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I spent a March weekend in Dallas. Being an out-of-town Mustang, I made it a priority to walk around the Hilltop.

While on campus I noticed a few easy and inexpensive improvements (***) that might in small ways benefit SMU Athletics.

Hilltop perspectives / suggestions:

*** At the northeast corner (not an entrance and obscured by shrubbery) of Morrison-Bell Track Stadium is a rock with two embedded plaques.

“Ray Morrison – Coach, gentleman, scholar, teacher and leader, who gave to football innovation and a model for the men who played for him”

“Madison “Matty” Bell – Coach - In memory and appreciation for his significant contributions to the development of young athletes in the game of life. Placed by the 1935 national champion SMU Mustang Rose Bowl Team.”

Move this tribute to the southwest corner (Ford Stadium/Lloyd ASC walkway) entrance of M-B Track where people who enter the track will see it. This proud bit of SMU football history would also become visible to fans strolling around Ford Stadium/Lloyd ASC on football game days.

*** Ford Stadium – Clean up the pigeon droppings in Mustang Canyon. Walking through the concourse is an obstacle course because of the nasty pigeon mess, especially in the southeast corner. Recruits and a variety of campus visitors walk in Mustang Canyon throughout the year so cleanliness should be a year round expectation. In the future SMU could install thin wire screening across the top of the concourse denying the filthy pigeons a home in beautiful Ford Stadium.

*** Heritage Hall – The well-located room looks lean now but it will be special once money is raised to complete and fill it with memorabilia and features.

The colorful wall posters reminded me that no other CUSA school (except departing Army) has SMU’s football heritage.

Three poster favorites:

“Ohio State Has Benners”...When SMU upset Ohio State, 32-27, in the first game of the 1950 season, it was the first time the Buckeyes had lost a home opener against a college team since 1891…”

“Revered sports writers …and Grantland Rice…anointed the 1935 SMU-TCU showdown “the game of the century” for Texas football. An estimated 36,000 squirmed into the 30,000 seats at Amon Carter Stadium to witness the battle between no. 1 ranked SMU and no. 2 ranked TCU. The stakes were high the first top ranking ever for a Texas school, a berth in the Rose Bowl, and the Southwest Conference Championship…SMU won 20-14.”

“Six special SMU trains departing for the Rose Bowl game between Stanford and SMU…”

Until elaborate displays and features are funded and placed…fill the space with more posters that highlight the rich tradition of SMU Athletics.

*** Strength Training / Sports Medicine (lower level of Lloyd ASC) - This excellent facility needs more of an SMU and Dallas theme (banners/pictures/posters/awards). There is too much grey paint and not enough “you are at SMU in Dallas”. A recruit walking through the hallways on a tour would see long walls of grey paint between rooms of interest. Create more of an SMU Athletics theme – classy, informative and memorable.

At the northwest corner of the end zone (northwest corner to 10 yard line) is an empty room right behind the top row of seats - just past the room with standing bar tables next to glass windows overlooking the field - off of the press box structure.
What is the future plan for the space?

*** Perkins Natatorium – The upper windows (where the walls meet the roof) have very noticeable patchy/peeling paint that looks horrible in daylight. Scrape the glass and add fresh paint or remove the paint entirely from these windows. The decades of athletic excellence Mustang swimmers brought to the Hilltop is evident the moment you enter the lobby.

*** There is a stunning lack of SMU decals on cars across campus. SMU could mail two (free of charge) attractive SMU window decals to the parents of every undergraduate student admitted to the university. Some parents might put a decal on

*** There is a stunning lack of SMU decals on cars across campus. SMU could mail two (free of charge) attractive SMU window decals to the parents of every undergraduate student admitted to the university. Some parents might put a decal on their vehicle(s) and/or the student might put one on their vehicle (if they have a vehicle). A few decals might even end up on little brother/sister’s bedroom window.

*** The absence of (“we support”) SMU posters/signage/pictures/branding at stores contiguous (along Hillcrest Ave. and Mockingbird Lane) to SMU is shameful. SMU has over 10,000 students plus faculty and staff and is an economic engine in the community. The merchants should at least pretend that they support SMU and appreciate business from members of the SMU community. Campus visitors notice the missing SMU-merchants connection.

Seventeen full-sized soccer fields will surround Lamar Hunt’s Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center for the Dallas Burn. This complex will generate more interest in soccer in the Metroplex. I believe it will become an asset in SMU’s ongoing efforts to recruit top national HS soccer talent to Dallas and the Hilltop

I attended the SMU v. Rice men’s basketball game (5 pm tip-off) (students were on break):

A surprising number of children were present, but it was hard to stomach all of the empty seats.

