Texas Monthly called.......

[FirefightnRick]

...to ask a few questions about Boomer. The nice gentleman who called is an NT alumn working as a fact checker for Texas Monthly. They are going to include Boomer in the Traditions section of their annual football issue. And this morning after I got home from work I took several new hi-res photos of him to send to their photog department. The Texas Monthly staff down in Austin seem like a bunch of really nice folks. I only wished I had taken the photos in the evening, or had a cloudy day, just to eliminate the shadows.

In answering the questions to Texas Monthly I made sure they knew specifics of Boomer as a Tradition that separates North Texas from any other BCS program in the nation. I especially included how proud I am of the fact that unlike tU's cap gun or A&M's WWI breach loader, Boomer is not only one of the last remaining muzzle loaded black powder cannons used in BCS college athletics today, but more importantly was designed, hand crafted and assembled on our campus by North Texas students, faculty and alumni.

Here below are a couple of photos since the new face lift this summer. In the second photo, everything you see other than the barrel, is brand new. New Barrel Cheeks, new Steel Banding, Locks, Hinges and Pins. All bigger and better than before.

I want to say thank you to those who have given me the honor and pleasure to work on this project once again for the Mean Green. I love working with this material, especially the hand crafted solid red oak. That is why Boomer(unlike most of your authentic and replica 19th century cannon) is natural clear-coated wood grain, rather than painted Olive Drab Green. In 1988 I just couldn't paint over the wood because I was so impressed with it's beauty.

And finally, let me just say that I know the upgrades completed this summer will not be obvious to most who see and HEAR Boomer this fall. But they are there and they make him and his Limber just about as close and accurate to an original M1841 6 pounder as I think he will ever get. I hope you, the students, alumni and faculty of Mean Green Nation like them.

Rick

Edited August 2, 2011 by FirefightnRick

[KRAM1]

Rick...it wouldn't be the tradition it is without your dedication and work. The entire Mean green nation owes you a boatload of gratitude and thanks for all you do with and & for "Boomer".

It would not be Mean Green football without Boomer...In some corners of my mind I am hopeful that you will have to do a bunch more work on Boomer after this season due to the number of times Boomer roared after Mean green scores. I won't say i would like to see the barrel melt due to all the firing, but maybe just enough to overheat Boomer a time or two this season...When the Mean green scores...Boomer Roars...let's hope Boomer roars a lot!

Thanks, Rick.

GO MEAN GREEN! Speak loud and often, Boomer!

Edited August 2, 2011 by KRAM1

[LongJim]

Awesome!

[MeanGreenDadx2]

Thank you Rick for your hard work. The University of North Texas is better for your dedication to a great tradition.

Dale

[SAGreenFan]

Rick...it wouldn't be the tradition it is without your dedication and work. The entire Mean green nation owes you a boatload of gratitude and thanks for all you do with and & for "Boomer".

It would not be Mean Green football without Boomer...In some corners of my mind I am hopeful that you will have to do a bunch more work on Boomer after this season due to the number of times Boomer roared after Mean green scores. I won't say i would like to see the barrel melt due to all the firing, but maybe just enough to overheat Boomer a time or two this season...When the Mean green scores...Boomer Roars...let's hope Boomer roars a lot!

Thanks, Rick.

GO MEAN GREEN! Speak loud and often, Boomer!

Where will Boomer be set up in the new stadium?

With all the talk about the amazing acoustics in the stadium Boomer's roar should be deafening. :-D

[Harry]

Rick I feel like I can speak for everyone here in saying how much we appreciate your efforts to help us continue important traditions. GMG!

[Marty]

Thanks FFR! Looking forward to the Texas Monthly article.

[eulesseagle]

congrats!

[bstnsportsfan3]

Ya i thought boomer was loud when we were at fouts....its going to be CRAZY loud at the new stadium. Thanks rick for all you do!

[Green Crazy]

Ya i thought boomer was loud when we were at fouts....its going to be CRAZY loud at the new stadium. Thanks rick for all you do!

People got the s*** scared out of them at Fouts when they weren't paying attention, imagine the reactions with the new stadium and the Boomer upgrades!

Great job Rick! He looks good!

[unt_rocket09]

When will this issue be available?

[jtm0097]

I am interested to see what all is going to be in the magazine. They told me it should come out towards the end of the month. I will be sure to post some stuff from it when I get my copy in the mail.

[Baby Arm!]

any word yet on where in the stadium they will put Boomer?

[Primo]

I appreciate your dedication.

[DeepGreen]

Rick, thanks for all your hard work and continuing maintenance of Boomer. Much appreciated.

[FirefightnRick]

any word yet on where in the stadium they will put Boomer?

I spoke to several AD Dept folks about it Saturday. There are several great spots being discussed but nothing has been finalized yet. I suspect I'll take Boomer up here in a couple of weeks and we will do a trial and error type tryout?

Thanks again for the great support to the GMG Nation.

Rick

[Cowtown]

right next to the visitors stands would be a good spot

[NorthTexan95]

right next to the visitors stands would be a good spot

Pointed at the visitors would be good.

[golfingomez]

Pointed at the visitors would be good.

i was gonna say at the top of the visitors section

[TIgreen01]

right next to the visitors stands would be a good spot

This. And we should incorporate a new tradition---specifically for the douchebag bands (thinking of you, Troy) that insist on bringing in amps---fire off Boomer any time a douchebag visiting band attempts to play over the Green Brigade. If they won't stop and respect good sportsmanship, we'll just shoot their asses!

[eppy4life]

Could we not still fire Boomer off over at Fouts?