Friday Pm Practice Closed to Public

mad dog · August 8, 2008

I just got off the phone with Mark Barrow, Director of Football Operations, who said that tonight's practice is CLOSED to the public. Just want to let you guys know before 5:00 so people don't spend the time and gas driving up there, only to be disappointed.

NT80 · August 8, 2008

I just got off the phone with Mark Barrow, Director of Football Operations, who said that tonight's practice is CLOSED to the public. Just want to let you guys know before 5:00 so people don't spend the time and gas driving up there, only to be disappointed.

Is this Mark Barrow's policy, TD's policy, or just because you called and asked? For fan's sake I wish the football staff, DRC/Vito, and the fans could all get on the same page before fall practice about what is allowed to be viewed. I have no problem with restrictions, as long as it's 1.) known and told well in advance and 2.) fair and equitable to all. And I don't mind if player's parents are not restricted, but if Joe $ Donor is allowed in, then so should a MGC member. In fact to add some value to MGC membership an ID card should be issued and access allowed to these practices. Just a small perk that might encourage more members.

mad dog · August 8, 2008

Is this Mark Barrow's policy, TD's policy, or just because you called and asked? For fan's sake I wish the football staff, DRC/Vito, and the fans could all get on the same page before fall practice about what is allowed to be viewed. I have no problem with restrictions, as long as it's 1.) known and told well in advance and 2.) fair and equitable to all. And I don't mind if player's parents are not restricted, but if Joe $ Donor is allowed in, then so should a MGC member. In fact to add some value to MGC membership an ID card should be issued and access allowed to these practices. Just a small perk that might encourage more members.

I am not sure whose policy is reflected; i would assume departmental policy. I was referred to Mark through the SID, and I think it is safe to say the Director of Football Operations knows what he's talking about.

I would agree that a practice viewing ID card might be a good perk for MGC membership. Maybe this can be brought to the Athletic Department's attention by some enterprising fan...

DeepGreen · August 8, 2008

In fact to add some value to MGC membership an ID card should be issued and access allowed to these practices. Just a small perk that might encourage more members.

I thought it was the koozy cups and door mats that had fans lining up to join the MGC? :unsure:

SUMG · August 8, 2008

It's hard to argue with the policy. After all, last year a lot of the fall scrimmages/practices were closed. And if you remember in our opener...Oklahoma was totally clueless as to what we were gonna do.

Seriously...NFL teams, with their intricate offenses...open up training camps to thousands of fans. The Cowboys allow HBO full access to training camp.

And yet, here in little ole Denton....we who struggle to draw 15,000 fans a year....we keep fans out of the fifth practice of the year.

BTW....this isn't RV's fault or anyone else's. This is all Barrow's bullshit. Trust me.

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 8, 2008

It's hard to argue with the policy. After all, last year a lot of the fall scrimmages/practices were closed. And if you remember in our opener...Oklahoma was totally clueless as to what we were gonna do.
Seriously...NFL teams, with their intricate offenses...open up training camps to thousands of fans. The Cowboys allow HBO full access to training camp.
And yet, here in little ole Denton....we who struggle to draw 15,000 fans a year....we keep fans out of the fifth practice of the year.
BTW....this isn't RV's fault or anyone else's. This is all Barrow's bullshit. Trust me.

I almost spit my water out of my mouth at the OU reference - that is funny.

I agree - but next time TD talks about wanting more fans out at the games, someone should ask him why his practices are off limits. What reason does a 2-9 team need to close their practices?

greenminer · August 8, 2008

I love you all, but you're an idiot if you think he's doing this to keep his schemes secret.

Do I know why? No, but if Dodge is really doing this to be all secretive to his opponents, then we're giving him way more credit than he deserves.

Will to Win · August 8, 2008

That's BS. I was looking forward to going tonight. I had my pizza ready to go and everything. :angry:

Hunter Green · August 8, 2008

Swell. Nice way to kill fan interest. <_<

nautique · August 8, 2008

It's hard to argue with the policy. After all, last year a lot of the fall scrimmages/practices were closed. And if you remember in our opener...Oklahoma was totally clueless as to what we were gonna do.
Seriously...NFL teams, with their intricate offenses...open up training camps to thousands of fans. The Cowboys allow HBO full access to training camp.
And yet, here in little ole Denton....we who struggle to draw 15,000 fans a year....we keep fans out of the fifth practice of the year.
BTW....this isn't RV's fault or anyone else's. This is all Barrow's bullshit. Trust me.

TD is the only man making the decisions.....Barrow just follows Dodge's direct marching orders. But hey, you can stand out the stadium and watch all u want. After awhile, they let u in.

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 9, 2008

This should just show us how small time we really are. Now I can I stay home and watch the Olympics I suppose. Watching them now reminds me why so many have DVR's - the amount of commericals are for the dogs.

UNTflyer · August 9, 2008

This should just show us how small time we really are. Now I can I stay home and watch the Olympics I suppose. Watching them now reminds me why so many have DVR's - the amount of commericals are for the dogs.

The Chinese are putting on a show.

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 9, 2008

The Chinese are putting on a show.

How much do you think they spent on that "Roll out" LED TV that they had down there? There is NO Telling how much money they spent on the show tonight.

Cerebus · August 9, 2008

I'll have practice photos up later tonight.

