Nt Exes And Athletics Event At T. J. Hartford's In Lewisville

[BonfireBrian]

This has already been posted by Kram1 in the UNT sports section, but since the football board gets the most views, I figured I would post it here as well.

T. J. Hartford's Grill and Bar in Lewisville will be hosting a social event with the Denton Chapter of the North Texas Exes and UNT Athletics on Saturday. The event will run from 12-5 PM, ending just in time to head to Denton for the basketball games.

The NT Exes Executive Director Derrick Morgan will speak on the state of the Exes at 12:30.

North Texas Athletic Director Rick Villareal will speak on the state of the Athletic Department at 1:00.

Both will be available for meet-and-greet afterwards, meaning you all can hound RV with all kinds of new stadium questions.

We'll have $1.99 domestic pints, $2.50 wells, and free chips & salsa with a food purchase.

The event is open to any UNT fans, not just Exes members.

Here is the article from MeanGreenSports.com: http://www.meangreensports.com/ViewArticle...CRIBER_CONTENT=

So, who's in?

Edited February 13, 2008 by BonfireBrian

[filmerj]

I have just reupped my exes membership, and hope to be more involved, I have to work early that morning so, I will try to make it.

[GMoney]

I'll definitely swing by.

[GreenAlums]

I'll be there!

[jimmyjames_99]

I'll be there with the family...

To all who go, make sure to check your bill to see if they add gratuity. I can understand the logic, even though there are just 2-3 at my table, the NT group is larger. It just surprised me as the waitress didn't mention it and I basically tipped her double last time.

[KRAM1]

I hope to see lots of you at the Exes Mixer Saturday. Start time is Noon and will run until about 5PM when, hopefully, everyone will head to the UNT Basketball games at the Super Pit that evening...GO MEAN GREEN...GO EXES...everyone is welcome....it's a "come and go" deal, so don't think you have to stay all day...BUT, we'd love to have you stay all day! Lots of good...and inexpensive...adult beverages and great food...so...come on by and be part of the Mean Green Nation. Oh, in case you didn't know...if you don't want adult beverages, they have plenty of soft drinks available!

[GreenAlums]

This is a great day to stay indoors and enjoy the company of family and friends. I'll see you at JT Hartford's! I look forward to hearing from Derrick Morgan about the NT Exes Association of Alumni and Rick V. about the Athletic program. Maybe, just maybe we can ask questions about the stadium and spring practice for the football program!

GMG! and Support the NT Exes and UNT!

Edited February 16, 2008 by GreenExes

[hickoryhouse]

I really want to start attending these events. As a recent grad I think it is important to stay involved with the University! I unfortuanetly am going to be at work all day, so I can't make it. But the good thing is, I know those of us that cannot attend can count on any pertinant news to be relayed to us here via the Gomeangreen.com faithful. Thank you guys.

[NTEdgex2]

Really wanted to attend, but have a previous committment this afternoon. We'll see you at the bball game tonight.

GMG!

[jperg2]

Couldn't make it due to previous commitment.

Was there any news to report back to us that missed the event?

What did RV and TDodge have to say with regards to the "State of the Athletic Dept."?

Any stadium news to report, for those inquiring minds?

Come on... we want some details!

Please ? !

[NT80]

Couldn't make it due to previous commitment.

Was there any news to report back to us that missed the event?

What did RV and TDodge have to say with regards to the "State of the Athletic Dept."?

Any stadium news to report, for those inquiring minds?

Come on... we want some details!

Please ? !

Just a few tidbits I can recall:

Dodge and UNT hosted junior day today and their parents, bad wx and all; over 100 players toured the facilities and campus. TD said 3 Jucos will be in spring camp, no HS early enrollers. Riley will start throwing in mid-March, seems ahead of schedule. Said all spring practices and scrimmages were open to public. Scrimmages will be Friday afternoons, Spring Game at Fouts on a Saturday at 2pm, they encourage tailgating at it like last year; all HS signees will be there to watch.