SMU fans generally don’t wear any/much SMU attire. I attended college basketball games this season at Villanova, La Salle, Pennsylvania, Saint Joseph’s, Delaware and Rutgers. A good percentage of fans (young and old) (including visiting teams) in those arenas wore clothing that clearly identified their team.
Why do the majority of SMU fans that actually come to Moody Coliseum not wear SMU attire or colors?

The six SMU cheerleaders were embarrassingly flat. They seldom appeared focused, spirited or interested. Cheerleaders must put their heart and energy into their role regardless of the team’s performance. Compared to the spirited cheerleaders I saw elsewhere this winter, the SMU cheerleaders were inadequate. SMU fans and athletes deserve better.

Approximately 30 Mustang Band members were spread over 8 east side bleachers. They played uplifting tunes and displayed spirit. Kudos to the hub of SMU spirit. A suggestion – use only upper or lower rows – being so spread out makes the band appear disorganized. Perhaps the band could sit closer together for visual impact in the sizable arena or arrange itself in the shape of an M.

The 2003-04-basketball team has been thoroughly analyzed on Ponyfans. My primary in-person observations are that the SMU’s basketball players looked physically weak and don’t follow their shots.

Moody Coliseum - demolish or renovate? The building has great sightlines and I have fond memories of the fantastic atmosphere Moody can have. Another thread on Ponyfans indicated that (supposedly) $40 million might be spent to renovate Moody and add a practice court. Sitting in a seat near half court I could not stop thinking that SMU has an almost 60-year-old arena that is out of date in many ways. Widening the concourses and the other improvements under consideration won’t improve everything. Americans have grown in size since Moody opened in 1956. Sitting upright my toes were pressed against the back of the seat in front of me. It’s difficult for people to pass through the row. The amount of row space (individual body space) isn’t likely to be altered during a renovation. Moody’s an important piece of my SMU memories but if $40 million (all/most funds available at the same time) became reality instead of Internet rumor, I’d opt to demolish Moody and build the best state-of-the-art (6-7,000 seats) multi-purpose arena the money could produce.
Of course, I’ll be excited and grateful if major donors/SMU's administration solely wants to renovate Moody and add practice space. Either way SMU basketball will have outstanding facilities.

Campus notes:

The excellent use of exterior lighting to highlight the new building’s architectural features (not just illuminate a doorway

Campus notes:

The excellent use of exterior lighting to highlight the new building’s architectural features (not just illuminate a doorway as in the past) is visually impressive. Attractive lighting on Lloyd ASC and Blanton makes the buildings stand out after dark.

The Blanton Building has a golden dome in daylight and white-lit cupola at night. The golden dome of Blanton looming over the (almost center) north end of Ford Stadium as seen from Mockingbird Lane is impressive. Blanton also looks grand from the top floor windows of Dallas Hall.

Compared to the high profile new east quadrangle, traditional Dallas Hall quadrangle appears dark at night. It seems obvious that SMU is really serious about making the east quad the gateway to campus.

That effort complements another potential construction project. If SMU is awarded a presidential library it likely would be located where SMU Boulevard meets North Central Expressway – at the southwest corner – currently the site of SMU’s throwing complex and two story brick apartments.

I visited the Meadows Museum for the first time. Many thanks to the Meadows Foundation for such an outstanding building. Only a handful of American universities have an art museum comparable to the Meadows.

For a medium-size private university, SMU has terrific resources. If things eventually jell for football and men's basketball, SMU could be the future star of CUSA.

Go Mustangs!

Cheesteak:

Thanks so much for the travelog on the campus. The campus with its Bishop "Boulevard", Dallas Hall, Georgian architecture throughout the facilities, the emergency of a new entrance from the east, etc. emphasize the "great curb appeal" we have to use a real estate term.

As an out-of-stater as well as, I appreciate your rich descriptions and the time you took to comment on our wonderful university and its physical assets. Here are additional thoughts, since I agree with your contributions:

- Perkins Natatorium, especially inside, is way beyond its useful life. The pool itself is way too small with six lane by 25 yards. When I swam, there was no women's team which further increases the demand on it. My suggestion to integrate a new competitive facility into the new Dedman Recreation Center was dismissed, unfortunately. Unfortunately, another pool will likely be deferred, while we build a small recreation poll instead for recreationql student use only. We need to invest in the remaining varsity teams in order to be a serious Division 1 program.

