Stallion's Crusade

[PhirePhilBennett]

I think I'm entitled to it

[Treadway21]

Oh Cavan whined and complained largely behind closed doors and if you get Phil Bennett riled up he will sound like Stallion. If no one else in the SMU administration, Mustang Club, the Lettermans Club or the SMU community was going to stand up for the benefits of a strong Division 1A program then I damn sure wasn't going to sit back and watch this program head toward extinction without forceably arguing with overwhelming supporting evidence for a strong athletic program.. I have toned down my criticism of this program in direct proportion to changes made in the Model. Hey I even predicted a non-losing season this year against a very weak schedule. 6-6.

Who the H do yu think you are? So Bennett sometimes sounds like you, but only when he is riled up. I bet he really takes that as a compliment. How can we get him to sound like you all the time?


You know, I am constantly saying to myself, why isn't stallion SMU recruiting coordintor, Mustang CLub President, and Letterman's Club President; all our troubles would be over. SMU should hire you to gives the thumbs up or down on any recruit for Basketball or Football before they are allowed to sign at SMU. Hey while you are at it fix the NCAA BCS problem. But please wait until you solve all SMU's problem before leaving to the NCAA. Oh and you are a genius for predicting 6-6, big frickin deal.

You have done exactly zero to change anything at SMU. And if you think constantly [deleted] on ponyfans qualifies as anything you are delusional. AHHH - much better

[expony18]

Oh and you are a genius for predicting 6-6, big frickin deal.

well he did go to law school at SMU?

[FordtoTolbert]

He went to law school at tech, for the record.

[FordtoTolbert]

CORP.."He is ONE OF THE FEW who is not in denial or LIVING IN THE PAST" ??? My problem with this "board" is most folks "past" is the great Ramon Flanagan and "my favorite player of ALL TIME is Chris Bordono". The folks around the program who truly remember what it was like to win, who remember true D-I talent when they saw it, who DEMAND something bigger and better are for the most part LONG FREAKIN" gone.

What we have now is a bunch of "sunshiners', it is true, Stallions right....who really have no concept of what it takes to compete and who lack any real sense of our football history. I get tired of all the "rah rah" for going 6-6 VS. the weakest schedule we have had in 40 years. Sad.

So, what can a guy do....[deleted]...leave.....change it??(hardly).....laugh...cry....educate others....????? GO COACH DOH.

[expony18]

He went to law school at tech, for the record.

haha my bad... it was a joke though

[78pony]

Thanks FordToTolbert. Suffering for 5, 8, 10 or even 15 years doesn't come close to duration some older Mustangs have experienced. To those (few I suspect) of you who joined us for the Mirage Bowl; what incredible memories. In Tucson, Tempe, Honolulu, San Diego, and the like, M-Club trips that have never been matched.

So for all you great, loyal and 'younger' Pony fans, stay the course. But, understand that you may be years, fists full of season tickets and thousands of dollars (given and/or raised) behind some on this board who want and deserve to see this thing turned around 10 years ago. Understand that this frustration has long been paid for.

[SMUtrojanFAN]

6. Creation of athlete friendly majors and curriculm. ?

advertising?

Hey, F U biatch... Nothing wrong with Temerlin grads

[Bergermeister]

yeah, right.

[ponyboy]

quite simply it was to EDUCATE some of the truly naive SMU supporters who were glossing over the real problems that resulted in SMU's program falling farther and faster than just about any program in America.

Education is good. And I agree with the couple of other posters who say that you're one of the few who has a clue as to how to fix our problems. I've learned a lot from you over the last few years.

But enthusiasm -- even naive, misinformed, misplaced, unrealistic enthusiasm -- should never be seen as a sin. Fact is, we need it like we need oxygen. Unless of course we'd like to continue being a sparsely populated, bloody mary drinking, exclusive Park Cities club and not the school of Dallas.

Stop bashing fans and use a little discretion in your education. That's all I'm saying.

[ponyte]

There are two equally important dynamics at play. One is the intellectual and the other is the emotional.

Many on this board have stated that SMU suffered from a systems problem post DP. All the emotions (cheerleading) in the world cannot make a broken clock work more than twice a day. Gradually, some of these issues are being corrected. Correcting previous anti-athletic policies has taken time (as one would expect) to correct. A process of analysis and corrective action isn’t a quick fix. The results have been better athletes and a more competitive program.

Many on this board express a desire and optimism about SMU athletics that is perplexing to those that view SMU's problems as process issues and not emotional issues. Yet, the excitement generated by the team and fans in the second half of the Tulsa game was not because of a systems issue fix, but due to the emotional enthusiasm and optimism generated during those two quarters. Emotion allowed a SMU team to believe and then deliver a defeat to the Horn Frogs in 2005. Emotions can allow teams to accomplish feats beyond predicted expectations.

Both are important and one isn't necessarily better than the other. An intellectual analysis with development of solutions to problems that SMU face is a long term solution. The emotional enthusiasm can generate short term gains otherwise not predictable.

Both views are correct and both are needed.

[ponyboy]

Fan: an enthusiastic follower or supporter, usually a spectator

Enthusiasm: zeal or fervor

A synonym for zeal is passion.

Disengaged analysis has its place in the grand scheme as a moderator of excessive zeal. But it is not supposed to replace zeal in the hearts and minds of fans. That message is best reserved for university presidents, administrators and, yes, those who give large sums of money to the school. In other words, those who have the power to change things. Thus, he’s giving his very valuable speeches to the entirely wrong audience and ends up hurting the school more than he’s helping it. The net effect is that he either runs off the casual fan or inculcates deep, kneejerk pessimism in those who remain.

Check the name: This is a fan board. Our job as fans is to be -- first and foremost -- enthusiastic, zealous supporters. It’s a good job to have and I, for one, would like to stop being beaten about the head and neck and called names when I dare do my job.

GO SMU!

[jtstang]

By that definition, Stallion is a huge fan of SMU. He is definitely a follower of SMU. He displays ethusiasm, including but limited to zeal and fervor, for the changes he believes will make SMU better. Again, just because you refuse to ignore reality and are willing to call out those who do does not speak to fandom.

And the bottom line is, who cares? You are an acknowledged sunshiner (TM jtstang, Inc.), ponyboy, one of the biggest in my humble estimation, and no matter what Stallion has said, you haven't gone away with your tail tucked. Neither have the others. It doesn't matter, there is plenty of room for both viewpoints, the realist and the sunshiner (TM). I dare say there are a lot more of the latter posting on this board anyway, so why isn't Stallion starting threads about the sunshiners (TM) squelching his enthusiam for pointing out reality and advocating changes that will make reality better?

[expony18]

6. Creation of athlete friendly majors and curriculm. ?

advertising?

Hey, F U biatch... Nothing wrong with Temerlin grads

haha

[ponyboy]

Yes let's leave it up to "university presidents and administrators and alumni that give big sums of money to the university". Those are the MORONS who first dug our grave

You have a serious problem with reading comprehension. I never suggested we "leave it up to" them. I'm saying that they're the ones you should be beating about the head and neck and calling names.

I could have hoped for no more stunning confirmation of my thesis than the reaction by you and Jtstang. Wow.