Green Dozer

CHEAP SHOT!!!! WHAT IS YOUR DONATION FOR THE STADIUM TO THIS POINT? WHAT POTENTIAL SPONSORS HAVE YOU TALKED WITH? I KNOW HANK, AND I ASSURE YOU HE SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE NOT ONLY AS AN ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR FOR THIS UNIVERSITY, BUT ALSO A GOOD AMBASSADOR. WHY DON'T YOU CALL HIM TOMORROW AND PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!!!!!

Yes Chiles is good. But unlike Florida, one will play receiver when the other is at quarterback.

Guess some Texas fans are pushing Chiles. Probably think he is the next Vince Young. No doubt McCoy will be the starter this year, but Mack Brown wants to have both on the field at the same time even more this year than last.

In regards to a sponsor, who might that be? I mean, in this economy? I think it is going to be a challenge to find a sponsor until the economy rebounds, and shows some strong legs. I wish we had pushed harder for a sponsor during our championship years, when the economy was really hitting all 8 cylinders. Of course, if it were a mortgage company, i.e. Ameriquest or Countrywide, then what? Peterbilt Field would get attention on a lot of levels.

And at what school are you seeing that coordinated effort? Come on Flyer, your working harder pushing it than the athletic department is, and for that matter, the University's administration.

Eddie Gossage, general manager of Texas Motor Speedway, floated the idea of Texas and Oklahoma playing their game at the speedway.

A couple of years ago on ESPN.COM, they did a piece on what it takes to make things go smoothly at the stadium for a game from a fan's perspective. The school they profiled was OU, and I thought it was interesting. The athletic department brings together everybody (vendors, restraunts near the stadium, concessions in and outside the stadium, stores, security, transportaion, etc.) and organizes a plan about exactly what is taking place and when. The guy on a corner selling beer knows when the school song will be played. This is done so that the fan, the people spending the money, have great time. Last year, I thought things were pretty organized there, and with the exception of the heat and score, it was a great experience. That said, I hope we could make our athletic department more "customer service" oriented. You would think, given the business background of RV, that would not be a problem. It is little things like you not being on the donor list so you can get your gift at the cook-out. Parking passes not being available until later. Oh, and a $2.00 service fee for your "free cookout tix". I know that is a Ticketmaster fee, but it is stupid and the must be a better way to RSVP. I remember a few years back, they asked Soundman to cook for the Lettermans' Assoc. after a game. He bought all the food, supplies, and equipment only to find that somebody had not told the Lettermans'Club about the plans. I admit I have been negative in some of my posts, and I am just venting. I look at Rick's comments above w/ the stats, and it is disheartening. I can understand and accept that practices are close, I am indifferent to that. Heck, at UT, practices are closed to the public accept for a couple, but notice of this is given well in advance. I think our athletic department is made up of people who know they have a cushy jobs w/ little or no accountability as it relates to the overall success of UNT Athletics.

Thanks Adler, but I would like to see one titled "UNT ATHLETIC FEASIBILITY STUDY". In all due respect, each university's culture/situation is unique. Ours is certainly no exception. I want a couple of sections written by RV on where our current situation w/ the stadium stands. It is time that we are told what is really going on, and the stakeholders should know. As a side note, I have witnessed your devotion to this university first hand, and so I want to say thank you Jeff.

IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN THE DONORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWN THE PLANS THIS PAST SATURDAY NIGHT. OF COURSE, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS, THAT JUST WAS NOT THE TIME. RICK WILL HAVE NEWS REAL SOON, THAT IS THE COMPANY LINE.

You are right, you have not been around long enough to be jaded, and frankly all of us could use a dose of your enthusiasm. There was a virtual model posted on this very board a few years back.....supposedly from plans they had then. Again, why can't they just come out and say where we really, truthfully are in this process? Do we have $10.00 or $10 million? And when the plans do come out, are they going to say where we really are in this process, money wise? 2010 or 2011 in the new stadium? Todd Dodge has been told these dates, why not the rest of us? Guess they would have to shoot us if we knew......secret, TOP SECRET, security clearance needed!

A lot of us have had a lot of faith for a long time. My question is, why can't RV and Dr. Bataille just be open about everything. This have faith, an announcement is coming soon, keeping it close to the vest, etc. is getting old. Information has been going to come out for years now. Read between the lines, Dodge is not being a company man talking about the stadium. He has evidently been promised a stadium as a reason or stipulation in taking the head coaching job, and he is holding our leadership responsible. He will make it an issue if it is not delivered as promised. It is time for the leadership (the President and AD specifically) to open up. Have a quarterly meeting, just has been promised and has not been done (Well maybe one or two, I don't recall). Make up some power point slides in black and white, nothing fancy, and lay it all out. Talk about where we have come since UNT first snapped a football to this point. Then, clearly explain where we want to go, and what it will take to get there. I am not just wanting to hear we need to build a stadium. I want to know what the University expects of itself, and its responsibility in getting this project started and completed. I want to know what support we have from alumnae and what we need. In other words, how many donors at certain levels do we need to make our athletic program viable. Are there really any big money alumnae? If so, how committed are they? How much money do we have today, at this moment, for this project. So the students vote in favor of a fee, whichever fee that might be, then what? I donate, buy season tix to fb and bb, attend the games, etc. I do not think asking for an open, honest explanation is to much to ask. I would rather have the truth than a cooler or travel bag. How about the truth? Yes, we can handle the truth. We just may not like it.

