Blackistone column

[RGV Pony]

For what seems like the first time in over a decade of reading Kevin Blackistone's coluns, today's SMU-themed argument by Mr. B is one that I find lucid, well-thought out, accurate and thought provoking. Also nice to see SMU leading the sports stories two days in a row.

Question: did DMN come up with these angles on their own, or were they pitched by SMU/Copeland? Brilliant marketing move if SMU pitched them.

Even bad pub is effective pub.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

I disagree with his comments that we should have never been successful. Only big schools can be successful. Ever heard of the Miami Hurricanes?!

[RGV Pony]

I think he was saying that in jest. Everyone knows that when those things took place, that was the ONLY time SMU competed on a level playing field.

[bubba pony]

I liked the line "All hat, no cattle"

[DiamondM75]

I will have to agree with LakeHighlandsPony, how can you say we should never have been a competitor. We are a small church school, so we can not compete.

Let me see, does the name Notre Dame ring a bell?

[Stallion]

This should insult EVERY SMU fan. Basically, he is saying SMU should be "graded on the curve" because we will never be successful. If this indeed the feeling on the Hilltop they should be fired by Sundown or the program should be dropped. Do you want to support a program which apparently is satisfied with mediocrity? That's why there might be 9,000 at Homecoming.

[hpfan]

I agree with Blackstone taking the community to task on the issue of support and attendance. I do not agree to attacking Dickerson/James as they were asked their opinion , and they gave it . A player likely has the right to express more frustration than a fan as they earned it. As to the issue of payments, I am sick of hearing about what SMU did when it is made to appear we were the only ones. The list of teams paying players then was a whose who of college football. I have numerous ex players over the years point this out from around the country and if Blackstone did the slightest amount of research he would know it also as well as specifically who "dodged the bullet"..

[EastStang]

We competed with the Big Schools on their own turf. Paying players to play. They did it, they still do it, and they will always do it. We won't, we can't, and will avoid even the chance to do it again. We were hammered because the Big Schools felt that a small private school should not be putting L's on them and they had us turned in. Did Sherwood Blount do anything that Jackie Sherill's boys didn't do? Did Bill Clements do anything that Darryll Royal's minions didn't do or try to do? When a big program from a big school gets the death penalty, then I will believe that we are going to be allowed to compete on a level field with them.

[Sam I Am]

You can silence a critic but that does not change the truth. Apparently if you don't like the program, you have to pay to have your opinion heard. That's a little like asking people to throw good money after bad. Maybe the arguement should be that if you want to spread sunshine, then you should have to pay up to prove you are a real supporter. Does that make any more sense than telling Dickerjames to ante up? It's a cheap shot to go after former players about who got paid and who didn't. The proposal to have a summitt meeting of "name" players and other supporters is over due. Unless someone rallies the troops to save the program, then as Dandy Don loved to sing, "turn out the lights, the party's over."

[PerunaPunch]

I disagree. While reconnecting "big name" players with the current football situation would certainly help, not getting them certainly isn't a death knell for the program.

It's also wrong to say that you need to cough up a bunch of money to the university for your opinion to be heard. I've always found the people in the Athletics Department to be extremely accessible. You want to give them a piece of your mind? Their phone numbers and e-mail addresses are listed right on smumustangs.com I usually talk to the Directors, but Copeland is very approachable too.

I have also found the coaches to be extremely courteous and willing to discuss the team. They stay VERY busy, often working from 5 or 6 in the morning to well after 10 at night. But when they have time, they're very willing to spend a few minutes discussing the team with fans.