Setting the bar

Hunter Green · June 29, 2016

After attending the meeting and reading the posts associated with it, I still see pessimism abound and for good reason. Those of us who have been around awhile, have seen it all before. New coaching staff, new promises, all with the same results. It's no wonder this university is not taken seriously athletically. I'll never forget the quote from the late Dr. Pohl who stated that athletics is the window through which (UNT) is viewed. Though we have achieved Tier 1 status, what is the first thing (justified or not) that is thought of when you mention NT? That we suck on the football field, the basketball court and are barely an afterthought, even with alumni. There is so much dysfunction, it's hard to know where to start. I remember when the commitment was made to move us back to Div.1-A in football how much excitement there was. Goals were set and met to reach that goal. Twenty years later we find ourselves struggling for relevance, not only to the general public and the world of college athletics, but to our own students and alumni. Years of losing in a watered down conference will do that.

I want to see a new commitment from our administration and the new AD, whoever that may be. If we want to be relevant in our own state, we need to aspire to be what this university can be. If we want to get fans and alumni interested and excited again, then the powers that be need to position us to not only win and win consistently, but make it a new goal to achieve P-5 status and seek admission to a P-5 conference. No more half-assed measures and pretending to be a player when we're not. I'm sick of being categorized as a mid major in everything. And that is why the Athletic Department needs a cleansing enema and get people in here who will accept the challenge and strive for greatness. THAT will get people's attention and send the message that UNT is serious and not just blowing smoke. My message to the BOR's, go big, or go home.

Edited June 29, 2016 by Hunter Green

MeanGreenTexan · June 29, 2016

We've heard for years that UNT is a "sleeping giant". I think this hire could prove to be a crux. Are we going to wake up? Or, are we Rip Van Winkle?

NTAlum09 · June 29, 2016

31 minutes ago, Hunter Green said:

After attending the meeting and reading the posts associated with it, I still see pessimism abound and for good reason. Those of us who have been around awhile, have seen it all before. New coaching staff, new promises, all with the same results. It's no wonder this university is not taken seriously athletically. I'll never forget the quote from the late Dr. Pohl who stated that athletics is the window through which (UNT) is viewed. Though we have achieved Tier 1 status, what is the first thing (justified or not) that is thought of when you mention NT? That we suck on the football field, the basketball court and are barely an afterthought, even with alumni. There is so much dysfunction, it's hard to know where to start. I remember when the commitment was made to move us back to Div.1-A in football how much excitement there was. Goals were set and met to reach that goal. Twenty years later we find ourselves struggling for relevance, not only to the general public and the world of college athletics, but to our own students and alumni. Years of losing in a watered down conference will do that.

I want to see a new commitment from our administration and the new AD, whoever that may be. If we want to be relevant in our own state, we need to aspire to be what this university can be. If we want to get fans and alumni interested and excited again, then the powers that be need to position us to not only win and win consistently, but make it a new goal to achieve P-5 status and seek admission to a P-5 conference. No more half-assed measures and pretending to be a player when we're not. I'm sick of being categorized as a mid major in everything. And that is why the Athletic Department needs a cleansing enema and get people in here who will accept the challenge and strive for greatness. THAT will get people's attention and send the message that UNT is serious and not just blowing smoke. My message to the BOR's, go big, or go home.

I agree and we need people to understand that change is a good thing. You don't need George Dunham over here advertising Hank who's been at the university for 20 plus years because it's a long time friendship connection. I see George as a guy who just doesn't like change or he is too content with being mediocre. I'm sure George is a good guy but he needs to do the university a favor and stop the campaigning.

Also - How many MGC members do we currently have? Who is in charge of that?

MeanGreenTexan · June 29, 2016

35 minutes ago, NTAlum09 said:

I agree and we need people to understand that change is a good thing. You don't need George Dunham over here advertising Hank who's been at the university for 20 plus years because it's a long time friendship connection. I see George as a guy who just doesn't like change or he is too content with being mediocre. I'm sure George is a good guy but he needs to do the university a favor and stop the campaigning.

Also - How many MGC members do we currently have? Who is in charge of that?

