OldTimer

Jul 22, 8:44 PM EDT NMSU Coach Diagnosed With Lymphoma LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -- Lou Henson says he plans to continue coaching at New Mexico State even though he was recently diagnosed with cancer. Henson, 71, has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer that affects the body's lymph system, the school said Tuesday. "Through our faith, along with prayers of family, friends and others, we expect to win over possibly the toughest foe we've had to face in my lifetime," Henson said in a statement. Henson said he and his wife Mary were "very optimistic at this point and time." Henson, preparing for his 41st season of coaching, ranks second among active Division I coaches in wins with 762. Bob Knight is first with 809. Advertisement Latest News Radiation Linked to Breast Cancer Risk Fatty Diet May Boost Breast Cancer Risk Latest News NMSU Coach Diagnosed With Lymphoma Search for Baylor Player Centers on Waco Services Set for Wayne State Player Key Dates in Baylor Disappearance "Coach has been a fighter and winner all of his life," New Mexico State athletic director Brian Faison said. Henson needs 38 wins to join Dean Smith, Adolph Rupp, Knight and Jim Phelan as the only Division I men's coaches to win 800 games. Henson coached 21 seasons at Illinois, and left in 1996 as the school's winningest coach with a record of 423-224. He also coached at New Mexico State from 1966-75 before returning to take over the team before the 1997-98 season. His teams have been to the NCAA tournament 18 times, with two Final Four appearances - New Mexico State in 1970 and Illinois in 1989. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Dennehy given money by coach, father says 07/23/2003 By JEFF MILLER / The Dallas Morning News The father of missing Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy said Tuesday that his son told him that a coach arranged to help pay for his education and living expenses, a potential NCAA rules violation that school officials dispute. Patrick Dennehy Sr., speaking by phone from his home in Tacoma, Wash., also said his son's girlfriend, Jessica De La Rosa, informed him that she has talked to the NCAA staff about the possibility that a coach helped his son buy an automobile. * Baylor University Patrick Dennehy Mr. Dennehy said his son told him a coach promised to "take care of'" him after he transferred to Baylor and agreed to give his scholarship to another player last season. " 'Patrick, are you sure you want to give up that slot?' " Mr. Dennehy Sr. said. "He said, 'I'm the new kid on the block. I want to seem like I'm a team player.' " Baylor athletic department spokesman Scott Stricklin said coach Dave Bliss and his staff would not comment on Mr. Dennehy's statements other than to say, "Our coaches claim that the story is false." Mr. Stricklin said the school was aware of the allegations before Tuesday and had begun an inquiry independent of the athletic department. "We take matters of NCAA compliance very seriously," Mr. Stricklin said. "Any time we get a hint of anything along these lines, we research it with all due diligence. Thus far, we've found nothing to indicate there's any validity to it." Colleges Video: Brett Shipp reports Read the affidavit (.pdf) 07/22: Waco police say former teammate confessed 07/20: Behind friendship, a mystery 07/19: Dennehy teammate yielded few leads 07/18: 'Person of interest' talking with police 07/11: Bliss: Staff not told of threats against missing player 07/10: Dennehy puzzle wears on loved ones 07/10: Dennehy said he was stalked Patrick Dennehy bio (from baylorbears.com) More Baylor The NCAA, a governing body for college sports, prohibits extra benefits to athletes. An NCAA spokesman said the organization, as is its policy, would neither confirm nor deny whether it was investigating the Baylor program. Reached by phone Tuesday at her Albuquerque, N.M., home about the allegations and possible contact with the NCAA, Ms. De La Rosa said, "I can't talk about any of that. I'm not going to confirm or add anything. I can't talk about that." The issue of the younger Dennehy's finances at Baylor, a private school, has been one of the unanswered questions since his family reported him missing in mid-June. Former teammate Carlton Dotson has been charged with murder, accused of shooting him in Waco. Police are searching for Mr. Dennehy's body. Mr. Dennehy had attended Baylor last year after two seasons at the University of New Mexico but could not play until this fall because he was a transfer student between Division I programs. Coaches have said he was not on athletic scholarship, meaning he was responsible for tuition and other expenses. But they said his scholarship would have taken effect this season. School officials have declined to release information on whether Mr. Dennehy had obtained loans or grants to pay for his education, citing privacy laws. Frustrated with school His father said he wanted to give his account of what his son told him, partly because he has become frustrated by the school's lack of communication with him about his son's disappearance. Mr. Bliss and Baylor officials have said they acted quickly when they learned that Mr. Dennehy had vanished. Mr. Dennehy said Tuesday that his son told him that the Baylor coaching staff asked him to give up his athletic scholarship for the 2002-03 academic year so that it could be used by a teammate. When he pressed his son to explain how the school's tuition would be paid, Mr. Dennehy said his son told him an assistant coach who knew his son well told him "they will take care of me." "I said, 'Don't be surprised at the end of your time in school that you get a bill for that year.' He said, 'Oh, no. They said they're going to take care of it.' I said, 'Hold on. Let me tell you how these things work. They're going to have you sign papers for student loans and student grants. And you have so long after you get out of school to pay those off.' And he said, 'No. They're going to take care of me.' " "I said, 'How are you going to pay your rent, pay your tuition and all these things?' He said, 'I don't know how they're going to do it, but he [the assistant coach] said they're going to take care of me.' " Close to assistant coach Mr. Dennehy said that his son had an extremely close relationship with the assistant coach, that the coach was his son's mentor. That assistant could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Mr. Dennehy also said he was curious about how his son paid his rent at the Sterling University Parks complex. He said he was told by an employee of the complex that the player usually paid with money orders. Apartment manager Kelli Chapman declined Tuesday to discuss Mr. Dennehy Jr.'s rental history, citing tenant privacy. Mr. Dennehy Jr.'s mother and stepfather, Valorie and Brian Brabazon of Carson City, Nev., have said that they couldn't pay his tuition, living expenses and car payments. "We live paycheck to paycheck," Mr. Brabazon said last weekend when discussing his stepson's time at Baylor. He said the family struggled financially this month to determine how to pay to send Mrs. Brabazon from their home to Waco to pack their son's belongings when the apartment lease ran out at the end of June. Mrs. Brabazon said her son, soon after arriving in Waco last year, asked her to fill out forms to help him apply for financial aid. She said the family learned later that the application was rejected because their income was too high. She said that her son ultimately told her that the school had helped him arrange to get tuition money, and that she assumed it came from grants and loans. "He said Baylor was taking care of it," she said. "I figured he'd gotten one of those student loans and stuff," Mr. Brabazon said Monday. "I never really thought about it. I just knew he was going to Baylor." Mr. Dennehy Sr. said Ms. De La Rosa, a student athlete who met Mr. Dennehy at the University of New Mexico, told him that someone connected with Baylor made part of the $2,000 down payment last October on the younger Dennehy's Chevy Tahoe. That vehicle was found abandoned June 25 in Virginia Beach, Va. "[Mr. Dennehy Jr.] asked me to co-sign on the vehicle, which I did," Mr. Dennehy Sr. said. "He had a knee operation last year. He was laid up [when buying the Tahoe], so I called up the dealership and said, 'Hey, what's it going to take to get that Tahoe delivered to him because he's laid up?' The guy said, 'Really, not too much. Just the $2,000 that's going to go down on it.' I said, 'Oh, I wasn't aware of that. I guess he must have it. He didn't talk to me about it.' "As it turns out, speaking with Jessica just recently, he apparently got that from one of his coaches. Jessica told me it was somewhere between $1,200 and $1,800." Staff writers Lee Hancock, Keith Whitmire, Arnold Hamilton and Rachel Cohen contributed to this report. E-mail jmiller@dallasnews.com Search DallasNews.com The Archives Texas Golf Courses Search by: City: Region: Type: Course name: Archives: More information on this or other topics from The Dallas Morning News. Subscribe to The Dallas Morning News.D

Sorry NT 80..should have read your post before posting this...thought you had the schedule and I was adding the verbals...WRONG...Next time I will be more careful.

