RaiderInTheZone

Michael Heath didn't make that comment. The comment was made by somebody responding to his article.

Two words--Sun Belt. Trying to keep to the topic of this thread. North Texas has the most promise of any member of the Sun Belt of moving up into a better league and creating more revenue and more fan excitement. UNT's strategic location in the center of the U.S. makes it a viable candidate to Conference USA, the WAC, and the Mountain West geographically. HOWEVER, the WAC appears to be the only league interested in taking UNT. I really think your fans would start giving more money when you play more and more exciting teams in conference as well as out of conference. You need to draw average Joe's that just want to watch decent football and decent teams. Average Joe's know who Boise State is. They know who Hawaii is. They don't care about Louisiana-Lafayette. They don't care about Florida International, Middle Tennessee State, Troy State, or Arkansas State. America doesn't respect the Sun Belt Conference, so how can you expect the average Dentonite to do the same? I know alot of you guys like going on road trips in the Belt where you couldn't in the WAC, but you have to stop thinking about yourself and think about what's best for North Texas! What's best for North Texas is obvious to everyone in the country. Get the heck out of the Sun Belt Conference. The SBC's progress in miniscule on the grand scale where other leagues have taken larger steps in shorter time spans. UNT doesn't have the time to mess around and wait for the SBC to improve. As long as Wright Waters is the commissioner everyone in America will look down on the Sun Belt and everyone of it's affiliates. UNT needs to be affiliated with something better. If it's a new stadium UNT wants, which I think you need and deserve, then you have to show your casual fans and the Denton area that you are committed to a better University of North Texas. The WAC is better. Why not achieve better?

Some things were said about me behind my back by someone in MTSU's athletic administration very VERY likely correlated with some folks connected with BlueRaiderZone.com or GoMiddle.com since all of those entities are very closely connected. I found out about it after our game against Louisiana-Lafayette last year and I have not stepped one foot on MTSU's campus since. More or less, I was considered a fan who hurt MTSU's image and was an embarrassment to the school. Apparently events such as that which happened at Utah State in 2003 were never lived down. And as you can see by reading some posts on both MTSU messageboards, their fans do not live my past down either trying to remind everyone that reads those threads of every last wrong I may have done such as "single handedly shutting down the old Sun Belt messageboard." One person does not shut down a messageboard, but those comments are further evidence that what was informed to me with all the backstabbing going on at MTSU was fact. MTSU didn't like the kind of fan I was. They didn't want me to know what they really felt of me out of fear of losing my support otherwise I trust they would've said something to me. Believe you me, I've done so much for MTSU that their administration knows who I am.

I don't think I stand alone in my opinion. I do believe there are several UNT fans that would rather your school go to the WAC than remain in the slopfest that is Sun Belt football. And the words I choose are simply to magnify my disgust with the Sun Belt and the ignorance of it's leadership. Tell me, just how much money do think UNT will be making in the Belch now their meager portion of BCS revenue they get as a Belch member is going to get smaller once Western Kentucky and South Alabama come on board as full members in the coming years? Only the Belch football schools divided that BCS revenue which wasn't a big piece so WKU and USA never saw any of it despite their membership in all other sports. Now they will get their piece once they upgrade to FBS football. The SBC's portion from the BCS is already the smallest among all Football Bowl Subdivision conferences. The Suck Belt has long discussed the lack of need to add new members due to diminished returns, yet the Belch willingly added Troy State and FAU (two schools that weren't members of the league in any sport) when it could've temporarily gave up it's seat on the NCAA Board of Directors to become a more solid league with what it had and wait for teams like WKU and USA instead of expanding and adding two members that leech off the league and do nothing to help the conference when it added Troy State and FAU. The SBC added those two schools for the sake of adding. Neither have helped the Belch more than the Belch has helped them. UNT will have to continue scheduling regular beatdowns at the hands of Oklahoma, Texas, and other Big 12 powers to afford the SBC because not only is your piece of pie going to get smaller, your team will still accumulate it's fair share of travel costs with away games in Florida and southern Alabama. Yeah, the Suck Belt is really headed somewhere. I'll just continue to watch Fresno win the college baseball world series while Hawaii and Boise continue to go to BCS bowls. The WAC sure must suck! And to the MTSU fans that have been spying on this thread and talking sh!t about me, if you knew half the crap of what really went on MTSU's campus regarding myself, you'd understand why I chose the path I have taken. You can click on the link below to get educated: http://www.anygivensaturday.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43670

