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Regardless of their college affiliation, no Texas sports fan was left unscathed by the SMU football pay-for-play scandal of the 1980s that resulted in the first and only application of the NCAA’s death penalty in 1987.
SMU’s Mustang Mania period from 1978 through 1986 featured some awesome players, including Eric Dickerson and Craig James, and some truly inspired cheating by coach Ron Meyer and his gang of well-heeled bag men, whose tactics were countenanced by no less than the governor of this state, Bill Clements.
It’s a subject that has long cried out for a comprehensive documentary, and it appears one is on the way. ESPN has green-lighted Pony Excess, directed by SMU film school graduate Thaddeus D. Matula, to air on the night of the Heisman Trophy presentation in December as part of the network’s 30 for 30 series.
Matula and his crew are still gathering material on the film, which will examine the SMU scandal in the context of Texas’ oil-fueled economy of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s and the cutthroat Dallas newspaper war of that era between the Morning News and the late Dallas Times-Herald. The title, of course, is wordplay on the Pony Express nickname for the Dickerson-James teams.
The story of SMU football, from its moral and ethical doldrums under Meyer and Bobby Collins through its rebirth under Forrest Gregg and its struggles under a succession of coaches, is a topic that is long overdue. Now, however, is a good time to take stock of the topic in the wake of SMU’s first bowl trip last season since the 1980s. At least now there will be a semi-happy ending to one of the truly unfortunate tales in the history of Texas sports.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 15313.html

Hope ESPN doesn't do a National Equirer turn on what was a fantastic storyline. "Pony Excess" as a title certainly implies a shift in the gist of the film.

I don't like the name. The school may not as well.

ponyboy wrote:Hope ESPN doesn't do a National Equirer turn on what was a fantastic storyline. "Pony Excess" as a title certainly implies a shift in the gist of the film.

that's not something ESPN controls. The editing & storyline will be/is controlled by Thaddeus.

On another note, atta girl Kate!

Oh, wait, wrong paper. My bad.

It will certainly be a big SMU night on ESPN if Padron wins the Heisman this season.

Way to go Thad. Seriously, I have seen a couple of '30 for 30' films, including "The U", and thought to myself that one of SMU's experiences, whether the Death Penalty or the breakup of the SWC, would make for a good story. Can't wait for it.

that's not something ESPN controls. The editing & storyline will be/is controlled by Thaddeus.


Article 19 was classic. It’s original and thought provoking.
Pony Excess is demeaning to the institution and nothing more than legal copy write infringement of play on words for effect.

You’re telling me Thad changed the title on his own with out any pressure from ESPN to get the deal? Thad speak out!

Mestengo wrote:I don't like the name. The school may not as well.

i agree. i hope the focus doesn't change.

i'm sure thad has it all under control, though.

in thad i trust.

and june.

Hey, I don't really mind if the focus changes. The past is what it is and the DP was what it was. If that's the story that will get an SMU documentary in front of a national audience on ESPN, then I'm all for it. We can't run away from the DP. What we (meaning Thad) can do, however, is make a movie with lots of awesome footage of Dickerson and James, last-second 99-yard kick returns against Tech, resounding victories against UT, a thrilling touchdown in the Cotton Bowl and a victory in Hawaii against Notre Dame. It will be a tutorial on the history and tradition of SMU football for younger athletes today who really don't know anything about the Ponies beyond June Jones and 25 years of losing with one good year in 2009. It will let them see that we were once a real power and can be again. I see real value in that, even if you have to talk about the DP. I'm sure some thoughtful people will disagree, but that's my 2 cents for what its worth.

Mestengo wrote:Article 19 was classic. It’s original and thought provoking.

Agreed completely. On the face of it, I'd be very disappointed if the title turns out to be "Pony Excess."

Mestengo wrote:that's not something ESPN controls. The editing & storyline will be/is controlled by Thaddeus.


Article 19 was classic. It’s original and thought provoking.
Pony Excess is demeaning to the institution and nothing more than legal copy write infringement of play on words for effect.

You’re telling me Thad changed the title on his own with out any pressure from ESPN to get the deal? Thad speak out!

i'm not going to speak for thad..... but if you read his previous posts about the documentary, the one which will be aired on TV, will not be focused as much on the rebirth of SMU football as it will the times prior to the death penalty, the events leading up to it, and the effect that it had.

as for the name, i'm not a fan, and I'm sure thad will share his feelings. you also have to remember that although this is thad's baby, there are others involved in the project now who have a say on things

"Pony Excess" is not a demeaning name. It's just more accessable to people who were alive in that generation and remember the term "Pony Express".

The title should not be sunshiney. Thad is making a serious film about a very troubling topic, and no aspect of the film should sugar coat any of it, including the title. "Pony Excess" is quite descriptive of what happened back then, if indeed that turns out to be the title. I feel sure the film will end with our recent redemption, but it is VERY recent and cannot carry this story.

When this comes out, watch it, learn from it, and be proud of your fellow ponyfan.

jtstang wrote:The title should not be sunshiney. Thad is making a serious film about a very troubling topic, and no aspect of the film should sugar coat any of it, including the title. "Pony Excess" is quite descriptive of what happened back then, if indeed that turns out to be the title. I feel sure the film will end with our recent redemption, but it is VERY recent and cannot carry this story.

When this comes out, watch it, learn from it, and be proud of your fellow ponyfan.

totally agree

Title 19 is far from sunshiney, boys. If anything, Pony Excess sounds sophomoric and forced.