- I would add a steel fence that is architecturally appropriate around Westcott Field. The cyclone fence looks tacky for our nationally ranked, first class programs. I would also put a brick facade in front of the stands there as well. That would be sharp.

- We need more intramurals fields for this events as well as club sports programs, such as lacrosse, softball, field hockey, etc. I am familiar with Vanderbilt, which is surrounded by Nashville but has generous sports fields for student intramurals, softball (not varsity), club sports, etc.

- As for Moody, I suspect a replacement for Moody would not be that much more expensive. Designed right . . concerts, graduation, Men's & Women's BB, practice courts, support for Women's Volleyball and intramurals are needed. I am not tall and my knees do hit the seat in front of me when I visit for BB games.

- Sporting and concert events will need improved parking for visitors, which will help increase attendance.

- Student participation is a dilemna at the moment. Perhaps stronger results for FB and BB will help, but the issue may be bigger than that. For example, The Boulevard is a wonderful addition prior to FB game, but the student enjoy it too much, either arriving late and missing the team running on to the field as well as the kickoff. In many cases, they don't come at all. I don't think the fraternities feel it is their responsibility to promote strong attendance at FB or BB. I do.

- I like the architecture of the new parking structures. I believe a new one is coming where Lambda Chi, SAE and Letterman Hall stand now. These fraternities, along with Sigma Chi, will move to Dyer, east of Airline, which will become a new cul-de-sac.

- I agree with your remarks about the Meadows Museum. No one talks about it, but the Spanish art collection and the building itself are world class. By the way, don't miss the "Wave", a huge, moving piece of sculpture, by a famous designer, Calatrava, who is designing the new Transportation Center at Ground Zero in NYC. This additions also attract visitors to our campus.

- I finally heard that their will be a new home for the Mustang Band in the new Dedman Recreation Center. The Hub of SMU Spirit deserves much better facilities than those currently under the stands of the Perkins Natatorioum. One rumor is to fit a new pool into the existing Perkins through the Band area and connect to the A.R. Barr Outdoor facility. Still I think our teams deserve better but any change would be a plus. BTW, Friends of SMU Swimming & Diving will help financially.

- I assume the land around SMU, including the former Baird Bakery, apartments and houses become candidates for the above needs.

It goes without sayng that money is needed but renovating or replacing Moody should be part of the announcement of a new BB coach. Thanks for your thoughts!



Go, U, S-M-U!!

My niece was so impressed with the Hilltop that she plans to apply for admission next year. She was thinking of going east, but was really impressed with the campus. She has the looks as she is a VERY cute blonde. She also has the brains as she is the top junior in her class (3.91 GPA) at Villa, the top Catholic private school in St. Louis. She has won several math and science awards the last couple of years. She might still go somewhere else, but the Ponies are on her list (thanks to yours truly). SMU will be very lucky if she chooses them from the list of offers she is likely to get!

Water Pony wrote:Cheesteak:


- I finally heard that their will be a new home for the Mustang Band in the new Dedman Recreation Center. The Hub of SMU Spirit deserves much better facilities than those currently under the stands of the Perkins Natatorioum.


Go, U, S-M-U!!

Provided enough money can be obtained. The alumni and directors are working hard to cover the costs, so if anyone out there has some money to blow, to help us blow, (heh) you know where to send it.

Congrats, Ponymon. My stepdaughter graduates from a Catholic H.S. in New Orleans this year, and is LSU, not SMU, bound. Oh well...I still have four more chances.

The only thing I disagree with, Cheasesteak, is the decal point. I actually think that isn't a real problem and I have seen more cars than one would think with "SMU" decals and such....

RGV Pony - I'm sure that your step daughter will have a great time at LSU.
I hope your others keep SMU on their list!

Posted by Water Pony:

I like the architecture of the new parking structures. I believe a new one is coming where Lambda Chi, SAE and Letterman Hall stand now. These fraternities, along with Sigma Chi, will move to Dyer, east of Airline, which will become a new cul-de-sac.

Water Pony - you were right about the future parking garage and relocation of some fraternities. Construction Update from smu.edu:

Update For March 2004
Following is a progress report on current, planned, and recently completed construction projects.