I'm sorry, Mark. You must be confused. Western Kentucky is not the entire Sun Belt even though they ruled your league last year and made MTSU their b!tch in all three major sports. What you say about alot of those sports that don't matter and don't produce any real revenue doesn't change the fact that every single one of the Belch's member institutions will be underdogs IN FOOTBALL every time they step on the field with a school from one of the six major conferences, and the Suck Belcher most likely will indeed lose. My money will be on the BCS conference school all the way this year. The Belt is even more crap this year than last year.

You are comparing apples to oranges, dude. If Middle Tennessee State played Southern Miss instead of Memphis last year, the Blue Raiders would've gotten drilled just as USM had no problem with Arkansas State! If FAU would've played Tulsa last year instead of Memphis in the New Orleans Bowl, Howard's Owls would've gotten humiliated. ULL beat Houston. Good for Lafayette! Houston still went to a bowl game. Lafayette did not. What you fail to mention is how in most cases, your top rung teams faced off against mid-level to bottom-rung CUSA teams both years. What you also fail to mention is that bowl committees still find CUSA more attractive than the Belch. You guys said the SBC would win over the Mobile Alabama Bowl or the Papa John's Bowl! Well? Have you?! NO! In fact, CUSA despite losing some spots in bowls actually wound up getting ties in new bowls while the SBC continues to get jack squat! Thank Wright Waters for sitting on his fat butt while CUSA continues to impress bowl committees while 8-4 Troy State's fail to go to a bowl. Thank Waters for the SBC's failure to get a new bowl tie in this year or anytime soon. You'll never convince me that the SBC is anything but an assembleage of desperate Division 1 newbies and former Big West teams looking for a conference home. In the nation's eyes, the SBC is the worst conference in Division 1-A. And don't give me this crap about Sagarin Ratings either. Even the MAC fielded a Top 25 team in the past three years! Where is the Sun Belt's Top 25 football team? That's right. You don't have one. Never had one. Never will have one. The Sun Belt is inferior to all of Division 1-A. You may thank Wright Waters for that one too.

Mark, It doesn't change the fact that the WAC has still done more than the Belt. I fully expect you to kiss Waters' fat behind because you work in his office. Last I checked, every preseason preview has every 'Belt school losing to all of their BCS competition. Are you surprised? When the best you can do is beat an average Oklahoma State team with an academically inept Troy State University, I don't consider that progress. Where was Troy State in the bowl season last year? That's right, the Belt still only has one bowl, and it's not like any bowl would actually want to invite the 2nd best team in Division 1-A's worst conference. Kinda' like when MTSU went to the Motor City Bowl. MTSU got there because of an NCAA rule, not because they were good for it. If the MCB had their way, they would've taken a real football team like Pittsburgh or Kansas instead of a team that had no chance against Western Michigan as soon as the pairing was announced. The Belt is still the worst in Division 1, Mark. Always has been. Always will be.