Lady Eagles Announce 2003-04 Schedule DENTON (7/21/03) -- The University of North Texas has announced its 2003 women's basketball schedule which is once again filled with some of the best teams in women's college basketball. Seven teams that made post-season appearances are on the North Texas schedule including four teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament. "Our schedule may be one of the most difficult since I have been at North Texas. We have a high caliber of strong teams from a variety of conferences with Texas and Texas A&M from the Big 12, Indiana in the Big Ten, Houston and TCU from conference USA, and SMU from the WAC," said North Texas head coach Tina Slinker. "It should be a tough non conference schedule will prepare us for our own Sun Belt Conference play". Highlighting the non-conference schedule is a visit to Austin to battle the Texas Longhorns, a Final Four team from last season. North Texas will participate in two tournaments, the first will be the Indiana Tournament to open the season and then the Lady Eagles will travel to New York for the Binghamton Tournament. North Texas will battle both Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex rivals TCU and SMU. The Mustangs visit the Super Pit while the Lady Eagles will play at TCU on New Year's Eve. North Texas will also play host to the Houston Cougars for the first time since 1998. Sun Belt Conference play opens up with a difficult three game road trip to New Mexico State, Denver, and Florida International. The Lady Eagles will travel to Middle Tennessee this season while defending conference champion Western Kentucky visits the Super Pit. North Texas will close out the season with five straight home games as they prepare for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

riend's revelation 'just crushing' 07/22/2003 By ARNOLD HAMILTON / The Dallas Morning News Betrayed and bewildered. That's how Patrick Dennehy's mother and girlfriend said they felt Monday night after learning that the missing Baylor basketball player's former teammate and close friend, Carlton Dotson, had been charged with murder in the case. "This is just ... just crushing," said Mr. Dennehy's girlfriend, Jessica De La Rosa, her voice cracking as she spoke from her Albuquerque, N.M., home. "I hung out with him and Patrick. Patrick was just so concerned about Dotty [Mr. Dotson] and his marriage, when it was going downhill." Colleges Video: Brett Shipp reports Read the affidavit (.pdf) Behind friendship, a mystery Dennehy teammate yielded few leads 'Person of interest' talking with police Bliss: Staff not told of threats against missing player Dennehy puzzle wears on loved ones Dennehy said he was stalked Crime Stoppers joins hunt for Baylor player Tips on missing Baylor player reviewed Police still unsure why Baylor player was afraid New search turns up nothing in missing-player case Baylor player's friend feared for life Ex-Baylor player hires prominent lawyer Player, friend seen shooting 2 days before disappearance Ex-teammate of missing Baylor player no killer, residents say Baylor case suspect was a teammate Waco baffled by Baylor player's disappearance FBI hunting for missing Baylor player Friends clinging to hope Police believe Baylor basketball player may be dead Search for missing Baylor player turns to East Patrick Dennehy bio (from baylorbears.com) More Baylor Mr. Dotson had separated from his wife, who lives in Sulphur Springs, 80 miles northeast of Dallas. Mr. Dennehy's mother, Valorie Brabazon of Carson City, Nev., said: "We got the news, but we still want to hear the words out of his mouth." "I don't believe this," she said, her voice breaking as she sobbed. "I wanted to hear him tell where he'd put our son. I can't believe he went so long – supposedly my son's very good friend – to do something like this and leave him there and not tell anyone." On the Baylor campus, athletic director Tom Stanton said the university community was "struggling to find the right words and actions that would ease the pain of everyone connected to Patrick. "We hope and believe that our thoughts and prayers are helpful. Those thoughts and prayers are constant in these moments. There are no words to describe our grief or our feelings right now." Mrs. Brabazon said Waco police called her at mid-evening Monday to report that Mr. Dotson had confessed and was charged with her son's murder. Ms. De La Rosa said she first learned of Mr. Dotson's confession from an out-of-state television producer, then confirmed it minutes later in a phone call to Mr. Dennehy's father, Patrick Sr. "I just don't get it," said Ms. De La Rosa, a student-athlete at the University of New Mexico, where Mr. Dennehy played before transferring to Baylor. "He [Mr. Dennehy] was mine, and I loved him so much. I just don't understand it." Staff writer Lee Hancock contributed to this report. E-mail ahamilton@dallasnews.com

DE....Nt recruited two good DE's from OK A&M ...Dupree and Hutchinson...are they going to be redshirted or should they be considered in the depth analysis here. Both have very good numbers in tackles behind the line and sacks.

Posted on Sat, Jul. 19, 2003 story:PUB_DESC Inquiry ongoing at TCU By Tracey Myers Star-Telegram Staff Writer TCU officials are investigating a possible NCAA rules violation that involved giving an improper benefit to a prized recruit in the men's basketball program, two university sources said. Assistant men's basketball coach Jai Steadman drove Oluwafemi Ibikunle, a top recruit, from Fort Worth to Mexico in early June to obtain a visa, the sources said. That would violate NCAA rules by providing a prospective athlete with an impermissible benefit. NCAA rules state that "an institution may not provide transportation to a prospect ... when accompanied by an institutional staff member." TCU officials confirmed that an investigation is pending but declined to comment about the specifics. "There have been allegations made," athletic director Eric Hyman said. "And we are in the process of doing what we have to do to find out what the facts are, as we would do in all cases." It is unclear what penalties the program might face, but a former NCAA investigator said that TCU's internal investigation could be a positive in the NCAA's eyes. "The expectation is that the institution does its own review, draws its conclusions and sends a response to the NCAA," the former investigator said. "If they find a violation, it's called self-report. The NCAA looks to see the first point in time the institution becomes aware of the facts of the situation and what they do about it." In some cases, schools have levied their own penalties and the NCAA has considered those penalties sufficient. TCU officials first learned of possible infractions the first week of July, and provost William Koehler ordered the investigation late last week. He said that all parties were cooperating with the inquiry and that TCU plans to conclude the investigation by late next week. Ibikunle, a native of Nigeria, needed the visa to compete with the Nigerian national team in the seventh annual FIBA Men's Junior World Games in Thessaloniki, Greece, the sources said. Ibikunle was apparently given last-minute notification by Nigerian coaches and had only two or three days to acquire a visa, prompting the trip to Mexico. It is not uncommon for international students to travel to Mexico to obtain a visa quickly. Steadman, who is in his second year at TCU and is in charge of recruiting and advance scouting, did not return messages left by the Star-Telegram. Ibikunle was also unavailable for comment. Nigeria is still competing in the Junior World Games. Ibikunle, a 6-foot-9, 235-pound incoming freshman from New Hampton Prep in New Hampshire, chose TCU over Iowa State, Marquette and Oklahoma State. He is considered one of the first major "catches" by second-year TCU coach Neil Dougherty. This will be Dougherty's second season as head coach at TCU after seven years as an assistant for Roy Williams at Kansas. "I don't flip out because these [internal reviews] happen," Dougherty said. "I don't know everything that has happened. I know something has happened, but ... in this case, until I know what's going on I'm not talking to anyone." Ibikunle has signed a letter of intent and enrolled for summer classes at TCU. He is not yet a full-time student and has not participated in practice or competition. Ibikunle's eligibility might also be an issue. NCAA rules state that a prospective athlete will be ineligible until he repays the benefit if its value is estimated to be $100 or less. The NCAA would have to determine the value of any improper benefit and then rule on the player's eligibility. Mileage reimbursement for a drive to Mexico would pay at least $300, based on TCU's standard of 36 cents per mile. NCAA officials declined to comment about any potential investigations. Hyman said he plans to turn the findings over to Conference USA when the investigation is complete. Tracey Myers (817) 390-7760 tlmyers@star-telegram.com

