Athletic Forum speakers announced

[PonyPride]

From the SMU Athletic Department:



SMU Athletic Forum announces 2003-04 luncheon speakers

DALLAS, TEXAS - One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, a World Golf and LPGA Tour Hall of Famer, the head coach of the Washington Redskins and a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer comprise the 2003-04 SMU Athletic Forum lineup.

The annual luncheon series gets underway with The AFLAC Luncheon on Tuesday, October 14, when Bill Walton visits Dallas. Walton, who is ABC's and ESPN's lead basketball analyst, was a three-time All-American at UCLA.

Nancy Lopez, the first woman in U.S. Women's Open history to shoot four rounds in the 60's will be in town on Tuesday, November 18, for The Guaranty Bank Luncheon. Lopez won her 48th career title in 1997. She will be interviewed by CBS Sports broadcaster, David Feherty.

Former University of Florida Head Coach who was the five-time SEC Coach of the Year, Steve Spurrier, will speak on Tuesday, March 2, 2004. Spurrier is in his second year as head coach of the Washington Redskins.

The Forum concludes on Thursday, April 29, 2004, with The Texas Rangers Luncheon featuring Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. Currently ESPN's lead color analyst for baseball, Morgan won five Gold Glove Awards, played in 10 All-Star games and recorded 692 stolen bases.

The highlight of the 2003-04 SMU Athletic Forum season is the 14th annual Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2004. The Award is presented annually to the nation's leading college running back. Lead anchor for ESPN's SportsCenter, Dan Patrick, will serve as keynote speaker at the event. The recipient of the 2002 Doak Walker Award was Larry Johnson of Penn State, currently with the Kansas City Chiefs. The recipient of the 2003 Doak Walker Award will be announced on December 11, live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

The SMU Athletic Forum will also present the 2003 PricewaterhouseCoopers Doak Walker Legends Award to a former running back who excelled at the collegiate level and went on to distinguish himself as a leader in his community. Heisman Trophy winner and former Houston Oiler, Earl Campbell, was honored as the recipient of the 2002 PricewaterhouseCoopers Doak Walker Legends Award. The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will reveal the recipient of the 2003 Legends Award in November.

"We are very excited about the diversity and talent of this year's lineup and think that our audience will be thrilled to hear such illustrious speakers," said Randall Goss, Chair of the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors.

All events in conjunction with the SMU Athletic Forum are held at The Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas. Other SMU Athletic Forum sponsors include American Airlines, The Dallas Morning News and Sportsradio 1310 the Ticket. For more information, please call (214) 768-4314 or visit <A HREF="http://www.athleticforum.com." TARGET=_blank>www.athleticforum.com.</A>