Really surprised me that Coach Dodge said defenses at the college level were a lot faster than he had expected, especially at the cornerback position. I would think that from his experience as a coach and as a player on the college level that he would know the difference.

I do not think the UT/A&M legislators care as much as a lot of people think. I do not think they would vote down something that has been passed by the students. It is wishful thinking that UT/A&M care what we do.

The student vote or the state legislature vote scares you? Flyer, I know your Facebook stats don't reflect it, but I think the student vote should scare you. It was going to be a challenge to pass a fee increase, but now an additonal fee. That will be tough given the high price of food, gas, etc. right now. FYI, your work and enthusiasm is appreciated.

Funny you should mention something like this. I was at a dinner party the other night, and was talking to a gentleman who came to school at North Texas in 1968. We were talking about today's problems vs. 1968. He told me he could not wait until he could go to a college football game when he got here. He went on to say that there were not many people in attendance, and support was low. He was very disappointed. FYI, he lives in Denton and ran a very very successful business. Never did try again because he said it is same old story, just a different decade.

First, don't question my attitude, I support this program with my time and money (season ticket holder for fball and bball, Mean Green Club). The sellout with Baylor was a lot of Baylor fans from DFW, and also a Chamber night, which you should not need with a Big XII team coming to town. Also, this town has never turned out in droves for the high schools as compared to Plano (when it a was a one high school town) or even Celina, Stephenville, or Pilot Point (you should know about Pilot Point since you live in Crossroads). That is the kind of enthusiasm I want to see. Simply, Denton is not a sports town. I grew up here, and have lived here most of my adult life. I played football at Denton High School, then the only high school in Denton. For a one high school town in supposedly football crazed Texas, support was poor. The only people that attended the games were parents/relatives of the football team, Filles, and the band. The best athletes were never on the teams. After half time, half the fans had left. I have seen many bars try a sports theme, and most have not had great success. The bars don't even get much of crowd interested in another college game, nor do you have any trouble getting in during a Cowboy game. Vitty's on Teasley has Nebraska watching parties, but that is only because the owner is from Nebraska and is a huge fan. Many businesses have tried to tie to North Texas, only to see the benefit does not outweigh the cost (i.e. renting a tent at the games, opening a concession, putting up North Texas stuff in their business etc.) Even when Ryan High School won its state titles in football, it was not treated as a big deal like in other Texas communities. I know it would be against the rules, but I bet not one Ryan player was told his lunch/dinner was on the house in any Denton restaraunt. It happens in many other towns across Texas. Denton, as a community, wants to be seen as an eccletic, weird community that supports the arts. Even its pee wee football is not on same level as other cities in the metroplex.

We don't and should not have to crawl for support. Again, you mine as well go to Saudia Arabia and sell sand. Denton is not a sports town, and won't be. Sorry!

Adler, You know, I do not completely disagree with you as for the athletic fee. However, I think the timing is just not right. I do not think the students will vote in a new fee, especially with the shape of our economy. Gas prices, groceries, everything is up. I saw where Flyer had a post on his Facebook that we can't fill the stadium we have, and so forth by a person who is against the stadium. The quote was put on this board, and Flyer said this was the only negative response he had. I believe, through no scientific research, that this opinion against an athletic fee increase reflects the majority of the students. Flyer would argue that it is not, and I respect his argument. I think we are all in for a big let down if we put this before the students during the upcoming school year. That said, it might be better to give Dodge more time to build the program up, showing that the product on the field is exciting, then take the plunge in say 2011 when things should be more settled as it relates to economy. I know you will reply that time is of the essence, and we have wasted enough, but I think patience would serve us better. I do want to say I appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to University athletics.

Was out with his wife, but took time to stop in for interview. Gina even mentioned Mrs. Dodge was there.

Did not think he was evasive.....said he was #5 and would be evaluated for redshirt like everybody else.

Simply, Denton is not a sports town. I grew up here, and have lived here most of my adult life. I played football at Denton High School, then the only high school in Denton. For a one high school town in supposedly football crazed Texas, support was poor. The only people that attended the games were parents/relatives of the team, Filles, and the band. After half time, half the fans had left. I have seen many bars try a sports theme, and most have not had great success. The bars don't even get much of crowd interested in another college game, nor do you have any trouble getting in during a Cowboy game. Vitty's on Teasley has Nebraska watching parties, but that is only because the owner is from Nebraska and is a huge fan. Many businesses have tried to tie to North Texas, only to see the benefit does not outweigh the cost (i.e. renting a tent at the games, opening a concession, putting up North Texas stuff in their business etc.) Even when Ryan High School won its state titles in football, it was not treated as a big deal like in other Texas communities. I know it would be against the rules, but I bet on player was not told his lunch/dinner was on the house in any Denton restaraunt. It happens in many other towns across Texas. Denton, as a community, wants to be seen as an eccletic, weird community that supports the arts.

YES, AND IT EVEN HAD THE HELMETS W/ THE FLYING WORM FOR LIGHT FIXTURES.

Came across this article about the LSU's search for a new basketball coach: http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/fea...d/16700336.html Very interesting and positive!

If it's true, then next to Dan's would be the best place for it in Denton (other than where it was). I think the owners were lucky that it didn't work out moving out to Towne Crossing/Loop 288. This will be good to have it next to Fuzzy's and Dan's Silver Leaf.

I was there, and did not hear him say it. Not trying to be smart a**, or anything, but would you please elaborate as to what you heard.