Basketball: Trammell joins staff at TWU Coach served stints at both Ryan, UNT 07/18/2003 By Chuck Cox / Staff Writer Latricia Trammell will be staying in Denton after all. * Latricia Trammell Trammell, a former Ryan girls head coach and University of North Texas women’s assistant coach, has been hired by Texas Woman’s University as assistant basketball coach under head coach Devin Gabbard. Trammell, who is originally from Oklahoma and began her coaching career there, chose TWU over Ohio University, which also offered her the same position. "It’s very nice that they [TWU officials] made it possible for me to come to TWU," Trammell said. "They’ve done great things to let me know they’re dedicated to athletics there." Trammell visited Ohio University although she had told TWU she would be accepting the job. "I loved Ohio," Trammell said. "They offered me the job there, but I had already said I was going to come to TWU even though I hadn’t signed a contract. I wanted to keep my word." Trammell was head coach of the Ryan Lady Raiders for three seasons from 1999-02. She was 64-33 and led the team to the playoffs all three years, including a berth in the regional finals in 2000-01. She left Ryan to take a job as an assistant under Tina Slinker at UNT last year. The Lady Eagles went 12-16 last year. "Latricia brings a lot to the table," TWU Director of Athletics Chalese Connors said. "We’re excited she applied. We did a national coaching search as usual, and she obviously moved straight to the top of the pile. She’s a very quality person." Gabbard said he’s also pleased with the hiring of Trammell for several reasons. "It’s a huge draw for our program," Gabbard said. "There are a lot of people who follow her career in Denton. Plus, she obviously already has contacts in the Denton area and also has access to a lot of Oklahoma coaches. We’ve never had access like that to those coaches as far as recruiting goes, not to mention the intensity and coaching experience she has. It’s a great hire." In addition to her coaching duties, Trammell will also be home events coordinator for other TWU and high school sports held at the school. "In Division II we do a lot of different things," Connors said. "Latricia is very knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. ... It’s a win-win situation for both of us." Trammell replaces Jill Davis, who is now an assistant at the University of Texas-Pan American. Trammell, who will be TWU’s only assistant coach, will also work with the posts during practice and will handle various other duties, such as scouting. Trammell said coaching at TWU is another toward her ultimate career goal. "My goal is to become a college head coach," Trammell said. "I’ve been at Division I, this is Division II and coach Gabbard recruits a lot from junior colleges, so I’ll get to experience that. It’s only going to make me better as a coach." She also said staying close to home was a big factor in her decision. "I love the community of Denton," Trammell said. "I don’t think it could get any better. People have been so supportive of me here. I would have hated to leave. Ohio is 20 or 24 hours away. I wanted to stay close to my family."

One reason we might not play this team is the homer refs. in their field house. I can remember listening to broadcast of the game and the announcers could not believe fouls were not called on the home team....very flagrant, visiable fouls. Our players were getting hurt...going up for shots and rebounds and having their legs cut out from under them. That was some time ago though.

Here's the article and schedule: 2003-04 Mean Green Basketball Schedule Features Home Games Against Indiana and Baylor DENTON (7/12/03) -- For the second straight year the North Texas schedule is highlighted by a game against Indiana, except this season the Mean Green will catch the Hoosiers at the Super Pit (Dec. 29). Also featured on the 2003-04 home schedule will be a game against Baylor. The Mean Green will host both schools in the month of December. The rest of NT’s non-conference home games include clashes against Northwestern Oklahoma State -- which kicks off the Mean Green’s season --, Hardin Simmons and UT-Pan American. "This year’s schedule will be very challenging for our players and staff, but exciting for our fans as we continue to upgrade our non-conference home schedule," said North Texas head coach Johnny Jones. The road schedule also presents some tough challenges in Arkansas and Metroplex-rival TCU. The Mean Green will play the Horned Frogs on Dec. 13 and travel to Arkansas on Jan. 3 to begin its schedule in the new year. The road schedule also will include a trip to the state of New York to face St. Bonaventure on Dec. 20. The Mean Green will play Lamar on the road as well, marking the first game between the two schools since 1986-87 when both were members of the Southland Conference. "We look forward to hosting tough opponents such as Indiana and Baylor at the Super Pit and going on the road to play Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena, one of the toughest venues for opposing teams in college basketball," said Jones. "We also look forward to traveling to play St. Bonaventure, Southeast Missouri State and Metroplex-rival TCU, to name just a few of the tough teams that comprise our schedule." North Texas will have the benefit of hosting New Mexico State, Denver and FIU to kick off the Sun Belt Conference portion of its schedule. However, the Mean Green will face defending Sun Belt Conference champion Western Kentucky in Bowling Green, Kent. DATE DAY OPPONENT SITE TIME NOV. 21 FRI. NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Nov. 29 Wed. at Lamar Beaumont, Texas TBA Dec. 3 Wed. at Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana TBA DEC. 6 SAT. HARDIN SIMMONS DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM DEC. 9 TUES. BAYLOR DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Dec. 13 Sat. at TCU Fort Worth, Texas TBA Dec. 17 Wed. at UT Pan American Edinburg, Texas TBA Dec. 20 Sat. at St. Bonaventure St. Bonaventure, New York TBA Dec. 22 Mon. at Southeast Missouri State Cape Girardeau, Missouri TBA DEC. 29 MON. INDIANA DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Jan. 3 Sat. at Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas 2 PM JAN. 8 THURS. UT-PAN AMERICAN DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM JAN. 10 SAT. NEW MEXICO STATE* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM JAN. 15 THURS. DENVER* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM JAN. 19 MON. FIU* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Jan. 22 Thurs. at Arkansas-Little Rock* Little Rock, Arkansas TBA Jan. 24 Sat. at Arkansas State* Jonesboro, Arkansas TBA JAN. 29 THURS. NEW ORLEANS* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM JAN. 31 SAT. SOUTH ALABAMA* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Feb. 5 Thurs. at UL Lafayette* Lafayette, Louisiana TBA Feb. 7 Sat. at New Mexico State* Las Cruces, New Mexico TBA FEB. 12 THURS. MIDDLE TENNESSEE* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Feb. 14 Sat. at Western Kentucky* Bowling Green, Kentukcy TBA Feb. 19 Thurs. at Denver* Denver, Colorado TBA Feb. 21 Sat. UL LAFAYETTE* DENTON, TEXAS 7 PM Feb. 26 Thurs. at New Orleans* New Orleans, Louisiana TBA Feb. 29 Sun. at South Alabama* Mobile, Alabama TBA Mar. 6-9 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Bowling Green, Kentucky

yed in the game. Keslie played her 3rd and final high school all star game Thursday..scoring 4 pts in the TX girls 4a 5 a all star game at St. Edwards University in Austin. Edwards averaged 9.7 points in ther 3 all star games after averaging 9.7 pts in the 3 games, 12 points in TX ASSoc of BB coaches All star game and 13 points in the Oil Bowl game. Mia Ajekwu, another NT signee) played in the game Thursday night but I could not find stats on the game. Help anyone!

