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'Peruna was a bootlegger,' according to JJ in the 18-minute press conference about the new horses. Never heard this one before.

The truth of the matter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruna):

The name Peruna originated in the fall of 1915 when SMU student George Sexton substituted the words, "She'll be loaded with Peruna when she comes ..." to the tune of "Coming 'Round the Mountain." In the early part of the century, Peruna was the name of the most famous elixir in Texas and had a reputation as a cure-all. The popularity of Peruna soared during Prohibition due to the high alcohol content allowed for "medicinal" purposes. Although the words to the song were changed some years later, Peruna remained as the name of SMU's mascot.

JJ has a ways to go to come up to speed on SMU history...if he is even interested. I suspect he is more interested in making history than studying it.

If that is JJ's reasoning for not liking Peruna, the horse, the song and everything else, why did he take the SMU job? JJ, you're getting paid a ton of money to rebuild a football program. Focus on getting BLM to hit his wide-open receivers instead of throwing the ball 20 feet over their heads. Focus on teaching your LB's and DB's how to tackle guys instead of letting them slip out for another 10 yards+. Teach your wide-outs how to keep a foot in bounds on sideline patterns. After you've gotten the players to master those little things, then perhaps you can weigh into the Peruna CF.

There are a couple of invaluable sources on campus regarding SMU history that I talk to when I have questions. One of them wrote a chapter in a recent SMU history. Most of what is passed as fact (such as what we tell the incoming students at Mustang Corrall) is pure fabrication. Did you know that the Ford Mustang was initially named after the North American P-51, but Ford thought the car was going to be a a hit with woman, and focus groups showed they did not identify with the plane, but with the wild horse?

After long period in the wilderness that SMU Football has endured, if June Jones wants this Mustang, then I imagine he has a legitimate reason for it. The complaining that so many of you do is tedious. If a previously underappreciated Mustang legend such as Jerry LeVias is fully on board with Coach Jones, then so am I.

Do you know whether or not LeVias is on board? For some reason, I would seriously doubt it.

SMU Cyclist wrote:There are a couple of invaluable sources on campus regarding SMU history that I talk to when I have questions. One of them wrote a chapter in a recent SMU history. Most of what is passed as fact (such as what we tell the incoming students at Mustang Corrall) is pure fabrication. Did you know that the Ford Mustang was initially named after the North American P-51, but Ford thought the car was going to be a a hit with woman, and focus groups showed they did not identify with the plane, but with the wild horse?

......So what? What is the point of this statement? What history are you calling incorrect?

I guess he's talking about the Lee Iacocca SMU-Michigan legend which many have said is of doubtful origin.

SMU Cyclist wrote:There are a couple of invaluable sources on campus regarding SMU history that I talk to when I have questions. One of them wrote a chapter in a recent SMU history. Most of what is passed as fact (such as what we tell the incoming students at Mustang Corrall) is pure fabrication. Did you know that the Ford Mustang was initially named after the North American P-51, but Ford thought the car was going to be a a hit with woman, and focus groups showed they did not identify with the plane, but with the wild horse?

After long period in the wilderness that SMU Football has endured, if June Jones wants this Mustang, then I imagine he has a legitimate reason for it. The complaining that so many of you do is tedious. If a previously underappreciated Mustang legend such as Jerry LeVias is fully on board with Coach Jones, then so am I.

Why would Ford name a car after a plane that was routinely referred to as "The Cadillac of the Sky?"

I don't believe the plane was the primary motivation.

EastStang wrote:I guess he's talking about the Lee Iacocca SMU-Michigan legend which many have said is of doubtful origin.

Well, yes, but why is that being brought up?

Dear Coach Jones,

Learn your history.

I hate the offseason. Wish football would hurry up and get here.

ponydawg wrote:I hate the offseason. Wish football would hurry up and get here.

Blame the athletic department for causing all of this controversy and distracting us from football talk.

They could have chosen a different time for this presentation. They chose halftime of a football game.

They could have chosen to not associate this equine gift with the football program. They chose to send June Jones to the press conference.

The choices made by the athletic department have dictated the discussion regarding the horses, and the rhetoric from athletic department employees, including Coach Jones' statement that Peruna was a "bootlegger" and Orsini's statement that the role of the horses at future games is unknown as of yet, serve no purpose but to fuel the fire of said discussion.

In other words, if you're unhappy with the amount of horse talk on these boards, on campus, and in the SMU community, please direct your concerns to the SMU Athletic Department.