RV said stadium issue is 24/7 on his mind. His staff has looked at several venues and prepared several pages of wish list stadium things to present architects next week as design begins. Athletic dept will send out surveys about concessions, ticket office, customer service; they want to know our thoughts, how they're currently doing, etc. Plans to have more Quarterly Meeting/s again for better communication and discussion. Next sport added would be baseball before men's soccer; perhaps look into it in a year or so after stadium progresses.

New "large" donors are being found every day as they continue to structure stadium financing, we'll all be asked to help at a future time. Best thing we can do now is push season tickets and find new attendance. We had 4000 season tickets sold last year, he'd like to see 8000 this year. He'd prefer stadium naming rights be for a person related to NT as opposed to a corporate name ($20 mil range). Said when he arrived at NT in 2001 we only had 48 donors for a total of $40,000. Now we have a few 6-figure donors.

Working on future opponent contracts, I believe he said we'd have an 8-game and 10-game contracts with schools we'd like to see announced soon; Smut may not happen until after 2009 or 2010. Will continue to pursue relations with regional schools, Tulsas, Houstons, etc. Scheduling will be more selective for $ games and not as many in future years...wants 800K to $1 mil for them. Thinks CUSA may not be the same in future, SBC is improving over MAC and WAC; we have to help ourselves with facilities and attendance, be ready for opportunity, not limit to just CUSA. I believe he said NT is now ranked #1 in Title IX compliance and facilities? Tennis has greatly improved, with many freshman beating quality opponents, will get Top 40 intl player in the world next year; swimming has broken all school records like twice in the past years time.

[filmerj]

it was my first opportunity to hear either of the two men speak in person. My wife and I had a great time. I am really excited about where we're headed. I hope rickv. is right and things progress faster than we think.

[jperg2]

Just a few tidbits I can recall:

Dodge and UNT hosted junior day today and their parents, bad wx and all; over 100 players toured the facilities and campus. TD said 3 Jucos will be in spring camp, no HS early enrollers. Riley will start throwing in mid-March, seems ahead of schedule. Said all spring practices and scrimmages were open to public. Scrimmages will be Friday afternoons, Spring Game at Fouts on a Saturday at 2pm, they encourage tailgating at it like last year; all HS signees will be there to watch.

RV said stadium issue is 24/7 on his mind. His staff has looked at several venues and prepared several pages of wish list stadium things to present architects next week as design begins. Athletic dept will send out surveys about concessions, ticket office, customer service; they want to know our thoughts, how they're currently doing, etc. Plans to have more Quarterly Meeting/s again for better communication and discussion. Next sport added would be baseball before men's soccer; perhaps look into it in a year or so after stadium progresses.

New "large" donors are being found every day as they continue to structure stadium financing, we'll all be asked to help at a future time. Best thing we can do now is push season tickets and find new attendance. We had 4000 season tickets sold last year, he'd like to see 8000 this year. He'd prefer stadium naming rights be for a person related to NT as opposed to a corporate name ($20 mil range). Said when he arrived at NT in 2001 we only had 48 donors for a total of $40,000. Now we have a few 6-figure donors.

Working on future opponent contracts, I believe he said we'd have an 8-game and 10-game contracts with schools we'd like to see announced soon; Smut may not happen until after 2009 or 2010. Will continue to pursue relations with regional schools, Tulsas, Houstons, etc. Scheduling will be more selective for $ games and not as many in future years...wants 800K to $1 mil for them. Thinks CUSA may not be the same in future, SBC is improving over MAC and WAC; we have to help ourselves with facilities and attendance, be ready for opportunity, not limit to just CUSA. I believe he said NT is now ranked #1 in Title IX compliance and facilities? Tennis has greatly improved, with many freshman beating quality opponents, will get Top 40 intl player in the world next year; swimming has broken all school records like twice in the past years time.

Thanks for the update -- it is appreciated.