NT80 · August 9, 2008

How much do you think they spent on that "Roll out" LED TV that they had down there? There is NO Telling how much money they spent on the show tonight.

Well, UNT could build a stadium plus indoor practice fields for the cost. I've heard 15,000 actors, 30,000 fireworks, all at a cost for opening and closing ceremony of ...... $100 million.

THOR · August 9, 2008

they said that china spent 50 Billion on these games....dude...we could get an awesome stadium for that price!!!

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 9, 2008

Not that this thread needs to focus on the Olympics, but everytime I watch these things, I see or hear of a country that either I forgot existed, or never learned about.

SUMG · August 9, 2008

The leaders there...they don't care about the people in the stands. Not at all.

Oh wait. I'm sorry...I'm getting The Chinese Olympics mixed up with NT Athletics.

Baby Arm! · August 9, 2008

Seriously...NFL teams, with their intricate offenses...open up training camps to thousands of fans. The Cowboys allow HBO full access to training camp.

Training camp may be open, but practices at Valley Ranch aren't. Even the media isn't allowed at Cowboy practice. They get ushered out after the first 10 min. I had a relative in town once that ventured to Valley Ranch to watch practice. He found a spot that overlooked the practice field. He wasn't even on Cowboys property. After about 15 minutes a security guard came by and told him to move on..Practice is closed to the public. Maybe it's different under Wade, but thats the way it's been since Landry through Parcells.

But it may have never occurred to anybody but TD rationale to close practice may not have anything to do with secrecy. TD may just want to avoid any distractions on the first contact drill day, or when they are implementing/teaching. I had an ol' coach that would always close practice on days we were putting new stuff or gameplan in. He didn't want us distracted by fans, girlfriends, parents, etc watching from the sidelines.

SUMG · August 9, 2008

Training camp may be open, but practices at Valley Ranch aren't. Even the media isn't allowed at Cowboy practice. They get ushered out after the first 10 min. I had a relative in town once that ventured to Valley Ranch to watch practice. He found a spot that overlooked the practice field. He wasn't even on Cowboys property. After about 15 minutes a security guard came by and told him to move on..Practice is closed to the public. Maybe it's different under Wade, but thats the way it's been since Landry through Parcells.
But it may have never occurred to anybody but TD rationale to close practice may not have anything to do with secrecy. TD may just want to avoid any distractions on the first contact drill day, or when they are implementing/teaching. I had an ol' coach that would always close practice on days we were putting new stuff or gameplan in. He didn't want us distracted by fans, girlfriends, parents, etc watching from the sidelines.

Well...we are essentially in our training camp. That's what we're in right now. And btw.....practices have been closed since Tuesday. The only one that was open was the very first one.

And as to your distraction list: TD allows parents, siblings, relatives of players to all scrimmages/practices.

My point was....the NFL never misses a beat when it comes to promoting its' product. We miss every beat. I guess the thing I will never understand is this: Does NT not realize that there are, on average....15,000 empty seats for our games? We're not a tough ticket. But, they sure the hell act like we are.

Edited August 9, 2008 by SUMG

Baby Arm! · August 9, 2008

Well...we are essentially in our training camp. That's what we're in right now. And btw.....practices have been closed since Tuesday. The only one that was open was the very first one.
And as to your distraction list: TD allows parents, siblings, relatives of players to all scrimmages/practices.

Well than this sucks.

My point was....the NFL never misses a beat when it comes to promoting its' product. We miss every beat.

You are correct sir!

drex · August 9, 2008

At the very least, it seems to me that Todd should outline his practice policies publicly and the reasons for his having closed, semi-closed, and open practices....then there should be a printed outline of what practice falls in what catagory. I personally don't care about the whole thing as long as we win, but I also can see y'alls frustration.

GoMeanGreen1999 · August 9, 2008

Well...we are essentially in our training camp. That's what we're in right now. And btw.....practices have been closed since Tuesday. The only one that was open was the very first one.
And as to your distraction list: TD allows parents, siblings, relatives of players to all scrimmages/practices.
My point was....the NFL never misses a beat when it comes to promoting its' product. We miss every beat. I guess the thing I will never understand is this: Does NT not realize that there are, on average....15,000 empty seats for our games? We're not a tough ticket. But, they sure the hell act like we are.

and former players of his are allowed out there. Basically if you are a fan, they don't want you in there. They do however want you to come and bring all of your friends to the pay events. It's too bad since there appears to have been a good group of loyal fans that just wanted to go out and watch one of their favorite teams.

SUMG · August 9, 2008

At the very least, it seems to me that Todd should outline his practice policies publicly and the reasons for his having closed, semi-closed, and open practices....then there should be a printed outline of what practice falls in what catagory. I personally don't care about the whole thing as long as we win, but I also can see y'alls frustration.

Drex ole pal...that's all I want...some clarity.

To me, if all (or almost all) of his practices are closed to us fans...don't even let the schedule out. Those relatives of players don't need a schedule...their kid can tell them when practices/scrimmages are.

And one more thing: TD needs to stop telling fans to come out and watch practice. I've heard him do it...on numerous occasions. I know he mentioned it a lot at his radio shows last year.

UNTflyer · August 9, 2008

Not that this thread needs to focus on the Olympics, but everytime I watch these things, I see or hear of a country that either I forgot existed, or never learned about.

I hope our basketball team shows up this time. How sad they are called the "Redeemed Team".