Chrisattsu

I didn't realize that Texas State provoked this type of reaction out of the the UNT fanbase. We are just trying to cut our path, and make ourselves better, like every other team in the nation. We're pumping new money into our program, and upgrading all of our facilities with the hopes that someone will be interested in what we have to offer. As for the name, from what I have read, you guys could have had it if you would have stayed in the Texas State System.

Exactly... I know that this Boise announcement just let the air out of a few balloons in the Bobcat camp. We have been a topic of discussion on their board for the past month or so.

Texas still has quite a few counties. It was not until last year, that the people of Stephenville (Erath County) could buy beer in town. I can't tell you how many beer runs to Proctor Lake (23 miles each way) I made when I was in college. The best part is that the bars are still considered private clubs which require you to buy a $10 annual membership to even get in the door.

So let me follow the train of thought-- The Mean Green, which is really an eagle, would play on a white field named after an albino squirrel named Thelonius. I want some of what you are smoking.

I know that this is what Texas State is looking at. Both schools are acting like their mascots. UTSA is being brash --They are moving like a roadrunner towards FBS with assumption that the moratorium will be up, and they will meet whatever criteria is put in place. Meanwhile, we are methodically positioning ourselves, like a Bobcat, for an opportunity to strike by upgrading our facilities and remaining eligible for the for Conference titles and playoff berths. I guess I should tie this thing together by saying that the Eagle is watching both schools from above, waiting to see what happens before they go in for the kill.

In theory, 2013 would be their first year as an transitioning-FBS team. They will play their first two years as an FCS indy in 2011, 2012 and if they wanted to make the jump they would need 5 FBS games at home.

I haven't seen anything official yet. Only from their fansites. Granted it is frenzying up the Bobcat fans. Regardless if it is true or not, this is exactly what our fans wanted to see happen.

Yeah, The story got leaked to the Lone Star Conference messageboard last night. I'm bummed that he is moving on, but I can't fault him. His record at Tarleton was 40-15 in 5 seasons 2 LSC South Division Championship Crowns 1 Trip to the NCAA playoffs

A few of points on your post- 1. Having another competitor for recruits and coverage. In terms of media coverage, it is only going to help. As it currently stands, UNT gets no media coverage in this area of the state. If the SBC picked up Texas State, conference scores (especially when you play us) are going to end up in the Austin-American Statesman and the SA Express News, and on local news outlets. The same will occur with UTSA, but only in the SA Media Market. If UTSA becomes THE team of the city, you will get more press there. As for recruiting, while we do recruit the entire state, much of our recruiting comes from South and Central Texas. IMO, UTSA is going to be more of a threat to us than UNT. Also, UNT already competes with Texas State for recruits. We may not reach your high-end players, but many of the players that we are looking at are also getting looks from regional CUSA, SBC, and WAC teams. 2. San Antonio is farther from Austin. UTSA may be farther from Austin, but it will always have Hornfans. UTSA is still going to have to deal with Horn fans who drive to Austin or watch the game on TV (just as we do in SM). Rememeber, UTSA is still part of the CAP program which says come to UTSA for a year, get a 3.0 and you are automatically accepted to Austin. 3. UTSA has better academics. They offer more graduate programs than Texas State, but I would argue that our undergraduate education is better. We have higher admission standards, lower acceptance rates, higher retention and graduation rates. UTSA is backed by Austin, and they have the Emerging Research/Next Tier 1 Status. However, our new president has demanded an increase in research and PhD programs. Graduate programs are increasing every year. 4. Texas State has no athletic history. Our football team has struggled, but we have 11 more Conference Titles and 2 more National Championships under our belt than UTSA. From the time Wacker left until Matsakis (2004) should up (20 years) we struggled bad. However, we have clawed our way back into it. There is a new commitment to athletics through new facilities being built, student taxed themselves to commit to athletics, our attendance continues to increase every year. 5. UTSA does have the backing of San Antonio. Their on campus facilities are horrible, but they are inking deals with SA to get a new basketball arena built on the northside, they have use of the Dome, and while they have their own ball park, they play a couple of baseball games per year on the Southside at the Missions (minor league - AA) park. Those things are nice, but having to drive all over the city to get to a game is a blessing and a curse. It gives you outreach to different parts of the community, but it never gets people onto your campus.

