SUPPORT FOR THE PLAYERS

[jimpoynter]

I do not take the time to read ponyfans every day; in fact some weeks get by without having a read. Had a chance to check in this week and can see it has now become a popular pastime to knock most everything related to SMU Football. I do not know many of you long term posters but I do sense that most of you really, really love SMU. I suspect you have nothing against the current players although some of you do cross the line from time to time, and that makes one wonder if that is the case. I would bet it is more the pent up frustration built up over many years more that anything.
I am not a SMU grad but am obviously a parent and uncle of current players. (I have never quite understood the need to use an "alias" on boards like these as I stand behind anything I say, but that is just me). Many of you had very kind things to say about Ben recently and I would like to thank each of you for that. Because I am a parent of a player, I would like each of you to stop and take a minute and think about what these players are going through right now, paticuarly the seniors. These seniors were freshman when the team was 0-12. A few of them (Caleb, Wilton, Ben) are four year starters and are approaching 35 starts in their careers. It is unusual to have that many starts in a career; I bet less than 5% of D-1 players ever do that. Stop and think of the physical effort that translates into on behalf of SMU. The entire team worked under Vic in the off season and pushed themselves as hard as they could and Vic will testify to that. Many are good students; some are outstanding and able to compete with the best non-athletes in the class room.
Now they are taking a huge beating from the "SMU community" because of the 1-5 record. They do not have a problem with that per se as they do not like losing either. None-the-less it has to be wearing these 18-22 year olds down to work like they do on the field and in the class room and then be torn down publicly and sometimes personally. I SINCERLY HOPE YOUR SONS OR DAUGHTERS LEARN TO WORK AS HARD AS THESE KIDS (AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE) AS THEY GROW UP. I SINCERELY HOPE YOUR SONS OR DAUGHTERS ARE NOT TREATED LIKE THIS IN SPITE OF THEIR HARD WORK.

So I have two requests and they are straight forward. One, come out to Perkins Chapel by 4:15pm Saturday afternoon and CHEER FOR THE TEAM as they exit the Chapel. Cheer for their hard work and effort on behalf of your SMU. Cheer for these Seniors that have literally given more than is asked of most D-1 players over a career. Second, think before you write. Ask yourself if what you are about to say is hurtful on a personal level or not. If not; write away! SEE YOU SATURDAY AT 4:15!
Best Regards,

Jim Poynter

[ponyinNC]

Very good points. Thanks Jim.

[KnuckleStang]

Well said Jim Poynter.

[mr. pony]

Well said.

[jtstang]

He's right one one thing--none of these kids told us that we should expect this year nothing less than a winning record and our first bowl appearance in over 20 years. That responsibility, to the extent it has led to some of your frustration, lies elsewhere.

Fortunately I did not fall for it and remained firm with no expectations for this team this year. I have not been disappointed, but was pleasantly surprised on one occasion.

[PonySnob]

Do players get criticized by fans at other schools on their message boards? If so, the criticism at SMU is far less than of a player at a major program.

[BIGHORSE]

Do players get criticized by fans at other schools on their message boards? If so, the criticism at SMU is far less than of a player at a major program.

If you dont know,then why would it be much less at S.M.U.?

[couch 'em]

We should never cross the line, but these players are are legal adults being paid (scholarship) very well for their talents in a spectator sport. They are not above criticism when it is warranted.

[PonySnob]

If you dont know,then why would it be much less at S.M.U.?

My question was directed at jimpoynter - players get criticized by fans/alums at every school and the amount of criticism that an SMU player gets is far less than that of a player at UT, OU, USC, etc.

[KnuckleStang]

If you dont know,then why would it be much less at S.M.U.?

My question was directed at jimpoynter - players get criticized by fans/alums at every school and the amount of criticism that an SMU player gets is far less than that of a player at UT, OU, USC, etc.

Only because there are more fans at those schools and their teams are better. Per capita, I would suspect we have them beat.

[PonySoprano]

My question was directed at jimpoynter - players get criticized by fans/alums at every school and the amount of criticism that an SMU player gets is far less than that of a player at UT, OU, USC, etc.

So that makes it right?

[Swamp Gas]

My question was directed at jimpoynter - players get criticized by fans/alums at every school and the amount of criticism that an SMU player gets is far less than that of a player at UT, OU, USC, etc.

Who cares? We're not at those other schools. Mr. Poynter is absolutely right about the way we treat our athletes, and the fact that we need to treat them better and support them more enthusiastically.

Mr. Poynter: I was wavering on whether I'd make it to Dallas this weekend. I'd like you to know I am leaving work early tomorrow to travel to Dallas, and my friends and I will be at the chapel to cheer with you.

[Alaric]

I agree with Jim. I've known a couple of the players over the last few years and knew a lot of them in the early 90's when I went to SMU, almost all I've known were good students, good people and really hard workers. Bennett has worn me out but let's support the players and not criticize these guys.

[Arkpony]

BUS and I will be at the Chapel Jim..cheering the players on as we always do. Thanks for the input!

[Pony in SA]

My son's last baseball game is at 1:30 Saturday and we are flying up immediately after that to be at the game and cheer on the team, but our plane does not land until unfortunately after 5 pm. Otherwise, we would be there with you Jim as we have been in the past for the players.

I respect and admire the hard work our players have put in, I think what you are reading is just the frustration of many years having more to do with the administration and the coaches than the players. I have been a season ticket holder since 1990 and followed our team from Ownby, to the Cotton Bowl, back to campus, and made the road trips to UTEP, Houston, Ole Miss, etc. to support our team but the frustration is there does not appear to be any measurable progress.

I don't think posters are necessarily mad at the players, it is just we are sick of no progress being made to become a consistent winner in football. Most who post here are the ones who commit the time and money to be at the games no matter the cost so we can cheer for the players. I will do the same Saturday and hope they pull out a victory.