Not many. And, this guy:

Cerebus · June 29, 2016

We topped 1000 members in the MGC for the first time when Apogee first opened. The numbers have gone down since this, in fact somehow MGC membership FELL after the HoD bowl win.

TreeFiddy · June 29, 2016

1 hour ago, NTAlum09 said:

I agree and we need people to understand that change is a good thing. You don't need George Dunham over here advertising Hank who's been at the university for 20 plus years because it's a long time friendship connection. I see George as a guy who just doesn't like change or he is too content with being mediocre. I'm sure George is a good guy but he needs to do the university a favor and stop the campaigning.

Also - How many MGC members do we currently have? Who is in charge of that?

Remember, George's view of all of this is from the other side of the glass. He definitely cares about success, but over the years he has built up defensive mechanisms to deal with the failures and I am not even sure he is aware of it.

MGNation92 · June 29, 2016

I've said it once and I'll say it again. John Nitardy is about as useful as teets on a boar

NTAlum09 · June 29, 2016

18 minutes ago, TreeFiddy said:

Remember, George's view of all of this is from the other side of the glass. He definitely cares about success, but over the years he has built up defensive mechanisms to deal with the failures and I am not even sure he is aware of it.

Well I think he either needs to change his medication or man up on the failures.

SilverEagle · June 29, 2016

2 hours ago, Hunter Green said:

After attending the meeting and reading the posts associated with it, I still see pessimism abound and for good reason. Those of us who have been around awhile, have seen it all before. New coaching staff, new promises, all with the same results. It's no wonder this university is not taken seriously athletically. I'll never forget the quote from the late Dr. Pohl who stated that athletics is the window through which (UNT) is viewed. Though we have achieved Tier 1 status, what is the first thing (justified or not) that is thought of when you mention NT? That we suck on the football field, the basketball court and are barely an afterthought, even with alumni. There is so much dysfunction, it's hard to know where to start. I remember when the commitment was made to move us back to Div.1-A in football how much excitement there was. Goals were set and met to reach that goal. Twenty years later we find ourselves struggling for relevance, not only to the general public and the world of college athletics, but to our own students and alumni. Years of losing in a watered down conference will do that.

I want to see a new commitment from our administration and the new AD, whoever that may be. If we want to be relevant in our own state, we need to aspire to be what this university can be. If we want to get fans and alumni interested and excited again, then the powers that be need to position us to not only win and win consistently, but make it a new goal to achieve P-5 status and seek admission to a P-5 conference. No more half-assed measures and pretending to be a player when we're not. I'm sick of being categorized as a mid major in everything. And that is why the Athletic Department needs a cleansing enema and get people in here who will accept the challenge and strive for greatness. THAT will get people's attention and send the message that UNT is serious and not just blowing smoke. My message to the BOR's, go big, or go home.

Gastrointestinal analogies, that'll definitely get people's attention.

And a request. If you are going to make gastrointestinal analogies, please do so on the 28th, which is Mel Brooks (and my) birthday.

Thank you.

Edited June 29, 2016 by SilverEagle

UNT90 · June 30, 2016

On June 29, 2016 at 9:03 AM, Hunter Green said:

After attending the meeting and reading the posts associated with it, I still see pessimism abound and for good reason. Those of us who have been around awhile, have seen it all before. New coaching staff, new promises, all with the same results. It's no wonder this university is not taken seriously athletically. I'll never forget the quote from the late Dr. Pohl who stated that athletics is the window through which (UNT) is viewed. Though we have achieved Tier 1 status, what is the first thing (justified or not) that is thought of when you mention NT? That we suck on the football field, the basketball court and are barely an afterthought, even with alumni. There is so much dysfunction, it's hard to know where to start. I remember when the commitment was made to move us back to Div.1-A in football how much excitement there was. Goals were set and met to reach that goal. Twenty years later we find ourselves struggling for relevance, not only to the general public and the world of college athletics, but to our own students and alumni. Years of losing in a watered down conference will do that.

