Fan meeting.

UNT90 · June 28, 2016

Posting this as I get gas:

Ill post what the two reps said. If anyone wants to post what they said, feel free. I don't think it would be proper firm to post other fans' comments.

An audit of the AD was started in May. Neither rep was certain whether it was a management audit, financial audit, or both.

As predicted, it was much more tame than this board, as human interaction normally dictates.

Benford said Benford things. Litrell, despite the use of the Gawdawful term "why not North Texas" (we were all there to tell the reps exactly why not), actually impressed me a little with some very straight talk. We have 68 scholarship players right now and he readily admitted taking chances on late qualifying JUCOs. That was refreshing.He seemed more at ease off script.

eulessismore · June 28, 2016

24 minutes ago, UNT90 said:

Posting this as I get gas:

Ill post what the two reps said. If anyone wants to post what they said, feel free. I don't think it would be proper firm to post other fans' comments.

An audit of the AD was started in May. Neither rep was certain whether it was a management audit, financial audit, or both.

As predicted, it was much more tame than this board, as human interaction normally dictates.

Benford said Benford things. Litrell, despite the use of the Gawdawful term "why not North Texas" (we were all there to tell the reps exactly why not), actually impressed me a little with some very straight talk. We have 68 scholarship players right now and he readily admitted taking chances on late qualifying JUCOs. That was refreshing.He seemed more at ease off script.

Thanks, 90. I think that's what's impressing people around the area about Littrell, is that he seems like a straight talker.

UNT90 · June 28, 2016

I just hope he can recruit.

GMG24 · June 28, 2016

22 minutes ago, UNT90 said:

I just hope he can recruit.

He can, hold your shorts boys he may have a surprise or two up his sleeve.

bstnsportsfan3 · June 28, 2016

can anyone give us a recap of what happened behind closed doors? or does that kinda defeat the purpose? i had to work tonight and couldn't make it up to denton.

Got5onIt · June 28, 2016

1 minute ago, bstnsportsfan3 said:

can anyone give us a recap of what happened behind closed doors? or does that kinda defeat the purpose? i had to work tonight and couldn't make it up to denton.

Same here, had to work tonight.......

Army of Dad · June 28, 2016

Yeah, I'm out of town this week. Would love to hear what items were brought up and how they were discussed. No need to name names of course, but some info for those who couldn't make it would be nice.

UNT90 · June 28, 2016

No AD staff were allowed in the room after the coaches spoke, although there were several "spies" that I'm sure will give the athletic department a full rundown. Lol.

The reps appeared genuinely interested in what we had to say. Trip took notes throughout.

It really was mainly focused on what can be done to improve going forward with the occasional bitch or candidate promotion.

mgfan · June 28, 2016

What complaints, concerns, or inquiries where made?

untcampbell · June 28, 2016

A few notes:

Michael Sicuro, and I assume Trip Keuhne, evaluates businesses and works to enhance shareholder value. He called us shareholders. Very important and set the tone for the interaction.

Complaints:

Customer service x 100. Game day experience. Tradition. Denton involvement. Fan efforts to "help" the department being declined. Promotion ideas, i.e. the value of butts in seats. Locker rooms suck (Benford and another fan mentioned...Keuhne reported that is being addressed). Tradition/pageantry. Letterman involvment.

Roger Franklin asked fans to support the players. Great speaker...clearly has a spiritual influence. Said it was important to him to have the fans with him.

George Dunham gave an impassioned response on behalf of Hank. Frankly, it was worthwhile. Many things to consider. He contends that Hank was unable to do a lot of things discussed in this meeting because Rick didn't want to do it. Gave Hank a lot of credit for connections with the local businesses (I agree). Though I remain in the let's go outside camp, George was compelling and thoughtful.

There were a number of good suggestions given, documented by Trip....he took lots of notes. Many things I hadn't thought about. Props to the very first speaker noting there has not been one post-game "event," i.e. band, etc in the stadium. Ideas spurred other ideas, like how about staging three bands in the tailgating complex. Festival style. Put country on one stage, rock on another, jazz on the third. Tailgate in hearing distance of your favorite music.

They literally stayed until no one else was standing at the microphones. They listened. Very little retort, unless responding to inaccurate or mis-informed comments.

This was the quarterly meeting that fans were promised a decade or so ago. Let's hope we have the opportunity to meet again.

GMG

FirefightnRick · June 28, 2016

SL stated ALL of his coaches are required to recruit.

This was one of...if not THE most informative gatherings I have ever attended.

Rick

oldguystudent · June 28, 2016

Coach Littrell, after the initial "Why not North Texas" remark, was hilarious and candid. Least amount of coachspeak I've ever heard from a football coach. I went up to him during the break, shook his hand and thanked him. He immediately looked me in the eye and said, "Thank YOU!" I think we may have something in this guy.

