ADLER

How about being professional and just announcing the actual attendance without any commentary. There are always people who love to remind everyone how awful North Texas was until they arrived, which is fine as long as it's kept within the family, but it's a problem when they feel the need to air it to the neighbors (and the media). Helwig's people did this at the Baylor game several years ago and made North Texas look ridiculous as our guests started laughing.

Time for the ever-present North Texas STATISTIC OF FUTILITY. TODAY'S ATTENDANCE, WHICH ISN'T EVEN A SELL-OUT, IS THE (#) BIGGEST CROWD IN NORTH TEXAS HISTORY! Then everyone can have a good laugh at our expense.

I love seeing goal posts getting torn down and am happy for the Arkies. That's the kind of stuff that makes the collegiate games so much fun. Anyway, beating Army may not be the world's greatest accomplishment, but it sure beats the hell out of being humiliated at home by USC. More power to ASU. Hopefully the hype from that game will help boost their attendance through the rest of the season.

Temple isn't in CUSA. Temple was recently in the Big East, but was forced to leave and is in the process of joining Buffalo in the MAC. This may be Temple's first season as a MAC member.

Well, the question has now been answered. Q) What would you use a 3D Eagle for? A) To kill a 3D white squirrel.

UTA has nobody to blame other than themselves for the stigma. UTA participates in a program with UT-Austin in which students that don't make the cut to get in UT get diverted and start at UTA instead. If they have a sufficient GPA after several semesters they are automatically accepted to transfer to Austin. That is one huge reason that nobody makes an emotional attachment to the school. It's treated as a stepping stone that few want to get stuck on. There's a huge contrast between UTA and North Texas. UTA has prospered feeding off the scraps flowing down through the overfunded UT system. North Texas has had to fight to attain everything it has as a Flagship school in it's own university system. It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees. UTA lives on it's knees. *UTA's few loyal fans despise North Texas because they are very well aware of these facts. If you don't believe me, try to find anything about North Texas that is not derogatory on this web site.

If that is the case, then I choose keeping the tailgating. It is THE lure which has made North Texas football an event for so many.

Outstanding Punt Return Team uses Special Powers to Repel Punts ALL IS WELL

Did Patrick have any receptions this evening?

Would beer sales generate significant revenue for the Athletic Department? Would the rewards be worth the liability? Would overzealous fans or overzealous campus police be able to act in a reasonable manner? Would it help help in getting thousands of tailgaters out of the lots and into the stadium for activities?

