Practice facility

[SMU Football Blog]

It obviously makes you better at basketball if you practice in a facility different than you play games.

That is flat out a foolish statement. A seperate practice facility is needed for logistic reasons. It is difficult scheduling ample practice time for 3 D-1 programs that share one court. For SMU to reach our goals of being a first rate athletic program it is a neccessity.

Icon's right, we need it for logistical reasons. SMU has added sports and added staff and not increased space. Additionally, the space requirements for existing sports has also increased over time. The practice facility if for men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball. It includes offices and locker rooms, which increases the space available for other programs, which is sorely needed. Anybody that doesn't see that, and the faculty won't, isn't paying attention.

[McClown27]

Icon's right, we need it for logistical reasons. SMU has added sports and added staff and not increased space. Additionally, the space requirements for existing sports has also increased over time. The practice facility if for men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball. It includes offices and locker rooms, which increases the space available for other programs, which is sorely needed. Anybody that doesn't see that, and the faculty won't, isn't paying attention.

I have always said that there is logistical utility in having a practice facility. However, this is not how it has been sold to us. I guess logistics lacks that sex appeal to get people to give money. But, if y'all still think a practice facility will bring us players like Darreel Arthur, be prepared for more of the same. The Ford legacy on recruiting is pretty clear, it stays about the same.

[ponydawg]

Last night on TV Doherty said it was important to get this built because it shows a commitment to basketball to fans and recruits. Said you can talk about being committed but this shows them that we are. Said there has been a lot of talk about being committed in the past but now it is time to show that we are.

The whole actions speak louder than words....

[jtstang]

But, if y'all still think a practice facility will bring us players like Darreel Arthur, be prepared for more of the same.

And if YOU think that more coverage in the Dallas Morning News will bring us players like Arthur, YOU need to be prepared for more of the same. Facilities are 100% more important.

[mrydel]

Facilities are being built by schools all over the country. They are not intended to get the best of the best, but rather to keep you from having to settle for the worst of the worst. You have to keep up with the others if you are going to compete with the others. AND it is necessary that both the mens and womens teams be able to practice when they need to in order to maximize their talents.

[Stallion]

nm

[Stallion]

that's correct. Neighbor UTEP just announced their facility last week to keep up with the Jones down the street. But MClown is generally correct that it will not be a panecea for all that ails the program as I predicted Ford was not in 2000. Getting in one Division 1A Transfer like Rodrick Fleming -just an example-would do much more for the program than spending all that cash.

[giacfsp]

Not if that transfer -- no matter how productive in HS or at his previous university -- can't play or handle the academics. That scenario only matters if he comes to SMU and kicks tail.

[McClown27]

Not if that transfer -- no matter how productive in HS or at his previous university -- can't play or handle the academics. That scenario only matters if he comes to SMU and kicks tail.

The point is to have a level playing field--like our competitors. UTEP has cleaned up on transfers, and their record shows in football.

[McClown27]

There is no point to build a fancy practice facility or renovate Moody until a FULL commitment is made to athletics. That means we can get the same people in the door as UTEP or the University of Arkansas. Otherwise, as the last 25 years reveal, the facilities will be empty and we will recruit the same players.

After that commitment is made, I will support all facility improvements. Nonetheless, for the fan base, the hype about these facilities just hides the true problem plaguing SMU athletic.s

[Blunt Pony]

There is no point to build a fancy practice facility or renovate Moody until a FULL commitment is made to athletics. That means we can get the same people in the door as UTEP or the University of Arkansas. Otherwise, as the last 25 years reveal, the facilities will be empty and we will recruit the same players.

After that commitment is made, I will support all facility improvements. Nonetheless, for the fan base, the hype about these facilities just hides the true problem plaguing SMU athletic.s

What the hell do you think building a $12MM facility is "lack of commitment"?? Building it is part of the renewed commitment or would you prefer the phony commitment of words on glossy paper that we were delivered 5 years ago. Your UTEP example sucks, you need a new one. Oh, and we will never compete with the big boys in football until we are in a BCS conference, but why can we not enjoy our nice facilities as a consolation prize. Basketball is where we have the "opportunity" to compete on the big stage and I am glad that we are removing barriers to that progress by investing in this facility. Will other improvements help? Of course, but this is much needed and is a step in the right direction.

[McClown27]

Basketball is where we have the "opportunity" to compete on the big stage and I am glad that we are removing barriers to that progress by investing in this facility. Will other improvements help? Of course, but this is much needed and is a step in the right direction.

As Blog pointed out, the practice facility will primarily help in logistics. It will not recruit players or help them to improve. It is really not something the alumni can enjoy.

The only thing to help insure SMU's success would be to fix the model. Otherwise, these facility upgrades are smoke to blow in the faces of alums to conceal the truth..

[Bergermeister]

Seems much of the cost for our newer facilities are bankrolled primarily by private donors, such as alums and friends of the university who believe new/better facilities ARE important. These are the folks who also chip in for a new engineering building, a Meadows Museum, a new science building, McFarlin renovations, Fondren enhancements and endowments in all areas. If facilities don't make a difference, why not fill in the hole, lay down some wood and return to Perkins Gym for Mustang basketball. We'd probably have a packed house every time the door opened. That'll sway the next Darrell Arthur.

[PK]

As Blog pointed out, the practice facility will primarily help in logistics. It will not recruit players or help them to improve. It is really not something the alumni can enjoy.

The only thing to help insure SMU's success would be to fix the model. Otherwise, these facility upgrades are smoke to blow in the faces of alums to conceal the truth..

Geez...you should be AD or recruiting specialist at some school...preferably far,far away. Your knowledge on recruiting is so thorough and insightful...it's mind boggling. It's a shame the people we hire to run our athletics department lack such knowledge.

[The PonyGrad]

Really McClown, your rants are getting more repetitive and wearying than Stallions. Your key rant is that if only we got more coverage from the DMN we could compete. And now, the new facility is a useless bandaid to a failed program. Man you are more of a wet blanket than PonySnob. At least we can tell where his loyalties are.