Four Star Recruits Loved Their Visit to North Texas

[UNTLifer]

https://247sports.com/college/north-texas/Article/Four-star-players-rave-about-visit-to-North-Texas-Mean-Green-football-166676124/

“Luke is definitely different,” Barnes said. “He knows I have a lot of colleges recruiting me, but I told him that I don’t go to schools for the hype around them or their name. I look at schools where there’s an opportunity for me to change the program or step in my freshman year and get the ball. Me and Ikaika Ragsdale in the backfield together would be crazy. I liked what he Luke to say.”

 

“We don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” Hill said. “These [players] are going to the best opportunity. Whether that’s in Alaska or North Carolina or Waco or Denton, Texas, that’s where our kids will go.

“And another thing, I want the world to know that Seth Littrell is building a powerhouse in Denton, Texas. Him and Luke got something up their sleeve, so they better keep their eyes out.”

[GrayEagle]

This is perhaps the most heartening article that I've read regarding the future of North Texas football.  I especially liked Coach Hill's comment about Seth and Luke building a powerhouse in Denton.

I am impressed with the work of Luke Walerius.  He is beginning to amass a boatload of talent at North Texas (with the help of the coaching staff.)  He doesn't get enough praise for his analyses, presentations or ability to work with coaches.  

If we can improve the culture of our student body by getting them at football (and basketball games) so that we are at or near capacity for each game I can see us as contenders for the upper echelon of the G5s.

[greenminer]

If our program finally gets the results that reflect Luke's recruiting, we're gonna need to come up with a ton of money quickly to keep him around.

[UNTLifer]

18 minutes ago, GrayEagle said:

If we can improve the culture of our student body by getting them at football (and basketball games) so that we are at or near capacity for each game I can see us as contenders for the upper echelon of the G5s.

I was with you until this comment.  They show for the football games, but they need to turn into attending alums after graduation. 

Basketball, there is no reason we aren't filling the Super Pit.

[97and03]

 

[97and03]

6 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

I was with you until this comment.  They show for the football games, but they need to turn into attending alums after graduation. 

Basketball, there is no reason we aren't filling the Super Pit.

Lifer, you are correct. The students have pretty good football attendance from what I can see on TV. It isn’t perfect but they come out strong at the beginning of the season, for big games, and when the team is good. The alumni section is the problem, not the students. If the weather isn’t perfect or the game time isn’t ideal the other side of the stadium is half empty. 
Basketball is another story but let’s see post vaccinations! 

[GrayEagle]

3 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

I was with you until this comment.  They show for the football games, but they need to turn into attending alums after graduation. 

Basketball, there is no reason we aren't filling the Super Pit.

We have 40,000 students.  Approximately 6,000 attend football games.  The student side is seldom very full and it's seldom that the wing section is 10% full.  As an alum I don't feed off of the energy of the students.  Okay, maybe I don't need to because I've been at this for so many years.  Many alums do need this inspiration, however.  

I believe that many who do attend as students and stay in the area are incentivized to attend as alums.  That's a reason for attendance by more students.  The more exposure; the better chance it will take.  Kansas State and Iowa State had near full houses during seasons when they had terrible teams.  We need that type of loyalty.

You're right about basketball.  As well as this team has done in the last few years and the number of people within ten miles of the Super Pit, there is no reason why we can't have sellouts for at least conference games.

Remember, we lost Hayden Fry because of lack of support.  Let's not let it happen again.

 

 

 

 

[UNTLifer]

1 hour ago, GrayEagle said:

We have 40,000 students.  Approximately 6,000 attend football games.  The student side is seldom very full and it's seldom that the wing section is 10% full.  As an alum I don't feed off of the energy of the students.  Okay, maybe I don't need to because I've been at this for so many years.  Many alums do need this inspiration, however.  

I believe that many who do attend as students and stay in the area are incentivized to attend as alums.  That's a reason for attendance by more students.  The more exposure; the better chance it will take.  Kansas State and Iowa State had near full houses during seasons when they had terrible teams.  We need that type of loyalty.

You're right about basketball.  As well as this team has done in the last few years and the number of people within ten miles of the Super Pit, there is no reason why we can't have sellouts for at least conference games.

Remember, we lost Hayden Fry because of lack of support.  Let's not let it happen again.

 

 

 

 

I am 100% on board with all of this.

[ntmeangreen11]

So the connection making all of this possible is David Hill, who was a RB/FB at the Univ. of Arizona in 2011, Littrells last year there. Apparently he graduated from Desert Pines, played for the Jaguars, and I read a story that he would collect gloves from the Jaguars after practices and mail them back to his high school to make sure every player had gear. He's also been instrumental in opening doors for a lot of kids who might not have the opportunities without his connections. Sounds like one hell of a guy, and a great connection to have. I would bet Littrell has him in mind for a future coaching gig, if he's interested.

And yeah, Luke's results over the last two classes have been incredible and if there is anyone who deserves a raise after a 4 win season it's him.