Beer fans score By ERIC BAILEY Tulsa World Sports Writer 8/26/2006 The brew will be sold again at Tulsa home games Tulsa football fans will be able to toast touchdowns with beer during home games this season. After a 10-year absence, beer will be sold inside Skelly Stadium in six contests, starting with Thursday night's opener against Stephen F. Austin. "It was a cautious decision to do it," said Bubba Cunningham, TU's director of athletics. Cunningham expects positive and negative feedback. "We're trying to create an atmosphere that's good for our fans," said Cunningham, entering his 10th month as TU's AD. "Some people want to have options on drinks, and we'll have to provide areas for those that don't." Alcohol-free zones aren't in place yet but will be studied as the season progresses. Tulsa experimented with beer sales in the 1995 and 1996 seasons. After the two-year trial, sales were ceased by then-president Robert Lawless. Stadium advertisements for beer were erased a few years later. Those also will return in 2006. A 2005 USA Today survey of 119 Division I schools found that 54 allowed the sale of alcohol through public concessions, in private suites or both. "We've had a lot of conversations (about beer sales) and the consensus was to move in this direction," Cunningham said. "We can control the consumption inside the gates and try to create a positive atmosphere for a lot of fans." Cunningham said TU is contracted with Sodexho, a food management services company that will manage the beer sales. All vendors have gone through training, beer sales will end after the third quarter, and IDs for customers under 30 years old will be checked. Initial reaction to TU's decision to sell beer was mixed. Vicki Roberts was disappointed with the move. She is the executive director of the Green Country affiliate of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "I'd always been so proud of (TU)," said Roberts, whose daughter was injured in separate drunken-driving accidents. "Now it's just another place to get drunk and go out, drive a car and hurt somebody. "I don't know many people to take taxis to football games. I would safely assume that there will be drunk drivers." Roberts said regulation will be the hardest part. Nicole Veit, a TU senior and longtime football fan, said she's looking forward to buying her first 16-ounce, $4 cup of beer. "I'm really excited and glad that they did that," Veit said, before adding that drinking happens "at tailgates outside the stadium before all of the football games." Season-ticket holder Sandy Thompson also applauded TU's decision. "It's a positive step on the University of Tulsa's behalf from the perspective that it'll bring more responsible drinking," said Thompson, who added that many fans used to leave at halftime to guzzle down beers quickly before the second-half kickoff. When asked his opinion on beer sales, Tulsa football coach Steve Kragthorpe declined comment. School President Steadman Upham declined interview requests, deferring questions to Cunningham. TU is a "wet campus" and allows alcohol. Last season, beer was sold in plaza areas just steps from the stadium gates. Cunningham said added revenue was a key, but wasn't the driving force behind the decision. "It was a factor, but it was one of many in making an appropriate decision," he said. The athletic director didn't disclose financial terms but said beer sales would be a part of the regular concession agreement with Sodexho. While no Big 12 Conference schools sell beer inside stadiums, TU will become the fourth Conference USA school to do so, joining Houston, Tulane and Central Florida. Among those, Tulsa and Houston have on-campus stadiums. Tulane and Central Florida play at off-campus sites. One school that has said no to beer is Memphis. The university and city are in ongoing negotiations for a new contract for games at the Liberty Bowl. The city wants to add beer sales. The school doesn't. Memphis receives a percentage of concession revenue but wouldn't accept money generated by beer sales, said Bob Winn, the school's associate athletic director for external affairs. "We're in a stance that we're very adamant against the sales of beer . . . ," Winn said. Beer is sold at Tiger basketball games at the FedEx Forum, an arena owned by the city. Do beer sales at TU football games pave the way for beer to be sold inside the Reynolds Center? "At this point, we're just trying to enhance the atmosphere of football," Cunningham said. "At this point, we don't anticipate selling beer at basketball games." Cunningham said Tulsa police have been informed about the policy. There are no immediate plans to increase security at TU games as a result of beer sales, said Tulsa Police Capt. Richard Lawson, who coordinates off-duty police officers who work security. Police aren't anticipating a rise in criminal complaints because of beer sales during and after TU games, said Officer Jason Willingham, and he referred to past experience. "It wasn't a problem then and we don't look for it to be a problem now," Willingham said. "There's always been beer and TU football. It's not going to be really different." At the conclusion of TU's six home dates, the administration will evaluate whether to continue beer sales. "Every time we host an event, we assess how we did and see if it was successful," Cunningham said. "We'll see how we do with (beer sales)." Roberts has seen many families devastated by drunken driving and hopes, at the very least, TU stresses responsibility. "We'll have signage and encourage that," Cunningham said. "We're also encouraging campus-wide positive life choices. "Beer will be available, but we want people to make good decisions seven days a week and not just on game day."

Muzzy, Special Teams Excel In Football Dress Rehearsal Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 08/26/2006 DENTON (8/26/06) – Special teams set the pace in North Texas football’s final dress rehearsal before taking on Texas in the season opener. Zach Muzzy dazzled early with a pair of spectacular returns. The senior nearly ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, but was able to find the endzone on a 76-yard punt return. Muzzy is expected to handle the bulk of the Mean Green returns, but also looked impressive on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Matt Phillips. Denis Hopovac showed off a powerful leg on kickoffs and on a 39-yard field goal. The senior consistently sent his kickoffs inside the five-yard line, and likely gained an upper hand in battle for the starting job. Isaac Thomas proved he was too much to handle for the Mean Green offensive line. The defensive tackle racked up two tackles for loss and a sack to go with a handful of stops. Not to be outdone, running back Evan Robertson broke free for a couple of highlight-worthy runs. The freshman, who is expected to spell Jamario Thomas and provide a change of pace, showed his elusiveness and speed on a couple of touchdown carries. The Mean Green kicks off the season next Saturday, September 2, against the Texas Longhorns in Austin

WKU to MAC....."Can you hear me now?"

I've been to Rose Bowls, several Cotton Bowls, many Sugar Bowls, and even a Super Bowl, but they don't rank near the top when it come to greatest game status. Nothing even comes close to that game. It wasn't an Earth shattering event for most people in the sports world, in fact I doubt very few even noticed. But, for the few hundred North Texas fans that made the trip to the New Mexico wastelands in early November of 2001 for the game against NMSU, they'll know exactly what I mean. NMSU had played MTSU the previous week in what the papers were billing as The Battle for the Conference Championship. NMSU dominated that game but lost in the final minutes. MTSU had lost to UNT earlier in the season, and a NMSU win against North Texas would about guarantee the Sand Aggies a share of the conference championship, and solidify MTSU's hold on the New Orleans Bowl. To put it lightly, the Aggies were fired up, pissed off, and ready to kick the crap out of somebody. There was just one problem: A few guys named Hall, Kassell, Kennedy, Casey, McGee, Buckles, Galbreath, Jones, Zuniga, Turney, Awasom, and Spencer were not ready to concede anything. Both teams slugged it out in the second half like some Rocky epic. Both teams were fighting for everything they could get. Players from both sides were being helped off the field. The fans of both schools were getting very loud and obnoxious. Scott Hall could barely run but he refused to be removed from the game. It was a valient effort, but it seemed that the game was slowly slipping away in New Mexico's favor. With a slim lead, possession, and less than two minutes left in the game, NMSU coach Tony Samuels decided on a risky play because, as he later stated, he really wanted a touchdown to deliver a "Coup De Grace" blow to emphasize his team's victory. NMSU fumbled and North Texas recovered. The North Texas fans which had only seconds before conceded that defeat seemed imminent were given new hope. The Mean Green were 65 yars away from scoring and there was only a minute and something left. I'll let someone else describe that final drive. The final outcome of that game tilted the balance of power in the conference for the next several seasons and subsequently resulted in four trips to the New Orleans Bowl for the Mean Green. A program, not just a team, which had only 28 days earlier looked hopeless to even the most dedicated fans was given new life. What transpired in that game, exactly how it happened, the heroic efforts involved, and the highs and lows, make that little Sun Belt game in the desert the Single Greatest Sporting Event that I have ever witnessed. Many of the North Texas fans that made the trip that weekend were galvanized in green for the rest of their lives.

