OldTimer

DeGrate plays well in his UNT debut 11/03/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer North Texas forward Michael DeGrate gave Mean Green fans a taste of why he is such a highly-regarded recruit during the Green-White game Saturday. DeGrate, a 6-8 junior college transfer, led the White team to a 45-36 victory in the 20-minute intrasquad scrimmage at the Super Pit. He led all players with 17 points and seven rebounds. "He?s got a chance to be real good," UNT coach Johnny Jones said. "He?s a special player who really has some talent. I think he can play anywhere in the country." During the scrimmage, DeGrate showed off his ability to score inside and outside, making seven of 10 shots from the floor. Three of his seven rebounds were on the offensive glass, proving that he doesn?t necessarily have to have plays called for him to be a factor. "I believe I?m going to be a big name in this conference," said DeGrate, who played at McLennan Community College last season after spending his freshman year at Baylor. "That?s why I?m here." Guard Leonard Hopkins added 15 points and a game-high five assists for the White team. He made six of eight shots from the floor, including three of four 3-pointers. The White team was composed of players who are slated to come off the bench ? at least for now. "The White team has been real competitive with the Green team [in practice]," Jones said. "It wasn?t a surprise that the score was what it was today. Nobody has a starting job locked up. These guys know the opportunity is there." Several recruits seen in Super Pit Three players being recruited by the Mean Green and one by the Lady Eagles took in the action at the Super Pit on Saturday as part of their official visits. The men?s recruits were guards Dandrick Jones and Calvin Watson and forward Mike Jones. Forward Brittani Green of Dallas Lincoln was the women?s prospect. Dandrick Jones, a combination guard who is playing this season at Trinidad (Colo.) Junior College, is also considering Iowa State, New Mexico, St. John?s and Boise State. He said he does not expect to sign after the season. "I like [uNT] because I?ll be able to come in here and play early," said Jones, who played his high school ball at Dallas Kimball, UNT star Chris Davis? alma mater. "And I like what coach Jones is doing with the program." Mike Jones, a 6-8 junior college teammate of UNT forward Michael DeGrate, and the 6-3 Watson of Houston Madison are considering several Southland Conference schools as well as UNT. Both players said they expected to sign during the early signing period in November. Briefly ... Forward Will Smith won the dunk contest. His best dunk was a reverse slam on which he brought the ball below his feet before throwing it down with authority. ... Jamie Armstrong, a freshman forward on the women?s team, beat men?s point guard Jerome Rogers in a 3-point contest. Armstrong hit nine 3s in a minute, one more than Rogers, but declined the opportunity to talk trash. "He already feels bad enough," she said.

UNT Notebook Pina proves she?s back by putting up hat trick 10/16/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer Melinda Pina put any doubt about her knee to rest with her performance for the North Texas women?s soccer team last week. Pina, a sophomore forward who recently missed five games after injuring her medial collateral ligament, recorded her first career hat trick in the Mean Green?s 6-0 win Sunday over Middle Tennessee, snapping a three-game losing streak. It was the fourth career multi-goal game for Pina, who also had an assist in last week?s loss to Western Kentucky. "She?s moving around much better," coach John Hedlund said. "You?re starting to see her before her injury, which is great for our offense." For her efforts, Pina is the Sun Belt and Denton Record-Chronicle Player of the Week. Marin putting up monster numbers Forward Marilyn Marin, who also had a hat trick against Western Kentucky, took the Division I lead for points with 47, an average of 3.62 per game. Marin ranks fourth in goals with 18. Marin is eight points shy of breaking the school?s single-season points record, which she set her freshman year. She needs seven goals to break the school record, which she also established in 2000. PF Britt will be out two weeks Power forward Emily Britt, a junior transfer from Oklahoma, underwent arthroscopic surgery on her knee to repair damage to her meniscus and will miss two weeks of practice. Britt, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, is expected to be a starter. Web site: Jones is dapper dandy Collegeinsider.com, a Web site that covers men?s college basketball, ranked North Texas coach Johnny Jones the 10th-best dressed coach in the nation. "Give the credit to J.T. Clothier," Jones said. Mean Green fired up for Florida International UNT volleyball coach Cassie Headrick doesn?t expect to need much of a motivational speech prior to the Mean Green?s home match Friday against Florida International. UNT was within one point of beating Florida International in the first round of the Sun Belt tournament last season, but the Mean Green made two mistakes when it could have ended the match. The Golden Panthers went on to win the conference title. "That was a game that we walked away with a bitter taste in our mouth," said Headrick, adding that UNT?s moments of agony were included in a highlight tape the conference made of the tournament. "They rubbed it in a little bit. That?s good. We like games that we don?t need a whole lot of motivation from the coaching staff." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572.

It's my understanding that none of the cheerleaders get scholarship monies.