That's because the WAC sent Hawaii to a BCS bowl last year. As I mentioned in another post, the WAC has their stuff together. Whether anyone wants to believe it or not, the WAC makes their money by fielding ultra competive teams such as Nevada, Fresno, Hawaii, and Boise that does make money for the rest of the league. Even San Jose State is starting to field more competive teams in football. I imagine it is only a matter of time before Utah State, New Mexico State, and Idaho do the same. Just because you make more profit in one bowl season doesn't make you a better conference. Wright Waters is a pompous old fool who makes his wallet fat by collecting his pay check from Sun Belt affiliates while he sits on his fat can doing absolutely jack. Last I checked WAC commissioner Karl Benson was a finalist for the new PAC-10 Commissioner job. Where's Wright Waters' name on these short list for a new job with one of these big conferences? Nowhere because in the nation's eyes the Sun Belt has impressed no one. In seven years, the Belt has only beaten one Top 25 team (one that didn't even finish with a winning record) and has never had a team ranked in the Top 25 themselves. At least the MAC and Conference USA can say otherwise in their first seven years as can the WAC and Mountain West. Fact being, you have poor leadership in the Belt. The 'Belt will invite anybody. It's only a matter of time before another 1-AA moves up and is instantly granted Sun Belt membership. Texas State anybody? Dick Villareal made a mistake turning down the WAC. It's one thing to be under the leadership of someone like Dennis Farrell or Lew Cryer or Jim Haney or whoever was the commissioner of the Big West while North Texas was there. Obviously whoever was the commish of the Big West didn't know what they were doing kinda' like Wright Waters doesn't know what he's doing with the misfit Sun Belt Conference. However, it is totally different when you have someone who is very intelligent and does know what they are doing running your league. Karl Benson definitely could've helped UNT succeed in the WAC. This "Big West II" reasoning doesn't fly with me because you have a different staff running the WAC now than you did with the Big West then, and much has changed over the landscape of 1-A athletics.

I apologize for KajunRaider and GoMTBlue for trying to derail this topic with senseless garbage. What I think does have to do with North Texas is the fact that UNT still should've bolted for the WAC. Under the leadership of a better conference commissioner in Karl Benson as a member of the more talented and respected Western Athletic Conference, North Texas would've prospered especially when you consider the timing that UNT was sought by the WAC. North Texas was at their highest point of their Sun Belt careers having won four straight 'Belt titles. The WAC would've presented UNT the chance to play more widely respected teams every year in Boise, Hawaii, Fresno, and Nevada all which are more thought of than even the best 'Belt team. Just my opinion though. I hardly see where UNT has gained anything from staying in the 'Belt. Seriously, what has the 'Belt done for North Texas since UNT turned down the WAC? Have you really seen any major change for the better?

Anything else you wish to add, Mr. Groce? You see, this is what I'm talking about. You guys at MTSU are so fake. You've been pretending to be my friend from day freakin' ONE. I was never a UCF fan. I was infactuated with UCF, but I never for once stepped foot on their campus, so how could I be considered one of their fans? Chris, watching you and listening to and the other MTSU fans cry and moan about lack of respect from Vandy and Memphis and Tennessee is laughable. MTSU doesn't deserve it. All you do is give 1-AA teams their first victories ever over 1-A teams--something that has happened three times to MTSU since 2002. MTSU is the FCS Division's b!tch. I've learned that from watching them. I also learned that MTSU is incapable of beating any BCS team other than Vandy. I will thoroughly enjoy watching Maryland crush your little blue hearts just as Virginia did last year. And I'm going to laugh my @ss off when MTSU doesn't even get four wins this year. Now run back to your little messageboard, Chris. You apparently added nothing to this topic.

Well, I knew you couldn't resist, John. While you're at it, could you remind you buddies on BlueRaiderZone to check their Bonnaroo geography because they clearly know nothing about the music festival's lay-out. Now back to the topic. South Florida already had membership in the more prestigious Conference USA in other sports before it added football. Of course USF was going to be successful. They had ties to a decent conference. FAU did not have that going for them as they were practically bound and gagged as a member of the TAAC. And now that they are stuck in the Sun Belt? Something Howie never had to deal with in building Louisville and his other programs was APR. That's a new concept that apparently has hit FAU among other 'Belt schools with scholarship reductions in football due to lack of academic progress by some football members recruited by Schnellenberger in FAU's case. This topic was about 'Belt respect and was somewhat Bonnaroo related. You are right about one thing, John. I don't think too highly of the Sun Belt and neither should anyone else that isn't associated with a Sun Belt school. The league had one bowl eight years ago. It has one bowl today. No Top 25 team. Every other conference including the WAC, CUSA, and the MAC fielded Top 25 teams in their first seven years of existence. The 'Belt is the only conference in Division 1 history that has not been able to accomplish that in the given time. Run back to Blue Raider messageboard, John. You apparently add nothing to this the topic. FYI, I'm going somewhere else and not TSU though I greatly considered TSU. At least their administration and fans don't look down on people and try to make them feel like sh!t. I wonder if Chris Massaro got to open my season ticket renewal form. I'm sure whoever did received quite a surprise.

