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Argument led to QB leaving SMU
Bartel's dispute with intramural director distracted team


09:21 PM CDT on Thursday, October 23, 2003

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News


UNIVERSITY PARK – An argument between former SMU starting quarterback Richard Bartel and a intramural director led to his being demoted to the scout team and, eventually his transfer from the school.

According to Bartel and backup quarterback Tate Wallis, following practice last Thursday the players participated in a practice intramural football game to train officials on campus. In the middle of the game, Bartel got into an argument with a referee and then intramural director Chris Hutton.

Hutton said he called campus police to the scene to clear the field.

The quarterback was not charged with a crime. But the next day, Bartel and Wallis met with coach Phil Bennett about the incident.

"I was a little surprised they were out there," Hutton said. "The fact they wanted to play in the game with a real one coming up was surprising. I didn't feel threatened by Bartel, I just wanted [the campus police] to clear the field."

On Saturday, the Mustangs, distracted by the incident, according to several players, lost, 45-3, to Boise State.

After the game, Bennett announced that Bartel would be benched in favor of freshman Chris Phillips.

On Monday, Bennett said Bartel decided to transfer to another school after his refusal to play on the scout team.

Bennett refused to comment on the incident involving Bartel during the intramural game.

"If that argument doesn't happen, I might still be out there," Bartel said. "It was a decision coach had to make. If I had to do it all over again I wouldn't do it. It seemed to distract our team."

Wallis, the backup to Phillips, said he's grateful for the second chance to prove himself to Bennett.

"That thing on Thursday affected us a lot," Wallis said. "The fact we're out there in an intramural game shows we don't care. In actuality we do care. It was a dumb decision of us not thinking."

Bartel said the incident led to the end of his playing career at SMU.

He was the starting quarterback when Bennett won his first game as coach last season against Louisiana Tech, and he helped the Mustangs win three of their last five games.

This season, Bartel struggled. He ranked last in the Western Athletic Conference in total offense and completed only 45 percent of his passes. He had nine interceptions and four touchdowns.

"I told [Bartel] we're going in another direction," Bennett said. "His time as a quarterback is done."

SMU is 0-7 for the second consecutive season, and a loss Saturday at Tulsa would mark the first time in school history it opened the season 0-8.

"There was so many distractions last week," offensive lineman Sterling Harris said. "Our quarterback position was up in the air, and we have gotten past that now. We haven't lost to Tulsa in a while, and we're looking to continue that."

well glad to hear Bartel handling the aftermath with a lot of class. Wallis made a dumb decision too, but as the starter it was far worse for Bartel. I know these guys are bright guys, but geez was that a terrible decision. I don't know how Bennett or the team could trust them again. Good luck to Richard, really, its a tough pill to swallow I'm sure.

<small>[ 10-23-2003, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: Hoop Fan ]</small>

Richard could have handled the situation worse, and understandably knows the mistake he made. Let's give the kid some credit to owning up to it and wish him nothing but the best. And I want to take this time to clarify, I'm not a Bennett basher at all. I just look out for players first, like all coaches should, and wish the whole situation could have come out cleaner than it did. That being said, let's get Phillips in there and show some people what the future of this program will look like. From reading the feature on this board, Phillips sounds mature beyond his years and let's hope the team goes to war for a kid they know wants to do everything in his power to represent SMU. There aren't many of those on the team right now that bleed Blue and Red, and hopefully some youth infusion will ease all the problems us "from the woodwork" are suffering from.

But please understand the frustration of us young alums that want nothing more than to see the Ponies bounce out of the funk we witnessed during our time on the Hilltop. We were part of the initial Phil Bennett era that promoted the team and himself throughout campus begging for support of the team and promises that a turnaround was right around the corner. The fact that we sign up for these fan forums is to show that we actually care for the total package at SMU, ie the academic, athletic, and emotional well-being of our beloved alma mater. We just must realize it will take time and if it will get turned around, it must be done with time, and we are collectively holding our breath with hopes that Bennett is that guy.

It's humorous to watch the posts from early in the week to later when the game approaches and the attitude improves drastically. We are young, ambitious individuals that want nothing but the best for our student-athletes, and setbacks hit us deeply.

I respect both Richard and Tate for owning up to it. Richard could have bashed the program on his way out and chose not to. Takes a lot of class. JAF, if you're on here, tell Richard we wish him the best and that there's some QB's in the last few years that we've seen leave here and make it to bigger and better things, like the NFL.

And if that doesn't work out, maybe Luker's band is looking for a drummer. Just kidding.

We need to only be recruiting kids who are 100% dedicated to football! Kids like Bartel and Luker have not business being given scholarships if they are not totally dedicated to football. I have never heard of a starting QB at a major Division 1 school playing in an intermural game during the season. If we want to try and be somewhat of a big time school, we need to bring in players who are 100% dedicated to the program :devil: !

I for one, am glad to see him go. Bartel has had one good game against decent competition. He was standing on the sideline laughing while his team was being trounced. Playing in an intramural game was a poor decision by both he and Tate but starting an argument with the officials is REALLY STUPID on Bartel's part. Tate apologized and took his punishment like a man. Bartel's ego is too big and couldn't take it. He will not follow the in the footsteps of the two who left and were successful. They had more class and more talent. Football is a team sport and Bartel isn't a team player. Good ridance.

Ponysnob-
Let's just bring in the best players we can. I don't think Auburn or Florida State complained much when Charlie Ward and Bo Jackson won Heismans while not focusing strictly on football.

Now if intramurals or boy bands(I know it wasn't) are their thing, get 'em out of here.

Certainly Charlie Ward and Bo Jackson were superior athletes to anything that has worn the SMU uniform in quite some time! I would say that they are more of the exception than the rule.