TCU and the SWC

[PonyTime]

over the years I have estimated that 80-85% of NCAA schools basically admit NCAA Minimum qualification standards so it wasn't really a shot at TCU but a concern that SMU was trying to run an Ivy League program more like Rice, Vandy and Tulane. I think TCU did the right thing to be competitive. TCU maintains very high graduation levels too-and I think there still may be some lessons there for SMU.

See note above about Rice, Vandy and Tulane - I sure wish we were as successful as them!

Vandy has a better all around athletic program than TCU. And they do it without an AD . . . in the SEC.

[Stallion]

I have little doubt that Mike Dement and Mike Cavan both would have taken SMU to post season play under current conditions. At the time though all most SMU Fans wanted to do was talk about firing the coach(aka "the Victim"). SMU fans have been incredibly naive and docile over that 20 year period.

[LA_Mustang]

We like to blame our extended troubles on things like the SWC breakup. I find it ironic as hell on this week that we are ridiculous 28 point underdogs to a top 10 TCU team. The Frogs have thrived precisely because of the breakup and ole TCU was spurred by the breakup to get off its arse and run a real D-1 program. TCU would have never ever been Top 10 if still playing in the SWC. It was really a blessing in disguise for them because they met the challenge. While SMU has wallowed and procrastinated about making real changes over the past 10 years, TCU has cemented a future. Meanwhile, we continue to be form over substance and make changes to our uniforms, colors, fight song, mascot.

preach on, brotha

[NavyCrimson]

Hoop Fan: "While SMU has wallowed and procrastinated about making real changes over the past 10 years, TCU has cemented a future."

10 YEARS!!! $%##, IT'S BEEN 20-PLUS!!!

[carolina stang]

TCU fan here...1st time to post on ponyfans.com. Love the site.

Stallion...what exactly do you mean when you say "formerly?" If pre-DP, then you mean back when SMU had no standards. I assume you mean in the first years to follow DP. If you recall, TCU was also got caught doing the same thing...just not as well (hehe). SMU's program was more blatant and the punishment more severe. In fact, SMU is still being punished for their past.

TCU got lucky when with Fran. Beating USC in the El Paso Bowl was a fluke, but that is just the type of spark (miracle) TCU needed. SMU program is on the rise.

I never want to see TCU and SMU quit playing each other. Two class schools, class cities, and most importantly...class fans and alumni. I just about puke when I see the Little 12 "scholars" from UT, A&M, Tech, etc. TCU and SMU are in a class of their own...and I wouldn't want to see that change. Go Frogs and good luck Ponies! Everyone on this board is welcome at my tailgate...West Side (Home Side) of Amon Carter Stadium.

Welcome to the site. Glad to have you. Good points. If I wasn't here in Carolina, I would stop by.
By the way, I just found out recently that a friend of mine from high school is your webmaster on the frogs site.

[carolina stang]

changes over the years:

-formerly SMU required full admission to university before offer by SMU-TCU did not-this became absolutely necessary as early recruiting escalated-formerly SMU would offer in December-2 months before signing date. This year we almost have completed our class by September
-formerly SMU required a written admission paper-TCU did not
-formerly SMU required what then was approximately a 1,000 SAT while TCU admitted within NCAA minimum qualification standards
-during alleged Commitment circa 2000-SMU basically would admit with coaches' decision if recruit scored 900 SAT but had to go through special admission procedure and faculty committe if below 900 SAT-TCU did not
-formerly SMU required an extra 2 core courses, TCU did not
-formerly SMU did not admit non-qualifiers or partial qualifiers-TCU did- NCAA changed rule so that distinction now insignificant
-formerly SMU's admission policies for JUCOs made transfer very difficult-TCU won championships especially BB but also FB with teams full of JUCOs, D1A Transfers and Prep transfers
-formerly SMU admission standards on Division 1A Transfers/Prep school transfers made transfer difficult-TCU did not
-formerly SMU did not commit or sign recruits that did not project as full qualifiers by signing date-TCU did commit such players (I call them "late qualifiers") and would allow the recruit to attempt to qualify after signing date but before Fall Practice
-according to a discussion I had with former SMU recruiting coordinator-formerly if a potential recruit wanted to retake class or SAT the two scores would be averaged-TCU simply accepted higher score

That's a good start-I'm sure I forgot a few. If I did I'm sure someone will supplement. Basically, it can be boiled down to TCU decided to compete with all players as long as they met Minimum NCAA Requirements for admission-SMU did not but expected SMU Coaches to compete with two hands tied behind their back. Each of these categories were identified by at least me from Day 1 that SMU had a football message board. If you sat down with any and all SMU Football or Basketball Coaches from 1989-2008 and discuss the unfair competitive playing field they competed undert they would confide to you that it was extremely significant-and each category had a detrimental effect on that Coaches ability to do his job. Two Coaches Cavan and Bennett bitterly discribed the problems and they were 100% correct. SMU now competes under essentially Minimum NCAA Admission standards see JUCOs, Division 1A Transfers, Prep School kids, late qualifiers, borderline qualifiers etc on SMU Football and Basketball Rosters

Stallion is completely correct with his assessment. This coming from someone who worked with the admissions process during the Caven years from the admin side. Mike was a great guy and a heck of a recruiter - had he had the current setup (that June now has) - I fully believe that Mike and his crew would ahve been extremely successful. (Though I still do not agree with his benching of players prior to the TCU game - ugh!).

Interesting. My view on Cavan has always been slanted because of the Flanagan/Wommack situation in the 97 finale. It did have to be tougher for him to recruit than Rossley in some ways due to the demise of the SWC.