I want to see a new commitment from our administration and the new AD, whoever that may be. If we want to be relevant in our own state, we need to aspire to be what this university can be. If we want to get fans and alumni interested and excited again, then the powers that be need to position us to not only win and win consistently, but make it a new goal to achieve P-5 status and seek admission to a P-5 conference. No more half-assed measures and pretending to be a player when we're not. I'm sick of being categorized as a mid major in everything. And that is why the Athletic Department needs a cleansing enema and get people in here who will accept the challenge and strive for greatness. THAT will get people's attention and send the message that UNT is serious and not just blowing smoke. My message to the BOR's, go big, or go home.

I approve of this post.

UNT78 · June 30, 2016

John Nitardy, speaking of which, I have to tell this story about this idiot, the last time we played Texas in Austin, you know when we were completely embarrassed, Texas had a really bad team that year (Charley Strong's first year) and we started a quarterback that couldn't start for Southlake Carroll? Can't even remember the spares name, anyway, UNT had a pre-game event on the campus of UT. Hang on I'm getting to John, I went and as usual, it was poorly done, no band or music, no excitement, just a joke; they had this awful barbecue, that had been sitting there for no telling how long, well anyway, they run out for eating utensils and Ice, half the people that paid were sill in line waiting to get food, when all of a sudden this John guy starts telling everyone the buffet is over, he said, we're out of eating utensils, someone yelled, so, go get more, he got mad and started to pick plates up and throw them on the ground. Needless to say, he made an ass out of himself and it was just very uncomfortable for everyone standing in line. This is the guy running the Mean Green Club? He needs to exit the door with Hank Dickerson...and, yes, I completely agree with the original post, lets aspire to go big eventually and to get in a G-5 conference or just give up on the football program...at least have goals to do this eventuall, we shouldn't settle for mediocrity.

wardly · July 1, 2016

Remember the Flip Wilson skit where he talks about growing a church? The preacher tells his congregation that the church must crawl before it can walk, walk before it can run, and that running cost money. A member{ whom I can only assume was a UNT graduate } shouts out, " let it crawl , preacher". We need a winning football season, we need to win our division, we need to win our conference. At present we bring nothing to CUSA, let alone a G-5 conference.And to reach our potential we need a lot more money. Or, we can continue to "let it crawl."

Dann4861 · July 1, 2016

Money is not your problem... You guys are better situated geographically, have a much greater student body, have a much broader alumni base, and a much larger budget than Southern Miss. You don't need leadership to make you great....you need leadership that believes you are great and attracts coaches that believe you are great. This type leadership and coaching attracts great players and creates great fans... and results in long term great programs. You have to overachieve, and overachieving must become an expectation...

I have been following your forum for a long time.... never posted before. You are past the Villareal nightmare and came out of it with really good facilities.

You have everything except tradition... I'm pulling for you. Money is not the problem

UNT90 · July 1, 2016

7 hours ago, Dann4861 said:

Money is not your problem... You guys are better situated geographically, have a much greater student body, have a much broader alumni base, and a much larger budget than Southern Miss. You don't need leadership to make you great....you need leadership that believes you are great and attracts coaches that believe you are great. This type leadership and coaching attracts great players and creates great fans... and results in long term great programs. You have to overachieve, and overachieving must become an expectation...

I have been following your forum for a long time.... never posted before. You are past the Villareal nightmare and came out of it with really good facilities.

You have everything except tradition... I'm pulling for you. Money is not the problem

Actually, not so much according to the consultants hired to evaluate the athletic program.

Nice football stadium. Everything else? Not so much.

It will be interesting to see if their recommendations fall on old, set in their ways, deaf ears

Edited July 1, 2016 by UNT90

Harry · July 1, 2016

7 hours ago, Dann4861 said:

Money is not your problem... You guys are better situated geographically, have a much greater student body, have a much broader alumni base, and a much larger budget than Southern Miss. You don't need leadership to make you great....you need leadership that believes you are great and attracts coaches that believe you are great. This type leadership and coaching attracts great players and creates great fans... and results in long term great programs. You have to overachieve, and overachieving must become an expectation...

I have been following your forum for a long time.... never posted before. You are past the Villareal nightmare and came out of it with really good facilities.

You have everything except tradition... I'm pulling for you. Money is not the problem

Thank you Dan - appreciate your post. We need a 3rd party perspective in times like these.