Mean Green Baseball Project seeks to revive former Division I team

Coach Andy Mac · November 14, 2022

The 1984 season saw North Texas State University promote its club baseball team into Division I NCAA competition as the “Eagles” joined the Southland Conference.

The team lasted five seasons — a legacy some former players consider to be short-lived. Rather than let the baseball program become a distant memory in the university’s history, a group of alumni has united in hopes of reviving it.

The Mean Green Baseball Project is an advocacy group seeking to bring DI baseball back as its own athletic program. The group consists of seven friends — six of whom played baseball for the university.

“People didn’t act like we existed — like we were just this ridiculously horrible team, and we weren’t,” Doug Rush, former North Texas starting pitcher and MGBP president, said. “We had a bunch of really good players. We just didn’t have the scholarships and the backing [of the university] to be successful.”

On Aug. 11, 2022, the men teamed up to make a change. They created MGBP social media accounts across several platforms, constructed their own website and reached out to the university Athletics Department.

“Let’s put a smile on our face and let’s try to make an impact and help the community possibly bring this back,” Danny Suges, former North Texas baseball player and MGBP vice president, said.

There was hope for the MGBP’s anticipated revival in 2016 when former Athletic Director Rick Villarreal proposed a plan to bring baseball back to the university. However, the plan never came to fruition, as Villarreal left the university later that year.

“We’ve been waiting patiently for it to start back and it just never has happened, so we’re trying to put a rush on that,” Rush said.

The MGBP has raised over $15,000 of its $50,000 goal on its GoFundMe since August 29. The group wants to use this money to advertise and promote their cause and get the attention of larger donors. Aside from using its online platform to spread awareness, the group also attended this year’s Homecoming tailgate on Nov. 5, where they handed out their “#bringitback” T-shirts and koozies.

Read more: https://www.ntdaily.com/mean-green-baseball-projects-seeks-to-revive-former-division-i-program/?fbclid=IwAR18aG1osJJOun1Z0-piK-49LoDoIQfu-Kn3nmECHH_3RPpejThLhaBU-O8

greenjoe · November 16, 2022

Coach Andy, I have been in touch with Doug Rush and he put me in touch with Danny Suges and Danny is coming to Denton Wednesday, February 1, to speak at my Kiwanis Club about the “bring it back” project. I will get back closer to February to promote Danny’s presentation but I’m inviting all GMG members to attend. I’ll even buy breakfast. I’ll be asking Bret Vito to attend to give this project some coverage. The Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club meets at Rudy’s Wednesday mornings at 7:00am. More to come. CALL FOR INFORMATION. Joe Holland. 940) 206-5177

GO MEAN GREEN

greenjoe · January 24, 2023

Attention North Texas Baseball fans…

As promised, next Wednesday, February 1, my Breakfast Kiwanis Club will be having Danny Suges speaking on the status of the reviving of North Texas Baseball. He will provide need of conversations he and other baseball promoters have had with Jared Mosley.

We meet at 7:00am at Rudy’s and if you’ll come, I’ll buy your breakfast. Just find me and I’ll do the rest.

Joe Holland. 940) 206-5177

EAGLE83 · January 24, 2023

Could we use the Frisco stadium until we built one.

greenjoe · January 24, 2023

What a good idea. Ask that question next Wednesday.

EAGLE83 · January 26, 2023

Will not be able to make it.

Doug Rush · January 30, 2023

Eagle83. That idea has been discussed. Having a practice facility in Denton and playing at the RoughRiders stadium the first few years is absolutely an intriguing idea. We have also been approached by minor league operations who have an interest in discussing building a stadium. Our group is committed to helping get this athletic center built and then we think baseball should be next. The interest from the DFW baseball world has been outstanding and we feel we have an administration that wants baseball to happen sooner rather than later now. Both Danny Suges and Kevin Mckinney will be at the Kiwanis breakfast and both of these guys are absolutely committed to the cause and are studs.

meangreenbaseball.com

Sincerely,

Doug Rush

greenjoe · January 30, 2023

Baseball fans ! In keeping with baseball traditions, we are issuing a RAIN CHECK for the talk Danny Suges was to give at the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club Wednesday morning. Since there is threatening weather, we are postponing Danny’s talk to Wednesday, February 15. Still at 7:00am. Still at Rudy’s. And I’ll still buy your breakfast. Put this new date on your calendar and I’ll see everyone Wednesday February 15. Play ball North Texas.

