group is flying into Newark, getting our rental car, and heading north. The team is staying at The Hilton at Woodcliff Lake in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. It is about 33 miles from West Point. Mapsco says it is a 46 minute drive. It is through some very pretty country. With a noon kickoff it might be possible to fly back home early Saturday evening. One note of caution, however. Parking at West Point is not the best and will probably be tighter since our last trip there. We had to wait a very long time after the game for a shuttle to pick us up to take us back to the parking lot. Figure that into your time frame. I hope you enjoy the trip as much as we did the one last time.

The time to evaluate the season is at the end of the season. In 2001 we got off to a miserable start. After the La-Monroe game I had pretty much given up hope for the season. I came very close to mailing back my tickets for the rest of the home games. One week later we upset Middle Tennessee and started our run to New Orleans. I was sure glad that I did not mail back those tickets. I do not think Todd Dodge can get it done but he deserves the entire season to show what he can do.

For the last several years we have watched the UNT Homecoming parade from an area on Hichory Street near her house. As the parade started she would be sitting on her front porch. The North Texas band would stop in front of her house and play the fight song to her. She would smile and wave to acknowledge the tribute. We will miss seeing that.

Yes, it was done on April 1st. If you "google" LSU purple turf it will take you to a web site with pictures of their stadium with the purple turf. It is pretty funny. I feel so good knowing that once again the UNT athletic department is years ahead of the pack when it comes to innovative ideas since we have had a field in our school colors for years now.

My heart says Butler but my head says Duke. Go, Dogs, Go !!!

This information was also published in yesterday's print edition of the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. I think it is a good deal for him to be leading this group. He has a real interest in athletics - among other things. He was chairman of the board of regents when the funding for the Athletic center was found and also when Dr. B was hired as president. We will be in good shape with him as head of the group.

Winning two of the first three is awfully important. If we can't do that it could get really ugly before it is all over.

Good research, Quoner....... I like teams that play great defense, have a sound kicking game, and run the ball mixed with play action passes. That pretty much describes the teams that went to four New Orleans Bowls. I really thought the man could keep it going and get a nice promotion to a higher level school. We all know that it didn't work out that way, but I sure enjoyed those three and one-half years of fun.

There is an old saying that "offense sells tickets but defense wins championships". Until we get to where we can play outstanding defense we won't be worth a flip.

Todd Dodge is the REAL offensive coordinator at North Texas. Coach Ford might have held the title but it is Dodge's offense. He makes the decisions about what offense to run and what plays to call. Nothing changes until a change at the head coaching level takes place. Good luck to Coach Ford. I wish him well.

Thanks CWB - I missed that. After reading his bio I still wonder about who it might be.

I agree with lots of the things in this report. I wonder who wrote it. In the part about the defensive line the article reads "After we landed JUCO DTs Shavood Atkinson and Kevin Jackson, it made much less sense". The word "we" was curious. That indicates to me that it was somebody who is either a very devout North Texas fan or a part of the athletic department. Any thoughts ?????