Graduation puts Lady Eagles in rebuilding mode UNT will need help from some of its eight freshmen recruits to succeed 10/13/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer There were times last season, coach Tina Slinker admits, that she and her staff really didn?t have to do much coaching. That?s what happens when you have six seniors on the team. The opposite is true this season, with an eight-player freshman class making up the majority of the Lady Eagles? roster. Slinker welcomes the challenge of preparing a new crop of players. "It?s been wonderful motivation for all of us," said Slinker, whose program is rebuilding after making trips to the WNIT the last two years. "They?re so willing to learn. At the same time, they?re young and need to be taught. There?s a sense of excitement that we haven?t had because we had older kids. Youth brings energy." Slinker and her staff will probably need all the energy they can muster this season, along with plenty of patience. After a five-week crash course in college basketball ? which began with the first official practice of the season Saturday ? several of the rookies will be relied on to make immediate impacts. Jamie Armstrong, a 5-11 forward from Duncanville whom recruiting analysts consider the jewel of the class, admits that she shares some trepidation with her classmates about making the transition from high school to college. There is strength in numbers, however. "It?s going to be tough," Armstrong said. "We?re all kind of scared, but we?ve got to push through it. We?re all trying to adjust, but we?re pushing each other and trying to make each other better." The freshmen are eager to follow the lead of the few veterans on the team. After taking a backseat the last few seasons, forward Angel Lewis understands the importance of helping guide her green teammates. "Their progression is going to be a big part of how successful we are," said Lewis, one of the team?s two seniors. "We?ve got to lead by example more than anything. They?re new. We have to help them out in every avenue possible." A freshman will start at point guard for the Lady Eagles this season, though Slinker doesn?t yet know which one. She has three to choose from: Erika Bobo, Nahogany Brown and Natalie Mireles. All three will probably play this season, though Brown is less than eight months removed from reconstructive knee surgery and might redshirt. "From day one, one of the three will have to prove they can do it," Slinker said. "But they complement each other. I like that about them." Guard Mian Williams and forward Kennethia Wilson are expected to be a part of the regular rotation. Armstong "has the ability to be a key factor pretty early," according to Slinker. "All eight of us are very competitive," Armstrong said. "We all have the desire to win, and we?ll do whatever it takes. I think we?re ready." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572. 2002-03 women?s schedule Date Opponent Time Nov. 7 Houston Jaguars* 7 p.m. Nov. 18 Oklahoma Flyers* 7 p.m. Nov. 22 UTSA 7 p.m. Nov. 29 Alcorn State# 6 p.m. Nov. 30 UMKC# 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Illinois% Noon Dec. 8 Arizona/UC Riverside% TBA Dec. 11 Indiana 7 p.m. Dec. 16 at SMU 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Baylor 6 p.m. Jan. 2 LSU 7 p.m. Jan. 4 Florida International 2 p.m. Jan. 7 Weber State 7 p.m. Jan. 11 Denver 7 p.m. Jan. 16 at Arkansas-Little Rock 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Arkansas State 7 p.m. Jan. 23 New Orleans 7 p.m. Jan. 25 South Alabama 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. Feb, 1 at New Mexico State 8 p.m. Feb. 6 Middle Tennessee 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Western Kentucky 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Denver 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at New Orleans 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at South Alabama 7 p.m. Feb. 27 Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. March 1 New Mexico State 7 p.m. March 6-11 Sun Belt tourney TBA *exhibition; #Southwest Texas Classic; %Fiesta Bowl Women?s Basketball Classic

Two years later, DeGrate finally suits up for UNT 10/13/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer Michael DeGrate didn?t have any second thoughts the second time he decided to play basketball at North Texas. The 6-8, 230-pound forward verbally committed to UNT as a high school senior, but changed his mind at the last minute and signed with Baylor, where he played sparingly as a freshman before transferring to McLennan Community College. Now a junior, DeGrate is finally a member of the Mean Green. DeGrate doesn?t worry about his delayed route from his hometown of McGregor north to Denton. In fact ? after UNT?s 11-win turnaround in coach Johnny Jones? debut season a year ago ? DeGrate thinks the timing is perfect for him to join the program. "It?s on the rise," said DeGrate, who officially opened practice Saturday along with the rest of the Mean Green. "I believe this is the situation that a guy who only has two years needs to be a part of. In this conference and with this team, I can be more than just a person on the team. I think I can make a name for myself and help make one for the team, which is most important." DeGrate, who respected recruiting analyst Mike Mitchell considered one of the top 25 junior college players in the country last season, doesn?t have a predetermined role at UNT. He has the size, skills and athleticism to play either forward position and will eventually see playing time at both spots. Seniors Chris Davis and Jermaine Green ? UNT?s two top scorers and rebounders last season ? are returning starters at the three and four, respectively. But Jones, who wants to extend his defense more this season to take advantage of his team?s increased depth, said DeGrate should see plenty of playing time. "I don?t know if he?s starting or working into the rotation," Jones said. "But he?s going to get a lot of minutes if he comes in and do the things that are expected of him." One of those things is to provide a presence inside ? an area that was a weakness for UNT last season ? offensively and defensively. DeGrate averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game last season. Because of his versatility, DeGrate will create mismatch problems for opponents and provide another offensive option to a team that led the Sun Belt in scoring last season. He is equally adept at scoring in the paint and shooting from beyond the 3-point arc. "He?s got really good offensive skills," Jones said. "We feel that we can throw the ball into him on the post and he can create. At the same time, he can step out on the perimeter and hit shots. We?re excited about the weapons we feel that he brings to the table." Added Davis: "He?s going to be a scorer. He?s real aggressive and knows how to get to the ball. He?s so athletic and can shoot the 3. He?s going to add another dimension to our team." DeGrate hopes to be the piece of the puzzle that makes the Mean Green a 20-game winner, which he proclaimed as his primary goal. He?ll figure out how he fits in and play whatever role he?s asked. "Wherever they need me, I can play," DeGrate said. "I?m not concerned [about fitting in with the team]. I?m confident in my ability, and I?m confident in this coaching staff. It doesn?t feel like a transition for me. I came here and it just clicked. We?re like family." And he?s the long lost son who?s finally found his way home. TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572. 2002-03 men?s schedule Nov. 8 Texas Blue Chips *7 p.m. Nov. 15 Texas-Louisiana All-Stars* 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at Southwest Missouri 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at SMU 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Indiana 1 p.m. Dec. 6 Weber State# TBA Dec. 7 Winthrop/Morris Brown# TBA Dec. 10 TCU 7 p.m. Dec. 16 St. Edwards 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at Tennessee Tech 6 p.m. Dec. 23 at Colorado 8 p.m. Dec. 28 Texas A&M-Commerce 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at Baylor 8 p.m. Jan. 2 at Auburn 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at Florida International 1 p.m. Jan. 11 Denver 7 p.m. Jan. 16 Arkansas-Little Rock 7 p.m. Jan. 18 Arkansas State 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at New Orleans 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at South Alabama 7 p.m. Jan. 30 Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. Feb. 1 New Mexico State 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at Middle Tennessee 7 p.m. Feb. 8 Western Kentucky 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at Denver 8 p.m. Feb. 20 New Orleans 7 p.m. Feb. 22 South Alabama 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Louisiana-Lafayette 7 p.m. March 1 at New Mexico State 8 p.m. March 6-11 Sun Belt tourney TBA *exhibition; #2002 Brothers Heat and Air Shootout in South Carolina

