GrandGreen

In accordance with policy #18.5.1, it is the University of North Texas' policy for all new freshmen (with specific exceptions) to live within UNT Housing while in their freshman year. (http://www.unt.edu/policy/UNT_Policy/volume3/18_5_1.html I don't know, seems to be quite different, unless you are referring to freshmen only.

All unmarried full-time undergraduate students, regardless of age or whether or not emancipated, except those living with parents, are required to live in on-campus residence halls as long as space is available, and purchase a meal plan. The above is the official La Tech policy. Maybe this is why they have a problem with commuter label. Apparently, you either live at home or on campus or just hope there are no dorm rooms available.

I would not worry about any La Tech comments. The very fact that most think they are a "lock" for CUSA should tell you everything you want to know.

Bird of Paradise equals bad acoustics with loud, therefore a "good" thing. I have only been to three of the arenas: Mitchell Center, Cajundome and La Tech's arena. I prefer the Super Pit to any of them. I think it is just individual preference. Many of the newer venues remind me of McDonald's; a lot of plastic, chrome and bright colors. NT is very lucky to have the SP although it is certainly different from the newer venues. My guess is that construction costs to duplicate the SP would be prohibitive. With new arenas such as UTA's cost being close to the new NT football stadium with significant less seats than the SP, NT is lucky to have a facility that has lasting quality, Having song it praises; I hope that NT will get a center court scoreboard and improve the lighting. I also wonder why NT has wasted so much premium seating on the press.

If he were coming to NT, most of us would be singing his virtues.

Re: Ships to walk ons There is no way that you are going to make everyone happy. While rewarding dedication and loyalty is certainly a factor in awarding scholarships there are many others. First to any coach is going to be what best benefits the team. It is possible that some of those obtaining ships were promised those before they even arrived. Others may be just so good, they want to keep them from transferring. Some of the walk-ons may already have other type of scholarships. I don't know what the current rules are now, but at one time Pell grants were better than athletic ships in a lot of ways. It is unfair but in general it is very difficult for a walk-on to get a ship at a fb division school were scholarships are all or nothing. NT because of penalties and turnover ended up with an usual number of ships to award. As for as GilMartin-Donahue, what difference does it make were he goes after his eligibility. Without any inside knowledge at all, it is easy to speculate he may have been promised a scholarship, doesn't it seem a little strange that he chose to come all the way to NT to walk on. It is also easy to give ships to seniors because there is no long term commitment. There is nothing more compelling than a walk-on who gives their all and I too wish they could all be rewarded. However, each ship given to a walk-on takes one away from a potential recruit. Unfortunately, it is difficult to overcome the allure of that potential unknown player,

The WAC could be so down that the University of Laverne Leopards and the UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs were the premier programs and there would still be people on this broad trying to make it work for North Texas.

Yes, not close to were it should be. However, the attendance trend is very good. Attendance average for first 8 home games last year was 1808, the last six games 3922. Very poor oc home schedule, holidays and winning streak at end of season; all plays into this, but there is reason for some optimism relative to attendance.

My guess is Byrd. I like Mathis and think he is a good back, but loses of players because they are beaten out is not a totally bad sign.

Don't disagree with the premise that logic often takes back seat to politics, that is why there were many qualifications in that post. I do disagree with you that NT has virtually no clout. Just by virtue of size and location, NT does compare well versus the rest of the Belt and most non-AQ universites. NT is currently not competing with Notre Dame for a spot or even a SMU for that matter. As far as money, no NT certainly can not get the conference funds from tv contracts and other funds generated at the AQ conferences or CUSA or MWC. It does not get the massive donations of the established privates or the schools that are perceived as the states' teams such as Alabama, Tennessee, UT, A&M, Michigan, etc. However, compared to the teams in the MAC, Belt, whats left of the WAC and a lot of the MWC, NT is going to be in very good financial shape. What programs in the middle of nowhere are you referring to, my guess most are AQ schools that have been playing football at the highest level for decades (A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma State, Mississippi, etc.). The focus of my post above was that NT does have a lot to offer and hopefully counter the many pessimistic comments from many NT fans. It just seems ridiculous to me to assume that schools that to do not have near the potential of NT, are always going to do better. IMO, NT is in a lot better position than they were when they were considered for CUSA . Many who only look at football, may think otherwise; but look at the big picture. The long team factors are looking better than ever and will be tough to match by other non-AQ programs.