Jonnyeagle · January 30, 2023

2 hours ago, Doug Rush said:

Eagle83. That idea has been discussed. Having a practice facility in Denton and playing at the RoughRiders stadium the first few years is absolutely an intriguing idea. We have also been approached by minor league operations who have an interest in discussing building a stadium. Our group is committed to helping get this athletic center built and then we think baseball should be next. The interest from the DFW baseball world has been outstanding and we feel we have an administration that wants baseball to happen sooner rather than later now. Both Danny Suges and Kevin Mckinney will be at the Kiwanis breakfast and both of these guys are absolutely committed to the cause and are studs.

meangreenbaseball.com

Sincerely,

Doug Rush

Thanks for all you are doing to bring baseball back @Doug Rush

Jonnyeagle · January 30, 2023

On 1/24/2023 at 10:00 AM, greenjoe said:

Attention North Texas Baseball fans…

As promised, next Wednesday, February 1, my Breakfast Kiwanis Club will be having Danny Suges speaking on the status of the reviving of North Texas Baseball. He will provide need of conversations he and other baseball promoters have had with Jared Mosley.

We meet at 7:00am at Rudy’s and if you’ll come, I’ll buy your breakfast. Just find me and I’ll do the rest.

Joe Holland. 940) 206-5177

When you reschedule please let me know.

NT80 · February 3, 2023

On 1/30/2023 at 3:26 PM, Jonnyeagle said:

When you reschedule please let me know.

Since there is threatening weather, we are postponing Danny’s talk to Wednesday, February 15. Still at 7:00am. Still at Rudy’s. And I’ll still buy your breakfast. Put this new date on your calendar and I’ll see everyone Wednesday February 15. Play ball North Texas.

greenjoe · February 12, 2023

It’s finally here ! Let’s talk about a future with North Texas Baseball in it.

Wednesday, February 15 ( the day after Valentine’s Day, speaking of diamonds), meet at Rudy’s on I-35 in Denton at 7:00am to hear Danny Suges talk about what needs to happen to bring baseball back to UNT.

We will meet in the back dining room. Tell the order window you’re with the Denton Breakfast Club meeting.

I’m inviting Bret Vito so bring you questions and let’s talk NT Baseball.

greenjoe · February 14, 2023

Baseball talk this Wednesday, February 15, 7:00am at Rudy’s. I hope to see what will become Mean Green Baseball fans.

Doug Rush · February 15, 2023

Thanks for all who showed up. Kevin and Danny really enjoyed the Kiwanis meeting and I hope you guys enjoyed meeting them and seeing our vision for Mean Green Baseball! Thanks for having us.

Doug Rush

Mean Green Baseball Project

meangreenbaseball.com

greenjoe · February 15, 2023

We had a good group. Among them, DR-C sports writer Bret Vito. I appreciate him starting his day so early. We sang “Take me out to the ball game” and modified the “root, root, root” part to “root, root, root, for the Mean Green…”. Fun breakfast. GO MEAN GREEN-BASEBALL

UNTLifer · February 15, 2023

14 minutes ago, greenjoe said:

We had a good group. Among them, DR-C sports writer Bret Vito. I appreciate him starting his day so early. We sang “Take me out to the ball game” and modified the “root, root, root” part to “root, root, root, for the Mean Green…”. Fun breakfast. GO MEAN GREEN-BASEBALL

Any updates on what was said?

greenjoe · February 15, 2023

There are lots of facets to this project. The first and biggest is the expansion of the Athletic Complex. This $40 million re-do is first in line and will be completed before any sport, men or women, is added. $20 mil is to come from donors and $20 mil from “the University.” Then, the facility. Several possibilities here, including an on-campus stadium, a collaborative project with a minor league group and being part of a convention, rodeo, baseball park trifecta. There are advantages/disadvantages to all. However, partnering with another would quicken the wait to get cleats on the field.

Bottom line, open your wallet.