There were two others at the newstand. S/S was wrong in that they had "The front line should be strengthen.....degrate....and 6-10 bookends Sam Byrd and Justin Barnett. The latter is recovering from a stree fracture in his foot that caused him to redshirt last year" I heard that Sam Bryd has enrolled at NT and is working on his grades to become elgible instead of going to a JC...has anyone heard anything about this? Didn't realize NT was last in defense in the conference last year...don't see it in S/S but saw it mentioned in one of the other mags. nice to hear..."the Mean Green made huge strides from the mean season of 2000-01" "NT is the Sun Belt's best dark horse candidate"

of fame. She still have several TCU womans BB record including single season rebounds (234), career points (1,302) and career rebounds (778l). Also singe game record of 15 FG...THE ONLY TCU PLAYER EVER NAMED TO THE SWC TEAM AND THE ONLY ONE NAMED TO THE SWC'S ALL DECADE SQUAD FOR THE 1980S. SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN INDUCTED FOR BASKETBALL BY TCU. WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HER AS AN ASST COACH AT NT. THIS IS A *TELEGRAM ARTICLE THAT I COULD NOT FIND ON LINE

Sun Belt favorites clash Mean Green soccer travels to nationally-ranked Denver 10/04/2002 By Terry Britt / Staff Writer The most important soccer game of the season thus far for North Texas ? and its toughest test ? comes Friday afternoon in the high altitudes of Denver, Colo. North Texas (8-1, 2-0) will face No. 20 Denver (6-1-2, 2-0) in a Sun Belt Conference showdown Friday at 4 p.m. Most observers see this battle as being between the conference?s best two squads. "Most people feel it will be us or Denver winning the conference," said UNT head coach John Hedlund. "And chances are good we may be seeing each other again in the [sun Belt] tournament finals." North Texas handed Denver one of its three losses last season, a 2-1 Mean Green victory in Denton. This time around, the Pioneers have their unique high-altitude home field advantage and a healthy team that has allowed only seven goals this season. "We?ve never been at Denver and we hope to be able to deal with the higher altitude, especially in the first half. The other thing is that Denver is healthier than we are right now," said Hedlund. His reference was not only to the mending knee of Melinda Pina, but senior midfielder Michelle Uselton as well. Uselton suffered a knee injury during Sunday?s win at Arkansas-Little Rock. Both Pina and Uselton are questionable for Friday?s game as well as the Sunday non-conference match at Wyoming. North Texas will also be without junior defender Jessica Koschmann against Denver, as she will be serving a one-game suspension for drawing a red card against Arkansas-Little Rock. "We?re hoping for positive things with Michelle Uselton. She?s had some bad luck with injuries," said Hedlund. "With Pina, her knee is healed, but we?ve got to see if she has at least 85 percent movement with it." Against a strong side like Denver, Hedlund knows North Texas will have to play at the top of its ability on both ends of the field. "We want to try to keep the game tight and close. If we can do that, we feel we have a chance to win it at the end, maybe get Marilyn [Marin] on a few balls and pull it out," said Hedlund. If Pina is able to go against Denver, it could give the Mean Green a much-need boost on the attack. However, Hedlund is confident his team can keep pressure on Denver, especially with the ever-dangerous Marin. "We?ve been able to hide her, kind of let her float some, and then let her break through on the counterattack, because other teams can?t really double-team her unless she?s up top," Hedlund explained. "Once she?s going forward, she is very hard to stop. We want to do things to discourage other teams from double or triple-teaming her and keep their best players from marking her," said Hedlund. North Texas goes into Friday?s match second in the Sun Belt Conference in scoring and is behind only Denver in defense with 11 goals allowed. TERRY BRITT can be reached at 940-381-9605.

