University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: My Trip To Amazing Jakes
8/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Hank Dickenson, August 23, 2009, 8:47 a.m.
A couple of weekends ago, I had the kind of experience that many a NT fan has had over the years and it has had me stewing ever since. Summer, as we know, is winding down and those of us with kids are trying to squeeze in as many events as we can before school begins again. That said, I took my two boys down to "Amazing Jakes" at the Collin Creek Mall for some go kart racing, laser tag, etc.
Amazing Jakes is a lot of fun, plus it is all inside which allows you to beat the heat while you have fun with the kids. To be sure, I have no complaint whatsoever with Amazing Jakes...but, there was one thing that got me riled up during our visit there.
In addition to rides and games, Jakes' has multiple places to eat and a "sports bar" theme, for the adults who feel the need to have draft beer while the kids climb the indoor rock. And, no, I did not partake on this Sunday of family fun. However, I was drawn to the schedule posters for area college teams and the pennants that were hanging inside the sports bar area. Anyone know here I am going with this....
That's right. No Mean Green. No pennant and no schedule. The schedules were all provided by Budweiser, one of our long-standing and best partners. The pennants had been requested, I suppose, by Amazing Jakes. Bottom line, I began investigating.
The workers sent me to a manager, half my age, who seemed interested but unable to do anything. I texted my pal at Bud and followed up the next day. Outside of Denton County, it seems, not much is done for the Mean Green in terms of "market support". Why? Is it our fault as a department? I hope not, but clearly see the need to ramp up efforts. Denton County is great, but we have too many alums scattered throughout DFW to ignore that fact.
Paul Batchelder who handles licensing, among a myriad of other marketing related initiatives, is an absolute bull in regard to pushing our branded items - and we have seen significant improvement in this area thanks in large part to his efforts. And yet, he gets disgusted too when he sees Longhorn hats hanging in a convenience store rack but no Mean Green gear.
My thoughts are this. The hard core fans and the Mean Green athletic department personnel are the people who care the most about this, but together we are still very much a minority. Not enough people are asking the questions, "Why is there a Houston pennant hanging here and not a North Texas one? How come I can buy Aggie and Red Raider hats here, but not Mean Green lids? I want to fly a North Texas flag, but you don't have any available."
Winning games helps. It is not lost on anyone, but the real issue is that we have been "flat" in the market for so long that many vendors don't think of North Texas, and we all know they should. Maybe constant changes in marks and colors has created a challenge. Maybe some don't think we can be "THE" University of the D/FW Metroplex, but we can.
It is all in the power of numbers - which is the BIGGEST power that North Texas has. More people need to buy what is out there and more people need to ask for more choices in the malls, convenience stores and such.
So, we pledge to keep producing and introducing more items with our registered trademark on them. And we'll continue to push for coverage throughout the Metroplex on posters and such. We also want you to utilize Meangreengear.com as often as possible. But, encourage others to buy and to politely push for our materials to be present anywhere and everywhere.
As for Amazing Jakes, they'll be receiving a Mean Green pennant and a poster courtesy of Hank, Dan and Joe Dickenson shortly.
