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SMU legend met the media Saturday to discuss his thoughts on having his jersey honored by his alma mater, how much he intends to be involved with the Mustangs' program, and his reaction to the fact that he still holds the school's all-time career scoring average, despite the fact that he played before the NCAA adopted the three-point shot.

SMU honored him with a very Gene Phillips performance

I am so happy this finally happened.

We need to get Ira and Nic up there pretty soon. We have been in the era of the black athlete for a decades, and we have three white guys jerseys up on the wall. Not trying to be overly racial but I think anyone can see that does not seem fair. I think all three deserve their honor, but it is time to put Ira up there. Would be a mistake to wait three more years.

gostangs wrote:We need to get Ira and Nic up there pretty soon. We have been in the era of the black athlete for a decades, and we have three white guys jerseys up on the wall. Not trying to be overly racial but I think anyone can see that does not seem fair.

IMO, this is an overly racial statement. SMU may be overly slow (to put it mildly) to act, but I seriously doubt race has a dang thing to do with it.

I am sure Gene can give a good response to whether or not race had something to do with waiting his entire life to receive the honor.

Phillips waited 50 years to be honored but the real question is: how long after a guy graduates should the school wait to honor him? I.T. should be next...long before Sir Nic gets any consideration

Ira and Gene obviously should have been honored LONG ago. Put Ira in next year. Nic the following. You can't correct the past, but you can make good on the future.

Koncak having his jersey retired well before Gene, and IT still not honored is a sad state of affairs.

Ira is the next logical choice. no question.

Nacho wrote:Ira is the next logical choice. no question.

You'd think he would have enough support from the meatballers.

Bergermeister wrote:

Nacho wrote:Ira is the next logical choice. no question.

You'd think he would have enough support from the meatballers.

They'll be no more $500 meatballs

max the wonder dog wrote:Koncak having his jersey retired well before Gene, and IT still not honored is a sad state of affairs.

That was the big mistake in all of this.

Gene & IT where more deserving (5 SWC POY between them) and had seniority. Have no idea the politics that went behind Jon Contract leapfrogging them, but I’m sure it’s a good story.

And I completely agree with IT before Nic.

One other story that I’ve shared before.

When I was 11 years old, me and 3 of my closest friends were SMU season ticket holders. Prior to Gene Phillips’ last game at Moody, cheerleaders were in the concourse asking for donations. Me and my friends all gave our popcorn/drink money to them. We were told later that when presenting Gene his gift, they shared with him this story of the 4 kids.

BTW, 3 of us later attended SWC schools. The 4th went to OSU. Of the SWC grads, 2 now live in Highland Park, me in OC. That just shows the influence of P5 sports on young boys. It mattered a lot.

Gene Phillips was amazing and he has always been my all-time Mustang.

As someone has already pointed out -- my favorite players have worn No. 23 on their
jerseys. Phillips and LeVias.

Too bad Gene had to wait so long to be recognized, but better late than never.

Should be the same for Ira. He needs to be celebrated.

Nic Moore has to be honored as well. No other player in SMU history can match his
leadership, his will to win, and his impact on the team. I miss seeing all three of these
guys.

I didn't get to see Krebs play but I understand he held his own against Bill Russell and
that speaks for itself. I did get to see John Koncak play and while I liked him I always
thought he was overrated. His outstanding characteristic was his height. He was
fairly mobile and he did block shots and get rebounds.