If it's going to happen, we may know something as early as Monday afternoon. Everything that gains the attention of the basketball world is good for North Texas. North Texas having facilities suitable for an NBA team may make a positive impression on the recruits that participate in the Nike Tournament held at the university each summer. If only the courts at the new rec center could also be utilized for the Nike Tournament. The talent sunbathing by the pools would certainly make an impression.

During my younger days I would have voluteered to help her find it, but I'm quite certain that it would have had the opposite effect.

By it's own definition of the rules, there is no such thing as a National Championship in Division 1 football. There is a BCS Championship, which people are certainly free to pretend is a National Championship, but the title game is exclusive to only BCS conference members. It's like saying that the Super Bowl would still determine the NFL champions if only the AFC teams were allowed to participate in the game each year.

We need to learn from history. You build a modern Division 1 stadium by building it in components with the intention (and ability) to expand when necessary. For Example: LSU Stadium started by building the prime seating along both sidelines. Then that design was expanded higher and one end was enclosed to make a horseshoe configuration. And later the entire lower area was bowled in and upper decks have been added as additional seating has been required.

Fouts was a horrible design before it was ever built and it has denied North Texas the ability to gain a strong following for many decades. The new design at North Texas is even worse and could doom the program for the next century. I can't believe that we have people actually excited about repeating the mistake.

In addition to copying the North Texas uniforms, how's this item from the Baylor site: The Texas flag but with a touch of Baylor! Instead of Red, White, and Blue it has the classic University of North Texas colors.

Lowe heads UNT’s ’06 Class 08:59 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 By Brett Vito / Staff Writer Denton Record-Chronicle Richard Lowe came to an understanding with the North Texas athletic department before he agreed to take over as the Mean Green’s men’s soccer coach in 1980. Lowe had a job in the history department and didn’t want to venture too far from his career path, so he agreed to coach for one season. More than a decade later, Lowe was still UNT’s soccer coach and the Mean Green were a national power. UNT was ranked as high as No. 7 in the national poll and became the first team in school history in any sport to advance to the NCAA Tournament during Lowe’s tenure that lasted from 1980-93. UNT honored Lowe for those accomplishments on Monday when the athletic department included him in its 2006 Hall of Fame Class that features six former Mean Green greats. Vidal Carlin, Troy Redwine and Dick “Rosebud” Lindsay all represented the football program while Victor Rodriguez (track and field) and Bill Eschenbrenner (golf) also joined Lowe in UNT’s latest induction class that will be honored on Oct. 7 during homecoming. That ceremony will offer a reminder of one of the greatest teams in UNT history, one that Lowe helped build from a club program in the early 1970s. “We felt like we had a chance to be a good soccer program back when it was just a club team,” Lowe said. “We played against college teams and the Dallas-Fort Worth area was one of the hottest spots in the country for soccer talent.” Lowe started out as a faculty sponsor of the club team from 1971-75 and helped convince the UNT athletic department to elevate the team to varsity status in 1976. When Simon Sanchez resigned as head coach in 1980, athletic director Andy Everest asked Lowe to take over. Lowe faced what looked like an insurmountable task in his first game as head coach, when the Mean Green took on national power Indiana. “They were ranked first or second in the country, depending on what poll you were going by,” Lowe said. “Horacio Duhart beat their goalkeeper on a breakaway to give us the win. I thought about retiring right there.” Indiana went on to win the national title that season, while Lowe had found a job for the next 14 years. UNT was ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation for much of Lowe’s tenure and never had a losing season. In 1981, Lowe’s team qualified for the NCAA Tournament and won its first-round game over Eastern Illinois. John Hedlund served as an assistant under Lowe before starting the UNT women’s soccer program from scratch in 1995. “I learned a lot from Richard that I have used in the women’s program,” said Hedlund, who has led UNT to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons. “He taught me all phases of how to run a program from recruiting to the budget to how to build a relationship with players.” Lowe’s tenure as UNT’s men’s soccer coach came to an end when the program was disbanded. Lowe said the decision was based in part on concerns about Title IX gender equity legislation that requires schools to offer equal opportunities to male and female athletes. The scores and records from that era have been lost over the years, but live on with Lowe and his former players. “It’s nice to have this happen,” Lowe said. “It brings back some of the memories from that era.” BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .

