IPF

[Hoofprint]

http://superbowlblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/02/smu-no-longer-part-of-packers.html

Sorry SMU, but the Packers head coach is eliminating you from the equation.

Before the chilly weather hit North Texas, Green Bay was scheduled to practice at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium this week. But the icy conditions have forced the Packers to practice inside at Highland Park High School.

On Tuesday, the Packers stopped at SMU to get dressed before heading to the indoor facility in Highland Park.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy held a team meeting Wednesday morning to explain the new procedure which will cut out the middle man.

"Yesterday, we did all our meetings and walk-throughs here [Omni Mandalay Las Colinas] at the hotel, and then we went over to SMU to dress and then went on to Highland Park High School, so we just eliminated the step of going to SMU for dress," McCarthy explained. "We're going to do everything here like we did yesterday for meetings and walk-throughs, and then we're going to dress here and tape. There are just some adjustments that need to be made and then we'll go right from here to Highland Park."

That is absolutely embarrassing. First we have to hear about Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw and Doak Walker on SportsCenter as Highland Park High School graduates — no mention of Doak Walker also having gone to SMU — and now this? McCarthy dismissing SMU as an irrelevant extra step?

I seem to recall reading quotes from Orsini about how great it is for SMU to be part of the Super Bowl because of its "first-rate facilities" or somesuch.

Where is he now to offer his spin on all of this? SMU's silence on all of this has been deafening.

[San Antonio Mustang]

I hope everyone associated with SMU is as embarrassed as I am. If so the IPF will go to the top of the list of needed facilities. I know space is tight and it doesn't help that we have to live with University Park's building restrictions, but I am sure there is a solution if the Trustees want to find it. Perhaps they should rethink some of the plans for new buildings. In addition to an IPF do we also need an outdoor practice area or can we use Ford for outdoors? If the Mockingbird height restrictions preclude building an IPF where the current practice field is perhaps we could switch the soccer stadium and practice areas and build the IPF where the soccer stadium is located. Whatever the solution we need an IPF.

[One Trick Pony]

Dig.

[Dukster]

Amen.