State Rep Eric Johnson likes SMU

[jtstang]

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/lates ... reregister

Saw this in the DMN (dead tree version) this a.m. Not sure if it's been discussed here, so enjoy.

[smupony94]

Thanks as always JT. Your undying optimism inspires me.

[jtstang]

You talk too much to be a silent guardian.

[that's great raplh]

I like pi.

[ponyscott]

Eric Johnson: We should all be pulling for SMU

Published 01 September 2011 05:36 PM

As a life-long college football aficionado, I understand the economic impact that college sports can have on a local economy. That is why I think the entire Dallas community — whether SMU fan or not, whether sports fan or not — should support SMU’s efforts to join the Big 12 Conference. It would lead to an immediate economic benefit for Dallas that would include creation of much-needed jobs. The fact that we would get this economic shot in the arm without spending a dime of public money would be the best part of the deal.

We have had plenty of debates about the use of public money to promote sports in Dallas. While there are passionate people on both sides, I suspect the vast majority of us who care wish the Dallas Cowboys played in Dallas and not Arlington . As the state representative for the South Dallas/Fair Park area, I can tell you that we certainly could have used the economic development and jobs. Dallas should not allow another job-creating engine to slip through its fingers, especially one that is not going to cost taxpayers anything.

The Red River Rivalry, played annually between the Universities of Texas and Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park, is an excellent example of what college sports can do for our local economy. Adding another college game to the Cotton Bowl’s fall schedule, such as a Labor Day weekend game between SMU and one of its traditional rivals, say Texas Tech or Baylor, would do well from both an economic and football standpoint.

Those of us who are college football fans have even more reasons to support SMU’s effort. College football is my favorite sport, and I consider myself a student of the game and its history. SMU has a football pedigree that many young people are unaware of but that folks my age and older know well.

SMU belongs in a major conference, competing with the big boys of Division I football, despite its recent history of underperformance. Under coach June Jones, SMU looks as if it will be competitive on the field sooner rather than later, which would eliminate even that argument against its admission to the Big 12. The idea of SMU playing a major opponent in Dallas every other week would be a dream come true for all fans in Dallas, regardless of their alma mater.

We should also face facts: The Big 12 is in trouble. One can easily envision a Division I landscape made up of a handful of regional “super conferences.” Texas A&M just sent the Big 12 a “Dear John” letter. UT, OU and Oklahoma State would, in the event of a Big 12 implosion, likely land wherever they chose. Missouri and Kansas both probably have future homes in an expanded Big 10.

The schools most at risk of being left out? Iowa State, Kansas State , Baylor and Texas Tech — a very bad outcome for those interested in protecting Texas’ proud football tradition and its storied rivalries. The Big 12 must get out of its defensive posture of simply holding onto current members and actively court schools to raise its membership to 14 or even 16. SMU, which would be the only Big 12 school in Dallas, should certainly be one of the expansion targets. So should Arkansas, which has never really integrated into the SEC ; TCU, which is a much better fit for the Big 12 than the Big East; and any number of other targets, such as Notre Dame and BYU.

I serve on the Committee on Higher Education in the Texas House, and while we certainly have more important issues to address, I recognize that the time for SMU and Dallas to act is now. I hope that the community rallies around this idea and that momentum leads to a renewed partnership between SMU and the city that surrounds it.

Sports fans, civic and business leaders, and all those who want to see a stronger, more diverse Dallas economy, please join me in supporting SMU and helping bring the Big 12 to Big D.

State Rep. Eric Johnson, D-Dallas, may be contacted at [email protected].

[jtstang]

Webbie--that's subscriber only content. What about the rivals rule?

[Alaric]

Never met him but I've heard Eric's a good guy...from a tough and depressing area (West Dallas). I'm sure SMU's in contact with him, but if not, would be a great guy for us to deepen ties with:

Eric Johnson was born on October 10, 1975 in Dallas, Texas. He attended first grade at C.F. Carr Elementary School in District 100. In the second grade, he was selected to participate in the Independent Schools Project, a partnership between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas and several of the top private schools in Dallas. For the next eleven years, Eric rode a van from the West Dallas Boys and Girls Club to attend Greenhill School, from which he graduated in 1994. He went on to attend Harvard University, where he majored in History and graduated cum laude.

After graduating from Harvard in 1998, Eric returned to Dallas and accepted a position as Legislative Assistant to State Representative Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas) in Austin, Texas. Eric then earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Public Affairs with a focus on education policy and international affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Eric is a founding partner in the law firm of Helms, Johnson & Diaz LLP, where he represents clients in criminal and civil litigation matters as well as select transactional matters, particularly in the areas of technology and public finance.

[Dutch]

impressive resume.

this is all good.

[LA_Mustang]

Eric is a good guy. Very nice of him to step up and make a pitch for SMU.

[RednBlue11]

anyone have his email? i'd like to send him a thank you message

[DiamondM]

Among the jobs that would likely be created by the move (and the increased money flowing to SMU) would be those employed by an actual marketing department.

[JesuitPony]

anyone have his email? i'd like to send him a thank you message

[email protected]

[RednBlue11]

i found this one

[email protected]

[RyanSMU98]

Sent Rep. Johnson a thank-you note. Wonder how long before his letter ends up on SMU2B12.com?

[RednBlue11]

who on here is running that btw??