Mean Green disposes of Bobcats, 4-2 09/19/2002 Staff report SAN MARCOS ? The North Texas soccer team bounced back from its first loss of the season with a convincing 4-2 win over Southwest Texas. The Mean Green (5-1) were led by junior Marilyn Marin, who had two goals to give her a Sun Belt Conference-leading nine on the season. "It?s a big win for us. They are the top team in the Southland Conference, and for us to come down here and beat them was nice," said North Texas Head Coach John Hedlund. "We needed a big win on the road like this because we start the conference season on the road and this was a big one for us". Marin started the scoring off for the Mean Green in the first half with her eighth goal of the year. UNT also got strong play from defender Lindsay Bibb and Michelle Uselton, who both notched goals. Marin finished the scoring off for the Mean Green with her second goal of the night and her third multi-goal effort of the season. Marin also extended her point streak to three straight games. Freshman goalkeeper Erin Johnson was in net and picked up her second win of her collegiate career. North Texas will next be in action on Sunday at home against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. UNT will then open a five-game road trip at Arkansas State Sept. 27.

Marin sets scoring record, UNT tops TWU 09/09/2002 By Terry Britt / Staff Writer Strange as it sounds, Marilyn Marin?s record-breaking hat trick was about the only positive note in North Texas? 6-1 win over Texas Woman?s University Sunday afternoon at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. North Texas foward Marilyn Marin dribbles the ball against Texas Woman's at the Mean Green Soccer Complex Sunday. Marin recorded a hat trick to become the Mean Green?s all-time leading goal scorer. Marin scored all three of her goals in the second half to break Christy Johnson?s UNT career goal-scoring record. Marin nailed the historic one in the 75th minute on a 25-yard free kick that nestled into the top right corner of the TWU net. Her three goals put the Mean Green (4-0) a bit more at ease. For the first 51 minutes of the match, the first-year side of TWU out-hustled and outplayed UNT in just about every spot on the turf. Much to the dismay of the Mean Green, the game was scoreless at halftime and, even worse, Melinda Pina left the game in the 18th minute with a knee injury and did not return. "I thought TWU came out and played us extremely hard. They were very aggressive. They were beating us to a lot of balls in the first half," said UNT head coach John Hedlund. Although UNT had several scoring chances in the first 20 minutes, TWU goalkeeper Stephanie Stein played equal to the task. Only an injury on a save in the 23rd minute stopped Stein?s performance from continuing. But no one typified the Pioneers? effort better than defender Luci Romberg. The speedy senior left it all on the field, using her agility as a Pioneer All-American gymnast to beat UNT players to the ball time and again throughout the contest. "We just came out with everything we had. We had nothing to lose," said Romberg. "It was a really fun game to play, and we played our hearts out." "The girls came out tremendous, they came out and worked hard from the whistle. Our goal was to shut them out, deny everything, deny Marilyn and Melinda everything. "They came out and took it to them [uNT] for 52 minutes. I?m proud of them. They came out like they had been around for five or six years. No one would have known walking out there that we had a first-year program," said TWU head coach Fleur Benatar. Eventually, UNT found its attack and made TWU (2-2) pay for some defensive mistakes. In the 52nd minute, Marin broke free through the left side of the TWU penalty box and sent a centering pass to an unmarked Michelle Partain, who booted the ball past Pioneer goalkeeper Sara Weaver for a 1-0 Mean Green lead. Marin got on the board herself in the 57th and 65th minutes with two unassisted goals to give UNT a 3-0 cushion. She said breaking the school?s career goal-scoring record in front of a home crowd meant something special. "It?s an honor to have broken a school record like that. CJ [Christy Johnson] was an awesome player. I?m going to keep playing the way I have and score some more goals," said Marin. Before Marin got the school record, though, TWU struck back. Stephanie Richardson planted a lofting shot on goal in the 71st minute and the ball eluded North Texas goalkeeper Erin Johnson, making her collegiate debut in replacing starter Brianna Morris at halftime. Two minutes later, Angela Contreras had a chance on a deflection but Johnson made the save. Soon after that, Brittany Whorton?s free kick from 30 yards glanced off the crossbar and out. Jessica Hennessey added a goal for UNT in the 87th minute on an assist from Lindsay Williams, and Alyssa Carrier capped the scoring in the 88th minute on another assist from Williams. North Texas matched the best start in school history (1996) with Sunday?s victory. The Mean Green will take to the road for the first time with a date at Houston Friday at 7 p.m. TWU will play its very first home soccer match Friday at 5 p.m. against Mary Hardin-Baylor. TERRY BRITT can be reached at 940-381-9605.

It is McDade that committed. blurb in todays DRC. He has a 4.2 GPA Blast it.

