I still support my team

untfan813 · October 16, 2011

I promised myself not to post on here as long as I knew players in uniform. I recently graduated in May, and in my previous 3 years at UNT I spend a majority of my time working as a tutor for the athletic department. I am proud to say I had the pleasure of working with many of the young men and women we cheer on every day. I got to know many of the players personally, and I gladly to say I support the Mean Green.

I’ve always loved reading post on the website; I loved to hear the common excitement for a new season, new coach, and new stadium. I used to have the pleasure of driving by the stadium almost every day as I went to work at a job I loved. However recently, I’ve started graduate school in San Antonio and I have yet to see the stadium and the team in person since. Still that hasn’t veered my support for my alma mater. Even during tough times and losses I still support my school; players, coaches, athletic trainers, managers and everyone else involved with representing UNT.

Many of you however, find these tough times to an opportunity publicly call out the young gentlemen on the field. Do you know who they are, do you know what they go through day to day, were you ever in their place, and do you really even care?

I’ll give you a little inside from what I saw. A lot of these guys committed to a program that was 5-31 with Dodge and usually close to bottom of all the FBS. They came here to win and that’s the reason they are still here. They don’t like losing any more than a fan likes seeing a loss. They go to a school where much of the student body doesn’t care about them, and when times get rough either do alums. Do you think calling them out publicly motivates them? It doesn’t, and it sure doesn’t help their attitude or confidence. Do you really wonder why no we haven’t had a solid junior or senior quarterback, or why we have players quit or transfer?

These players give it their all every Saturday for a fan base and school that seems to not care. They have yet to quit on each other and yet to quit on their coach. Never in the game yesterday did I see a player quit on a play. Yes, sometimes they got out played and weaknesses were exposed but they never quit.

Finally who are you to question the coaching staff? Aren’t these they guys you praised about a few months ago. Have you ever been on a top 25 coaching staff or won a BCS Championship? I bet not, but I do believe these guys know what they are doing.

Many of you say you’ve given up on this season and won’t even try to make it to anymore games. Give me your tickets, I would love to go. Beats watching it online. I may just be a kid to some of you, but many of you are acting like a child to me. Finally, please shut your mouth about football or any other sport unless it is in support for the team. And most importantly GO MEAN GREEN.

rcade · October 16, 2011

Finally, please shut your mouth about football or any other sport unless it is in support for the team.

There isn't a college football fan base on the planet that would accept year after year of losing without speaking out. Your expectations of fans are incredibly unrealistic, and any player who would transfer over the relatively mild criticism players get at North Texas isn't cut out for FBS football.

Green Mean · October 16, 2011

This is college football...these kids know what they signed up for. No one put a gun to their head for them to come to NT.

Nobody is questioning how they are as people...it is more about our thoughts on what is going on the field. These kids aren't oblivious to the attention college sports teams get even at little ol North Texas.

As Dan Hawkins once said....."IT'S DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL!!! IT AINT INTRAMURALS! Go play intramurals brother!"

Edited October 16, 2011 by Green Mean

bleedgreen4ever · October 16, 2011

I promised myself not to post on here as long as I knew players in uniform. I recently graduated in May, and in my previous 3 years at UNT I spend a majority of my time working as a tutor for the athletic department. I am proud to say I had the pleasure of working with many of the young men and women we cheer on every day. I got to know many of the players personally, and I gladly to say I support the Mean Green.

I’ve always loved reading post on the website; I loved to hear the common excitement for a new season, new coach, and new stadium. I used to have the pleasure of driving by the stadium almost every day as I went to work at a job I loved. However recently, I’ve started graduate school in San Antonio and I have yet to see the stadium and the team in person since. Still that hasn’t veered my support for my alma mater. Even during tough times and losses I still support my school; players, coaches, athletic trainers, managers and everyone else involved with representing UNT.

Many of you however, find these tough times to an opportunity publicly call out the young gentlemen on the field. Do you know who they are, do you know what they go through day to day, were you ever in their place, and do you really even care?

I’ll give you a little inside from what I saw. A lot of these guys committed to a program that was 5-31 with Dodge and usually close to bottom of all the FBS. They came here to win and that’s the reason they are still here. They don’t like losing any more than a fan likes seeing a loss. They go to a school where much of the student body doesn’t care about them, and when times get rough either do alums. Do you think calling them out publicly motivates them? It doesn’t, and it sure doesn’t help their attitude or confidence. Do you really wonder why no we haven’t had a solid junior or senior quarterback, or why we have players quit or transfer?

These players give it their all every Saturday for a fan base and school that seems to not care. They have yet to quit on each other and yet to quit on their coach. Never in the game yesterday did I see a player quit on a play. Yes, sometimes they got out played and weaknesses were exposed but they never quit.

