Report

As a student during the time of the first vote, there were a couple of reasons it failed- one of which I would blame RV. When asked to explain exactly how the fee increase would be used to renovate Fouts or build a stadium, he wasn’t able to show a clear vision for it. Those who were skeptical (myself included) would have been more supportive had there been a clear plan. What wasn’t his fault was that the AD was pushing hard for it with students, which created a backlash and riled up the “no” vote. One of the tipping points, as I recall it now in my old age, was an alumni funded publicity campaign in favor of the vote. I think there were table tents or other materials pushing for a yes. I definitely recall people saying that if the alumni wanted it so badly they should pay for it. (And they were correct, but we still don’t.) The hard push on both fronts ran counter to UNT’s rebellious culture. We ended up funding the 2002 increase in the student government at a reduced rate in order to be able to acquire the property across the highway that now houses all our athletics programs. (Most student senators who voted for it got kicked out by angry students, btw) That is likely why the next vote was done as a student initiative, but I would suspect it was coordinated with RV, but I guess we would need @UNTflyer to confirm.

My guess is the cadets there do plenty of sword fighting but probably not the kind you were thinking…

Given the nature of the company, I wonder if this could be an in-kind donation and they will take on some aspect of the project?

Almost certainly, but it likely matters in the age of the portal. Early and often “love” from us will probably be remembered more than us being offer 20. It should also be almost automatic that we are first or among the first for DFW top talent.

Perspective: we just played 4 games in 8 days. Given the physicality of our style, and the 8 man rotation, this is pretty brutal. I'm not justifying the losses - I know UAB matched that run - but I think it's reasonable to backtrack on any "free fall" thoughts, and be optimistic about 4 days of rest.