It is selfish, but…

[Dooby]

…now that I have to sit here and dwell on it, I am really [deleted] pissed that the team I have cheered for since stepping onto campus in 1991 is going to a bowl and I won’t be there to watch it. I am not poor, but I am not rich either. I work in a profession where I see people get their dreams taken away from them routinely. My career and my education have given me the good sense not to do anything stupid with the money that I do and don’t have.

I simply can’t afford to go and, even if I could, I could not go and be away from my kids on Christmas, and if I could afford to take my kids, my parents and in-laws would disown me for depriving them of their Daughter/daughter-in law and grandkids on Christmas Day.

I told my wife before we got married that the first time SMU went to a bowl, unless it was Hawaii, I was going and she had no say in the matter. She only said at the time that if it was Hawaii, I needed to make sure and take her with me.

So now I sit here and pray to [deleted] God that Hawaii beats Wisconsin, because if they don’t, SMU is going to go back to Hawaii the first chance June gets to have Hawaii and SMU play each other in the Hawaii Bowl. Then, I will miss out on this experience a second time. But even if I don’t miss out on it, it won’t be the same.

All I can think of is sitting in the stands freezing my [deleted] off in the rain watching TCU beat the crap out of an inept Cavan-led team, confident that eventually SMU would get its [deleted] together and make the changes that were necessary and get the right coach in here. I have taken a lot of abuse for being an SMU fan over the years from just about everyone, but in its own special way, this hurts as much as Phil Bennett being unable to find the endzone with first and goal at Rice.

Dooby/the SMU Football Blog/Class of 1995

[Mexmustang]

A number will be unable to go and made the same promises.

But, there is one group that I do feel sorry for, those players that tried and failed over the last twenty years to make this turnaround happen, but couldn't. Not enough talent, speed, depth, coaching or commitment by the university to fullfill the promises made to them by the coaches that recruited them to come to SMU. Yea, a number were just lucky to get a free ride, but still, every year we always had a couple that could have easily made this team. I hope they are enjoying this ride, even though their playing days are well over.

[Statler]

…now that I have to sit here and dwell on it, I am really [deleted] pissed that the team I have cheered for since stepping onto campus in 1991 is going to a bowl and I won’t be there to watch it. I am not poor, but I am not rich either. I work in a profession where I see people get their dreams taken away from them routinely. My career and my education have given me the good sense not to do anything stupid with the money that I do and don’t have.

I simply can’t afford to go and, even if I could, I could not go and be away from my kids on Christmas, and if I could afford to take my kids, my parents and in-laws would disown me for depriving them of their Daughter/daughter-in law and grandkids on Christmas Day.

I told my wife before we got married that the first time SMU went to a bowl, unless it was Hawaii, I was going and she had no say in the matter. She only said at the time that if it was Hawaii, I needed to make sure and take her with me.

So now I sit here and pray to [deleted] God that Hawaii beats Wisconsin, because if they don’t, SMU is going to go back to Hawaii the first chance June gets to have Hawaii and SMU play each other in the Hawaii Bowl. Then, I will miss out on this experience a second time. But even if I don’t miss out on it, it won’t be the same.

All I can think of is sitting in the stands freezing my [deleted] off in the rain watching TCU beat the crap out of an inept Cavan-led team, confident that eventually SMU would get its [deleted] together and make the changes that were necessary and get the right coach in here. I have taken a lot of abuse for being an SMU fan over the years from just about everyone, but in its own special way, this hurts as much as Phil Bennett being unable to find the endzone with first and goal at Rice.

Dooby/the SMU Football Blog/Class of 1995

Man, I do understand your pain. My feelings are as have been duly noted in another area. Since I was fortunate to go to the bowl games with the band in the early 80's, the fact that I can't make this one is not what bothers me. It has been the concern that the Mustang Band members (and other members of the spirit squads) would not have the same experience of representing SMU in a venue that never gets to see what we are ALL (football, band, etc) about.

Good news on this front. Word is that the band going is on Turner's radar, and that the M Band (although not a done deal) is more likely than not going (how is that for hedging your bets).

[Pony Soup]

I am not going to Hawaii because, well, it's Christmas! but that doesnt mean it wont be the single most awesome thing ever. I will share that night with as many people as i can, smu fans or not. what a big stage and what a story. i cannot say enough about the guys on this team. So impressed.

I have said a number of times this season that I think our two OT losses were a good thing for us. Earning this the hard way, fighting until the last minute each week and somehow getting 6..and then SEVEN! With 45+ freshman/soph on this team, I think we will be much better off in the long run that these guys had to endure, and worry, and band together, and fight to earn their goal. Like June says, they're learning how to win. And that is something I hope they pass on for years to come.

