For all of the Craig James Haters...

by **Pony Up** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:20 pm

smupony94 wrote:Never hated the guy. Like you said, he did not have anything to cheer about.

Not true. There's been a lot to cheer about, starting with the fact that it's his team, his alma mater, and including smaller (often individual) accomplishments. You cheer for your team, regardless of the numbers of the scoreboard. If anything, you cheer louder when times are tough, and encourage the players to work even harder and let them know you'll be grateful when their hard work pays off.

by **jtstang** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:24 pm

Pony Up wrote:
smupony94 wrote:Never hated the guy. Like you said, he did not have anything to cheer about.
Not true. There's been a lot to cheer about, starting with the fact that it's his team, his alma mater, and including smaller (often individual) accomplishments. You cheer for your team, regardless of the numbers of the scoreboard. If anything, you cheer louder when times are tough, and encourage the players to work even harder and let them know you'll be grateful when their hard work pays off.

I don't think he was referring to literal cheering in attendance at a game. If you've found an overall reason to cheer this football program over the last 20 years, I'd say you are looking at it all wrong. I think the reason a guy like James is vocal in his criticism is BECAUSE its his alma mater and he loves it.

by **Pony Up** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:27 pm

You might well be right.
Point taken.

by **MrMustang1965** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:27 pm

I spoke with Jerry LeVias at SMU games in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s in Dallas, as well as in Houston.

Perhaps it's the manner in which LeVias has delivered his message about SMU's athletic shortcomings, as well as his experiences on The Hilltop. Despite the terrible experiences he had at SMU - both on and off the field - he seems to genuinely appreciate the opportunity he was given to play football for the Mustangs and earn a degree from S.M.U.

In my opinion, Jerry LeVias has leveled criticism of the program yet has remained involved whereas Craig James has done so from a distance.

Either way, it's good to see more and more of SMU's football legends returning and embracing the program. God knows the Mustangs need as much support as possible!

by **Stallion** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:07 pm

I think you are full of [deleted]. Every word you said about LeVias could be said about James except for the fact that he doesn't go to SMU Football Games. He has a JOB on all days College Football is played. GET IT. Are you going to claim he is a bad father because he doesn't watch his son play in person? Same thing. Its incredible that a guy who never even went to SMU is allowed to trash one of the SMU Greats.

by **HB Pony Dad** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:11 pm

Stallion wrote:Its incredible that a guy who never even went to SMU is allowed to trash one of the SMU Greats.

I didn't go to SMU either!

Does that mean I'm [deleted]?

by **mrydel** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:14 pm

I have heard the ribbing that James has to take in the booth during games that he calls if SMU is mentioned. I hate to imagine what he goes through behind the scenes. He is not going to bring up SMU on the air if he does not need to or he would be laughed out of the booth. I think you will find out how good of a supporter he will be when we recover from the abyss in which we have been dwelling.

by **EastStang** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:34 pm

I guess I'm of the we can all trash the program here and vent and rage, but on National TV, you don't pull up short. We don't owe CJ anything, but its nice when he says nice things about SMU instead of rolling his eyes. It was wierd during the UAB game last year, Flutie was saying all the nice things about SMU until the end where Craig said how much he enjoyed going to SMU. I agree he works on Saturdays in the studio and can't come to games and should stay in the studio, if for no other reason than to drive Frog and Longhorn fans nuts, but a good word now and then or saying SMU is great school, I liked it there and someday we'll turn it around is nice now and then. If we stink on the field, talk about how pretty the girls are, or how neat the school is, or how he learned a lot there. Recruits listen to the broadcasts and if he trashes the coach, it has an effect.

by **PonyFanSweetie** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:36 pm

Nacho wrote:
Didn't hurt that his girlfriend was attending SMU.

I am also sure the extra cash didn't hurt either.....

by **Stallion** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:43 pm

Put me down in the Category who believes that BIG MUSTANG Supporters and Players who failed to stand up and voice criticism when SMU athletics was deemphazised to an Ivy League level is one of the biggest reasons SMU has one of the 5 worst performing programs in FB and BB in the NCAA over the last 20 years. No other school except for Rice would have put up with this crap for so long. I admire some of the VERY FEW Coaches and players who had the balls to stand up. I'm disdappointed in many who didn't.

by **rooster** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:09 pm

smupony wrote:Change occurs only when someone has the courage to point out faults and make their opinions public.

Got plenty of opinion honks on this board!

by **MrMustang1965** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:44 pm

Stallion wrote:I think you are full of [deleted]. Every word you said about LeVias could be said about James except for the fact that he doesn't go to SMU Football Games. He has a JOB on all days College Football is played. GET IT. Are you going to claim he is a bad father because he doesn't watch his son play in person? Same thing. Its incredible that a guy who never even went to SMU is allowed to trash one of the SMU Greats.

Oh, there you go again. Every time someone disagrees with you or has an opinion that doesn't fit the 'Stallion mantra', you pull this 'only child act' of yours. And pulling the 'you didn't go to SMU' card is lame and b.s. I'm a FAN! GET IT.

by **Pony Soup** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:00 pm

MrMustang1965 wrote:
Stallion wrote:I think you are full of [deleted]. Every word you said about LeVias could be said about James except for the fact that he doesn't go to SMU Football Games. He has a JOB on all days College Football is played. GET IT. Are you going to claim he is a bad father because he doesn't watch his son play in person? Same thing. Its incredible that a guy who never even went to SMU is allowed to trash one of the SMU Greats.
Oh, there you go again. Every time someone disagrees with you or has an opinion that doesn't fit the 'Stallion mantra', you pull this 'only child act' of yours. And pulling the 'you didn't go to SMU' card is lame and b.s. I'm a FAN! GET IT.

Good point 65, but the you didnt go to SMU card is all I've got. So apologies in advance but i just have to use it!!

by **FordtoTolbert** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:54 pm

Four GREAT posts, Stallion, well said and "here here!"...some / most on this board still think the "SMU sun" rose when lord Ramon showed up...thanks for keeping it real and helping this bunch remember. Heck, most on this board are MUCH more neg about SMU than James has ever been or ever thought of being...long live Mike Richardson.

by **PonySnob** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 8:39 pm

PonyFanSweetie wrote:
Nacho wrote:
Didn't hurt that his girlfriend was attending SMU.

I am also sure the extra cash didn't hurt either.....

I always heard that Craig came to SMU for the triangle.........and did not receive any "supplemental income" for his participation in football.

For all of the Craig James Haters...

Re: For all of the Craig James Haters...

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