ULM was the last team to play all sports (save football) in the SLC. After that, some bylaws were created that it wouldn't happen again. Once an official declaration has been made, it starts a two-year time table at which point the SLC can kick you out. There has been some arguments about Texas State's route (and whether or we are on the two-year time table). Texas State has stated that we are raising funds for something called "The Drive to FBS". Ideally, this is where we see ourselves, but we are not stupid enough to go the D-I Indy route. What UTSA is doing is a pure gamble. If the conference has balls, they will kick them out in 2013 leaving them with no home, and no chances for a conference title. That being said, I don't see Hickey (UTSA AD) doing this willy-nilly. Either she has been contacted by someone, or she knows something about 2012 (the year they originally played to join SLC play anyways). OR the donors said that they would not support the crawl, and she was forced into this walk

Can you or GreenMiner explain UTEP conference affiliation to me. El Paso is a Southwestern City. Why are they not in the WAC or the MWC? I can see the CUSA affiliation to stay relevant in the state of Texas, and stay connected to their alumni/recruiting bases in Dallas and Houston, and the perception of CUSA vs WAC but it seems like they would be a better fit in the western conferences. Who did they piss off (what don't they have) to not be invited to MWC in the first place?

Boise is always discussed, but then it gets muddy. Do they take Fresno / Nevada or do they find a travel partner for TCU in Houston? If they do go to 12 teams how do they split, East/West North/South? North/South idea North Boise, Wyo, Colo State, AF, BYU, Utah South SDSU, Fresno, Nevada, New Mexico, TCU, UH

Especially if he brings Lincoln Riley with him

You are on. I don't have much faith in our AD. Our Football Head Coach is at the end of his 3year contract, which has netted a conference crown and back to back winning seasons (something not done since the 90s), yet the AD has not decided if they are going to renew. They haven't publicly commented about the subject at all, so we have no idea who our coach will be next season. That being said, he made sure to lock in our basketball coach for another 3 years despite having a Dodge-sque record on the court for the past 3 years.

Well, It looks like those of us in Bobcat Country are in the same boat. We just lost our OC (Travis Bush) to UTSA yesterday afternoon. Time to see how long it takes to reload, or who they go after

I can't begin to know what she was thinking, but I have had moments like this in my career. My academic training is in the field of American History. I am young, but the past decade has been spent doing research in dusty archives and writing (lots of writing...). Much like Ms. Smith, I find myself "professionally embarrassed" whenever I look at some of my earlier writing samples. Perhaps is not ashamed of the fact that she composed the song, but rather became more critical of it after she viewed it through an experienced, professional lens later in life.

He was the Head Coach at Tarleton while I was there, and led the Texans from TIAA to the Division 2 playoffs. He won LSC-North divisional crowns, and then took off to Sam Houston in 04(05?). At same he never managed to do very much. Personally, I would not recommend it. Sam Fans have a thread about it, but they are not saying very much. http://www.katfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10871 That being said, here is what they said before they fired him. http://www.katfans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10606

Maybe the Pirates will find a new captain in Leach

Tech fans have developed that identity over the years because nobody east of Abilene gives them credit (especially Aggies and Horns). It reminds me of the joke, If you need a vet, call an Aggie If you need a doctor, call a Bear If you need a lawyer, call a Longhorn If you need a pizza delivered in 30 minutes or less, call a Red Raider.

Cmon... Schedule an FCS team. You get an extra home game, and you have a better chance of winning

That quote was great. I was waiting for Toby Keith to come flying through a flaming hoop in a monster truck when I heard it

I have to agree that the problem lies with the glut of teams not bowl games. You look at the Big Ten or Big Twelve where they have bowl deals all the way down the line, while the Sun Belt gets One (now two). Granted bowls are all about money, and bringing in fans. A team like Minnesota, Nebraska, or Iowa is going to have the entire state behind them where as Troy, North Texas, or even Texas State would have a niche market.

So after watching Georgia Tech struggle against Iowa last night, do you still want a triple option?

Our basketball teams are bad. Really bad. Men's Basketball team has two D1 wins (UTPA and $MU). Aside from that, we have wins over D2 and D3 schools and 8 D1 losses. Women's basketball is not much better. We have yet to get a D1 win. The only wins that WBB have are against Southwest Assembly of God, Our Lady of the Lake, and Huston-Tillitson. The HT game is of interest because HT, an NAIA school, only brought 6 players with them. Over the course of the game 3 of their 6 players fouled out, and Texas State still needed Double OT to win on the 3-on-5 power play. Disgraceful. If this is like previous situations, They will not fire WBB Coach Fox. They will let her finish out the year, and debate giving her a contract extension before ultimately letting her go. Dennis Nutt had a 3 win season, and we could not get rid of him to until his players broke out into a fight during the last home game. He was replaced with current MBB coach Davalos from Sul Ross State. :facepalm:

I look forward to this