[Daddy Dumpsalot]

Just a few tidbits I can recall:

Dodge and UNT hosted junior day today and their parents, bad wx and all; over 100 players toured the facilities and campus. TD said 3 Jucos will be in spring camp, no HS early enrollers. Riley will start throwing in mid-March, seems ahead of schedule. Said all spring practices and scrimmages were open to public. Scrimmages will be Friday afternoons, Spring Game at Fouts on a Saturday at 2pm, they encourage tailgating at it like last year; all HS signees will be there to watch.

RV said stadium issue is 24/7 on his mind. His staff has looked at several venues and prepared several pages of wish list stadium things to present architects next week as design begins. Athletic dept will send out surveys about concessions, ticket office, customer service; they want to know our thoughts, how they're currently doing, etc. Plans to have more Quarterly Meeting/s again for better communication and discussion. Next sport added would be baseball before men's soccer; perhaps look into it in a year or so after stadium progresses.

New "large" donors are being found every day as they continue to structure stadium financing, we'll all be asked to help at a future time. Best thing we can do now is push season tickets and find new attendance. We had 4000 season tickets sold last year, he'd like to see 8000 this year. He'd prefer stadium naming rights be for a person related to NT as opposed to a corporate name ($20 mil range). Said when he arrived at NT in 2001 we only had 48 donors for a total of $40,000. Now we have a few 6-figure donors.

Working on future opponent contracts, I believe he said we'd have an 8-game and 10-game contracts with schools we'd like to see announced soon; Smut may not happen until after 2009 or 2010. Will continue to pursue relations with regional schools, Tulsas, Houstons, etc. Scheduling will be more selective for $ games and not as many in future years...wants 800K to $1 mil for them. Thinks CUSA may not be the same in future, SBC is improving over MAC and WAC; we have to help ourselves with facilities and attendance, be ready for opportunity, not limit to just CUSA. I believe he said NT is now ranked #1 in Title IX compliance and facilities? Tennis has greatly improved, with many freshman beating quality opponents, will get Top 40 intl player in the world next year; swimming has broken all school records like twice in the past years time.

Great recap. Thanks.

[KRAM1]

If you missed this Exes Mixer you missed a GREAT opportunity to hear RV and Derrick Morgan bring you up to date on the State Of Athletics and the State of the Exes at UNT. Wow, both are really on a positive upswing! GREAT things are happening at UNT and it is a great time to get re-connected or to increase your "connection" with UNT.

The Exes are really working hard to develop new chapters and to bring alumni "back" to the University. The Exes can do a lot of great things, but they need the members to do it. It's hard to move forward if you can't show that your grads are interested in the Exes. I think Derrick said we had about 3000 or 5000 members (or something like that). Folks, a Univerity of UNT's size should have several times that number. Well, folks, the Exes ARE moving forward, Derrick, Susan, Rob, Lorrie and all the staff at the Exes Center are working very hard to "make it happen". If you are an EX you really need to join the Exes...

If you are in the Dallas area, there will be a HAPPY HOUR from 6-8PM at BlackFinn Restaurant and Saloon on FEBRUARY 28th. BlackFinn is located at 4440 Belt L8ine Rd. in Addison...complimentart food buffett and $2 Miller Drafts and $3 drinks (not bad prices for Addison joints! ).

So, if you are wondering what the Exes are up to....make the Happy Hour on the 28th.

Questions? phone the Exes center at 940-565-3162 or email: alumni@unt.edu

BUT, come on out and join the fun...The Exes are really making some positive progress and lots of great things are happening....see you at BlackFinn on the 28th!

[MeanGreen61]

Thinks CUSA may not be the same in future, SBC is improving over MAC and WAC; we have to help ourselves with facilities and attendance, be ready for opportunity, not limit to just CUSA.

