Greenwich Pony wrote:So... cut swimming (a traditionally very strong program) with... baseball? That requires even more land, and has Title IX implications AND we have a tradition of not being successful on the diamond at the varsity level. It's a shame we don't have men's cross country and track too, but we have what we have.
At this juncture, if we have to throw what few other successful sports we offer overboard for football and basketball, then we're not going to be able to hang with the big boys anyway. Either we need to support our existing programs as if we're a worthy Division I school, or we need to consider other options.
And we will continue to buy land, either next to campus or over in Dallas. That process never ends. We may have to go the route of Yale, and locate and buy a "west campus" away from the HP campus for research, storage and programs. But that is a bit off topic.
And just so there is no confusion- I think we can be and should be a Div. I program.
Greenwich Pony what Title IX implications are you referring to? Other than equal sports I'm not up on the rules of title IX
I can answer that one.
If you add a Men's baseball program, you probably (per Title IX) need to add a Women's softball program. To fit field/stadiums for both would take more land than SMU has.
Yes, that's was what I was talking about. We'd be ditching two sports: one men's and one women's but to add back baseball requires softball (at least) with separate facilities.
Support the Commitment! We're all SMU Mustangs fans- we should all be committed!
Yes, that's was what I was talking about. We'd be ditching two sports: one men's and one women's but to add back baseball requires softball (at least) with separate facilities.
Support the Commitment! We're all SMU Mustangs fans- we should all be committed!
My most recent information is that the new natatorium will be located south of SMU Blvd. on the east side of North Central. No other decisions have been made re funding or construction. Appears they will build a temporary cover over the out door pool, which is heated, and both teams will use this facility indefinitely.
We need to support swimming (honestly one of the few sports on campus that evoked pride when I attended, and you have to support anyone who organized LAGNAF on a yearly basis until Turner screwed that up) and get mens track and field back. Both historically good programs. And T&F has often been a feeder for football (much more than baseball) when it comes to talent. We have the money...take care of the IPF and swimming, then get T&F back when we can.
Adding sports add a large amount of infrastructure cost and more importantly operating cost to SMU's budget. Any sport added or changed takes alumni willing to commit a large amount of capital, and confidence donations will be there to support the sport in the future. That being said, men's track is a sport that can have a huge benefit for football. I know the idea of bringing back track has been kicked around, that is why Margus came to SMU, but does anyone know of any movement on starting back up track?