Perhaps, but Boise and Hawaii have been to BCS bowls. Nobody in the Sun Belt has been to anything better than the Motor City where even there the 'Belt rep was grossly overmatched on the day the pairing was announced. Last year Troy State was 8-4 and was still shunned for a bowl over teams from the MAC and CUSA with fewer wins. Surprised? Don't be. The Sun Belt is not a very good league from top to bottom. Very poor leadership. Lack of organization. Lack of persistence. Poor marketing. It's actually quite embarrassing. Let me ask you this. Would you rather miss trips to Boise and Hawaii if it meant you could go to bowl with an 8-4 record as a member of the more prestigious WAC, or would you rather attend every road game in the 'Belt, finish second in the league, and be denied a trip to a bowl game because you're a member of a league that has only one bowl bid? The fact that some people even in Boca Raton, Florida look at FAU as "Failed And Unemployed" is a slap in the face at a Belt school. But Belt schools should be used to getting slapped in the face. Really, has the league done anything to deserve better than it's continual slaps in the face? Not from a football standpoint.

The point I was making in posting this here is that the members of the Sun Belt aren't even respected in their own homes, and it's members should be trying their best to get out of that league. As long as Wright Waters has a stranglehold on the conference, it'll always be a zero-respect, one-bowl league. UNT should've bolted for the WAC when they had a chance.

A few more (graphic language--beware): http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/timf...e35b05c6d55.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/jon...08/IMG_2370.jpg http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/jon...08/IMG_2355.jpg and this one. . .

Neither does FAU, nor is FAU even close to getting an on-campus stadium being some tens of millions of dollars behind budget. I think it's funny people think FAU should go to the Big East. Why? FAU has done nothing, has no money, and is a member of a zero respect conference after leaving the TAAC which is even worse if that's possible. If the Big East wants to grossly downgrade it's quality, then they'll invite FAU.

Oh yes! This boy had worked his regular shift for 12 hours Friday night 'til 6am Saturday morning then had to a double at Bonnaroo working the kitchen on that Saturday from 9:30 that morning to 10 that night. It was money I couldn't turn down regardless of sleep. Me, my sister-in-law, and one of her friends waited the whole time for Kanye. We left at about 5:30 that morning about four sets in during Kanye. Yes, Kanye disappointed the 'Roo faithful very much. He's expected to headline Lollapalooza coming up too. And here's a link to one that due to it's graphic language I decided not to post so you may click at your own discretion: http://www.dlisted.com/files/fuckkanyeporta12.jpg Robert Randolph had a "Kanye Sucks" chant before his performance Sunday morning. Kanye deserved it! He really miffed me by cheating Phil Lesh out of 75 minutes of performance time which Lesh agreeably gave up to Kanye so that everyone could see him which they didn't for about 2 hours later.

I just think it's funny that the only school people in that area seem to care about is Miami. Can you blame them? Honestly, FAU is in the same boat as every other Belt school--stuck in the muck with a lame commissioner. That's the Belt for ya'!

That's how they were referred to me as by a man who owns a business in Boca Raton where FAU is located. I won't say the name of the business as I'm sure it is frequented by many FAU students and fans, but I had a really good time chatting with them at Bonnaroo this year. Just goes to show that even though you may be located in a city with money, you ain't necessarily going to see the green. Ahhhh. Such is life in the Sun Belt I guess. Those folks from Spectrum Catering and Concessions based out of Houston were super nice and fun to work with by the way!

There's rain in the forecast every day of Bonnaroo according to The Weather Channel so prepare for wet weather. Since you are a VIP you'll have access to the VIP tent located on the mound at the edge of Centeroo. You'll figure out what I'm talkin' about once you get here though. You two have a safe trip and welcome to Manchester, Tennessee!

