O.T. 80M in facilities upgrades???

[mrydel]

Oops.

[Bergermeister]

The Mustang Band has a greater need for a new band hall.

I agree. Over the years, the Mustang Band is SMU's most consistent winner. Seems like a band hall could have been creatively incorporated into the new parking garage - but I guess it will probably be attached to the new natatorium in some form or fashion.

[DiamondM]

I have been training for a triathlon the last 3 months, and my swims have been at the SMU outdoor pool and the natatorium. I knew there was a need for a new natatorium and swim facilities, but honestly, until I was swimming in those pools and using those locker rooms I did not realize how utterly embarassing it is that our perennial champion swim teams are having to use these terrible, rotting, dilapidated facilities. If I had the money, facilities funding would go like this:

1. Natatorium and Pool (Top 10 Facility to match our already Top 10 Teams), including money for finishing new band hall in Dedman Center basement since construction will eliminate current band home

2. Finish Out of Wescott to Include Restrooms and Concessions in the Stadium (again, a winning team deserves a winning facility that doesn't require patrons to exit to eat or pee. Since it has an existing footprint, and recent upgrades to the field itself, this project is not that expensive).

3. Indoor Practice Facility for Football (need primarily for safety of players during August mid-day practices)

4. Track facilities -- we need to fish or cut bait on this sport. I prefer fish, and should get this team facilities that aren't an afterthought.

5. Indoor Tennis Center (which I actually think is one of the next projects) or, if it is actually even a slight possibility, Baseball and Softball Complex (if we add baseball, we should also add women's softball, and would need space for both facilities).

6. Moody Renovations (this used to be my top priority, but with the Crum center, I think we have the facilities for the players' benefit and recruiting purposes. Increased comfort of fans with better restrooms, wider concourses, better concessions, etc. is secondary). However, we do need to fix the floor and/or bleachers to allow bleachers to be pulled out for student seating on more than 1 side.

[Stallion]

Well I'm glad you aren't the AD then. FB and BB and if anything is left over then maybe. Otherwise, check the BIG Donor List for alumni who might fund your cause. That's how it is.

[SMU Hockey 2010]

Speaking of the fish/cut bait, the equestrian team needs to redo their stuff or get on outta here.

That is one of the most expensive sports in the world, and doesn't bring a dime of money back to the school.

[jtstang]

Speaking of the fish/cut bait, the equestrian team needs to redo their stuff or get on outta here.

That is one of the most expensive sports in the world, and doesn't bring a dime of money back to the school.

I thought you were going to say they needed to recruit some hotter chicks.

[Water Pony]

Well I'm glad you aren't the AD then. FB and BB and if anything is left over then maybe. Otherwise, check the BIG Donor List for alumni who might fund your cause. That's how it is.

Stallion, thanks for your kind support of non-revenue sports. As I think about it, why don't we eliminate them and use the funds to build an indoor FB facility on the site of the Perkins Natatorium. The college athletic experience should only be available for FB and BB players.

The role of athletics in education has no demonstrated value other than serving the needs of alumni who look at their college experience based on whether their school FB and BB teams win.

[Stallion]

Just telling it like it is. Seems like the Swimming Team is always bragging about what great GPAs they have-surely some swimming alums haqve deep pockets. Otherwise, quite frankly, the nonrevenue sports have limited appeal. We could put it to a vote-where do you want your money going: Moody, a swimming facility or a Band Camp?

[smu diamond m]

Just telling it like it is. Seems like the Swimming Team is always bragging about what great GPAs they have-surely some swimming alums haqve deep pockets. Otherwise, quite frankly, the nonrevenue sports have limited appeal. We could put it to a vote-where do you want your money going: Moody, a swimming facility or a Band Camp?

BAND CAMP THANK YOU

[smu diamond m]

[SMU Hockey 2010]

Maybe the band should start recruiting hotter chicks?

[Water Pony]

Just telling it like it is. Seems like the Swimming Team is always bragging about what great GPAs they have-surely some swimming alums haqve deep pockets. Otherwise, quite frankly, the nonrevenue sports have limited appeal. We could put it to a vote-where do you want your money going: Moody, a swimming facility or a Band Camp?

Thanks, Scrooge. Don't recall anyone bragging about GPA's. You must be sensitive about the subject. You are right. We don't get the 10K from Ford into Perkins, which can only sit a couple of thousand which has happened in the past. Since Westcott can't hold the 10K either, there is another spot for the indoor FB facility. The possibilities are endless.

[DiamondM]

Well I'm glad you aren't the AD then. FB and BB and if anything is left over then maybe. Otherwise, check the BIG Donor List for alumni who might fund your cause. That's how it is.

I know that football and basketball are overall top priorities, and we have recently thrown a lot of money at those sports to make needed facility, coaching, and other upgrades to reflect that priority. Having made vast improvements in those so-called "revenue" sports, it is now quite appropriate to focus some effort on funding basic adequate facilities for our higher profile Olympic sports with swimming and soccer being tops on that list.

FYI, many of these fund raising activities are already ongoing, with the funding of a new natatorium being one of the actual top priorities of the current AD.

[Stallion]

No it is not appropriate. Moody must be dealt with immediately from an ADs perspective. Its simply unsatisfactory-and we now can no longer claim-well at least its not Autry Court since even Rice has renovated Autry. All schools in this part of the Country have newer if not better facilities than Moody-all of them from El Paso to Denton to Houston to Tulsa. It needs to addressed if you want Doherty to stay. It should be PRIORITY Numero Uno.

[jtstang]

Having made vast improvements in those so-called "revenue" sports, it is now quite appropriate to focus some effort on funding basic adequate facilities for our higher profile Olympic sports with swimming and soccer being tops on that list.

"Vast improvements" in sports typically being judged by improved win-loss records, I think you're a bit premature here.