UNT coach may see contract extended North Texas athletic director Rick Villarreal has submitted a proposal to the school's board of regents to extend the contract of men's basketball coach Johnny Jones until the 2007-08 school year. The board of regents will vote on Villarreal's recommendation at its Aug. 21 meeting. 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. The original contract guarantees five percent raises each year so that the coach's yearly salary would rise to $153,154 in the final year. Under the proposed contract extension, Jones will be locked up until 2008, and the last year of his contract increases to $168,852.

I could not call up the article on their web site so will try and hit the highlights of a 1/4 page article. She averaged 17.6 pts..second best in this area, an area high 5.3 steels, 39.2 % on 3 point attemps and 71.8 % free throws...1st team All *Telegram. Graduated # 12 in her class earning an academic scholarship, but not soft courses..sr schedule consisted of advanced placement courses in Latin, European History, environmental science, statistics and English...earned the Arlington are Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Member of National Honor Society, Latin and book club and Jr. Civitan. Voluntered at the Boys and Girls Club, participated in the Kirby Creek Clean up and Black Students organization. At the same time she was working as a supervisor in marking and research at Six Flags over Texas. Names most athletic in the senior class at S. Grand Prairie, erned the BB teams hustle award and the volleyball tteams MVP. She helped coach the middle school Vollelyball tean. Sounds like an outstanding individual. I had thought NT did not have another ship...don't know if someone has left the team for some reason or if she is strictly on an academic scholarship.

Will BCS take aim at hoops? Commentary by TIM STEPHENS BIRMINGHAM POST-HERALD What is the limit of greed? If you're a watcher of college sports and you think it stops with football, you might be wrong. The Bowl Championship Series cartel has seized complete control of the finances of major college football from the NCAA. As they move toward realigning the conferences — getting the most marketable teams under their umbrella — they're setting the stage for a much-anticipated football playoff. Will they stop there? A football playoff probably still remains several years away, but the point of any realignment will be to narrow the field of prospective participants and maximize market value. We're already seeing that with the Atlantic Coast Conference's looming raid of the Miami, Syracuse and Boston College from the Big East. Without those three, the Big East likely will cease to be a major factor in football. The marketable teams probably will be absorbed, and the others will be thrown into the trash can known as non-BCS land. Miami's invitation is expected to come during a conference call with ACC athletics directors on Monday. The Hurricanes will accept, and Boston College and Syracuse soon will follow. This is, and has been, a done deal for a while. The campus visits, etc., were window-dressing. The Big East schools left out understand this, and that's why they filed suit against Miami and Boston College on Friday in an attempt to stop the inevitable destruction of their programs if they lose BCS status. Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Rutgers and Connecticut say they have invested millions in their programs in part based on promises of Miami and BC officials to stay in the league. That lawsuit will be very interesting to watch. But it probably won't stop the depatures, which are part of a cunning plan to keep the big schools out from under the NCAA's thumb and to keep all the money in their hands. The ultimate payoff? A Division I football playoff worth billions. Those schools organizing it will want to pare down the field (translation: schools that share in the money). That takes time. They must absorb the teams that add market value (see Miami, Boston College and Syracuse). They must kill off some teams (see Tulane, which could drop football on Tuesday). They must legislate out others by raising I-A requirements (see Sun Belt and Mid-American Conference teams that are in danger of being demoted when new rules passed by the BCS majority and I-AA leftovers go into effect before 2005.) Or they must separate themselves so clearly through cumulative financial inequities (see BCS money vs. non-BCS money) that no one left outside the inner circle has a legitimate complaint. This is the way of big business — a hostile takeover of the marketplace. The BCS schools are winning on that front. When an 0-11 Duke football program that draws less than 20,000 in attendance per game can build a $20 million football complex while a much more successful East Carolina program swims in red ink, you can see what BCS membership means. Eventually, it shows up on the field because it shows up in recruiting. Ah, but will the BCS schools stop there? Enboldened by their successful coup of college football, might they next try to hijack the NCAA basketball tournament? Before you say it won't happen, you should know it has already been discussed in high places. That has always been the threat of the big schools whenever they feel like the little guys are infringing on their turf. Before, it was chest-thumping to get what they wanted — control over football. But this time, the big schools — i.e. the BCS, a revival of the old College Football Association — pretty much get whatever they want. So why do it? If this collection of schools ever moves to break off from the NCAA and hold their own hoops tournament, it will simply be about greed. Nothing more. "The direction is clear," CBS basketball analyst Billy Packer told The Washington Times. "When you put the five leagues (ACC, Southeastern, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pacific-10) on paper, you have to imagine one of the commissioners will see the road map. The group of five conferences made up of 60 teams will play for the football national championship and eventually for the basketball championship." Sports fans like to get warm and fuzzy over the Gonzagas of March Madness. The little-guy-who-could is one of the reasons the NCAA Tournament has become so popular during the past 25 years. The annual upsets are a big reason CBS is paying the NCAA $6 billion over 11 years to broadcast the tournament through 2014. The 70 or so BCS schools — a likely number by the time realignment shakes out — don't like sharing this money with other Division I basketball programs. Currently there are 326 schools in Division I, a number that has swelled with a number of schools — including Birmingham-Southern, Jacksonville State and Troy State in Alabama — joining the ranks in the past decade. The big boys smile and grit their teeth whenever a Gonzaga or a Butler advances in the tournament. They steam whenever a Troy State gets an automatic bid while one of their also-rans goes to the National Invitation Tournament. To them, it's money coming from their pockets. The way they see it, no one would care about Gonzaga or Butler if those schools weren't on the same stage as Duke and Michigan and Alabama. And they'd probably be right. Take away the opportunity — remove the competition and exposure — and you marginalize the little guy. You don't play him at all, or when you do, it's at your place with your refs. As proof, when's the last time you watched the Division II tournament? Thought so. A breakoff would marginalize all other Division I teams, just as it has done in football. Ah, but what about Cinderella? Wouldn't we miss these David vs. Goliath shows? Well, picture this: Maybe everyone in the BCS makes the new BCS hoops tournament. To their way of thinking, you'll get your Cinderella stories from the crummy 7-22 Baylor team that gets hot and advances a couple of rounds. Birmingham-Southern Athletics Director Joe Dean Jr. doesn't believe it would come to that. "It's easy to talk about (a superconference), but it's very difficult to actually put it together," Dean said. "It makes for good fodder, good discussion, but everything has worked very well to this point. There are always going to be changes of any organization, but I think (the BCS schools) can have their cake and eat it, too. ... "What the Big South Conference gets out of NCAA Tournament compared to what BCS conferences get is miniscule. ... At some point, the presidents of the BCS schools are going to have to ask themselves, 'how much is enough?' They're getting the lion's share of all the money now." One problem Dean sees for the BCS schools: scheduling. If they were to pull out of the NCAA, it is unlikely those left behind would schedule BCS programs. "(A breakoff) defeats the spirit of college athletics and I think the public would rise up ...[Message truncated] View Full Message

