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1: One big problem with the NIL (aka pay for play) is that the universities are what draw the fans, not the players. People argue that "they deserve a piece of the pie", etc., but the big money comes from rabid fans and alumni of the schools, not from fans wanting to watch certain players. I wish they would form a minor league football and see how much interest there is...wait, we already have that. It's called the XFL, USFL, UFL and the players don't make much money ($5,500/wk) and there aren't many fans at the games. Put the Rengades in Alabama uniforms and the Stallions in Auburn uniforms and you'd sell out AT&T stadium. Why, because the players don't matter, the universities are what matter (as it pertains to attendance). Another example is the NBA D-League. What kind of money are those guys making? (I'll save you the Google search, they make $25K/yr). I have to assume that's peanuts compared to many of the NIL deals players are getting. If you want to get paid, go pro. Nobody is making you go to college to get a free education that will benefit you for the rest of your life. 2: I hate the argument that "coaches make big money and can leave for another job whenever they want to." See the last two sentences of the previous point. If you want to be able to do that, go pro. Make it your career just like the coaches have done. There are a very limited number of head coaching jobs at the college level and these coaches have put in LONG hours and worked their way up to the positions that they are in. Nobody was giving them millions of dollars when they were a GA busting their tail for nothing.

Somebody explain how the runner that was hit with the batted ball was called safe? These umpires are horrible.

Good. Offer them a NIL deal and let them pay for their education. They shouldn't receive both.

These posts reflect my feelings. NIL is a huge downer. Yes it’s the offseason, but my caring level has undergone a progressively steep drop off since NIL. This offseason just seems a little worse I guess.

I say no names on the uniforms. School name only. Take away their individualism. They are just widgets now anyway. I don't want to know them or anything about them. All are replaceable. That is the system they have created!

We need to put player names on the front and back of uniforms so they know what to call each other.

Agree, without the relationships how can you motivate and mentor.

I was kind of hoping this HSO thread would help me get over the hump and renew the two season tickets I’ve had since the days of dirt at Fouts Field and the old cement urinals there. Unfortunately I, probably like some others, can’t seem to generate any old fashioned enthusiasm for the new version of “ here today gone tomorrow, pass through jocks . Somehow there just seems to be a missing piece; commitment, loyalty, alma mater. Yesterday’s discarded intangibles. Well, today is deadline day, can I break an old habit?

Yes to all. Fans come to support our school against another school. If players want to be paid (beyond a scholarship) to represent the school, then it's simply time for contracts.

Depends on where you draw the line. Within the American, we were 6th which is above par.

It is. But in a North Texas context, the Mac/Hodge teams have received almost unprecedented support. Look at the list of top 10 all time crowds. Like half of them came during this one stretch. We’re also very critical of our fanbase (& should be to a degree) but if you take out Memphis and look at other AAC games when they’re on TV, they all kind look similar with butts in seats. TLDR: Don’t like it either. Wish it was better. Not unique to North Texas.

No doubt that’s true. I can’t begrudge someone like Rubin who has been here 4 years, given a lot to the program, and gotten a degree. Good for him for all of those things. Plus, I believe he only has this year due to COVID, so there’s that in his favor as well. My issue is nothing personal, and is admittedly shallow, but going to another school taints his legacy here to some degree. Kind of like Emmitt Smith playing for the Cardinals or Michael Jordan for the Wizards. Plus, he’s leaving MY university, so I’m obviously not happy about that. I don’t wish most of our portal guys well, nor do I wish them ill will, but I do hope things work out for Rubin the way he expects.

I may be mistaken but our attendance has increased significantly over the past few years. May be wrong.

This is the point I think has never been critically consider because of the greed of EVERYONE ELSE besides the players. The old system was never sustainable because the schools had very little invested in the players actually getting the best education available at their schools. If guaranteed 4 year scholarships (with an option after 2 years) were the standard or breakable by the student I don't think we have the madness of today. The other major part is the lack of standardization and revenue sharing for all school playing at a particular level. How do you expect the players or coaches to have any loyalty when the schools have no loyalty to protect the health overall college sports. 🤷🏽‍♂️

To the younger generation, a scholarship is outdated to them.

I'm to the point where they can all go kick rocks if they don't want to come for just a scholarship. We can be the first "integrity" school where you play for the honor, not NIL.

Terrible analogy. Taco Bell is amazing.

I may ruffle a lot of feathers here, but he and his team won tourney championships, regular season championships, CBI championship, NIT Championship, and an NCAA game, and it still didn't move the needle. Attendance was still poor, and those players deserved better support.

This is like saying the quality of food at Taco Bell has increased significantly over the past four years...it's still subpar.