Hey Stebo, I've been working with some set-up on the 'Roo festival. You can check out some of my photos at www.myspace.com/raiderinthezone. Being a VIP, you and your girlfriend will enjoy special treatment including special camping area and food at the VIP tent. As far as entering the festival, ya'll will probably have to wait in line like everyone else. That's what I've been told anyways. I'll be on the grounds on Saturday and Sunday evening. I might miss Chris Rock, Willie Nelson, and Metallica on Friday night if I can't get work for that day, but it looks like Kanye West and Pearl Jam play Saturday evening and Widespread Panic is on for the show's finale on Sunday evening. I'll be there for those. The complete schedule is available at www.bonnaroo.com under the section "Bonnaroo 411." Here's you a weather forecast, bro! Wednesday, June 11th (travel day): PARTLY CLOUDY; HIGH 92 degrees, LOW 70 degrees, Chance of Precip. 20% Thursday, June 12th (1st Day): SCATTERED THUNDERSTRORMS; HIGH 90 degrees, LOW 68 degrees, Chance of Precip. 60% Friday, June 13th (2nd Day): SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS; HIGH 87 degrees, LOW 67 degrees, Chance of Precip. 60% Saturday, June 14th (3rd Day): PARTLY CLOUDY; HIGH 87 degrees, LOW 68 degrees, Chance of Precip. 20% Sunday, June 15th (Final Day): "NOT AVAILABLE"

P.S. Here is a link for Stebo which may be useful to him if he has not seen this yet. It gives a detailed list of all of the ammenities that come with having the kind of tickets he has purchased: http://www.bonnaroo.com/tickets/vip.aspx

If anyone runs into Stebo, let him know that his VIP pass to Bonnaroo does include a VIP entrance pass as well as preferred parking. The Bonnaroo website does not specify where the VIP entrance is, but I'm sending them an email to find out, and once I do, I can give Stebo more accurate directions. I apologize for not getting back to him sooner. I've been side-tracked with finances, and I really don't care to post anymore on any Sun Belt-related messageboard so I guess I haven't thought to get back in touch with him here either since UNT is part of the Sun Belt. I really don't think to click on a link or URL to a Sun Belt sports board since I don't care about the Sun Belt anymore (no offense to UNT). It is really due to a long-winded dispute with some of the higher-ups and bigtime donors at MTSU which left me severing my ties with the school and turning my attention toward other more important and meaningful avenues of my life. All that is in the past. Just let Stebo know that there is a VIP entrance with his tickets, and I've sent an email to Superfly Entertainment to find out where the entrance is. If he needs anymore info from me and has misplaced my number, he can call me at (931) 841-0927. Again, the name is Scotty. I'll began work next month with set-up for the music festival. I'm sure I will see him sometime between June 12th and 15th when he and his girlfriend are here for the festival. I apologize to you guys for sidetracking your messageboard to get this message to Stebo across. I could not find the original message that I posted to him so I could reply, but it has been a while so it probably doesn't exist. Anyways, thanks guys. If you can make sure he gets this message, I'd appreciate it.

Stebo, I received your message a few days ago. I apologize for not getting back in touch with you sooner. If you are looking to stay outside of Manchester and are looking at Tullahoma, Shelbyville, and Murfreesboro, I would suggest Tullahoma because the traffic on that side doesn't seem as bad and because Tullahoma is positioned better to gain backdoor entrances to the festival grounds. Murfreesboro I-24 access is the worst in my opinion as is Murfreesboro Highway (State Hwy 41). State Hwy 55 out of Tullahoma gets backed up, but not as bad. You have two options: The make-shift Exit 112 (a road leading straight to the fesitval grounds from the interstate though is not an interstate exit) is only accessible coming out of Chattanooga. It may only be for those with handicaps though. I would check into that, or I can try to find out. The traffic was backed up on that route for a couple miles but it was steady moving. That may be a good way to go if you can get in. You can also gain entrance to the festival by taking AEDC Road out of Tullahoma. AEDC Road is a straight shot that ends at Hwy 41 out of Hillsboro which gets backed up pretty good as well, Rather than turning left toward Manchester and getting stuck in traffic, you can turn right toward Hillsboro and then turn left at the only traffic light in Hillsboro. That road leads to Ragsdale Road which is where Bonnaroo sits. I don't know how bad the traffic gets through there. I've never driven through there during festival time. I would be surprised if non-residents knew of those backdoors. I actually drove through there this past weekend. You could see that rainbow-shaped Bonnaroo sign sitting in the middle of the field off in the distance. It's weird seeing it back there and no people. I'll probably do some more driving around that area over the next couple weeks to give you a more detailed mapping of the back roads.