Denia Park to see NCAA action UNT plans renovation of two softball fields for its newest women's team 06/03/2003 By Matthew Zabel / Denton Record-Chronicle Two city-owned softball fields are scheduled to get a free facelift, courtesy of the University of North Texas. UNT, which begins playing NCAA softball in the fall, plans to renovate two of the four softball fields at Denia Park in south Denton this summer so it can play its home games there. After the university acquires land from Liberty Christian School next summer, it plans to build a permanent stadium there, leaving the city about $40,000 in improvements to fields at Denia Park. “The key is, we can get UNT and the prestige of NCAA Division I softball, and new facilities at Denia Park at no cost to the city,” said Ed Hodney, Denton’s parks and recreation director. “That’s a great deal.” University and city officials said they’ve verbally agreed to the arrangement, but they are still working out the legal details of the agreement. UNT Athletic Director Rick Villarreal said the university plans to install a new infield surface, outfield grass, batting cages, bullpens and scoreboards to the two fields on the south side of the park in order to bring it up to NCAA standards. UNT also might add a press box to one field, he said. The upgrades won’t take long once construction begins, officials said. Having two fields prepared will allow the Mean Green to host tournaments and let the team alternate fields to minimize wear and make maintenance easier, Mr. Villarreal said. A press box on one field could make it a field for premier games, but both fields would be of high enough quality and suitable for collegiate games, he said. UNT will share the fields with the city’s youth softball leagues, and players in those leagues will be able to attend the Mean Green’s softball games for free next season, Mr. Villarreal said. Mr. Hodney said construction on the fields would not begin until the softball league is finished using them for the season. The only potential conflict comes during the fall season, when UNT will play several scrimmage games and the Denton County Girls Softball Association plays some league games. But the youth leagues will have priority if a conflict arises, Mr. Hodney said. Other than fall practices, UNT plans to host the North Texas Fall Classic at Denia Park. All its other fall games are on the road. UNT’s regular softball season will be in the spring. Mr. Villarreal said the university needed to add softball this year because the women’s sport helps bring the university closer to gender equity standards set by Title IX. It will also give the Sun Belt Conference, of which UNT is a member, six softball teams, and thus an automatic bid to the College World Series. Softball is the 16th sport at UNT and one of 10 women’s sports. Playing at a city park where youth regularly play will help promote softball within the city, Mr. Villarreal said, and playing on a borrowed field can have its advantages, too. “When I was at Southern Mississippi, we played on a borrowed field for three years; two of those years we went to the College World Series,” Mr. Villarreal said. “I’m not saying lightning will strike twice, but it worked for us then.” MATTHEW ZABEL

Scholarships cut as endowments shrink UNT, TWU reducing number and amount of awards 05/26/2003 By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer Fewer incoming college students will receive scholarships next year, and the University of North Texas is working feverishly trying to raise extra money to pay for scholarships it has already awarded. The university’s struggling endowment, the weak economy and a decline in charitable giving have all contributed to the absence of scholarship money. "Now, we’re in crisis mode, just trying to keep students afloat," said Elida Tamez, development officer for UNT’s College of Music. The value of the college’s endowments has decreased from about $6 million to about $4 million in the past few years, she said. And as long as the endowments aren’t earning interest, they can’t pay scholarships. The College of Music is trying to raise another $40,000 to pay for scholarships it has already awarded, Ms. Tamez said. And the problem is not confined to the College of Music or to UNT. "It’s a nationwide problem because most institutions like us are invested in the market," said Doug Chadwick, executive director of the UNT Foundation, which manages UNT’s endowments. "With the market being down for last the last three and a half years, it’s hard to earn money which can be distributed to the university." Dr. Bonita Jacobs, UNT’s vice president for student development, said every corner of the campus has struggled to fund scholarships in light of the poor economy and a decline in giving. For example, she said, last year, UNT offered about 20 full-tuition scholarships for National Merit Scholar finalists. For the coming fall, it offered three. Likewise, UNT has given automatic scholarships for incoming students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class as long as money is available. UNT stopped awarding those scholarships in mid-February, she said; normally, they would still be available. "I’ve yet to hear of a single campus that hasn’t been hit hard," Dr. Jacobs said. "They’re all trying to be creative and do new and different things in order to get immediate money." For UNT students like senior Adam Poncy, who are going to college on a scholarship, the money has been a saving grace. Mr. Poncy said he would rather take a semester off from school to save money than borrow money. That’s why he’s so thankful for the scholarship he’s enjoyed. Mr. Poncy, who plans to graduate in December with a psychology degree, said he had planned to work about 30 hours a week, but because of his scholarship, he can work about 20 hours and still go to school full time. "I just try to go to school during the week and work as many hours as possible on Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Mr. Poncy said. Texas Woman’s University reports its endowment has yielded more than 5 percent since September and is worth about $7.3 million. It earned nearly 13 percent the previous year. Governor Jackson, TWU’s director of financial aid, said most of TWU’s scholarships are funded by cash gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. TWU awards between $5 million and $6 million in scholarships annually to about 1,100 students, Mr. Jackson said. This year, it will award about the same number of scholarships but some will be smaller amounts, he said. He expects the loss of interest income will mean $150,000 less scholarship money for this year. In addition to the struggling investments, UNT’s College of Music faces another challenge of working hard to pay scholarships for out-of-state students and international students. Before 1996, universities could waive out-of-state tuition for students who received a $200 institutional scholarship. That allowed UNT to easily recruit quality students from anywhere, and helped build the college’s national reputation, Dr. Scott said. But in 1996, the state legislature made that threshold $1,000, he said. Charn Uswachoke, a native of Thailand who received his master of business administration degree from UNT in 1973, donated $1 million to help fund the scholarships until the College of Music could raise more money. But now that money is spent, and the college hasn’t raised enough to replenish it, Dr. Scott said. That hurts the college’s ability to recruit a well-balanced variety of instrumentalists for its many ensembles. "Students now are shopping around," Dr. Jacobs said. "They are shopping around for a scholarship package, and the amount of the scholarship can matter. When one school can offer them a much bigger scholarship, they feel better about that school. Recruiting is very competitive." MATTHEW ZABEL can be reached at 940-566-6884. UNT endowment The market value of the University of North Texas endowment is calculated each September. Following are the fund’s values for the past five years. The fund has declined in value since 2000. 2002 $24.7 million 2001 $31.9 million 2000 $35.2 million 1999 $27.4 million 1998 $23.9 million SOURCE: University of North Texas Foundation

