What's your plan for BCS inclusion?

[San Antonio Mustang]

I agree that the number one criteria for admission to the BCS is a top 15 football program. That means repeated years in the top 15. June may not want to be here or he may - I don't know, but he is competitive and wants to be in the top 15. Furthermore, he is the best coach we have had in my over 50 years of closely following SMU football. In the pony express years the coaches had superior talent not superior ability. How did they get that talent at SMU - no because the kids wanted to come to SMU. The complaints about this years recruiting show a lack of understanding. Why does a 4 star want to come to SMU over UT. Our reputation is one of an elitist white frat boy school that is not competitive in intercollegiate sports with the exception of swimming and soccer. Our current coaches have done the best job of recruiting and coaching we have seen. Is SMU a difficult sale against the BCS teams and other national powers - you bet it is. All of you who are down on the coaches because of the recruiting need to talk to some of the high school coaches and players and just ask which schools have the prestige and the most desirable athletic program and you will find SMU is not at the top - the state schools are at the top and the BCS private schools are next. And as for marketing - we have done billboards, radio - every time we issue a press statement we remind folks we are the only Division 1 program in Dallas. So far it has yielded marginal returns.

[peruna81]

win...consistently...in everything.

without that, marketing is irrelevant

[that's great raplh]

hot chicks

[ponytailgater]

It's all about buzz...

Wins create it, and marketing can enhance it. Without a consistently good product, marketing won't mean anything.

I hate to mention it, but think of TCU and their gay new purple uniforms last year. Geez they were ugly, but every time you can get your name out there and say things like you have the latest and greatest from Nike, people see it and it reinforces their image of the school! Especially the 17 year old recruits who have competing offers from aTm, tech and oklahoma state.

[BIGHORSE]

About the only thing we can do for "marketing" right now is wear our Mustang gear

as often as we can, and if you don't have any Mustang gear then go to the bookstore

and get some.

[mrydel]

I was wearing an SMU shirt this past weekend and had a gentleman come up to me and say that he imagined some of the things I must hear after he spent years in Texas wearing his Arkansas shirts. Just had to chuckle.

[Water Pony]

Top 25 in all sports remains a important ingredient. Orisini was correct then and BCS schools (albiet, state funded schools) support a broad commitment to strong athletic programs across revenue and non-revenue, men and women sports. As you might expect from me, swimming & diving needs a new natatorium, but enhancing all our facilities demonstrates a commitment to host events and all our teams.

[mrydel]

I believe they need the "David Miller" of swimming to pony up. Do not know who that would be.

[Nacho]

plan a-just win baby
plan b-see plan a

[Water Pony]

Top 25 in all sports remains a important ingredient. Orisini was correct then and BCS schools (albiet, state funded schools) support a broad commitment to strong athletic programs across revenue and non-revenue, men and women sports. As you might expect from me, swimming & diving needs a new natatorium, but enhancing all our facilities demonstrates a commitment to host events and all our teams.

Water Pony, I've mentioned a couple of times that I'm a big fan of swimming (I met my wife through a swimming program). I personally know a couple of ex-swimmers that have hit it big (including a high level person at my company). Is there not enough interest among ex-swimmers to make the natatorium happen?? Sorry if this has been discussed to death, but the whole subject baffles me...

As always, I appreciate all interest and the question baffles me and all friends of Swimming & Diving at SMU. The short answer is the huge capital costs of a new aquatic center. About three to four years ago, we were close. At the time, the costs of a reasonably effective design with the architectural elements necessary for inclusion on iconic Bishop Blvd. were estimated at $16+m. About 2/3's was committed, but a gap remained to get to the stated administrative goal of 90% commitment the before they moved on the plan. With escalating costs and the economy, the decision to build appears ellusive, which further frustrates the many swimmers, who have promised support.

It is hard to be optimistic when the goal is perpetually .. just out of reach. Coach Mac, who has had to reduce his involvement over time, had been the active champion, but we need new, very strong leadership and, most likely, a naming donor to push it over the finish line.

In the meantime, the lack of a facility is contributing to a slow erosion of our historically strong Top Ten programs for both Men and Women. A new facility is vital to success and, if we don't move soon, we will no longer be viewed as credible Div. 1 programs.

[Comet]

Marketing. Do people in Austin not know of UT? Do people in Ft. Worth not know about TCU? Then why do people in Dallas not know about SMU?

[peruna81]

Marketing. Do people in Austin not know of UT? Do people in Ft. Worth not know about TCU? Then why do people in Dallas not know about SMU?

winning cures memory problems...we are about 25 years behind in that department. Marketing a failing product is irrelevant. See Fiat/Yugo etc.

Dallas in the late 70s-early 80s was still a Cowboy-first sports town, but SMU developed (and marketed) itself a worthy niche in the media, and the public mindset. We are only now beginning a LONG journey back to winning. In the meantime, marketing has been relegated to yard signs and trademark protection, and local vendors can and do make money on those programs that have been relevant for the last 20+ years, like our purple friends and the Horns/Aggies/Raiders et al. The two have to be symbiotic, and that still has not happened in total.

[Comet]

Marketing. Do people in Austin not know of UT? Do people in Ft. Worth not know about TCU? Then why do people in Dallas not know about SMU?

winning cures memory problems...we are about 25 years behind in that department. Marketing a failing product is irrelevant. See Fiat/Yugo etc.

Dallas in the late 70s-early 80s was still a Cowboy-first sports town, but SMU developed (and marketed) itself a worthy niche in the media, and the public mindset. We are only now beginning a LONG journey back to winning. In the meantime, marketing has been relegated to yard signs and trademark protection, and local vendors can and do make money on those programs that have been relevant for the last 20+ years, like our purple friends and the Horns/Aggies/Raiders et al. The two have to be symbiotic, and that still has not happened in total.

That last sentence of yours is extremely eloquent and insightful. You're absolutely right.