Marilyn Marin nets hat trick in 6-0 UNT win Soccer team improves to 2-0 on young season 09/02/2002 By Terry Britt / Staff Writer Marilyn Marin was feeling a little left out after not scoring in Saturday?s 7-1 win over Nicholls State. DRC/Hiroyuki Komae North Texas' Marilyn Marin (right) wrestles with Duquesne's Julie Broden (13) for a loose ball in the first half at the Mean Green Soccer Complex Sunday. She more than made up for it at the expense of the Duquesne Dukes. Marin scored a natural hat trick ? the first three goals of the contest ? and later added a fourth to lead North Texas (2-0) to a 6-0 rout Sunday afternoon at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. "I know that I didn?t play well yesterday [saturday]," said Marin. "I felt I had to come out and work hard to make up for what I didn?t do yesterday." Against Duquesne?s flat back three defense, Marin earned ample opportunities to get open for shots. Her first goal came in the sixth minute off a nice feed from Melinda Pina in front of the goal. "She [Marin] really wanted to get a jump early on her offensive game and try to get that first goal, and that?s what she did," said UNT head coach John Hedlund. Noting that Duquesne?s defensive style plays into the hands of Marin and Pina, Hedlund added, "There?s so much space. They?re pushing balls through and they can go directly to the goal and really utilize their speed." Pina and Marin would hook up again just over four minutes after the first goal. On a corner kick from Pina, Marin headed it home to give the Mean Green a 2-0 lead. She picked up the hat trick in the 23rd minute on a laser-like 22-yard shot off a pass from Lindsay Bibb. Just two minutes before the half, North Texas went up 4-0 on an excellent play by a pair of freshmen from San Antonio ? Madison?s Michelle Partain scoring on a tip-in with Roosevelt?s Misty Cordon getting the assist. Despite the game?s eventual route to becoming a rout, Duquesne (0-2) came out strong in the second half, especially in the midfield, and created some good scoring chances. Fortunately for North Texas, senior goalkeeper Brianna Morris made eight saves on the afternoon to earn her first collegiate shutout. "They [Duquesne] never quit," said Hedlund. "I told the girls at halftime, ?We?re up four goals, but no lead is safe against this team.? They?ve got good size, they?re very strong in the air and they work very hard. "It was important for us to set the tone in the second half, at least late in the second half, and hold their burst of energy in that first 10 to 15 minutes." Erin Marshall headed a shot off the crossbar in the first half and had a 35-yard free kick attempt saved by Morris just moments later. In the 69th minute, Duquesne forward Becky Barritt banged a hard shot off the near post and had her rebound attempt smothered by Morris. Having survived the strongest of the Duquesne attack, North Texas responded with a Pina goal from 16 yards out on an assist from Marin. In the 74th minute, Marin notched her fourth goal of the game with a lethal left-footer after getting around a double-team on the right side of the Duquesne penalty box. Elaine Bacchus got the assist on the goal that put Marin just three shy of setting a new UNT career goal-scoring record. North Texas will try to make it three wins in a row to open the season against Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Mean Green Soccer Complex. TERRY BRITT can be reached at 940-381-9605.

Young defenders could be key to UNT success Offense, led by Marin and Pina, will be strength of squad 08/30/2002 By Terry Britt / Staff Writer Coach John Hedlund and the University of North Texas women?s soccer team are pressing onward, in a number of ways. It will be an interesting season ahead as the Mean Green return one of the best pair of forwards in the Sun Belt Conference, and try to nab a conference tournament title and NCAA tournament berth for the first time. The team will also go forward with a young defense made younger by the departure of starting goalkeeper Monica Housden, who has left the squad for tryouts with the Mexican National team. Up front, North Texas returns a lethal scoring duo in junior Marilyn Marin (15 goals, 3 assists in 2001) ? a unanimous All-Sun Belt First Team selection ? and sophomore Melinda Pina (10 goals, 7 assists), who was an All-Sun Belt Tournament Team selection along with Marin. Add a talented freshman like Jessica Hennessay and it?s easy to see why Hedlund feels confident in the attack. "Offensively, we might be stronger than last year and probably rely on our offense a bit more," said Hedlund. Marin is just seven goals away from setting a new UNT scoring record. She has 39 goals through her first two seasons, but Marin says she isn?t thinking about that individual achievement. "I never try to set records for myself for the soccer season, except to score more than last year," said Marin. "I?m focusing on working hard for my team, and as long as we play our hearts out, we?ll be all right." The midfield features two starters, senior Michelle Uselton and sophomore Elaine Bacchus. Uselton, a second team All-Sun Belt Conference selection last year, feels confident about the team?s ability to defend its regular season title. "We always try to stay focused on our attack. We want to keep the pressure on the other team and maintain possession on their end," she said. "I feel our younger players will step up and do a big job for us." Junior Angela Carter, another All-Sun Belt Tournament selection in 2001, will be asked to anchor a very young defense. "She has to pick up where [graduated senior] Gina [Turner] left off," said Hedlund, who is also very impressed with the preseason work of junior Jessica Koschmann, a transfer from Massachusetts-Lowell. The Mean Green?s starting goalkeeper for the past two seasons, Housden, a Ryan graduate, will certainly be missed but chose to pursue bigger dreams on the world soccer stage. Sophomore Natalie Mitchell also left the team to transfer to Texas Woman?s University and pursue a nursing degree, said Hedlund. The North Texas net will be defended this season by freshman Erin Johnson and senior Brianna Morris. Johnson is scheduled to get the start in the Mean Green?s season opener at home against Nicholls State. "Both players look good through the preseason and I think they will do a good job for us," said Hedlund. North Texas was picked to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference coaches? poll behind Denver, the team that beat North Texas in the conference tournament championship last year. "Denver will be extremely tough, probably the best team we will play in the conference," said Hedlund. "The main nucleus of their players are seniors this year. They should give everybody fits, and we have to go there [Denver] this year." For North Texas to get back to the tournament finals and another shot at an NCAA Tournament berth, Hedlund said staying away from injuries and steady progress in the play are vital. "We need to stay healthy and keep improving each week," said Hedlund. "We?re still a fairly young team with only two seniors. I think one key will be how the new kids mix in." Hedlund has a new assistant coach this year, former Women?s Professional Soccer League player Ileana Moschos, along with Kevin Smith. North Texas will also play on a new field this year at the Mean Green Soccer Complex on Airport Road.