UNT raises automatic admission standard Acceptance now given to students who graduated in top 10 percent of class 05/24/2003 By Matthew Zabel / Staff Writer Students who want to attend the University of North Texas will have to meet tougher admissions standards next fall. The new standard, which the university’s Board of Regents approved Thursday, allows for the automatic admission of students who graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes, a policy that larger schools have already adopted. UNT had been one of 18 Texas public colleges that admitted students who finished in the top quarter of their high school classes, no matter how well they scored on the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) or the ACT Assessment. "I think it will increase the reputation of the university, and make the degree more valuable for our students," said Dr. Jeffrey Oxford, president of the UNT Faculty Senate, which proposed the change. Some faculty members said private money, not tougher standards, would improve UNT’s reputation. "We need an endowment so big that we have a name on every door and every building," said Dr. P.R. Chandrasekaran, a UNT professor of finance, who is known as Dr. Chandy. "You’ve got to sell this place like you’re selling a Coca-Cola or a hamburger." Then UNT can attract the best faculty members in the country, and thus produce the best students, he said. Some students said the stricter policy might look good for building the university’s reputation, but it might prevent students who want to attend UNT from doing so. "Most students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class would not choose UNT in the first place," said freshman Olaniyi Agoi. "This leaves a vacuum for those who want to go to UNT, and might not be able to get in." But UNT junior Brooke Wilson said the tougher policy has an upside, too. "If we’re going to compete with bigger schools, we need to have policies like that," she said. "They’re bigger, and their tougher policies don’t seem be keeping people from applying there." Dr. Joneel Harris, UNT’s associate vice president for enrollment management, said she doesn’t expect the new policy to cause a decrease in admission. It should improve the retention rate, she said. Under the current policy, students who finish in the top 25 percent of their high school classes are guaranteed admission, regardless of their standardized test scores. Other students are admitted based on an individual review process. But any students who scored below 950 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT must take a study skills course, Dr. Harris said. The new policy allows for the automatic admission of students in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. Students who finish in the next 15 percent of their high school class must earn a 950 on the SAT or a 20 on the ACT for automatic admission. If their test scores are too low, they can still be individually reviewed for admission, and they still must take the study skills course. Dr. Harris said UNT offers several avenues of help for students who need it. Some studies showed that students who were admitted through an individual review and who took advantage of those help services, like the study skills class, were more likely to stay in school, she said. "This change will allow us to stress to students that they might be weaker in their test scores, but we have confidence they can succeed if they make themselves available to the resources we have for them," Dr. Harris said. MATTHEW ZABEL can be reached at 940-566-6884. State university admission standards Texas law requires state universities to admit any student who finishes in the top 10 percent of his or her high school class. Here is what some schools require for students who are not in the top 10 percent of their class to gain automatic admission: University of North Texas * top quarter of the class: 950 combined SAT score or 20 ACT score * second quarter: 1050 SAT score or 23 ACT score * third quarter: 1180 SAT score or 26 ACT score * fourth quarter: by review only Texas Woman’s University * top quarter of class: automatic * second quarter: 950 SAT score or 20 ACT score * third quarter: by review only * fourth quarter: by review only SOURCE: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Texas A&M University * top quarter: 920 SAT score or 19 ACT score * second quarter: 1050 SAT score or 23 ACT score * third quarter: 1180 SAT score or 26 ACT * fourth quarter: 1180 SAT score or 26 ACT Texas Tech University * top quarter: 1140 SAT score or 25 ACT score * second quarter: 1230 SAT score or 28 ACT score * third quarter: 1270 SAT score or 29 ACT score * fourth quarter: 1270 SAT score or 29 ACT score University of Houston * all quarters by review only University of Texas * all quarters by review only

Prevette Inks Her Largest Signing Class At North Texas DENTON (5/14/03) — The departure of five seniors at the conclusion of the 2002-03 season has led to the North Texas women’s tennis team signing its largest class since Dawna Prevette became the head coach three seasons ago. Prevette has inked three high school players and two junior-college transfers to national letters of intent to play for the Mean Green next season. Prevette, who signed Kelly Royer (Eugene, Ore.) and Krysta Lee (Hillsborough [FL] Community College) last November, has added two more freshmen and another JUCO player to the 2003 signing class. Joining Royer as freshmen on the 2004 roster are Megan Schmulbach of El Paso, Tex., (Coronado HS) and Katherine Harris from Coppell, Tex. (Coppell HS). Holly Lee, also transferring from Hillsbourough CC, is Krysta Lee’s sister and both players will have two years of eligibility left. Schmulbach played No. 1 singles and doubles for the 2001 state champion Coronado Thunderbirds her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. As a sophomore and senior she was a Texas state 5A champion. She ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in doubles this season and finished 2002 ranked No. 197 in singles. “Megan is a great player who hits the ball hard and is aggressive,” said Prevette. “She has a knack for doubles that will definitely help our doubles lineup. She’s a great addition to our team.” Harris ranked No. 11 in the state of Texas in singles and paired up with Lauren Wilhelm to advance to regionals in doubles. “Katherine is an intense player with talent, drive and spirit,” said Prevette. “She is one of the most willing athletes I’ve been around.” Holly Lee will join the North Texas program this Fall after spending her freshman and sophomore seasons with Hillsborough CC in Tampa, Fla. Lee posted a 23-11 overall record her freshman campaign and went 38-14 overall her sophomore season for a combined record of 61-25 at Hillsborough CC. “Holly is a tough baseliner, and she will add some depth to our lineup,” said Prevette. “She is extremely athletic, and she has a great desire to improve upon her game.”

Volleyball: UNT signs former Kansas player of year 05/14/2003 Staff report North Texas head volleyball coached Cassie Headrick announced Taylor Lawrence, who as a junior was named the Kansas high school Volleyball Player of the Year, has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Mean Green. A four-year varsity letter-winner at Conway Springs (Kan.) High School, Lawrence led the Cardinals to the 3A State Championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002 under head coach Dave Gardner. "I’m extremely excited about Taylor joining our team this fall," said Headrick. "She comes from a very successful high school program in Kansas and knows what it takes to win. Her future here is going to be bright, and I am really looking forward to the opportunity to coach her." The 6-0 standout is a versatile athlete that saw playing time at several positions in high school, including outside hitter, middle blocker and setter. She is a four-time member of the Central Plains All-League Team and three-time member of the 3A All-State Team. As a junior and senior she was named the Southwest Kansas Player of the Year. "We are looking at Lawrence to train and develop her freshman year and contribute where she can," said Headrick. "She is coming to North Texas in an ideal position with the opportunity to grow and learn from the upperclassman while pushing them to become better players themselves in order to beat her out of a position." Lawrence joins Tara Hooser, a 6-0 outside hitter from Montgomery in this year’s signing class.