Finally who are you to question the coaching staff? Aren’t these they guys you praised about a few months ago. Have you ever been on a top 25 coaching staff or won a BCS Championship? I bet not, but I do believe these guys know what they are doing.

Many of you say you’ve given up on this season and won’t even try to make it to anymore games. Give me your tickets, I would love to go. Beats watching it online. I may just be a kid to some of you, but many of you are acting like a child to me. Finally, please shut your mouth about football or any other sport unless it is in support for the team. And most importantly GO MEAN GREEN.

While I agree that it's important to support your school if you're a fan, you have the wrong idea of what being a fan entails. You mention that we should shut our mouth unless it is in support of the team??? Give me a break. Most fans that criticize the program are doing so because they WANT the program to get better. Where on earth are you going to find a team being constantly supported and not criticized by its fans if it absolutely stinks??? We're all trying to see this team win, and until that starts happening constantly, most of us will be discontent with the team. Period. That doesn't mean I don't support it and don't go to the games. The people who deliberately cut off the team aren't true fans, I agree with you in that regard.

untfan813 · October 17, 2011

Maybe I was a little extreme, you guys got me on that. What my message in my mind came down to really was, how will the team ever get better if we are constantly bashing it? Recruits do look at this board, they do go to games, and they do know that all of us fans have high expectations of them and the coaching staff here. So instead of making post that say "Please take #21 out", "What was McCarney thinking", "Derek Thompson is the absolute worse qb I've ever seen", etc. Lets focus on how we all can make this team better. As stated in my message, I worked as a tutor for the athletic department. I had job offers with other places that paid way more, but I supported my school. I turned down a raise to another student could be hired for different courses that I didn't know. But the thing I am most proud of doing for UNT Football is, I went to the games. I brought friends, I brought family and I brought anyone that I could. Because if there is anything a recruit hates when I was there and probably now, is seeing a beautiful $78 million stadium empty.

Btw, on the positive. I think Derek Thompson has matured quite a bit, and will continue to grow. His arm may not be perfect right now but his knowledge is growing. I don't know if coach told him to hold on to it more on zone read options, but it sure looked good when he took it a couple of times for 10+ yard early in the game.

Go Mean Green.

UNTJarhead0802 · October 17, 2011

I can dig your enthusiasm, and I do think that the manic depressive disorder which plagues most posters on the board does breach the overkill threshold. What I do see is an uber-passionate group of fans on this board, and does get carried away at times. Frustration boils over at times, and of course, just like since we can't bitch about movies and share porn on the internet like we used to, we use this website to voice our displeasure, or at times, pleasure towards the football team.

Make no mistake, brother, we're all heavy supporters of our team, most of us are financial donors to Mean Green Club and other organizations set up to assist the football program, however, we do want to see a winning product.

DJstars21 · October 17, 2011

This is college football...these kids know what they signed up for. No one put a gun to their head for them to come to NT.

Nobody is questioning how they are as people...it is more about our thoughts on what is going on the field. These kids aren't oblivious to the attention college sports teams get even at little ol North Texas.

As Dan Hawkins once said....."IT'S DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL!!! IT AINT INTRAMURALS! Go play intramurals brother!"

Agreed. As a former athlete myself I was taught to have pride in my performance. We got praised when we did good and bashed when we did bad, nature of the beast. Honestly, if most of the guys I knew got their number called out by a fan that served as motivation. Nobody wanted to be "that guy", im sorry maybe things have changed. I don't see anything wrong with giving these guys a hard time so they get their heads in the game. As fans we love just as hard as we hate, as college athletes they should know that by now. Respect is earned, not givin.

GrandGreen · October 17, 2011

I agree with the poster on a couple of points, few realize what it takes to play d1 ball and I think people who make personal attacks on players; have their own issues. That being said, just based on quantity of fans NT's coaches, administrators, and players get a relatively easy go. Also, I hate the concept that recruits are swayed by a message board. If they were, NT would be in fine shape, because it is mild here compared to most programs. Recruits are swayed by conference affiliation, media exposure, peer pressure and a hundred things more significant than a fan board.

JRock · October 17, 2011

I'll support UNT forever. I love our school and team no matter what. Am I disappointed? Yes of course. We need 2-3 years of solid recruitment and a much improved QB situation. And I will be at the game this Saturday...even during the World Series.

Go Mean Green!

JRock

KRAM1 · October 17, 2011

Never...never...any question of support for the Mean Green. The wins will come and until they do, every kid and every coach has my support...I'll be in the stands Saturday. I could care less what else is going on in the area...doesn't matter. I'll be there in support for the Mean Green.

As I hope every member of the great Mean Green Nation will...you know who you are! It's easy to support a winning team..but when times are tough, folks will remember most those who still ventured out in support.

Homecoming will be a great opportunity for the Mean Green nation to show its support for the team and the program, so be there Saturday for homecoming....please and thank you.