I had opportunity to speak with Ernie one on one both before and after. Before, I told him, "Maybe you're not gonna like what I've got to say, but I feel like this is the only time I'm ever gonna have a voice," He listened, and said, "You need to make sure to voice what you've just told me. That's important." After, he came up to me, shook my hand, and said, "Don't give up. Keep coming." I'll keep some of the things he said to me to myself, but I came away believing that he's been grossly misrepresented on this board. He's the good guy.

The tone was for the most part, much more civil than I thought it might be. Some people came with lists, some gave impassioned speeches. Everyone was heard. Nobody was shut down.

George was the only person in the entire group who expressed...criticism for the people of this board complaining. His dedication to all things UNT borders on the religious.

I came out of there feeling a renewed energy for UNT athletics, and have genuine hope that things may be turning a corner.

Most importantly, I found parking without incident.

Bonus. Before everything started, I got to go see the new union. It's still got that new union smell. It's glorious.

Wag Tag · June 28, 2016

47 minutes ago, oldguystudent said:

Coach Littrell, after the initial "Why not North Texas" remark, was hilarious and candid. Least amount of coachspeak I've ever heard from a football coach. I went up to him during the break, shook his hand and thanked him. He immediately looked me in the eye and said, "Thank YOU!" I think we may have something in this guy.

I had opportunity to speak with Ernie one on one both before and after. Before, I told him, "Maybe you're not gonna like what I've got to say, but I feel like this is the only time I'm ever gonna have a voice," He listened, and said, "You need to make sure to voice what you've just told me. That's important." After, he came up to me, shook my hand, and said, "Don't give up. Keep coming." I'll keep some of the things he said to me to myself, but I came away believing that he's been grossly misrepresented on this board. He's the good guy.

The tone was for the most part, much more civil than I thought it might be. Some people came with lists, some gave impassioned speeches. Everyone was heard. Nobody was shut down.

George was the only person in the entire group who expressed...criticism for the people of this board complaining. His dedication to all things UNT borders on the religious.

I came out of there feeling a renewed energy for UNT athletics, and have genuine hope that things may be turning a corner.

Most importantly, I found parking without incident.

Bonus. Before everything started, I got to go see the new union. It's still got that new union smell. It's glorious.

I believe Prez Smak down deserves a lot of credit! Look at the changes that have taken place and bringing outside guys in the evaluate the program is genius! There is no hidden agenda! The desire has to start at the top. I was surprised to here of the facilities that are in poor shape, how basketball last year had to generate over 330k through scheduling, and how we have 68 scholly football players which is D ll standard! Transparency and communication is a key factor for alumni and fans! Seth was great with a Q & A format. Changes are going to take place which will make Green Nation stronger! GMG

UNT90 · June 28, 2016

I thought it was telling, in many ways, that the name of the former AD was rarely spoken. Everything was forward focused for the most part.

I was also glad to see, with the exception of one person, no one campaigned for any particular candidate. Make no mistake, that one person is pressing hard for his buddy to get the job. He even said Hank has been making excuses for RV for 15 years and tried to use it as a selling point. Seriously. And that was the single issue he spoke about. THAT is what was so disappointing to me about his time at the mic.

Mr. Sicuro stated that President Smatresk will not be hiring anyone who hasn't "done this job before." I take that to mean previous experience as THE AD will be a requirement.

Also, while Trip Kuene and Mr. Sicuro are on the search committee, the hiring decision will be made solely by President Smatresk and Brit Ryan.

TreeFiddy · June 28, 2016

@Harry (or anyone) can you get an email for Trip and/or Michael as it relates to this effort? There are a couple of things that I wish I had brought up and now I don't know how to get them the information.

UNT90 · June 28, 2016

Also, it's obvious that Trip Kuene reads this board (periscope comment to open things up). It's obvious the George Dunham reads this board (and hates it), and several major donors that I spoke with flat out said that they read this board.

Just so people know.

Army of Dad · June 28, 2016

11 minutes ago, Wag Tag said:

I believe Prez Smak down deserves a lot of credit! Look at the changes that have taken place and bringing outside guys in the evaluate the program is genius! There is no hidden agenda! The desire has to start at the top. I was surprised to here of the facilities that are in poor shape, how basketball last year had to generate over 330k through scheduling, and how we have 68 scholly football players which is D ll standard! Transparency and communication is a key factor for alumni and fans! Seth was great with a Q & A format. Changes are going to take place which will make Green Nation stronger! GMG

I'm not surprised that basketball had to sell guarantee games because they have been doing that for years. I really doubt a trip to Kansas was just to test ourselves...