Track & field: Ladies first North Texas women in position to win Sun Belt title 05/11/2003 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer The North Texas women’s track and field program is positioned to win its first conference title after a stellar showing Saturday in the Sun Belt Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Fouts Field. The Lady Eagles, who were picked by the league’s coaches as the meet favorite, scored 62.66 points during the meet’s second day. Western Kentucky is in second place with 48 points. * DRC/Hiroyuki Komae North Texas’ Deidra Wesley fails to clear the bar in the high jump during the Sun Belt Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Fouts Field Saturday. Wesley got sixth in the event. The UNT men, the defending Sun Belt champions, enter the meet’s final day in second place with 40 points. Western Kentucky, which dominated the throwing events, is in the lead with 78 points. The UNT women claimed six medals, including golds by juniors Rhonda Williams in the long jump and Jessica Henderson in the discus. "You just hope when you come to a championship meet like this that everybody’s at their best," UNT director of track Rick Watkins said. "That’s the way it’s been. They’ve just got to come back [sunday] and not let up." Henderson heaved the discus 167-2, which qualified her for the NCAA Central Region meet May 30-31 in Lincoln, Neb. She broke her own school record by more than 18 feet. "I really didn’t believe it until after everything was over," Henderson said. "It’s not going to set in until after [the meet is over]." Williams also qualified for the regionals with a jump of 19-10 ?, the third-best in school history. The Denton High School product eclipsed her previous personal best four times Saturday. "I was just feeling it," Williams said. "I was ready to compete." UNT claimed five of the top seven spots in the women’s high jump, with Chelsea Creech and Jessica Shockley tying for second behind Florida International’s Linda Loussaint. The Lady Eagles had three of the five top finishers in the heptathlon, with defending Sun Belt champion Rhatisha Scott and Deidra Wesley earning silver and bronze medals, respectively. UNT senior Ben Botello claimed a gold in the decathlon with 6,999 points — one shy of the NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Botello entered the 1,500 — the final event of the decathlon — needing to beat Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ben Rogers by at least nine seconds. Botello finished first in 4:42.51, while Rogers brought up the rear in 5:52.43. "I was pretty confident," Botello said. "I knew that even if he ran hard, I was going to run harder." UNT senior Jerome Carrothers won silver medals in the shot put (53-11 3/4) and discus (170-5). His throw in the discus was the third-best in school history and qualified for the regionals. Carrothers won a total of eight silvers in Sun Belt competition without taking a gold. Carrothers was beaten by Western Kentucky’s Raigo Toompu in both events. Toompu threw the discus 170-9 and the shot 54-1. "Today he was the better man in his throws," Carrothers said. "That’s OK. We got 16 points out of it and that’s the main thing right now." UNT senior Ron Paris also qualified for the regionals in the discus, taking third with a throw of 165-11. The UNT men had 10 runners qualify for the finals Sunday, more than any other school but Middle Tennessee. The Blue Raiders, the meet favorite, qualified 16 runners, several of whom are expected to contend for gold. Western Kentucky had only four runners qualify. "We knew it was going to be tight and iffy on the men’s side," Watkins said. "We have to have our guys do what the women did today. Everybody’s got to be at their best." The Lady Eagles had 10 runners qualify for the finals, equaling Florida International for the most among the women’s teams. "I don’t know if there’s such a thing as momentum in track, but I believe there is," Watkins said. "And we definitely have momentum right now." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-566-6870.

Scott, Wesley Stand Atop Early Heptathlon Standings DENTON (5/9/03) -- North Texas senior Rhatisha Scott and freshman Deidre Wesley stood 1-2 in the standings of the women's heptathlon after the first four events of the competition were completed Friday during the opening day of the 2003 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Fouts Field. The first five events of the men's decathlon were also concluded on Friday, with the Mean Green's Ben Botello standing in third place. North Texas's Lupe Florez was in seventh place in the men's division while the Lady Eagles' Britt Yoder was seventh in the women's division. Scott won the 100-meters hurdles and shot put events while taking second in the high jump to finish Friday's competition with 2,984 points. Wesley, meanwhile, won the 200-meter dash to move into second place with 2,952 points. Botello's best finish in the five men's event was a victory in the 400-meter run. Botello ended with 3,653 points to trail leader Ben Rogers of Louisiana-Lafayette (3,741) and Terry LoFrese of Arkansas State (3,667). Beginning Saturday at 9:00 a.m., the final five events of the men's decathlon (100-meter hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1,500-meter run) will begin followed at 9:30 a.m. with the remaining three events (long jump, javelin and 800-meter run) of the women's heptathlon. Also on Saturday beginning at noon will be the start of men's and women's field events and at 6:00 p.m. the running preliminaries.

Track & field: UNT women picked to win Defending Sun Belt champ Mean Green men tabbed for second 05/09/2003 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer North Texas senior sprinter Candace Rowe predicted earlier this week that the Mean Green women would claim the program’s first conference title at this weekend’s Sun Belt Outdoor Track and Field Championships. "We’re going to win it," Rowe said. "They don’t know about those North Texas girls." Apparently, they do. The UNT women were picked to finish first in the league’s coaches’ poll, which was released Thursday. UNT received six of 10 first-place votes on the women’s side. The Mean Green men, the defending league champion, were predicted to finish second. Middle Tennessee, which won the indoor title earlier this year, is the men’s favorite after receiving seven of nine first-place votes. "I don’t think we’ve ever been picked to win it," said UNT director of track and field Rick Watkins of his men’s team, which also owns the 2000 Sun Belt championship trophy. "We have harped on them in years past that the rankings don’t matter, because it all comes down to what you do Friday, Saturday and Sunday." Watkins said that goes for the women as well, though he was pleased that the conference’s coaches recognized the program’s progress. The UNT women placed third at last season’s Sun Belt outdoor meet, the program’s best finish at an outdoor conference meet since 1987. The Mean Green women finished second at this season’s Sun Belt indoor meet. "I think our women deserve a lot of credit and a lot of respect and have earned it," Watkins said. "That [poll] shows that the other coaches recognize how far our women’s program has come. Hopefully that won’t change between now and Sunday." Freshman high jumper Deidra Wesley is the only UNT woman who has the best mark or time in her event entering the meet. The UNT women are relying on the same formula that has been so successful for the Mean Green men at past Sun Belt meets: having more competitors place than other teams. Watkins said three or four UNT women could place in several events. The Middle Tennessee men, on the other hand, are favored primarily because of a few standouts. The Blue Raiders have the best times in seven running events — more than twice as many as any other school — including the 400- and 1600-meter relays. Middle Tennessee junior Mardy Scales has the top time in the Sun Belt in the 100 (10.27) and 200 (20.77) and runs the first leg of the 400-meter relay. Freshman Sean Waller has the top time in the 400 (46.72) and anchors the 1600-meter relay team. "They’re extremely talented," Watkins said. "They’re not necessarily deep, but they’ve got quality guys in a lot of different events." The UNT men and women hope that hosting the meet will give them a home-track advantage. If nothing else, it puts their pride on the line. "This is our track," said senior sprinter Cherri Rowe, Candace’s twin. "I don’t want anybody else to win on our track." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-566-6870.