Same article posted August 24th.

Funding for higher education is based on prior enrollment...established every two years. That means if 1,000 more students show up in a base year...per student funding does not come until the start of the following biannual year. I don't believe the "State" funds dorms...academic buildings yes, dorms, no. Most dorms are auxiliary funded ..... revenue bonds paid out of rent received which also has to cover operating costs.

At UNT, officials are preparing for more than 29,000 students, which would be a record. Last fall, about 27,900 students enrolled at UNT. Dr. Bonita Jacobs, vice president for student development, said officials estimate that the number of new freshmen will increase by about 3 percent, an increase that has left the housing department in its perennial crunch. "We have a very large housing shortage," Dr. Jacobs said. "This has been a concern for us as well as for our new students and their parents." She said the housing department works with students as much as it can to help them find housing. When the dorms are full, students are referred either to the University Courtyard apartments or to many other places that have available housing. "We are as creative as we can be in helping them find housing," Dr. Jacobs said.

Registration for the fall started just after the athletic fee election. Note article on Wall stated he had registered at NT. I would imagine students are returning this week to Denton and there will be many more registrations next week.

Article has pictures outling where the expansion is to be. Go to Yahoo, then DRC to view entire article with pictures. New plan to expand campus unveiled 08/24/2002 By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer The University of North Texas wants to expand its borders south and west to increase its facilities by 50 percent, officials said Friday. DRC/Stacey Cooper UNT hopes to buy property along Interstate 35E at North Texas Boulevard as part of its master plan for expansion. The UNT Board of Regents saw an updated master plan that shows the university?s plans for land acquisition and growth in the coming years. "You need to take a snapshot every couple years," said Peter Giglio, the university?s architect and one of the main authors of the plan. "It tries to give an idea of what your campus will look like in 15 or 20 years, but it?s very fluid, always changing." UNT drafted its original master plan in 1998, and since 1999, has bought 24 properties. The updated plan shows those property acquisitions and newly finished construction projects. It also extends the campus? future boundary on the south and west sides and includes plans to buy about 80 acres along Interstate 35W, an area UNT officials say is prime property because it is so close to where Interstate 35E and Interstate 35W join. The university also hopes to buy property along Interstate 35E at North Texas Boulevard, where businesses are located. Mr. Giglio said the most notable change from the 1998 master plan is the UNT Commons, a landscaped walkway from the UNT Gateway Center on North Texas Boulevard to the UNT Administration Building in the center of campus. "This really does give us a growth path," said Norval Pohl, UNT?s president. "We?re excited about the area we?d like to grow into. Now it?s out there, and people can see what our plan is." In a presentation to the board, Richard Rafes, vice chancellor and vice president for administrative affairs, showed the 11 properties that UNT has bought since Sept. 1, including seven apartment complexes, one house, the former Texas Instruments plant and Liberty Christian School. Mr. Rafes said one important goal is to keep as much of the university as possible within 10 minutes walking distance from the center of campus. The new plan includes five parking garages and several more parking lots to help address the increased traffic on campus. The Board of Regents is expected to approve the updated master plan Saturday. MATTHEW ZABEL can be reached at 940-381-9664.

