[Put Fouts into perspective]

This was a shock to me as well. North Texas was on a role and the visitors stands, even though small, were full. Sitting next to me were two NT grads who were investment bankers from New York, a school teacher from Maryland was sitting below me, etc. It was really great to see and when our team ran on the field, they were the most surprised of all as the cheers went up from the stands.

I have always had a little therory that alumni who live so close to Denton tend to take North Texas for granted. When you are away from campus, I believe you really appreciate what a great and unique institution North Texas is.

[Put Fouts into perspective]

While my memory is fading through the corridor of years, I don't think that is the same Richmond stadium that Fry's boys played in the late 70s. I was at that game, and if I recall, the UR stadium was even smaller and built of wood.

I invited my parents to the game and my Dad, a William and Mary grad, showed up in his W&M outfit. As they are the arch-rivals of Richmond, I believe he was more excited in seeing the Spiders getting their behinds kicked than the many North Texas fans at that game.

[Branding Drama at NMSU?]

We are beginning to see the efforts of our own branding campaign appear on campus publications and web pages.

Although this has been discussed to death, I'm still dissapointed with what has happened. A similar version of the eagle, or at least its wings, have been used by the US Air Force and The University of Phoenix. The tag line, "The Power of Ideas" sounds good, but what are the ideas that generate our power?

In the recent issue of "The North Texan" the cover page still used the old font. Inside was an explanation of the branding program. Under the tag line, "The Power of Ideas" there was a list of the same old items previously used...i.e. leading university of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, etc. What ideas are we talking about here?

This is not the first time a "tag line" make no sense. One of my favorites is that of Olive Garden..."When, you're here, you're family": I don't know about you, but when I invite my family over to dinner, I don't present them with a check at the end of the meal!

Back to NMSU, my wife attended "State" and remarked that it used to be known as Kow Kollege. What's wrong with that as a tag line?

["Mean Green" theft !]

Royce Lumpkin, who taught trombone and directed the Campus Band at North Texas is the head of UNCC's School of Music. It's his fault!!

[Most Unusual Mascot/Nickname You've Heard Of.]

The Tar Heel name came from a statement from Robert E. Lee in response to a Civil War Regiment from NC "sticking" to their postition when others retreated. As NC was a major producer of tar, Lee said "God bless the Tar Heels" and the name "stuck". North Carolina is officially "The Old North State".

The Macon Whopee is out of business...not much call for ice hockey in southern Georgia!

Finally, as the Webster University (in St Louis) Gorloks were mentioned earlier in this thread and as much as I received my Master's there; their name came from a street intersection on campus...Gore and Lockwood.

A lot of useless info here!

[Snowflakes????- I think I'm going to be sick]

When living in Georgia, I also knew of the Cairo (pronounced Karo) Syrupmakers, but there is nothing politically incorrect about that!

[Snowflakes????- I think I'm going to be sick]

Do a little "googling" and you'll see references.

Now say you are sorry!

[Snowflakes????- I think I'm going to be sick]

The "best" one I ever heard was from a friend who came from Peoria and told me of the Pekin HS Chinks. Each year, the school elected a homecoming "Chink" and "Chinkette" and dressed as coolees. The school changed their mascot in the late 60's.

PC isn't always bad.

[Move all Men's BB games to "Snake Pit"]

I believe people keep coming back to the pit days because there was nothing else like it at the time. Our football team wasn't doing much and no one seemed to care, even during the early Fry days. But once, MVC basketball started, it was a different story.

My little claim to fame while a student at North Texas was that Maurice McAdow's grad assistant quit during the middle of the season and he asked me to conduct the basketball band. I recall our first game at the new super pit. We were out of the MVC, the new place was decorated in orange, the crowd was small, and the acoustics swallowed up whatever noise the fans made.

As soon as the first tip-off in the new "Super Pit" happened, I remember remarking..."it's gone".

[NT EXES ASSOCIATION SUGGESTIONS REQUEST]

This is a fine thread with plenty of good suggestions.

I also joined the NT Exes and received one mailing from them in the entire year other than ads for credit cards. Sometimes, I think we are our own worst enemy at North Texas.

Here are a few suggestions:

Use the North Texan to full advantage. Why can't the Exes use pages in that publication to detail activities, membership drives, sell NT shirts, hats, etc.

Have some activities. My 80+ year old father who graduated from William and Mary many, many, years ago receives invitations very frequently for trips abroad, cruises, etc. sponsored by the W & M alumni accociation. These trips are to interesting places such as Egypt and are hosted by professors who provide information and background about the destination. These are quite popular and fill up quickly.

Start chapters outside of Texas. There are many alumni living all over the place. I recall in the mid seventies, we played the University of Richmond Spiders in Richmond. I bet there were almost 1,000 "East Coasters" at the game to root on Fry's boys. I sat next to a stock broker from NYC who drove all the way down for the game. Putting my money where my mouth is, I'll be happy to serve as the initial director of a chapter in the Raleigh-Durham area. I know of several alum here and as I posted on this board some years ago, have even seen a Mean Green t-shirt being worn by a student on the campus of Duke.

Get them while there are young. I am an adjunct professor at NC Wesleyan College. At graduation, the director of the alumni association officially welcomes them as members of the alumni association and starts sending them materials no matter if they pay dues or not. The theory is, sooner or later, they will come around and play active roles in the association.

Start an NT Exes band. The fact that we have thousands of former marching band members in the DFW area should make it easy to begin such a project. The band members bring their families to the games, increase attendence, build spirit, start scholarships, etc. etc.

Thats enough for now. I'm glad to see some interest here and hope the Exes Association can live up to their potential.