Mustang Mall and Pedestrian Plaza

[PoconoPony]

I cannot point the finger at the administration or the AD for de-emphasizing the lesser revenue sports. I do not think this is the problem. I believe the lesser revenue programs have strong support from both the administration and AD. The problem is that the facility was originally the men's basketball gym until Moody was brought on line circa. 1958. The pool was subsequently dug into the area occupied by the old basketball court. Hence, the building was old even when the pool was new. Problem is that absolutely no resources have been put into the building since the pool was built. The roof is bad, the plumbing bad, lockers original to the basketball program.....etc. I am not sure if this is a university responsibility and/or an athletic department issue as Perkins and the out door pool are used by the faculty, student body for classes, recreation, outside groups...etc. Mustang Band occupied/may still occupy the back end of the facility for a dismal practice facility and home base. The new architectural plans would provide for a great pool and an architectural design that would totally enhance the "vard" and campus. Obviously, those of us who swam for the legendary Coach Barr and Coach McMillion would like to see our winning tradition continue with top 10 teams for both the men's and women's programs. Issue is that the facility has become so bad that the coaches are having trouble recruiting top quality athletes. Athletes who can chose a number of schools with world class facilities ( Georgia, Texas &M, Texas...etc. to name a few). Prior to the economy collapsing Coach Mac led a campaign to raise 18 million for the new facility. Pledges made it look very possible. Unfortunately a second round of formal written pledges were solicited just as the economy was heading into the tank and were valid through 12/2008 at which time all pledge commitments were released. A lead donor was not secured for the remaining 6 million not pledged. At this time the project is in limbo as most pledges are still committed to the project and can probably be regenerated; however, the issue of a lead donor to cover and initiate the project remains absent. As Turner told me at the WSU tailgate the few people who might have the assets to be a lead donor have been crippled by the current economy and are not in a position to step forward at this time. Hence, the project remains merely "on the board" and the coaches struggle to attract talent as the programs keep falling further and further down in the top 25.

[Stallion]

No the deemphasis on the Football and Basketball is exactly the reason the Country Club sports don't suceed like in the 1980s. I know the SID like to point out how great we are in the country club sports but its just total BS. We used to finish in the Top 5 in the All Sports competition-and No. 1 among private schools. SMU was Top 25 competitive for every sport we played in the 1980s. Just as predicted. Our performance in recent years is among the worst-not the best in the last 50 years.

[White Helmet]

Where in the mall will be the Oxymoron riding center for our new mascot.

[Water Pony]

I cannot point the finger at the administration or the AD for de-emphasizing the lesser revenue sports. I do not think this is the problem. I believe the lesser revenue programs have strong support from both the administration and AD. The problem is that the facility was originally the men's basketball gym until Moody was brought on line circa. 1958. The pool was subsequently dug into the area occupied by the old basketball court. Hence, the building was old even when the pool was new. Problem is that absolutely no resources have been put into the building since the pool was built. The roof is bad, the plumbing bad, lockers original to the basketball program.....etc. I am not sure if this is a university responsibility and/or an athletic department issue as Perkins and the out door pool are used by the faculty, student body for classes, recreation, outside groups...etc. Mustang Band occupied/may still occupy the back end of the facility for a dismal practice facility and home base. The new architectural plans would provide for a great pool and an architectural design that would totally enhance the "vard" and campus. Obviously, those of us who swam for the legendary Coach Barr and Coach McMillion would like to see our winning tradition continue with top 10 teams for both the men's and women's programs. Issue is that the facility has become so bad that the coaches are having trouble recruiting top quality athletes. Athletes who can chose a number of schools with world class facilities ( Georgia, Texas &M, Texas...etc. to name a few). Prior to the economy collapsing Coach Mac led a campaign to raise 18 million for the new facility. Pledges made it look very possible. Unfortunately a second round of formal written pledges were solicited just as the economy was heading into the tank and were valid through 12/2008 at which time all pledge commitments were released. A lead donor was not secured for the remaining 6 million not pledged. At this time the project is in limbo as most pledges are still committed to the project and can probably be regenerated; however, the issue of a lead donor to cover and initiate the project remains absent. As Turner told me at the WSU tailgate the few people who might have the assets to be a lead donor have been crippled by the current economy and are not in a position to step forward at this time. Hence, the project remains merely "on the board" and the coaches struggle to attract talent as the programs keep falling further and further down in the top 25.

Thoughtful and accurate! Our challenge is how to remain competitive and relevant, while rebuilding our traditions. What is discouraging is that there appears to short or mid-term options. We have lost baseball and men's track & field (which was a strong program) and cross country. We may not lose men's swimming & diving (won't cut women's program), but a barely being Top 25 is small consolation is not acceptable. Top 25 football would be amazing or even BB, but in non-revenue sports our teams need to compete nationally against all universities.