how did SMU get on campus

[smazza]

stadium?

when was last time they had a winning season?maybe 1 in  20 years

built   on campus in 2000,SMU is trying to bing back the greatness

[bulls96go]

stick a fork in it they are done

there is no return from ncaa death sentence

[GarySJ]

They don't call it "Southern Money University" for nothing. They have a lot of rich alums and donors, and a lot of history from back in the pre-death penalty days. It's not like they're a new program trying to drum up support.

[E.T.]

Serious money$ that want football back where it was with the "Pony Express" ... can you name who the two RB's ?

[GarySJ]

Craig James. Eric Dickerson.

[smazza]

garysj- you  old fart

HISTORY OF SMU FOOTBALL

SMU football dates back to September 14, 1915. Eight days before the start of class, coach Ray Morrison opened practice to a squad composed entirely of freshmen.

On October 10, 1915, SMU played its first game, in which the Mustangs suffered a 43-0 lost. During the inaugural season, SMU posted a record of 2-5. The Mustangs suffered their worse loss in school history in 1916. Rice bashed SMU 146-3.

Coach Morrison relinquished his title of head coach to J. Burton Rix in 1917. The coaching change coincided with the first conference change for the Mustangs. The Mustangs moved from the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association to the Southwest Conference in 1918.

In 1922, Coach Morrison returned to the Hilltop. During the 1922 campaign, he guided the Mustangs to the first of ten consecutive winning seasons. Morrison followed with SMU's first conference championship in 1923.

(1923 Conference Champions)

The Mustangs first bowl appearance occurred in 1924 at the Dixie Classic. Although the Ponies suffered a 9-7 loss to West Virginia Wesleyan, it started a history of post-season play. To date, the Ponies have appeared in ten bowl games.

Over the years, SMU watched 127 players reach the professional level. The first SMU graduate to play professional football was Gene Bedford. Bedford played for the Rochester Jeffersons in 1925.

The completion of Ownby Stadium in 1926 brought football into SMU's backyard. North Texas State Teachers College and SMU christened the stadium on September 24, 1926. The Mustangs walked away winners by a score of 42-0.

The conclusion of the 1929 season brought SMU its first All-American, Marion Hammon. The Ponies would go on to produce 30 All-Americans.

In 1935, SMU accomplished a feat most programs only dream about. First-year coach Matty Bell led the Mustangs to SMU's only national championship after posting a perfect 12-0 record.

1945 brought notable running back Doak Walker to SMU. The legendary player is the only Mustang to win the Heisman Trophy, which he did in 1948. Walker is SMU's only three-time All-American and the only Mustang to have his number retired.

On account of Walker's following, Ownby Stadium filled to capacity every game. Forced to relocate, the Mustangs moved to the Cotton Bowl in 1948. The larger facility would come to be known as "The House that Doak Built." The Cotton Bowl was nicknamed after Doak when a second level was constructed to accommodate his fans.

By 1962, SMU had signed its eighth head coach, the latest being Hayden Fry. Fry had immediate success and the Mustangs moved back into the national ranks. Ranking ninth in the nation, SMU was on its way to the top.

In 1978, under the direction of Coach Ron Meyer, "Mustang Mania" evolved. With attendance jumping from 26,000 to 52,000, the Mustangs relocated once again. This time they moved to Texas Stadium for the start of the 1979 season.

Along with the change in venue, the Mustangs recruited a highly talented freshmen class. Leading the pack were Eric Dickerson and Craig James. The two acquired the nicknamed "Pony Express" during their stint at SMU.

During the 1982 season, lead by the "Pony Express," SMU vaulted itself to a number two national ranking. The highest rank SMU football ever received.

On August 16, 1985, the NCAA placed SMU on probation for the fourth time in eleven years. Due to a history of rules violations, the team lost 45 scholarships and was banned from TV and bowl play for the next three years. Although a sufficient penalty, the Mustangs did not obey and the situation worsened.

Throughout 1986, numerous reports surfaced about other violations. During the year, David Stanley, a former player went public and admitted receiving gifts live on WFAA. Reports in The Dallas Morning News also stated players were living in rent-free apartments. One notable violation occurred when two football players broke into the payroll office and stole the monthly payroll. No action was taken against the players and boosters returned the money.