I dont care where they play, I look forward to watching. Wherever I am, new fans will be born. Or maybe some random folks with leave really, REALLY annoyed with our football program. Either way, win or lose, December 24 is going to be just plain awesome. I can't wait!

[Pony Soup]

It has been the concern that the Mustang Band members (and other members of the spirit squads) would not have the same experience of representing SMU in a venue that never gets to see what we are ALL (football, band, etc) about.

Good news on this front. Word is that the band going is on Turner's radar, and that the M Band (although not a done deal) is more likely than not going (how is that for hedging your bets).

I made sure to make sure SMU athletic dept knew this was important to me as a fan (no other band relation)this weekend. Everyone should follow up with athletics, mustang club, administration. If they need help paying for it, they need to let us know tomorrow, not December 20th. You know how to reach them. Do it.

[huskerpony]

I am right there with you. The first bowl game back should have been somewhere accessible to everyone who has waited so long, and I have a bad feeling it will be many years before there is an SMU bowl game on the mainland. I am having trouble even getting it set up so that I can watch the game when it is on. If we can't get mom convinced to move the christmas schedule around, I will be watching it on dvr by myself in the middle of the night--which I suppose is at least an improvement from watching through channelsurfing on the laptop.

[pelcowboys]

WIsh I could go, too. But, I'm just a fan and alum. In the end, I'm excited for our football team. They deserve a chance to go play in Hawaii. They've accomplished something special not only for themselves, but for every person/player/coach/fan/alum/etc that has endured the ups and DOWN DOWN DOWNS of this program over the last 25 years. If I was a 20 year-old kid, I'd want to play in Hawaii, too. I'll watch the game on ESPN and be a very, very proud SMU Mustang.

[soccermom]

I am so thankful that our Mustangs are going to any bowl--yes, I would like to be there, but will be watching w/family on ESPN. I agree that we should all contact ath.dept, university, etc. to help convince someone that our band must make the trip. There really is no such thing as an SMU football game w/out the band!!

[ponyfan84]

I can't go either...will be on the east coast for Christmas, but I will have this game DVR'd in case I don't get back from dinner on time (I already informed my family that at 7:50 pm I am leaving, even if dinner isn't finished, to get back home and watch). I was really hoping for the Armed Forces or New Orleans Bowl...both are local and not on Christmas so more pony fans could attend. Oh well, a bowl is a bowl and we should just be happy SMU is in the post season!

[RockStang]

Doobie- I feel the same way and have the same type of constraints on going to Hawaii, but I tell myself Hawaii will be more fun for the players and will be a better choice for recruiting and publicity purposes. Hopefully this will be the beginning of many more bowls to come.

[smu diamond m]

I'd go if I were employed

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

What a wonderfully perfect Christmas gift, at a good price. Spike some egg nog, put on your SMU hat / shirt and hunker down in front of the 48" HD and enjoy this Christmas Eve gift!! What an added spark to this Christmas season...GO PONIES!!

[MidlandMustang]

I feel the same way - a bit aggitated that I have waited so long and not be able to be there. I told my wife when we first started dating that I was going to be at our first bowl game post DP no matter where it was going to be played. Of coarse, I got married, had three kids (ages 4, 8 and 10 at this point) and didn't really expect it to be Hawaii, and on Christmas Eve no less. The fact it is on Christmas Eve - I personally don't picture having Christmas on the beach - and I would have to travel with a 4 year old is really what is keeping me from going. Furthermore, I am now pretty bummed with myself for not keeping a promise I made 20 years ago. There will be many more bowls in the near future but as someone else said, it may be a while before we see one on the mainland. If JJ gets locked into the Hawaii Bowl year after year I won't just be a little aggitated I'll be out right pissed off.

[BrianTinBigD]

Dooby,

I can't believe that you are breaking your vows. You had SMU Football long before you had your wife and kids. All you need to do is burn some frequent flyer points or pony up for the flight out there. My god man, what are you thinking. Try this option. Show up the 23rd, hook up with my brother, crash wherever he is, and go to the game. Fly out on the 10pm flight to LAX that night and be back in Dallas by noon on the 25th. Offer your wife the option of coming along for the trip. I am sure she would love it. Besides you can give the grandparents the kids for the week as your very special Xmas gift and you would be home on the 25th. Otherwise I will have my brother pick you up a new set of balls at the International Marketplace in Waikiki.

[Dooby]

You are one to talk, Mr. "My balls hurt from flying to Dubai and back seven times so I am not going to go."