Track & field: Carrothers takes last shot at gold Mean Green senior has six Sun Belt silvers 05/08/2003 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer North Texas senior Jerome Carrothers has had his fill of coming close. Carrothers, who throws the shot put and discus, has won a total of six silver medals and one bronze at the Sun Belt indoor and outdoor track and field championship meets the last three seasons. His performances have helped the Mean Green men win two outdoor titles in the three years since joining the league. * Courtesy photo Jerome Carrothers may be UNT’s best in the discus and shot put, but it hasn’t translated into gold at the Sun Belt Track and Field Champion-ships, where he’s won six silver medals and one bronze the last three years. However, Carrothers enters this weekend’s conference meet at Fouts Field in search of his first gold. "I want it real bad," Carrothers said. "I can already see it. It’s already mine." Judging strictly by the numbers, Carrothers is considered the favorite in both events. He has already qualified for the NCAA Regional in the shot put and had a career-best throw of 54-0 — the fifth-best in school history — last weekend at the UTA Open. Western Kentucky’s Kristo Galeta, whose best throw this season is 51-5 1/4, is Carrothers’ closest competition within the conference in the event. Carrothers also has the Sun Belt’s best throw this season in the discus. His toss of 162-9 two weekends ago is more than two feet better than the next-best throw in the conference. "I don’t even take all that into consideration," Carrothers said when asked if he felt like the favorite. "All it takes is one throw. That could be from me or somebody else." Carrothers has succeeded despite working with three different throws coaches during his college career. He said he has learned from each one of them and been able to improve his technique each season. Carrothers has also made it his responsibility to provide some stability to other throwers throughout the coaching carousel. "He’s kind of the coach of the group," said UNT director of track and field Rick Watkins, who has had discussions about adding Carrothers to the coaching staff as he completes his degree next year. "He helps out all the other throwers, and he understands all the technical aspects of the events." Carrothers, an applied arts and sciences major, said he hasn’t decided on a career yet. But his father, John Gillion, believes Carrothers would make a great coach. "He cares about winning and trying to help people," said Gillion, a personal trainer who has Carrothers help him with camps during the summer. "He does a real good job with kids. He always leaves a good impression on people because he genuinely cares." Until the spring of his freshman year at UNT, the 6-0, 220-pound Carrothers had never focused on track. He was a standout high school linebacker at Lake Highlands and was recruited to play football by several Division I-A schools. But Carrothers blew his knee out — tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments — during his senior football season. He still received scholarship offers from some smaller schools, but he put off surgery until that summer and spent the next year working full-time and rehabilitating his knee. Carrothers competed unattached at some meets that spring and was introduced to the Mean Green coaches by Parrish Johnson, a former high school football and track teammate who threw the shot and discus at UNT. Carrothers accepted a track scholarship with the agreement that he would attempt to walk on to the football team. A few days into August two-a-days, Carrothers succumbed to the pain in his knee and decided to concentrate on track. "I realized that my love was definitely for track more than football," Carrothers said. "For me to stay out there [on the football team], I’d have been doing it for the wrong reasons. It wasn’t in my heart anymore." Added Gillion: "He just put all his energy into track." Carrothers, who attends every home football game, has watched the Mean Green football team win back-to-back Sun Belt titles and make consecutive trips to the New Orleans Bowl. But said he hasn’t spent one second thinking about what could have been if he kept playing football. "I don’t have as regrets about deciding between football and track," Carrothers said. "I’ve had a lot of fun these last four years. ... No regrets at all." He does, however, have some unfinished business. TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-566-6870.

Track & field: This pair sets high standard for Mean Green 05/07/2003 By Tim MacMahon / Staff Writer North Texas twin senior sprinters Candace and Cherri Rowe are the babies of a brood of eight raised by a single mother. The Dallas Roosevelt High School products say they inherited a strong will from their mother, Lucy. The twins also took after her direct style of dealing with people. * DRC/Hiroyuki Komae University of North Texas senior twin sprinters Cherri, left, and Candace Rowe lead the 1600-meter relay team into the Sun Belt Track and Field Championships this weekend at Fouts Field. The Rowe sisters, who form half of a 1600-meter relay team that has qualified for the NCAA Central Regional meet later this month, have been driving forces behind the recent improvement of the UNT women’s track program. UNT coaches expect the women’s team to contend for its first conference title at the Sun Belt Track and Field Championships this weekend at Fouts Field, in large part because the twins push their teammates to the same high standards they hold themselves. "They will either own their own business or be managers of people," UNT sprints coach Carl Sheffield said. "That’s their personality. They don’t take shortcuts — and they’re going to talk about people who don’t do it right." With a laugh, Sheffield said he sometimes wonders about the manner in which the Rowe sisters deliver their message. Candace, according to Sheffield, often comes across as particularly abrasive. "I’m a straight-to-the-point type of girl — anything else is unnecessary," Candace said as Cherri nodded in agreement. "I don’t have time to be playing around. I’m trying to do bigger and better things with my life." The Rowe sisters got their start in track as third graders when they beat all the boys in their class in a race to a fence and back, catching the eye of a teacher who was also a summer track coach. Cherri’s best time in the open 400 is 55.80, significantly better than Candace’s best of 58.37. But there never has been even a semblance of a sibling rivalry. * The AP North Texas sprinter Cherri Rowe and her sister Candace have become two of the leaders for the Mean Green women this season. "You never get the sense that they are competing against each other," UNT director of track and field Rick Watkins said. "They are always pulling for each other." The twins haven’t ruled out pursuing a professional career in track, but they have plenty of other options. They will graduate with honors later this month with degrees in public relations, which they are considering putting to use with careers in the sports or entertainment industries. They have always dreamed, however, of opening a spa and salon. That way, the sisters said, they could pamper their mother all day and be their own bosses. But Lucy expects her youngest daughters to achieve greatness as gospel singers. Candace, Cherri and their 23-year-old sister Tracy form the group Trinity Rowe, which performs at the Full Faith Deliverance Church in Dallas. "As the young people say, they are going to blow up," said Lucy, predicting that a record deal is forthcoming for her daughters. "There are a lot of avenues we can pursue," Cherri said. "It’s just about choosing which one." The twins say they might separate next year, but they’ve done almost everything as a tandem throughout their lives. They still share a room and are in most of the same classes. Cherri finished second in her graduating class in high school, one spot ahead of Candace. They are so similar that Lucy is silent for several seconds when asked to point out their differences. They are also fiercely protective of each other. "She’s not my best friend; she’s my sister," Cherri said. "That transcends being my best friend." Cherri and Candace are just as close to their mother as they are to each other. They spend every weekend they aren’t competing at their Dallas home and implore their mother to drop by campus unannounced whenever she sees fit. "My mom’s the greatest woman in the world," Candace said. "We learned so much from her. Everything in our life wasn’t easy, but she showed us that if you work hard and make sacrifices, anything is possible." Added Cherri: "We don’t take for granted what she does. We tell her we love her every day. She’s the reason I am who I am. And I like who I am." Lucy, one of 10 children, said she made it a point to be as involved in her children’s lives as possible because her mother wasn’t always there for her. But that is only part of the reason why Lucy never misses one of her daughters’ singing performances and travels to every one of the twins’ track meets that is within driving distance. "It’s almost like I’m living through them," Lucy said. "I’m having fun watching them have fun. It keeps me young. I’m a proud momma." TIM MACMAHON can be reached at 940-566-6870.

6-3 Mia Ajekwu Houston Woodlands and 6-0 Kelsie Edwards from Mansfield Summitt have been selected to play on one of the 4-A,5A teams in the womens TABBC games. Both are NT signees.