GrandGreen

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.

Gee, NT has three offensive linemen good enough to make the South Florida squad. True or not I don't think that is going to inspire a veteran line. He also has been quoted as saying something similar about Dunbar. I disagree with Vito, I think these comments are anything but positive about the program.

She pitched for 2a Jarrell and the fact that she has been all conference at first base for three years is why I wonder about the decision. Yes I have seen the team play although not often, I do wonder what that has to do with anything being she has never pitched. I hate to inform you but the fact she is a great hitter runs counter to your position not in support of it. If this was Hubbard's plan all along, don't you think he would have given her a few innings last year? Who knows, she may lead the league in hitting and wins; but she could may also have a down year because of the added duties. Either way, it still seems a strange strategy to me.

I don't think finding another first baseball is a problem. Being so thin in pitching that you want to use your best hitter as a pitcher in her senior year does raise some questions. I guess you don't think concentrating on pitching may be just a little distracting and change her focus from playing a solid first and hitting. If she is a great pitcher, it doesn't seem a little odd that she has not throw one pitch until her senior year. I guess you would be fine with putting Josh Hamiltion in the bull pen because the Rangers relief pitching is bad. I really think the coach has done a good job, but it appears to me that he has got himself in at least an uncomfortable pitching position bringing in a late recruit and contemplating using Cantler. I just wonder why another pitcher was not recruited early with your two best pitchers graduating and only two more on the squad including one who was injured and didn't play last year.

Troy was number 1 rated out of the Belt, that tell me everything I want to know about the merits of the Forbes ranking.

I think NT tried to save face by giving an ultimatum. Whether they didn't have the money for a buyout or wanted to give Dodge another year, it was obviously to me RV wasn't ready to make a coaching change at the end of last year. If the AD was serious about changing coaches; he never would have made a big deal about reviewing the coach at the end of the football season. He would have had another coach's commitment or at least had a close to sure thing new head coach ready to take over. That is the main reason I was for giving Dodge another year at that point, the last thing the program needed was a prolonged coach search which would have likely ended with a mediocre or worst result. RV made an enormous gamble on hiring Dodge. I like most thought it was worth the chance until I saw what he assembled for a coaching staff and how badly what should have been a descent defense played. NT did get excellent press for a couple of years until it was obvious that the coaching staff was in way over their heads. It became impossible to defend the hire when the third year team won only two games. The fact was however the team was actually significantly improved despite the record. The compromise was giving a public 7 game ultimatum in lieu of firing. I do think it was a questionable decision, everyone knows that another bad year and Dodge is gone. I doubt it effects recruiting one way or another, but it does create an unnecessary distraction that might prove troublesome. What happens if NT goes 1-7 and is competitive in every game and finishes the season with four crushing wins? The coaching decision would be easy without considering that in effect Dodge should be fired based on a preseason ultimatum. I have no doubt Dodge would be signed up for at least a three year contract extension based on that scenario, but yet the AD has put himself in an unneeded box.

Almost all listed heights in college football are overstated. It is done so much that any school using the actual measurements would be criticized for failure to recruit college size players. If you remember NT supposedly posted the actual heights a couple of years ago and almost all the linemen were an inch or two shorter. For example, Santiago had been listed at 6'5. Most of the players magically gained their height back the next year, although a few like Santiago did not go back up. Several years ago, I looked up the college roster heights of about 15 good players and compared them to the pro combine heights. On average the college rosters listed players at 1 1/2 inches taller than actual. I am a little less than 6'3 and I am taller than most college football players listed at 6'4. Next to 40 times, football players height is the second most fibbed about stat. It is interesting because really tall guys are usually close to accurate, but average size college players are almost always shorter. You can see both the last year and current roster on the official site, so do your own comparison. Santiago was listed as about 285 last year, you must be thinking of Gill. Who is still in the two sixties.

I wonder if Ross weight is correct. The Green Gang may just be relying on a sheet of paper that was not updated. It is strange that he is exactly the same weight as last year. You think they would have checked before using it in a post, but things happen. As far as Abbe, at 6'4; he probably no rounder than Booger and Booger could play a little. Per Greengang face book today, he apparently is not afraid to mix it up a little.

You bring up the point that I think hurts NT more than any other. The fact for most of it's athletic life, NT has been isolated from their Texas rivals. The only other fb division team that was not part of the good ole boy SWC was UTEP and their location had a lot to do with it. It's not often mentioned but I think NT's early integration certainly played a part in this isolation. However poor leadership and lack of political power were probably bigger lasting problems. I think there are still a lot of older fans that still link Texas football and the SWC. NT wasn't good enough then and it is not now. Even years after the collapse of the SWC, even those schools that didn't get in the Big Twelve still are though of as bigger time programs than they are. With the exception of TCU, who definitely left CUSA to separate themselves, all the other Texas teams are nestled in Texas dominated conferences. Only NT remains alone not by choice, the same status it had in the Big West and a lot of the time in the MVC. After Houston left, NT was along in the MVC until WTSU joined in a failing effort to keep MVC football alive. I don't think it is even a conscious thing with a lot of college football fans. They just associate NT with something lower than the old SWC teams. Not a knock on the Belt, because without it; NT would really be in a jam, but being in the newest conference just adds to the perception that NT is Texas second rate. Winning will cure all, and at last IMO NT is doing the things that should turn the tide. NT first order of business should be to dominate the Belt. I really think that NT can do that relativily quickly. NT should in a very short time even with the lion's share of the new athletic fees going for debt service, have the highest budget in the Belt. That added to the location and academic standing of the university should make many Belt fans wish that NT was in another leauge.

New pitcher has been added. High school lefty Lauren Poole from Oklahoma. I can't see using Cantler, your best hitter as a pitcher in her senior year unless the other pitchers are really questionable. Maybe it is just a contingency plan preparing for the worse.

I hope the players are gettings as tired of this MTSU and Troy stuff as I am.

He would have to be really desperate to use Cantler, an all conference first baseball, as a pitcher. Plus as far as I know she has not pitched an inning of college ball.

www.twincities.com/sports/ci_15700497?source=rss

Does anyone really know if he was in fact a promising player, has fully recovered from his injuries, does not have family obligations that become before football, havs academic issues, etc.? Not everyone is suited for college or college football, It is easy to criticize especially when you are speculating without much information. Maybe he just rather drive trucks, but there could be any number of other reasons; he is not going to play at NT. Whatever, I hope Keenan made the right decision for himself.