Collin Dennis Asked for Release By: USF SID USFNation.com Date: May 27, 2006 Tampa, Fla. – Sophomore Collin Dennis has asked for his release from the University of South Florida men’s basketball program and will not return for the 2006-07 campaign, head coach Robert McCullum announced Friday evening. “We appreciate Collin’s contributions to the program the past two seasons,” McCullum said. “While we are certainly disappointed with his decision, we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavors.” A two-year letterwinner who was entering his junior season next fall, Dennis battled injuries during his tenure in Tampa. He averaged 4.4 points and 1.2 rebounds in 2005-06, but missed 13 games because of an ankle injury. The North Richland Hills, Texas, native contributed 6.6 points and 1.6 rebounds in 27 appearances as a freshman (2004-05). For his career, Dennis averaged 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.4 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from behind the 3-point line. “I am hoping to move to a program closer to home,” Dennis said. “Hopefully at a school in Texas". ____________________________________________________________________ USF Basketball Guard Dennis To Transfer By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com Published: May 27, 2006 TAMPA - University of South Florida sophomore guard Collin Dennis, who started 14 games the past two seasons, is leaving the program with plans to transfer to another school. "You don't want someone in the program that doesn't want to be here," USF coach Robert McCullum said. "My recommendation is I'm in favor of granting him a release, but [athletic director] Doug Woolard has the final say." Dennis must sit out the 2006-07 season at his new school and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Dennis is undecided where he's transferring, but prefers somewhere closer to his hometown of North Richland Hills, Texas, located just outside of Fort Worth, McCullum said. Dennis started seven games each as a freshman and sophomore. He averaged 5.8 points at USF. Dennis' sophomore season was plagued with injuries. The 6-foot-2 Dennis was moved from shooting guard to point guard when Chris Howard suffered a season-ending knee injury. However, Dennis suffered a strained Achilles' in the season opener, causing him to miss 14 games last season.

Mean Green Basketball Signs Collin Dennis Courtesy: University of North Texas Release: 07/13/2006 DENTON (7/13/06) -- North Texas head men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones has announced that North Richland Hills, Texas, native and University of South Florida transfer Collin Dennis has signed a scholarship to play for the Mean Green. Dennis will have to sit out the 2006-07 season due to NCAA transferring rules, but will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Mean Green. The 6-2, 185 pound guard originally signed with South Florida following an outstanding career at Richland High School that saw him average 23 points and earn second team all-state honors his senior campaign. "We are very excited about the signing of Collin Dennis to the North Texas basketball program," said Coach Jones. "His ball-handling skills, ability to shoot from the outside as well as get to the basket on the offensive end and ability to defend quicker opponents will make him a very valuable addition to our team. We are not only getting a very talented basketball player, but a wonderful student and person as well. With the addition of Collin and Roderick Flemings, this gives us a great head start on our recruiting for next season." The four-year letterman at Richland High School was the team captain his junior and senior seasons. In addition to his 23 points per game, Dennis also averaged five rebounds and four assists per game his senior campaign. He averaged 24 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game as a junior after averaging 15 points and three rebounds as a sophomore. Dennis played at the Nike All-America Camp in the summer of 2003 and also played well at a summer camp in Las Vegas. As a freshman at South Florida, Dennis scored a season-high 25 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field against UAB. He also scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting against UTA. He added double-figure scoring games against Southern Miss, Tulane and Stetson as well. Dennis made his first career start against Michigan and also proved he was a clutch player, hitting 6-of-6 free throws against Eastern Carolina in the final 1:37. Dennis followed his impressive freshman season up by starting seven games as a sophomore while competing in 16 outings. He averaged 4.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.2 rebounds per game. Dennis scored a season-high 11 points against Rutgers, posted 10 points at Cincinnati and scored eight points against Connecticut. 2005-2006 Bio from USF Website 2005-2006 Statistics Do any of you know enough about him to offer an opinion?

Kilgore Rangers Football 2006 Roster 46 DeMario Thomas 5-8 180 Freshman RB Longview DeMario redshirted this past season at Kilgore Junior College and will have three seasons of eligibility after he signs with North Texas in February. The two brothers will potentially be playing in the same backfield during the 2007 season.