UNT regents recommend higher fees 08/24/2002 By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer Students would pay about $200 more in fees to attend the University of North Texas beginning with the spring 2003 semester, a Board of Regents committee recommended Friday. The full board is expected to approve the two new fees and three fee increases at its regular quarterly meeting Saturday. One of the fee increases, the foreign student admission application fee, is a one-time charge to foreign students only. It is slated to increase from $50 to $75. The other four fee proposals mean undergraduate students would pay $13.55 more per credit hour, or about $203 for a student taking 15 credit hours. Graduate students would pay about $10.30 more per credit hour. University officials said the fees seem the best way to provide improved services to students. "I realize for most students that?s a lot of money," said Dr. Norval Pohl, UNT?s president. "We looked at those different categories, and I am persuaded that we?ll do students a service with that money that will make the fees worth it to them." Hans Hendley, UNT?s student government president, said Friday he was only vaguely familiar with the new fees and the increases, but he doesn?t believe the fees are all bad. "Overall, people don?t like prices to go up, and that?s understandable," Mr. Hendley said. "Education at UNT is one of the most affordable in the nation, but costs go up. People will be upset that fees are going up, but what can you do?" Tom Lazo Sr., a member of the board?s budget and finance committee, rigorously questioned the justification for each fee before voting with the rest of the committee to recommend them. "I don?t like to come to a meeting to raise fees," said Mr. Lazo, an executive for two technology companies in Dallas. "On the other hand, I understand the problems of finance the university faces. While I might not agree with it personally, I understand the situation we are in, and sometimes we have to do what we don?t like." University officials proposed a new advising support fee to hire more academic advisers, reducing their student-to-adviser ratio from about 700-to-1 to about 400-to-1. During the meeting, Dr. Pohl said UNT?s student advising has gotten worse. Turnover is high among advisers, and students complain the quality has suffered. He attributed those problems to low pay and a high workload for advisers. This fee, he said, will allow the university to hire more advisers, increase their salaries and reduce turnover. Only undergraduate students will pay the advising fee, Dr. Pohl said. Faculty members will continue to advise graduate students. Another new fee will be a transportation fee, which officials will use to expand UNT?s campus shuttle service and to create more bicycle paths and walking paths on campus. Part of the fee, officials said, would be to extend the university shuttle system to some apartment complexes that are mostly occupied by students. Richard Rafes, UNT?s interim vice chancellor and vice president for administrative affairs, told the board that the best short-term strategy to handle traffic on campus would be "to try to keep those cars off campus and at apartments." As a trial during the last school year, officials said, UNT extended its shuttle service to the University Courtyard Apartments at Bonnie Brae and Hickory streets. Officials estimated that service kept 500 cars off campus. Mr. Lazo initially objected to this fee and challenged officials to find a way to make faculty and staff pay for the service, too. "If we?re all going to improve transportation, then we all ought to pay for it," he said. In addition to the new fees, UNT officials asked the board to increase the library and technology fees. Those increases will allow the university to spend state money on construction projects rather than on technology and library resources. "I think students will say that you hurt the library if you take money away from the library," Dr. Pohl said. "Students don?t want to see any of those services suffer. While they?re not going to jump up and down about a fee increase, they will all benefit from it." UNT new fees and fee increases The University of North Texas Board of Regents will consider approving two new fees and increasing three existing fees, charging students an extra $13.55 per credit hour. All the fee changes would take effect in the spring 2003 semester. New fees Advising support fee (undergraduates only) ? $3.25 Transportation fee ? $3.50 Fee increases Library fee ? from $4 to $8.50 Technology fee ? from $7.20 to $9.50 Foreign student admissions application fee ? from $50 to $75 (one-time fee, foreign students only)

Open Road UNT to open 2002-?03 hoops campaign with 5 straight road games 08/23/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer Nothing will come easy to the North Texas men?s basketball team in coach Johnny Jones? second season. Johnny Jones The Mean Green will begin its season with five games on the road, including a Dec. 1 trip to Indiana, last season?s NCAA runner-up. UNT, which is coming off its first winning season since 1995-96, has only three non-conference games at the Super Pit, including the Dec. 10 home opener against TCU. The schedule was finalized by the addition of a trip to Auburn on Jan. 2, after Jones failed to find another opponent willing to come to Denton. The Mean Green will also make trips to a pair of Big 12 schools, Colorado and Baylor. "I think we are again playing a very difficult and demanding schedule," Jones said. "We feel like we?ll find out a lot about our team early this year because of the tough non-conference schedule, playing our first five games on the road. "With the addition of SEC opponent Auburn and last year?s Final Four team Indiana, it makes our schedule more exciting for the fans but at the same time very challenging. However, we look forward to the challenge." Jones said it was more difficult to schedule this season than it was when he was hired ? after UNT went 4-24 in former coach Vic Trilli?s final season. He was, however, able to secure home-and-home deals with Indiana and Baylor, which will be included on UNT?s home schedule in 2003-04. "To get teams that are very attractive in here, we?ve got to play there first," Jones said. "We?re very fortunate to be able to attract teams like that." After opening Sun Belt play at Florida International on Jan. 5, UNT has three consecutive conference games at home. The Mean Green will be home for five of seven games during a critical stretch of conference play, including a Feb. 8 game against two-time defending conference champion Western Kentucky.

rammell hired at UNT Former Ryan girls coach replaces Stoehr on Lady Eagles? staff 08/24/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer Former Ryan girls basketball coach Latricia Trammell has been hired as an assistant at North Texas. Latricia Trammell Trammell resigned from Ryan last week after compiling a 64-33 record in three seasons, winning two district titles and making three playoff appearances. She will replace Scott Stoehr, who accepted a position at Florida State, on the Lady Eagles? staff. "Ryan and the school district have always treated me with open arms," Trammell said. "They have been supportive of everything I?ve done there. It was a hard decision, especially to leave my girls and new staff there. "But I know this opportunity doesn?t open up very often. I want to coach at the college level. That?s always been one of my professional goals. I?m very excited that coach [Tina] Slinker gave me this opportunity." Trammell will assume Stoehr?s responsibilities, including scouting and directing the Lady Eagles? conditioning and weight-training programs. Trammell, who has worked at Slinker?s camps the last few summers, already has developed a relationship with UNT?s players and coaching staff. She said that should ease the transition, though she still has to learn the rules and regulations involved with coaching at the college level. "I?ve always been very impressed with her knowledge of the game," Slinker said. "I also like the fact that she?s been a head coach, because that gives you an advantage in seeing things in a different perspective. "She?s very strong in the areas we just lost [with Stoehr?s departure]. She?s disciplined and organized. That?s something we needed. And she?s a quality person. That?s important." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572.

I was told by a BB coach at NT that we have a game at Indiana scheduled for next year....3 there 1 here. Did notice your linked schedule noted at the top a new schedule would be released in August? Don't know the answer. I will see what I can find after I get back from a trip out of town for a few days. If anyone has anything on this please let us hear from you.

