Jump to content

Michael Banogu

KRAM1

By KRAM1
in Mean Green Football

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Popular Post
KRAM1 Rookie

KRAM1

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted (edited)

Nice piece by Brett Vito in today's Denton Record-Chronicle about former walk-on and now scholarship starting tackle Michael Banogu.

Michael walked away from DII Arkansas Tech to pursue his dream of playing at the Division I level.  He felt he could reach that goal, so he left Ark Tech and enrolled at UNT as a walk-on paying his own expenses as he pursued his dream.  A turning point came last fall when he all but had to quit football and leave UNT because he and his family could no longer afford the costs accociated with his UNT enrollment.  He confided in the coaching staff that he might have to walk away from his dream due to the costs.  Because he had shown himself capable as a player at the DI level, the staff awarded him a scholarship to enable him to continue with his dream.  "You should have seen the tears".... A quote from interim head coach Mike Canales. Coach Canales continued "That is when it is special, when you know a kid us in a tough situation and you're able to give him something.  To see how thankful they are to get a chance to play and get their education.  The gratitude he showed us priceless.  He is a special young man."

And, this was no charity case...as we know Michael has started 11 of the Mean Green's last 12 games.  He earned this scholarship...it wasn't just given to him because of his serious financial need.

So, want to know why I continue to give to the Mean Green Club in spite of records, in spite of coaching and/or personnel changes, in spite of challenges within the ticket office or any other area around campus?  Read the story of Michael Banogu...and many of our other great student-athletes in any of our other sports...and you will know exactly why I do what I do, why I have for many years and why I will continue to give and support this university.  I have said it many many times...it is all about the students for me.  I hope others who have stopped or are considering doing so their donations to the Mean Green Club will take a moment are read this piece on Michael.  And then, just ponder a bit on what it means to these young men and women and how what you give can be the help needed toward a transforming life moment for these very worthy student-athletes.  I am proud to be able to say that my donations help young men and women pursue their dreams...just like Michael Banogu.

EDIT: For those interested...noticed the same article in today's Dallas Morning News sports section...page 8C.

Edited by KRAM1
  • Upvote 16
  • Downvote 2
Ben Gooding Newbie

Ben Gooding

Posted
Posted

Good stuff.  These are our kids.  Forget the AD.  Forget the coaches.  Support UNT's student athletes.

I agree. I have decided not to pullout on support because I don't do it for the no-class AD that is not even affiliated with our university except for his "job." Coaches come and go as well. It makes it far easier to donate more, for me anyways, if I know the money is being managed better with success to follow. 

  • Upvote 1
  • Downvote 1
KRAM1 Rookie

KRAM1

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for posting the link, Brett.  I don't know how to do that as every time I try I never get there.  Thanks.  Folks do need to read this story...it is a good read and a nice job by Brett Vito.

  • Upvote 1
  • Downvote 1
UNTexas Community Regular

UNTexas

Posted
Posted (edited)

Good stuff.  These are our kids.  Forget the AD.  Forget the coaches.  Support UNT's student athletes.

The problem with forgetting the AD & coaches is they are a big part of the equation and their failures are directly hurting these kids. Demand accountability perhaps for the kids because the current administration is failing them.

Edited by UNTexas
  • Upvote 1
  • Downvote 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Tell a friend

    Love GoMeanGreen.com? Tell a friend!

  • What's going on Mean Green?

    1. 1

      Women vs. South Florida (1/12/25)

      Game is Saturday 1/11!
      greenminer in Mean Green Basketball
    2. 79

      Should we add Texas State to the AAC?

      These conference wishlists are fun to discuss but in no world should UNT share a conference with Tarleton State and SHSU in 2025 lol I’d love being in the PAC as long as some other AAC members follow as a package. That conference wouldn’t be as friendly regionally but there would definitely be more opportunities for national recognition in the PAC especially in basketball.
      NTWL20 in Mean Green Football
    3. 79

      Should we add Texas State to the AAC?

      TXST in the same conference would be fun, but there are a lot of great moves to make... many of the current teams in our conference need to be kicked out first to avoid cheapening the media payout.
      Matt from A700 in Mean Green Football
    4. 15

      Who did better? PAC 12 or Mountain West?

      Before the PAC2 raided the MWC, I had been a supporter of joining a rebuilt PAC, as long as it was a true "Western Conference" of D1, and we shared a nice little 6-8 division with the likes of Memphis, UTSA, Colorado State, Air Force, New Mexico, Tulane, and a Rice or Tulsa. But it did not appear the PAC was going to bring enough programs close to DFW to make the added travel and exit fees worth it. Still don't know how the MWC held onto UNLV and Nevada, otherwise it'd be an even crappier conference than CUSA. But unlike the PAC7, it will still be recognized as an FBS conference next July. Doesn't seem like Memphis, Tulane, and USF will be going there, especially with an unknown TV deal. Ultimately I think with realignment, one of the G6 leagues will dissolve. The American struggles by being a league with several new teams, no notable rivalries, and no regional tie like the PAC, SBC, MWC, and MAC claim. And there are plenty of moves we could make to improve across many sports, but the league is so saturated. If it were up to me, I'd get Rice, Tulsa, Charlotte, Temple out of the conference. Force FAU and UTSA to find a solution to their high school gyms. Add Texas State, James Madison, Liberty, Western Kentucky, Appalachian State, and Louisiana. That would create a 16-team conference with a 8-team West Division UNT would share and play annually against with UTSA, TXST, Tulane, Louisiana, Memphis, Western Kentucky, and UAB. Instead of playing frickin' Temple three times in three years. That would leave us at 15 teams for basketball, I'd add up to three non-football members between Dayton, St. Louis, VCU, Richmond.
      Matt from A700 in Mean Green Football
    5. 2

      ECU (1/14/25)

      If you want to scout them, ECU plays @ Memphis (-13.5) today at 1:00pm on ESPN+ ....
      NT80 in Mean Green Basketball

  • Popular Contributors

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      15,509
    • Most Online
      1,865
    Jepper
    Newest Member
    Jepper
    Joined

  • Most Points

    1. 1
      El Paso Eagle
      El Paso Eagle
      171,244
    2. 2
      NT80
      NT80
      140,768
    3. 3
      KingDL1
      KingDL1
      132,920
    4. 4
      greenminer
      greenminer
      127,125
    5. 5
      TheReal_jayD
      TheReal_jayD
      109,619

  • Biggest Gamblers

    1. 1
      EdtheEagle
      EdtheEagle
      26,592,647
    2. 2
      UNTLifer
      UNTLifer
      4,496,449
    3. 3
      untphd
      untphd
      845,287
    4. 4
      flyonthewall
      flyonthewall
      672,612
    5. 5
      3_n_out
      3_n_out
      578,480
    6. 6
      SteaminWillieBeamin
    7. 7
      UNT_FH_FR_YR
      UNT_FH_FR_YR
      471,139
    8. 8
      cousin oliver
      cousin oliver
      448,120
    9. 9
      meangreenfaninno
    10. 10
      South Texas Green

WE BELIEVE IN THE MEAN GREEN!

News

Recruiting

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Please review our full Privacy Policy before using our site.