On February 25, 1987, the NCAA levied its toughest decision to date. The "death penalty" was imposed on the Mustangs. SMU lost its football team in 1987 and was banned from home play in 1988. SMU officials decided to forgo the 1988 season, "citing an inability to field a competitive team."

To date, SMU is the only school to have the "death penalty" imposed. SMU's violations center on booster involvement. The Dallas Morning News stated Texas governor Bill Clements appeared as the primary donor, by setting aside $400,000 a year to distribute among football players. "The players were considered to be a part of the payroll," said Sherwood Blount, an SMU booster, in The Dallas Morning News in 1997.

SMU suffered because of the penalty. Former SMU great Forrest Gregg took over as head coach on January 14, 1988. He headed the rebuilding process most critics considered the ultimate challenge. By virtue of the death penalty, SMU once again started over with a team composed entirely of freshmen. On February 10, 1988, SMU singed Mike Romo, making him the Mustangs first signee since 1985.

After 41 years away from Ownby Stadium, the Mustangs were allowed to return in 1989 to play in their on-campus facility. The stay in Ownby did not last long. The 1995 season saw the Mustangs return once more to the "House that Doak Built."

With the breakup of the Southwest Conference in 1995, the Mustangs accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in 1996.

The 1997 season saw new coach Mike Cavan at the helm. Cavan led the Mustangs to a 6-5 overall record and was named WAC Coach of the Year by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Successful in 1997, the Mustangs posted a measly 5-7 record during the 1998 campaign. Although the Ponies were no longer riding high on the Hilltop, SMU broke ground on the Gerald J. Ford Stadium and the Paul B. Loyd, Jr. All-Sports Center. The two facilities are set to open in 2000 marking the return of SMU football to the Hilltop.

The 1999 Mustangs started slowly but have picked up play and are in contention for the WAC title. The current team, composed of 101 players, has only fifteen seniors. The lack of experience hurt the Mustangs attack early on, but SMU's 1999 recruiting class of 45 freshmen has contributed greatly.

A talented class, the freshmen Mustangs have contributed greatly this season. True freshmen scored all three touchdowns in the first two games. Johnnie Freeman, Chris Cunningham, and Cody Cardwell all scored in SMU's 53-19 lost to Tulane on September 11, 1999.

"The good news about having a good recruiting year is that we have a lot of guys coming into the program. But the bad news is that they're all freshmen who'll need to get experience," said Coach Cavan in a media day press release.

Experience is exactly what the freshmen are receiving. After the Mustangs loss to Tulane, Coach Cavan only had nice words for freshman Johnnie Freeman. "I wasn't pleased with anything, maybe Johnnie Freeman. He did a good job," said Cavan in a post game Tulane press release.

As the season progresses the freshmen are proving that they are solid football players. The Mustangs offense appeared to be in top form as the Mustangs blew away Cal State Northridge 58-17 on November 13, 1999. Once again, the freshmen scored all the touchdowns.

The outlook for the 1999 season is bright. The Mustangs have two seniors who are capable of playing professionally. Both defensive back Tracy Hart and running back Rodnick Philips posted solid numbers during the 1998 season. The same is expected in 1999. Philips is one of 28 nominated for the prestigious Dr. Pepper Doak Walker Award, which is awarded to the nations top college running back.

One drawback to the promising football season centers on recruiting violations. Reports state that defensive line coach Steve Malin violated recruiting policies. "What we know of the allegations at this point appear to be secondary in nature and limited to one coach. There is no indication of booster involvement," said SMU's Athletic Director Jim Copeland on August 7, 1999 in a press release. SMU suspended Coach Malin, with pay, while officials await word from the NCAA.

Information surfaced in The Dallas Morning News on November 7, 1999, that Malin paid a "friend" of ex-SMU football player Corlin Donaldson to take his college entrance exam. Once again, these are only allegations and no official action has been taken.

Led by sophomore quarterback Josh McCown, the Mustangs look forward to the first WAC title in school history. If they win out the season the Mustangs will be bowl eligible.