Justin Barnett from Arlington Martin, about 6-10, is supposed to be on the team this year. Hope his injury bug is missing...he missed most of two seasons in HS with injuries and his freshman year had surgery on his foot and redshirted. Don't know how much he will contribute...let s just hope he does.

Dec, U of AZ tournament vs Illinois-others Indiana, SMU, Baylor all there. NORTH TEXAS 2002-03 Women?s Basketball Schedule Date Day Opponent Site Time NOVEMBER Nov. 7 Thursday Houston Jaguars Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Nov. 18 Monday Oklahoma Flyers Super Pit 6:00 p.m. Nov. 22 Friday UTSA Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Nov. 29 Friday SWT Classic (vs. Alcorn State) San Marcos, TX 6:00 p.m. Nov. 30 Saturday SWT Classic (vs. UMKC) San Marcos, TX 4:00 p.m. DECEMBER Dec. 3 Tuesday Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Saturday. U Arizona Tourney (vs. Illinois) Tucson, AZ 12:00 p.m. Dec. 8 Sunday UArizona Tourney (Arizona, UC-Riverside) 12:00 p.m./2:30 p.m. Dec. 11 Wednesday Indiana Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Dec. 16 Monday SMU Dallas, TX 7:00 p.m. Dec. 30 Monday Baylor Waco, TX 6:00 p.m. JANUARY Jan. 2 Thursday LSU Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Jan. 4 Saturday Florida International * Super Pit 2:00 p.m. Jan. 7 Tuesday Weber State Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Jan. 11 Saturday Denver * Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Jan. 16 Thursday UALR * Little Rock, AR 7:00 p.m. Jan. 18 Saturday ASU * Jonesboro, AR 7:00 p.m. Jan. 23 Thursday UNO * Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Jan. 25 Saturday South Alabama Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Jan. 30 Thursday LA-Lafayette Lafayette, LA 7:00 p.m. FEBRUARY Feb. 1 Saturday NMSU Las Cruces, NM 8:05 p.m. Feb. 6 Thursday MTSU Super Pit 7:00 p.m. Feb. 8 Thursday WKU Bowling Green, KY 7:00 p.m. Feb. 13 Thursday Denver * Denver, CO 8:00 p.m. Feb. 20 Thursday UNO * New Orleans, LA 7:00 p.m. Feb. 22 Saturday USA * Mobile, AL 7:00 p.m. Feb. 27 Thursday LA-Lafayette * Super Pit 7:00 p.m. MARCH Mar. 1 Thursday NMSU Super Pit 7:00 p.m. March 6-11 Thurs-Tues SBC TOURNAMENT Bowling Green, KY TBA *Sun Belt Conference Games All times Central NCAA?S First/Second Rounds March 22/24 or 23/25 TBD-Campus Sites East Regionals March 29-April 1 University of Dayton Arena-Dayton, OH Mideast Regionals March 29-April 1 Thompson-Boling Arena- Knoxville, TN Midwest Regionals March 29-April 1 The Pit-Albuquerque, NM West Regionals March29-April 1 Maples Pavilion-Stanford, CA FINAL FOUR April 6-8, 2003 Georgia Dome-Atlanta, GA

Segal tabbed to head UNT softball program New coach has history of winning teams 08/15/2002 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer North Texas officially started its softball program Wednesday with the hiring of coach Stacey Segal. UNT will field a team in the fall of 2003 and begin competing in the Sun Belt Conference in the spring of 2004. Segal, who compiled a record of 136-49-1 in the last four seasons at Navarro College, played at Texas A&M from 1991-?93. From 1994-?96, she was the head coach at Northwood University, where she had a record of 71-40. "I feel very honored and proud to be the new head coach of the University of North Texas," Segal said at a press conference outside of West Hall. "A dream has really come true for me. As a coach, I set my goal long ago to be in a competitive Division I program. I?m here today to tell you this will be a competitive program." UNT athletic director Rick Villarreal said he was seeking a young, energetic coach with a history of winning and a proven track record as a recruiter. "She?s been a success everywhere she?s been," Villarreal said. "In the interview process, we interviewed some of the best in the country. We got everything we?re looking for. We?re really excited." At Navarro College, Segal relied heavily on Texas talent to win three Texas Eastern Athletic Conference titles and make two appearances each in the NJCAA Region XIV Championships and the NJCAA National Tournament. She said one of her first priorities at UNT will be to tap back into that talent to build the foundation of the program. "We?re in the enviable position of being a start-up Division I program with the ability to compete at the national level," Segal said. "There?s a great deal of talent in the Metroplex area, and I?m chomping at the bit to get started in recruiting. There are some great players in Texas who are already in [high school] programs where winning is ingrained. I will be going to those young ladies to get this program started." Texas Woman?s University coach Diane Baker, who signed several Navarro players during Segal?s tenure, described Segal as a tremendous recruiter who will be able to quickly build UNT into a winner. "She?ll have an immediate impact [recruiting] in the North Texas area," said Baker, who Segal referred to as a mentor. "She has an extremely good work ethic and doesn?t mind getting dirty and getting things done. She?s a perfect fit for North Texas." In addition to her head coaching experience at the collegiate level, Segal served as the head coach at Wylie High School for one season, recording a 21-10 record. She was also an assistant at Texas-San Antonio from 1996-?97. UNT, which previously sponsored softball as a varsity sport from 1985-?88, now has 16 sports, meeting a proposed Division I-A requirement. TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-381-9572.