This is more a perceived problem IMO than reality. College football fans no matter of what school are more likely to watch a tv game that their team is not playing than the average person. CUSA or any other conference should look at the number of alums in the DFW area which dwarfs both SMU and TCU. The biggest problem is that NT is not winning, the second is that NT doesn't play in general as well known schools. No non-AQ comes close to controlling the DFW market. The addition of NT to CUSA would give them a significantly stronger presence in the market. In addition to one private, they would add a state schools with many more students and alum in the area than SMU and TCU combined. USC, California, and UCLA seem to coexist very well.

Not sure of the point, Vito is trying to make. Hall was a good QB and had a great cast around him. His talents were used very well in DD's run based offense. He had the all important leadership qualities and could throw or run well enough to keep defenses honest. After Hall left, DD had a difficult time recruiting QBs as well as any other position. Continually mouthing off about how bad the situation is at NT and eventually someone will believe you. Dodge has been unlucky with his QB's those far. Vizza and Dodge had good freshmen years with less than stellar supporting casts. Vizza's sophomore year was disappointing but the team was awful. Vizza left unexpectedly after two years and Riley was hurt and supposedly will have limited time at QB now. The only thing I can blame Dodge for in the QB situation is not recruiting a couple more in his three classes. There is no way he could know Vizza was going to flee and Riley would be so injured that he could not effectively play full time QB. Hopefully there will be no significant QB injuries and Thompson can turn into a long term answer as backup or starter this year and starter for the next two. I really don't like going into the season with two scholarship players plus an impaired Dodge at QB. I don't see TeeGarden as a QB.

This freshman class based on reports is much better than I expected. I thought outside of Bellazin and Orr, there was not much there. I am amazed at Abbe, despite reporting over weight and having been an offensive lineman in high school, he appears to be a player. The Copperas Cove duo also are much better than I anticipated. Johnson certainly has the structure to be a very good offensive linemen. There are not many freshmen this year but it looks like a greater percentage than normal will be contributors. Of course looking good inter-squad does not necessarily translate to real games, but so far we should be encouraged.

