It's Official: It won't be at our Blvd spot.

[Dutch]

I'm sorry, but can someone kindly explain the relationship between Bob Hope and SMU? From his Wiki profile, it doesn't appear that he attended SMU.

maybe through our highest ranking old hollywood connection. Aaron Spelling

[smusic 00]

http://smu.edu/bobhope/

excerpts:

Bob Hope and Southern Methodist University share memories stretching back to the 1920s, when the young vaudevillian was performing at Dallas' Majestic Theatre. During that time, Hope met the late Bob O'Donnell, a theater chain executive and SMU supporter, who would become his lifelong friend and mentor. From that early friendship, Hope's connections to SMU grew to include key friendships with SMU presidents and trustees. He made frequent visits to the campus to perform, serve as a trustee, teach a course on comedy and crown the Homecoming Queen. Besides his friendship, his greatest legacy to the university is the Bob Hope Theatre.
...
Long before he became a major donor to SMU, Hope enjoyed a warm, affectionate relationship with SMU students. Always an enthusiastic Mustang sports fan, he invited SMU's football team to visit him at Paramount Studios when the team traveled to the 1935 Rose Bowl. In 1949 he was "kidnapped" from a show in Fort Worth by SMU students who took him to a giant pep rally in downtown Dallas preceding the SMU-Notre Dame football game. Hope quipped that an atheist was someone who didn't care who won when SMU played Notre Dame.
...
Also during the early 1950s, Hope started performing on college campuses. His visits to SMU were always sold out. At one such event, Hope became the first person ever to arrive at SMU in a helicopter. He was the first man to be made an honorary member of the SMU sororities, and in 1968 he was crowned SMU's "Homecoming King." Other honors accorded him include an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, the Red Stallion Award from the Athletic Department and an honorary membership in the SMU Alumni Association. From 1968 to 1976, Hope served on the SMU Board of Trustees.
...
Hope's last visit to the SMU campus was in April 1992, when he received the Medal of Distinction from SMU's Meadows School of the Arts at a black-tie gala. In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Hope said of the honor: "I'm proud of all of my awards, but let's face it, this one is sort of special."

[smusic 00]

[Dutch]

Great info. Thanks.

[Arkpony]

I was there in the quadrangle when Bob Hope arrived in the helicopter. Only about 50 or so students were there so we all were up close. Snow was on the ground and students began peppering the plexiglass canopy with snowballs as the helicopter descended. When it touched down, Hope stepped out and with his usual quick wit said "Now I know how it feels to be in a Gardol commercial". The reference to Gardol concerned a tv commercial at the time that used a plastic shield to throw things against.He put on a show that night in Moody to a full house, of course.

[ponyscott]

http://smu.edu/bobhope/

excerpts:

Bob Hope and Southern Methodist University share memories stretching back to the 1920s, when the young vaudevillian was performing at Dallas' Majestic Theatre. During that time, Hope met the late Bob O'Donnell, a theater chain executive and SMU supporter, who would become his lifelong friend and mentor. From that early friendship, Hope's connections to SMU grew to include key friendships with SMU presidents and trustees. He made frequent visits to the campus to perform, serve as a trustee, teach a course on comedy and crown the Homecoming Queen. Besides his friendship, his greatest legacy to the university is the Bob Hope Theatre.
...
Long before he became a major donor to SMU, Hope enjoyed a warm, affectionate relationship with SMU students. Always an enthusiastic Mustang sports fan, he invited SMU's football team to visit him at Paramount Studios when the team traveled to the 1935 Rose Bowl. In 1949 he was "kidnapped" from a show in Fort Worth by SMU students who took him to a giant pep rally in downtown Dallas preceding the SMU-Notre Dame football game. Hope quipped that an atheist was someone who didn't care who won when SMU played Notre Dame.
...
Also during the early 1950s, Hope started performing on college campuses. His visits to SMU were always sold out. At one such event, Hope became the first person ever to arrive at SMU in a helicopter. He was the first man to be made an honorary member of the SMU sororities, and in 1968 he was crowned SMU's "Homecoming King." Other honors accorded him include an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, the Red Stallion Award from the Athletic Department and an honorary membership in the SMU Alumni Association. From 1968 to 1976, Hope served on the SMU Board of Trustees.
...
Hope's last visit to the SMU campus was in April 1992, when he received the Medal of Distinction from SMU's Meadows School of the Arts at a black-tie gala. In an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Hope said of the honor: "I'm proud of all of my awards, but let's face it, this one is sort of special."

Thanks mucho for the information on a class--- class entertainer that will always be remembered for all his great work for the troops. Bob...THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!...

[Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans]

Winning Bid:

$561.11


http://cgi.ebay.com/1969-Original-Bob-Hope-owned-SMU-Football-Helmet-WOW-/220729065449?pt=US_NCAA_Fan_Shop&hash=item33647a3fe9