Letter from Jim Copeland

[PonySnob]

Not sure if this letter was to Mustang Club members or season ticket holders as I am in both groups, but I received this letter today from Jim Copeland.

As we near the end of this season, I want to share with you my thoughts and feelings about our football program.

I am very disappointed that we do not have at least three or four wins at this juncture in the schedule. It has been painful for me to watch the Mustangs lose as we have this year. Saturday nights and Sunday mornings have been difficult to endure.

Despite these hard times, I have a great deal of confidence in Phil Bennett and his ability to turn around many years of losses on the Hilltop. He and I are in frequent communication on many topics including the play of his team. I share with him my thoughts and those that many of you have communicated to me. I assure you that he is laying the foundation for the types of seasons and successes that we all want.

We have made major strides in recent years. Gerald J. Ford Stadium, the Loyd All-Sports Center, favorable changes in the admissions process and the pending inclusion into a regional conference alignment give us a structural base that is necessary for success. Phil's most recent recruiting class was ranked number one in the conference and among the top 50 in the nation. Much of his recruiting success is attibutable to these changes. Phil and I know that the structural changes must translate into wins on Saturday's. That will happen!

I have remarked to my peers that no supporter base has been as loyal as SMU's core group. You have been with us through very difficult times. I appreciate your past support and loyalty more than you will ever know. But we need you now, more than ever. Hold on! Your years of time, effort, contributions an loyalty will be repaid.

[MrMustang1965]

From his lips to God's ears. :whistling:

[Dooby]

I will confess that I am no longer a season ticket holder for SMU football. I was during the first year at Ford, but job and my then newborn son have made it difficult to commit to season tickets for the past two years. I still have managed to get to most home games and every game this year. But the single biggest thing that made me decide not to renew my season tickets after that awful 2000 season was the fact that I didn't get a letter like this.

I need to know that this administration understands that the current state of the football team is unacceptable. And this is a good first step.

[The Brown Hornet]

It has been painful for me to watch the Mustangs lose as we have this year. Saturday nights and Sunday mornings have been difficult to endure.

The Brown Hornet recommends alcohol, and lots of it, to ease your suffering.

He and I are in frequent communication on many topics including the play of his team.

The Brown Hornet wonders about two things: (1) perhaps you should leave him alone and let him do his job and (2) what other topics do you communicate about? Perhaps the latests trends in fashion or music?

favorable changes in the admissions process

More details please.

Your years of time, effort, contributions an loyalty will be repaid.

The Brown Hornet gladly accepts cash, check and most major credit cards.

[NavyCrimson]

GREAT LETTER JIM!

GO BENNETT!!!!!!

i know what u mean - dooby...

i know what its like to stop buying season tix, too...my own financial situation here in calif. has created more problems than i could imagine over the last 1-2 yrs & now i'm starting all over again...such as life with me & smu!

but we'll both be back bigger & stronger than ever!

go mustang!

[Hoop Fan]

Navy&Crimson, sorry to hear that, you're one of the good guys here. Keep da faith in yourself and the Mustangs. That letter from Copeland is much needed. Its no excuse for the situation, but its what needed to be said.

[Buddha]

Did our athletic director really put an apostrophe in "Saturdays"? I hope that was a mistake in the re-typing.

[Spaz]

OH HOLY CRAP!!!! SPELLING ERRORS!!!
There's the problem with our team!

<img src="http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/negative20.jpg" alt=" - " />

[Cyn]

Great letter from Copeland. It's what everyone knew but needed to hear. I to have great faith in Bennett. We as players, parents, family, and friends have to believe in Bennett's philosophy. I know that this is the only way we can turn this program around.....Believe and be patient.

Motto......Believe in the philosophy and sell your souls for a few hours on Saturday!

Watch the Hilltop explode :w00t:


Hang in there bro!

[Arkpony]

I appreciated the letter also. I gather there are rumblings reaching higher places necessitating the response we got from Copeland. Good. Nice to know he is listening.