I am amused by the delusional La Tech fans but also chagrined a bit at the number of fatalistic NT posters. There is a great chance that there will not be an opening in CUSA and there are numerous ways to fill it if one does occur. However, assuming it does come down to La Tech and NT. Outside of the intangibles, who likes who and who is afraid of who, if it comes down to the raw data; NT is an easy choice. Here are some quick comparisons of key factors taking from online sources inclusive of school websites. As an aside I am very skeptical of almost all university reported data, but that basically is the only source for most of the information. 1. football success, what everyone seems to consider first:, . No doubt, NT has been one of the worst programs in the nation, but La Tech is not exactly stellar. La Tech won 4 games last year over NMSU, Hawaii, San Jose State and Nicholls State. They lost to Idaho and Utah State; two old Belt mates. Over the last decade; NT has been 42-78 versus La Tech's 52-69. La Tech would get a small edge here, but both schools are in trouble based on this criterion. 2. Resources are I believe the biggest factors in a logical decision, that will ultimately define a school's progress. Last years reported operating expenses were $14,651,000 for La Tech versus NT's 16,449,000. NT with the recently approved increase of $7 per hour which will not come on stream till 2011 will give NT an enormous edge not only over La Tech but a lot of the non-AQ competition. Granted the majority of these funds will not immediately go into operational budgets, but they will go into athletic program. The fee can be increased by 10% without vote annually until it hits the state max of $20 per hour. La Tech currently has no student athletic fees, but with a student body of 10,564 compared to NT's 34,710; NT will always have a huge advantage. I have no numbers but I would imagine that La Tech does a much better job of getting direct contributions. It is hoped the new stadium and such will spur NT to much better results in an area that must be improved. With probably 4 times the alums of La Tech, this is an area that NT should expect to eclipse La Tech very quickly. NT has an advantage in resources which should expand greatly 3. Facilities are another area that La Tech IMO cannot compete. La Tech's football stadium was build in 1968 with several major renovations since then and now seats a reported 30.600. Their basketball arena was build in1987 and has a capacity of 7,720. I am sure La Tech has made improvements to their football stadium since I was there and they plan major improvements. Frankly, I thought their stadium other then not having a track was worse than Fouts last time I was there. The BB arena is ok but not close to the Super Pit. I have not seen their other facilities but I can't fathom that they would be on a par with NT. Facilities is a big plus for NT. 4. Attendance average reported for last years football games. La Tech had a miraculous 20,000 even last year versus NT's 18,228. I give NT a slight edge here as La Tech had at least one good draw Boise State at home and considering 5 wins in three years; NT has been better than expected. 5. Media Market, no matter how La Tech fan's want to spin this one, NT has a major advantage. From "Market Track" DFW is the fifth largest market in the nation with 2,544,000 households. La Tech believe that they are a big factor not only in their market; Monroe La/ El Dorado Ar (177,200 households) but Shreveport (386,180). Giving them that, their total market is 560,000 households. They claim they control much more of their market than NT does the DFW because they are the only fb division school and there is no pro competition. I can only guess they think the 80,000 that go to cowboy games on Sunday are hurting college attendance. The issue with pro teams is through TVs and other media dominance, not live attendance and as far as I know Shreveport can get televised Saints games as well as the Cowboys. Likewise LSU and SEC games versus UT and Big 12 games, are the same issue. As far as sharing DFW with two private FB division schools, my guess is that 2,000,000 extra households trumps that point. 6. Geography is a two edged sword. The only down side for NT is it to close to other CUSA members that they fear increased competition. I keep seeing a familar point on both NT and LT sites, SMU will block NT entrance to CUSA. Maybe, but they have signed a contract for long term football games. They could just come to their senses and realize that it would be good for the fans and the budget. As far as travel, I would think NT has an edge with two major airports 30 miles away and I doubt many are in a hurry to go to Ruston. 7. Academics are always bannered about, but I don't think it will be a factor. Actually La Tech and NT are not far apart. Some stats from "College Stats" are retainment LT 72%, NT 74%; Graduation rate: LT 47%, NT 44%, Acceptance rate; LT 66%, NT 65%: 75 percentile ACT; LT 20 (SAT not reported), NT 21(SAT 1200) and student to faculty ratio; LT 88 to 12, NT 91 to 9, From schools sites, NT's admission standards are higher. La Tech reguires incoming freshmen to have either a 2.5/4.0 hs GPA, top quarter of class, or 23 ACT or 1050 SAT. NT automatically admits top 10% of hs class compared to LT top 25%. Next 15% at NT require 950 SAT or 20 ACT and second quarter 1050 SAT or 23 ACT (Any student would gain admission to La Tech with these scores). As far as degrees offered bachelors; NT 97, LT 82; masters; NT 101, LT 57; Doctors; NT 48, LT 9. 8. Other sports with the exception of MBB will be minor points . La Tech has a good basketball program but not up to NT in last few years. I don't think the lack of baseball will hurt NT at all. If CUSA required it, NT would have one next year. 9. Potential is an intangible that should make the decision. La Tech is limited by size and location. They are a relatively small school in a relatively small market in a state with severe economic problems despite a lot of support from their fan base; it is tough to visualize them significantly improving. NT of course is loaded with potential but has failed to significantly improve over its history. I can see NT in the next decade having 45,000 students with an additional 20,000,000 dollars flowing in from student activity fees plus greatly increased outside fund raising. NT should have state of the art non-AQ facilities. I don't see how Louisiana Tech can come close. In summary, neither La Tech or NT may be chosen for anything or La Tech may be picked because they are not North Texas. But look at some of the stats and don't assume NT has nothing to offer or is not in a fairly good position.

Beats,me, why would CUSA add a school in Ruston, Bowling Green, or Murfreesboro? Well in as much as the DFW metroplex has a larger population than some states, maybe one private school is not enough. I may be wrong but aren't Houston and Rice both in Houston?

There is a difference between being delusional and downright stupid. I have mostly admired La Tech because they have had good success based on their resources. Fans don't make decisions but the La Tech administration has fostered the deranged thinking that now seems prevalent. I could not care less what they do, I don't think they add as much to the Belt as some do. They won one more fb division game than NT last year. Another conference member in North Louisiana seems overkill to me. So unless ULM folds, La Tech can wait for their imminent invitation to the Big12, CUSA or the conference of their choice. I do think the arrogant stand of their administration has got themselves in a big mess. I don't see La Tech with many options and odds are that crawling back to the Belt maybe their best solution. To be fair, there were a few La Tech posters who recognize their position, There are even a few that thought going to the Belt would not be too bad, inasmuch as they would have little competition. I expect as emotions die down and the reality that a CUSA or MWC rescue is unlikely, the Belt will began to look a lot better. The question then becomes does the Belt want La Tech.

www.sunbeltsports.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=204979755&DB_OEM_ID=4100 Not a whole lot of love shown for NT soccer. Picked fourth with no pre-season all conference picks. Has NT ever been projected this low and had no all conference selections.

