DD expects no ill effects from diabetes

MeanGreen61 · June 29, 2006

UNT’s Dickey expects no ill effects from diabetes

09:07 AM CDT on Thursday, June 29, 2006

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Darrell Dickey said Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with diabetes, a condition that is not expected to impact the four-time Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.

“Diabetes is in my family’s history,” Dickey said. “Everything looks ok so far. It won’t affect me at all.”

Dickey, who is entering his ninth season at UNT, will have to monitor his diet and exercise, but does not expect to have to make any major lifestyle changes.

Being diagnosed with diabetes is the latest in a series of medical problems Dickey has overcome since last winter. Dickey fell ill on Jan. 29 following an official visit weekend for UNT recruits, but spoke during the Mean Green’s press conference on National Signing Day on Feb. 1.

Dickey returned to the hospital and had his gallbladder removed on Feb. 4 before bouncing back in time for the Mean Green’s spring practices that began on Feb. 13.

“After surgery the diabetes kicked in and started causing me some problems,” Dickey said. “I didn’t know what the cause was. When I went and got tested that told me what the problem is.”

Dickey has lost more than 25 pounds since the end of last season.

“I feel very good going into the season,” Dickey said.

Atterberry lands job in Tyler

Former UNT assistant coach Duke Atterberry has accepted a position as running backs coach at Tyler John Tyler.

The longtime high school coach spent two years on UNT’s staff as tight ends coach and recruited Oklahoma high schools.

“Tyler John Tyler is a good program and I have a friend on that staff,” Atterberry said. “I am looking forward to getting back into coaching in high school. I appreciated my time at North Texas. It made me a better coach and a better person.”

Atterberry signed tight end Charles Brown and defense lineman Tim Patton, a pair of recruits who are expected to develop into key players for the Mean Green. Brown caught three passes for 14 yards as a freshman last season and is expected to compete for additional playing time as a sophomore.

Patton, a Class 5A all-state selection as a senior last season at Tulsa East Central, is among UNT’s top prospects in its 2006 recruiting class.

Women’s basketball

UNT draws Baylor in Preseason WNIT

UNT will play Baylor in the first round of the Preseason WNIT on Nov. 10 in Waco.

UNT was one of 16 teams invited to play in the event. All tournament games are played on the campuses of participating teams. Game sites are determined after each round.

“It’s a great opportunity to play a former national champion,” Slinker said. “We hope fans will come and support us and also to see Baylor.”

UNT received a bid after winning the Sun Belt Conference West Division title and finishing with a 19-9 record last season. The Mean Green lost several key players after last season, but do return their fourth-leading scorer in Amber Jackson, a forward who averaged 7.7 points a game as a redshirt freshman.

SilverEagle · June 29, 2006

Well, that explains the very noticable weight loss.

To echo the comment that DeepGreen made about his 90+ year old father who has diabetes, my Grandfather lived to be about 93 and he had diabetes as well.

It's very managable.