Stebo, I live in Manchester, Tennessee where Bonnaroo is held. I would suggest getting to Manchester early in the week. If you have a camper, you could always pay to camp out at Manchester's KOA which is actually down the road to the entrance to Bonnaroo off I-24 Exit 114. I think the closer accomodations you can get to Bonnaroo, the better off you are. I would recommend against staying in Murfreesboro as you mentioned on the Sun Belt board because festival goers have had to wait hours in traffic and you want to get as close as you can get. The local authorities don't open the gates until Wednesday I think, but you want to be at the front of the line. You may still have a long wait, but not nearly as long as waiting in 10-mile long traffic. The downside about Manchester is that it is a city of around 9,000 residents. It is not a college town. It doesn't even have a movie theater. There is very little to see or do. Bonnaroo has put the small town on the map. The upside to being in Manchester as the days to the fesitval approach is that you can get a heads-up on beating traffic into the festival to get to the head of the line. People from all across the country and Canada start filing in around Monday and Tuesday of the week of the festival. That may be something for you to think about. There aren't very many restaurants to choose from in Manchester, but if you do find yourself interested in grub in the land of Bonnaroo here's a breakdown of my top choices: Coconut Bay Cafe--Traveling I-24 from Nashville toward Chattanooga take Exit 110 and turn left off the ramp. Turn right at the first traffic light onto Interstate Drive. Going straight for about 0.2 miles if that you'll see the restaurant on the right. Incidentally, the owner of that restaurant has a Murfreesboro chain and is supportive of MTSU athletics. That place is packed at night. They have two margaritas for $6. They have fried zucchini. Their motto is "Work Hard. Play Hard." It's the place to be in Manchester. O'Charley's--Traveling I-24 from Nashville to Chattanooga take Exit 114 and turn left at the traffic light coming off the ramp. Go straight through the first traffic light beyond the overpass. The restaurant is located on the left after you pass Arrowhead/Aerospace Museum. They have good food and their own bar in case you want to set for a drink. Cracker Barrel--Traveling I-24 from Nashville to Chattanooga take Exit 110 and turn left off the ramp. Turn left at the first traffic light onto Interstate Drive. The restaurant is on the left just after the Hampton Inn. Good country food with a neat store with all kinds of different things for sale. Gasthaus German Restaurant, El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant--Traveling I-24 from Nashville to Chattanooga take Exit 114 and turn right at the traffic light coming off the ramp. Go straight for about 2-3 miles on Hwy 41 Hillsboro Bouelvard. You'll travel through I believe 4 traffic lights after the interestate light. Just beyond the Clover Lane intersection at Family Dollar you'll see Gasthaus on the right and El Molcajete on the left. Both have unique fixings and great service. If you are one of those people that enjoys trying new cuisines, I'd suggest these two places. Stebo, I hope you have a great time at Bonnaroo this year. The festival has some really good talent coming in this year with Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Chris Rock doing stand-up. My girlfriend got a free pass from a friend who lives in the vicinity of the festival. Lucky her. I will likely work at this year's festival. Despite nearly 100,000 people being around, I may still see you around. If you need any more help, feel free to call me. My cell number is (931) 841-0927. The name is Scotty.

How come you guys are constantly bragging about yourselves on North Texas' messageboard? How come you guys are still coming over hear asking for the UNT fans to hail to your greatness asking them to brag on you about Omar Haugbook, asking them to brag on you about Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium, asking them to brag on you for obtaining 9 sacks and still winning 45-7 despite 7 turnovers? We have talent. You just don't know it yet. Over half of them are freshmen. We get our talent for four years while Troy looks for talent for 2 years. Seriously, the UNT fans don't need you over here bragging about how great Troy is or how great Omar is. I'm sure Haugabook is a nice QB, but after he's done graduating with an online degree from Troy in Remedial English he too will have a respectable paying job flipping burgers at the most respected restaurant in Troy--the McDonald's. Wait, Troy's too small to have a McDonald's. Well, I guess Omar's in trouble then.