Edited February 17, 2008 by MeanGreen61

[NT80]

He mentioned UCF as really climbing, may not be long in CUSA, maybe Big East? Also said more schools see the need for regional realignments; said in this area we work with alums from SMU, Houston, Tulsa, etc and chat around watercooler, not so much with FAU alums. Discussed Texas State as maybe a moveup in the future. We have the location, airport, etc. and had ideas to show CUSA last time they expanded, but no stadium and AC then; we need to help sell ourselves with better home and road attendance, season tickets and a new football stadium, plus perhaps baseball later. Mentioned we could be appealing to Big12 in the future as in the middle of their footprint and no school in DFW, home of their national office. There will be openings in conferences in the future, we need to position ourselves to look good.

[DeepGreen]

RV, then build the damn stadium, already! And don't schedule games on Thanksgiving weekend.

[DallasGreen]

RV, then build the damn stadium, already! And don't schedule games on Thanksgiving weekend.

Each of the teams--ARK ST and UNT are exploring moving the T-Day wekend game to the next weekend or first Sat. in Dec. Ark.St. doesn't want a T-Day weekend game any more than UNT does.

[SUMG]

Each of the teams--ARK ST and UNT are exploring moving the T-Day wekend game to the next weekend or first Sat. in Dec. Ark.St. doesn't want a T-Day weekend game any more than UNT does.

The game is already scheduled for the last weekend in November. So, if it's moved back a week....that would be the first Saturday in December. The only problem with that: We'd now have a schedule with three open dates....and a closing schedule that looked like this:

Nov. 15---open date

Nov. 22---at MTSU

Nov. 29---open date

Dec. 6---Arkansas State

Plus, that'd make it....from October 25th...to December 6th.....between home games. (Troy on October 25.....Ark. State on December 6th).

So, while I don't want to play on Thanksgiving Weekend....not sure this plan, is much better.

[good_ken]

Said all spring practices and scrimmages were open to public. Scrimmages will be Friday afternoons, Spring Game at Fouts on a Saturday at 2pm, they encourage tailgating at it like last year; all HS signees will be there to watch.

cool. wish I lived closer

[hickoryhouse]

Thanks ya'll. It is good to hear updates!!!

Build the darn stadium!!!!!! Then other things are going to be possible, before that, it all is just lip service...

[KRAM1]

Some of you guys are really amazing...even when we get great news from the Athletic Director and Head football coach, you still see the glass as half-empty. Amazing....I have been around the University since 1965, so I am no "rookie" when it comes to promises, changes, good things and disapointments with UNT. But, folks....things are really positive these days around the University, the Athletic Dept., the Exes, etc. The only place I read and see so much negativity is on this site! Come on...let's be a bit more positive and get behind the programs by giving to the Mean Green Club, joing the Exes, buying season tickets and just being a part of the Mean Green nation.

Positive thoughts and ideas ARE appreciated on this site too.

If you have a "cahllenge" with the programs in academics or athletics...why don't you offer a real solution...don't just gripe! And, a "real solution" is something that could actually happen...it does not include such statements as "so just build the stadium", fire this coach or that coach, etc. It does include statements as "as soon as the athletic dept. announces ways for the Mean Green nation to help build the stadium...count me in for $100/$500/$1000, etc.

Or, how about a GOMEANGREEN web site "challenge" like, "lets see if we can't gather enough donations to endow a scholarship for the football program, the basketball program, women's soccer, etc., etc. Endowed scholarships are still $10,000 at UNT, but will be going up soon.

Negativity doesn't get you anything but an ulcer and heartburn...try the positive approach...it works soooooo muchg better, I know...I had to learn the hard way!

GO MEAN GREEN!

[KRAM1]

OOPS...sorry for all the spelling errors and typos in the last post! I need "spell check"! My fingers just get going and seem to punch what keys on the board they want to and not waht I want then to punch...sorry!

[FirefightnRick]

Some of you guys are really amazing...even when we get great news from the Athletic Director and Head football coach, you still see the glass as half-empty.

Who's being so negative?

Rick