Current Construction Projects

Construction of the James M. Collins Executive Education Center has begun at Binkley Avenue and Ownby Drive on the former site of Bradfield Computing Center. This has necessitated the closing of sidewalks on the north side of Binkley Avenue between Ownby Drive and Airline Road, and on the east side of Ownby Drive between Binkley and the engineering lab building.
In addition, Ownby is one way only southbound between Dyer Street and Binkley.
Please use the sidewalks along Binkley and Ownby. Do not walk in the streets as this creates a traffic hazard. It is against state law to walk in the street when a sidewalk is available.
The three-story Collins Center, due for completion in spring 2005, will be a state-of-the-art teaching and conference facility housing the Cox School’s Executive M.B.A. program for middle- and senior-level managers and the school’s Division of Executive and Management Development.

Renovation of the eastern portions of the second and third floors of Fondren Science Building is underway and due for completion by mid-summer 2004. The two floors house offices and labs.

Expansion of facilities for the Guild Hall program at SMU-in-Legacy in Plano is underway and will continue for several more months.

Future Projects

Expansion and renovation of Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports is scheduled to begin in June 2004. The enhanced facilities will mean the loss of about 300 parking spaces in Dedman 3 North.

Studies are now under way for renovation and/or expansion of Owen Fine Arts Center and Engineering School facilities.

In summer 2004, 11 university-owned houses in the 3000 block of Dyer Street east of Airline will be demolished to make way for the creation of a cul-de-sac and future construction of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity houses. Construction on the fraternity houses will begin in fall 2004 and they are expected to be ready for occupancy by summer 2005.

Letterman Hall and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity houses will be demolished in summer 2005 to make way for the construction of a 600-car parking garage.

Recently Completed Projects

The Laura Lee Blanton Building was completed in September 2003. Located on Airline Road at SMU Boulevard, it houses the Division of Enrollment Services which provides primary contact for current and prospective students with admission, enrollment, financial aid, and student account services; SMU’s Office of Information Technology Services; a new International Center; and the SMU-in-Taos program.

Visitors Parking Lot adjacent to the Airline Parking Garage.

Installation of a fountain-sculpture designed by internationally renowned Spanish architect, engineer, and sculptor Santiago Calatrava. The 40-by-80-foot work titled “Wave” incorporates a large pool of water with rocking steel arms running its length.

Construction of a digital television studio and newsroom in the Umphrey Lee Center. The facility, made possible by a $5 million gift from The Belo Foundation, will enable students to produce local news and feature programming for distribution by television, radio, Internet, and print.

New artificial turf has been installed in Ford Stadium.

Engineering Lab 2 was demolished in late June 2003 and the clean room facility moved to Junkins Engineering Building.

Bishop Boulevard, which was under construction during the summer, was reopened to traffic on Aug. 14, 2003.

Improvements and renovation to the playground at the University day care center were completed in September 2003.

Other Completed Projects

Airline Parking Garage
Dedman Life Sciences Building
Fondren Library Center/Laura Bush Promenade
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Junkins Engineering Building
Law School Parking Garage
McFarlin Auditorium lobby renovation
Meadows Museum
Meadows Parking Garage
Paul B. Loyd, Jr. All-Sports Center
Perkins Chapel Renovation
Pettus Field

Bishop Boulevard, which was under construction during the summer, was reopened to traffic on Aug. 14, 2003.

Improvements and renovation to the playground at the University day care center were completed in September 2003.

Other Completed Projects

Airline Parking Garage
Dedman Life Sciences Building
Fondren Library Center/Laura Bush Promenade
Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Junkins Engineering Building
Law School Parking Garage
McFarlin Auditorium lobby renovation
Meadows Museum
Meadows Parking Garage
Paul B. Loyd, Jr. All-Sports Center
Perkins Chapel Renovation
Pettus Field

I was thinking about Ford Stadium today.

Does anybody know the answer to my question posted back in March (copied below from original "Hilltop Perspectives") about plans for the empty room overlooking Ford Stadium?

Posted by Cheesesteak:

"At the northwest corner of the end zone (northwest corner to 10 yard line) is an empty room right behind the top row of seats - just past the room with standing bar tables next to glass windows overlooking the field - off of the press box structure.

What is the future plan for the space?"

have they ever finished the club section? I'm not referring to the club seating. There was talk of having a room (much like the club area in the end zone of Texas Stadium) where Mustang Club members would be welcome for a pre-game/post-game beverage. Was that plan scrapped?

That is the space Cheesesteak was refering to. Because of the lack of funding, it has been put on hold. Actually, some of that space will also be used for office space for the Athletic Dept. and the Mustang Club. So Copeland has chosen to remain in the old AD offices in Moody rather than spend money we don't have to be in a new space in the stadium complex.

Copeland really doesn't need a fancy new office. He needs to be doing things that will enable SMU to win more than 2 or 3 football games per year.