68 football scholarship players is concerning, but an indication of the roster management under Mac. Florida had similar issues at the end of he Muschamp era. (I think McElwain had 65 for his spring game last year)

I'm in the 'trust' camp with the prez for now and this seems to be a heartfelt attempt to bring this department up to standard. I'm really happy to see this kind of thing happening.

oldguystudent · June 28, 2016

For the record, @UNT90 was articulate and respectful last night. Everybody was.

While there was indeed a laundry list of concerns spoken by many last night, it wasn't a bitch session. It was 100 people in a room who genuinely care for the university taking opportunity for their voices to be heard.

The older gentleman who spoke for having a proper letterman's club was really compelling. That guy needs to get on the motivational speaking circuit. He can tell some damn stories!

NTAlum09 · June 28, 2016

1 hour ago, oldguystudent said:

Coach Littrell, after the initial "Why not North Texas" remark, was hilarious and candid. Least amount of coachspeak I've ever heard from a football coach. I went up to him during the break, shook his hand and thanked him. He immediately looked me in the eye and said, "Thank YOU!" I think we may have something in this guy.

I had opportunity to speak with Ernie one on one both before and after. Before, I told him, "Maybe you're not gonna like what I've got to say, but I feel like this is the only time I'm ever gonna have a voice," He listened, and said, "You need to make sure to voice what you've just told me. That's important." After, he came up to me, shook my hand, and said, "Don't give up. Keep coming." I'll keep some of the things he said to me to myself, but I came away believing that he's been grossly misrepresented on this board. He's the good guy.

The tone was for the most part, much more civil than I thought it might be. Some people came with lists, some gave impassioned speeches. Everyone was heard. Nobody was shut down.

George was the only person in the entire group who expressed...criticism for the people of this board complaining. His dedication to all things UNT borders on the religious.

I came out of there feeling a renewed energy for UNT athletics, and have genuine hope that things may be turning a corner.

Most importantly, I found parking without incident.

Bonus. Before everything started, I got to go see the new union. It's still got that new union smell. It's glorious.

And you didn't need to use viagra

oldguystudent · June 28, 2016

Just now, NTAlum09 said:

And you didn't need to use viagra

I'm more a Cialis type guy.

NTAlum09 · June 28, 2016

Just now, oldguystudent said:

I'm more a Cialis type guy.

At least you're honest

Wag Tag · June 28, 2016

36 minutes ago, Army of Dad said:

I'm not surprised that basketball had to sell guarantee games because they have been doing that for years. I really doubt a trip to Kansas was just to test ourselves...

68 football scholarship players is concerning, but an indication of the roster management under Mac. Florida had similar issues at the end of he Muschamp era. (I think McElwain had 65 for his spring game last year)

I'm in the 'trust' camp with the prez for now and this seems to be a heartfelt attempt to bring this department up to standard. I'm really happy to see this kind of thing happening.

The basketball situation made me realize why our OC home games kinda suck. it also makes you realize that teams that don't have to raise money like UTEP can get a lot of home games and start the season off strong.

VideoEagle · June 28, 2016

So those who were in attendance, do you feel hopeful? Were you heard? It sounds positive, but was it really?

My personal hope is the new AD can start fixing some things right away, things like customer service. The ticket office can improve immediately and get consistently better over time. No one gets to Sewell service levels in just a year, but things CAN improve immediately.

It sounds like some of the problems will take years to repair, things like 65 scholarship athletes in football and the need to sell games in basketball. Admitting a problem and starting to fix things are the key.

I'm also sure that other schools ARE going to use our are admitting troubles in recruiting against us. That will make things harder in some ways but might also attract players who want to grow a program. Those players do exist, they can be found and they really can build a program.

eulessismore · June 28, 2016

39 minutes ago, oldguystudent said:

I'm more a Cialis type guy.

No love for Levitra?

TreeFiddy · June 28, 2016

I hope that Trip and Michael browse through some of these topics to look for additional feedback.

Last night the athletic department as a whole received most of the criticism, and rightfully so. However, in order to fix this thing and get it moving in the right direction it will take more than just a new AD.

One of the things that Benford and Littrell both mentioned was the fact that they are required to play guaranteed/paycheck games. I don't put this requirement solely on the shoulders of the AD. I believe this is an area that Pres Smatresk and Brint Ryan can specifically look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are really committed to having an athletic program that is competitive with our G5 peers.

We are requiring the basketball team to raise roughly $250k via guarantee games and the football team to raise around $1M via guarantee games (paycheck - FCS). If the university is serious about fixing this thing then fund the athletic department with enough support to eliminate these games. According to the last numbers that I saw, the university is providing roughly $9M of institutional support. This from a university with over $800M in annual revenues.

If Pres Smatresk and Mr. Ryan are serious then look in the mirror and address this unnecessary burden we place on our teams. Fund the program in such a way that they can schedule for success as well as put together the most attractive home schedules as possible. This should be a no brainer to fix if we are really serious about making substantive change.

Edited June 28, 2016 by TreeFiddy