Here's what I like about Neal Smatresk

[Harry]

#1 Above ALL ELSE - He is a FUNDRAISER -- he is responsible for a record-breaking $537 million fundraising campaign at UNLV, the largest campaign in the history of Nevada’s higher education system. He knows what it takes to get the donors to empty out their pocketbooks.

- He understands the importance of athletics from both sides of the fence. UNLV has a HUGE basketball program and tradition. He also spent 20 years at UTA around AFTER they dropped football and knows what a terrible impact that made on the morale of the campus and it's affect on student and community support.

- He's been involved in leadership positions in the Mountain West conference so he will be prepared to take on similar roles in C-USA. We all know that Rawlins prior ties to C-USA through Memphis didn't hurt us when it came to C-USA expansion and nut cutting time.

- Experienced. He's been a college president at a large research college. He's excelled in academia and research which will be respected by the UNT faculty as well as the State of Texas and our region.

- He knows this area, this region having spent 20+ years in Arlington. He will not be a stranger to Texas politics and the landscape in which we operate.

- He seems very personable and engaging in the videos I have watched. He is a good speaker and has a good sense of humor. He seems to be a consensus builder.

- He's not young but he's not old -- he could potentially make a long consistent run in this position which would be very good. Would provide us with a better sense of direction and stability.

These are just my initial thoughts. I am very pleased. I think this is a GREAT hire and I welcome him and his family to UNT! GO MEAN GREEN!

[ChristopherRyanWilkes]

I agree 100% Harry, very excited about this hire.

[MeanGreenDan]

Great points Harry, excited to see where this goes from here!

[laxtonto]

A little birdie told me that he is VERY interested in baseball...

[NorthTexan95]

A little birdie told me that he is VERY interested in baseball...

He did coach kid's baseball in Arlington for 14 years.

[Harry]

"I look forward to being part of the university family and working with everyone to make UNT the best it can be.” -- Neal Smatresk

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports)

November 20, 2013

[oldguystudent]

He did coach kid's baseball in Arlington for 14 years.

Add a second hat for him and throw it in the ring for our first head coach?

[JesseMartin]

Add a second hat for him and throw it in the ring for our first head coach?

That could be interesting if he can coach above the kiddie level. Unconventional, but whatever...we're North Texas.

Does anyone know if UNLV is a Tier 1 institution? Coming from a family with zero college background, even I had heard of UNLV back in the day.

[Harry]

One point of clarification, Smatresk serves on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors as the representative for the Mountain West Conference. His term was set to expire in 2017.

So I would say that puts him in pretty good company in terms of understanding the opportunities and challenges of building a successful athletic program at North Texas.

[UNT90]

Lee Jackson seemed 100% behind UNT spots, tonight, too.

Ya, as long as its at the right price. Too bad he wasn't 100 percent behind the athletic fee and allowed it to be changed to a stadium construction fee without a fight.

Can't be gone soon enough.

[Eastwood Eagle]

Add a second hat for him and throw it in the ring for our first head coach?

1) Rusty Greer

2) Neal Smatresk

[ragpicker]

#1 Above ALL ELSE - He is a FUNDRAISER -- he is responsible for a record-breaking $537 million fundraising campaign at UNLV, the largest campaign in the history of Nevada’s higher education system. He knows what it takes to get the donors to empty out their pocketbooks.

- He understands the importance of athletics from both sides of the fence. UNLV has a HUGE basketball program and tradition. He also spent 20 years at UTA around AFTER they dropped football and knows what a terrible impact that made on the morale of the campus and it's affect on student and community support.

- He's been involved in leadership positions in the Mountain West conference so he will be prepared to take on similar roles in C-USA. We all know that Rawlins prior ties to C-USA through Memphis didn't hurt us when it came to C-USA expansion and nut cutting time.

- Experienced. He's been a college president at a large research college. He's excelled in academia and research which will be respected by the UNT faculty as well as the State of Texas and our region.

- He knows this area, this region having spent 20+ years in Arlington. He will not be a stranger to Texas politics and the landscape in which we operate.

- He seems very personable and engaging in the videos I have watched. He is a good speaker and has a good sense of humor. He seems to be a consensus builder.

- He's not young but he's not old -- he could potentially make a long consistent run in this position which would be very good. Would provide us with a better sense of direction and stability.

These are just my initial thoughts. I am very pleased. I think this is a GREAT hire and I welcome him and his family to UNT! GO MEAN GREEN!

I agree with your fundraiser observation as our endowment seems to be our weakest link as far as attaining tier one status is concerned. Off the subject, Harry, but I appeal to you as someone who seems to know stuff. Is the shuttle going to run this week-end or not?

[Harry]

I agree with your fundraiser observation as our endowment seems to be our weakest link as far as attaining tier one status is concerned. Off the subject, Harry, but I appeal to you as someone who seems to know stuff. Is the shuttle going to run this week-end or not?

Not to my knowledge no. Wish it was.

[greenit]

1) Rusty Greer

2) Neal Smatresk

3rd base coach?

[PlummMeanGreen]

Most of our past UNT presidents have had their strengths and high points, but good gosh have we ever had a hire

as this who seems to hit most every area of need of which we have at this time in our history?

I think reaching Tier 1 is now back in play for UNT when I didn't think that before.

Congrats to all those responsible for this (apparent) great hire for the University of North Texas.

GMG!

[ragpicker]

Not to my knowledge no. Wish it was.

Thanks. It will be a cold walk back to town, but if I can make it to Fry Street I can get refueled for the final leg.