University of North Texas Athletics
Villarreal's Views
6/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
Posted September 15, 2011
Having a few days to reflect on the festivities that surrounded the opening of Apogee Stadium I find myself still trying to come to terms with how surreal the entire day was for me, my staff and the entire North Texas family. It was a special moment for everyone involved and will be long thought of as one of the most significant advancements in Mean Green Athletics history. I can't thank the fans, students, alumni, faculty and staff enough for all that they have done to bring this moment to fruition.
In August, the university and Apogee announced a 20-year naming-rights sponsorship agreement, which is the second largest naming-rights agreement for college football stadiums to date. The naming right of the stadium was another critical piece of the puzzle and will serve notice to our counterparts at other institutions that North Texas is making a serious commitment to athletics.
Additionally, the Mean Green Club has been busily working to increase memberships and athletic donations. It takes many people to believe in and support a program. I'm pleased to announce that membership in the Mean Green Club has reached an all-time high. As of the middle of September we are at nearly 1,200 members of the Mean Green Club. We are only 200 members away from doubling the previous record of 703 members that we had in 2007. Many factors have contributed to the recent success. One factor was an increase in staff for the Mean Green Club. This increase allowed us to build stronger relationships with current and prospective donors. We also launched the Mean Green Club Representative Program. The inaugural program was instrumental to the increase in memberships, yielding 197 new members and over $58,000 in contributions to the Mean Green Club. Lastly, the new Apogee Stadium has created an unparalleled excitement to the university, the city of Denton and our great alumni base throughout the state. Club level seating and improved sight lower-bowl seating have given fans additional incentive to join the Mean Green Club. Overall, increasing membership in the Mean Green Club is vital to the success of North Texas Athletics. Through the generosity of alumni, friends and fans we are well on our way to my goal of 3,000 Mean Green Club members. For more information on the Mean Green Club, or to contribute to our efforts, call the Mean Green Club Office at 940-369-7284.
Coach Dan McCarney is leading this football team through a very tough transition. Unfortunately the way the scheduling worked out, he is facing a very tough schedule in the first five weeks. FIU and Houston are picked to win their respective conferences while Alabama is ranked No. 2 in the nation. Tulsa is also picked to finish very high in Conference USA. It is very possible that each of the Mean Green's first three opponents will end the season undefeated.
Please remember to join Coach McCarney, and host George Dunham, for the radio show at Rudy's BBQ in Denton. The hour-long show begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs throughout the season every Monday night. If you cannot attend, the show can be heard on 88.1 FM KNTU as well. Rudy's BBQ in Denton is located at 520 South Interstate 35E.
The volleyball team will be one of the most improved in the Sun Belt Conference under second-year head coach Ken Murczek. The team is off to a good start and is riding a four-match win streak heading into this weekend's Mean Green Volleyball Classic here in Denton. The team balanced with great senior leadership and young exciting talent that should put Mean Green volleyball on solid ground for years to come.
The soccer program has assumed its perennial position atop the Sun Belt leaderboard. The team started off undefeated in its first six games before falling to Baylor at Waco. Head Coach John Hedlund and his team will begin the chase for a Sun Belt title when they open the conference schedule at home later this month against Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee on Sept. 23 and Sept. 25.
We also hired a new Director of Track and Field, but he is a familiar face. Carl Sheffield was largely responsible for the success of our track teams as an assistant coach from 1996-2007. He sharpened his skills at the world-renowned Michael Johnson Training Center from 2007 until coming back to take over our program this month. We are excited about the direction that he will take the program during the upcoming year.
I look forward to witnessing the continued growth of Mean Green fury and spirit this academic year. Call the North Texas Athletics Ticket Office at 940-565-2527 to purchase tickets to any of our home games. Remember, now is the perfect time to get involved with North Texas Athletics. Don't miss your opportunity to be a part of something very special!
GO MEAN GREEN!
Rick Villarreal
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