We definitely need better fan support, but have you checked the attendances of our peers. Not many outside the AQ conferences draw big numbers. Relative to the performance of our recent football teams, NT attendance is actually pretty good. I agree that basketball is way under supported but you could say that about most of the Texas teams not in the Big 12. Been to a UTA, SMU or TCU game lately. Not currently winning programs, but support was not great when they were. I don't know who you are comparing NT to, but saying NT brings nothing to the table as a blanket statement is pure baloney. Yes, NT must build better support; but support takes more forms than butts in the seats. Statements like yours above, outside of being at best ill informed, certainly don't promote or help the program. I have never believed that message board banner changes much one way or another, but I do think your statement illustrates a major problem that NT has. There are too many of us that are almost apologetic about NT's place in athletics as well as an university. Look at things objectively and you will see a lot of warts but at the same time; don't ignore the many positive things that are happening. Does NT have a long way to go to be were most of us would like? The answer is obviously yes, but the great news is that NT is at long last making substantial progress.

NT has lost the last two years in the Belt tourny to powers UALR and WKU.

Not to damper your enthusiasm, but Williams committed. He can't sign till November I believe. While there is a small link between reality and message board fodder, it is miniscule. There is very little positive mention of NT because NT has been horrible in football the last five years. That is what most of the Internet geniuses focus on. Didn't seen to hurt UTEP, who have one of the most historically bad football records, the last time CUSA expanded. The fact is NT now has a lot in it's quiver. New facilities, good basketball, media market, huge student body, solid and improving academics, and perhaps most importantly a new student athletic fee that could rather quickly move NT budget significantly over the other Belt members and La Tech. These things are not likely to be missed by decision makers. NT is a far distance away from the top tier of non-AQ teams like TCU, Boise State and a few others, but I think in any merit based comparison; NT is in much better position than most non-AQ teams including the rest of the Belt, La Tech and the newcomer Texas twins. I believe like you do that NT will turn football around, it is just a question of if it will be done by this staff or the next one because the resources are finally coming on stream. Building the program is what NT should be concentrating on as you indicated. Seeking better conference affiliation is part of that process, but definitely should not be the primary focus. There are just too many uncontrollable variables in conference selections and in today world changes can come quickly.

What a bunch of strange comments. Many instead of praising a wise decision on NT' s part, to stay out of the WAC; chose to hammer NT for not being more pro active. This despite most of if not all posters on this board having no idea who or how often NT is talking to relative to realignment. Some of you are as delusional as the La Tech fans. Barks and Bytes is an interest read right now. Most would rather be independent than consort with that lowest of low conferences, the Belt. Some incredibly believe that a CUSA or MWC bid is imminent. Back to NT, it appears to me that NT is doing almost everything possible to be attractive to a better conference, but the sad fact is for both La Tech and NT that you have to be wanted. The conference shuffle could result in a great opportunity or disaster for NT or La Tech. NT at least is in a much better position than L. Tech who could very easily not have any conference. Football can survive as an independent but long term it will kill the other sports. Despite our friends in Ruston's view; the Belt is looking increasingly better.

I hope he stays, but has anyone noticed that Dodge recruited four 2a wr's in his first two years and if Brigman leaves, they will all be gone. It may be only a coincidence but Roberson, Rucker, Brigman and Barrett were all wrs from small schools and none have been successful.

All teams in Texas struggle for attention, even TCU, if they are not in the Big 12. The privates generally are not fan favorites but are able to make up for it with huge checkbooks. It would be nice if NT alums and fans could fork up millions to pay for a stadium and NT would not have to rely on debt primarily backed up by student fees. However, I think that NT has at long last taken that big step that should led to better support. There are always going to be other schools that build bigger and better, but the important thing is that NT position themselves as an university that is growing athletes.

I wonder if they are going to add all the walk ons to the roster? While on the subject, I wish they would also put the number of letters earned.

Actually none of it makes a lot of sense. NT has 5 first team all conference and 4 in the top 30 best players. NT is tied with the Muts for the most, in both categories, yet NT is only predicted to have three conference wins. There is a real disconnect between what the prognosticators see in the talent and the performance. The only explanation for the vast difference is questions about coaching. While poor coaching may have been the case for the last three years, I don't think it is anymore. This is the most veteran team NT has fielded since 2003 and I look for a big turnaround. I believe that NT has all the pieces it needs but a winning attitude and hopefully that will develop.