SMU Hall of Fame: who should be next?

[Buddha]

For those who didn't make it to the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame dinner last night, you missed an amazing evening ... first-class event all the way (except for the über-expensive drinks — Anatole has a pretty lofty opinion of its ability to serve up a drink).

That said, this year's inductees were very deserving of the honor they received last night. Congratulations to the late Red Barr, Tom Bowers, Luis "Luchi" Gonzalez, Craig James, Gene Phillips and Lisa Cole Zimmerman. Great Mustangs, one and all.

So ... who should be next? Craig James awkwardly mentioned that Harvey Armstrong should be inducted (Armstrong looked mortified that it was being thrown out there in that setting, but whatever).

The names that immediately come to mind for me:

Harvey Armstrong — football
Ryan Berube — swimming
Russell Carter — football
Putt Choate — football
Reggie Dupard — football
Ramon Flanigan — football
Lars Frolander — swimming
Tim Gargiulo — track/cross country
Daniel Hernandez — soccer
Chad Hundeby — swimming
Schellas Hyndman — soccer
Louie Kelcher — football
Lance McIlhenny — football
Mike Romo — football
Jerryl Sasser — basketball
Claire Sessions — tennis
Ira Terrell — basketball
Diego Walsh — soccer
Krista Wilson — diver
Dave Wollman — track and field

[Water Pony]

Terrific evening. First class and the 2011 Class is outstanding and deserving our the recognition for their contributions to SMU Athletics and university.

Here are worthy nominees:

Russell Carter — football
Reggie Dupard — football
Ramon Flanigan — football
Lars Frolander — swimming and Olympian
Schellas Hyndman — soccer
Lance McIlhenny — football

[mrydel]

Not familiar with all on the list but Kelcher would be my number one from those listed.

[SMUguy]

Fantastic list, Buddha. The ones that jump out at me:

- Armstrong
- Carter
- Choate
- Flanigan (although he should wait a while — his numbers are unmatched, but some of the old guard needs to get in first)
- Hernandez (why is he not celebrated more? He was the first player to win a national player of the year award and has played professionally for a decade or so, and now captain of FC Dallas. He should have gone in the first year he was eligible)
- Hyndman (absolute no-brainer)
- Louie Kelcher (most dominant defensive player I ever saw at SMU)
- Lance McIlhenny (always overshadowed by Dickerson and James, but an absolute magician with the ball)
- Mike Romo (like Flanigan, he should wait a little, but the numbers he put up while taking the beating he endured each week are staggering ... the fact that the little guy with no knees could throw that well was impressive, but to do so while scraping himself up off the turf all day was unbelievable)
- Diego Walsh (toss-up between him and Hernandez for the best player in school history)
- Dave Wollman (he has had great teams, national champions and numerous Olympians over the years despite limited roster size, limited resources and comically outdated facilities)

[SMUguy]

Does anyone know contact information for the proper person to nominate candidates for next year?

[Dwan]

Dan Frieberger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim Rome]

Russell Carter, Louie Kelcher, Schellas Hyndman, Dave Wollman

[PoconoPony]

How about consensus football All America Clyde Carter, tackle 1934; Bob Wilson, J.C. "Iron Man" Wetsel and Truman Spain from the 1935 National Championship team. Old timers will remember Wetsel as a long time instructor at SMU up through 1970 at least.

[well travelled pony]

if you want to include Russell Carter, great. But first should be Michael Carter. Super standout in two sports, plus Olympic medalist. Go Ponies!!

[ponyte]

List of inductees

http://smu.edu/lettermens/LettermensHOFMembers.pdf

Kelcher has earned a spot in this group. On wonders about Fred Benners. Also, Jim Hacksaw Dugan

[mrydel]

if you want to include Russell Carter, great. But first should be Michael Carter. Super standout in two sports, plus Olympic medalist. Go Ponies!!

Michael Carter is already in as shown on the list provided by Ponyte.

[mrydel]

How about consensus football All America Clyde Carter, tackle 1934; Bob Wilson, J.C. "Iron Man" Wetsel and Truman Spain from the 1935 National Championship team. Old timers will remember Wetsel as a long time instructor at SMU up through 1970 at least.

Wetsel and Wilson are in per Ponyte's list provided.

[Stallion]

I think Louie Kelcher's name stands out to me. Ira Terrell in Basketball

Other top nominees Lance McIllhenny and Russell Carter. CB John Simmons and S Wes Hopkins should be at least on the list of those considered. Simmons was such a quiet kid-but he had probably the great year of all SMU CBs in historydom.

[Corso]

Good call on Wes Hopkins. From walk-on to superstar.
Good call, Stallion.

[ponyscott]

I'm glad someone mentioned Putt Choate... and Harvey Armstrong was a recruit that really turned it around in the 80's for the beginning of the Pony Express and Ryan Berube in SMU and Olympic swimming stand out..How about the whole 1989 SMU Football team?...what they had to go through that first season back after the NCAA Penalty was crazy and deserves some kind of accolades.
Question for anyone that went last night...anything interesting about SMU and his years here that came from Craig James?