I've been with this program

[Big10Ponyfan]

I've been with this program when there was no program. Months after the NCAA shut down SMU football for the 1987 season, I heard the sneers from my hometown of Las Vegas when people asked if I was going there on a football scholarship.

I've been with this program even when the 1988 season was washed out and watched the campus environment recede.

I've been with this program when it returned in 1989 with a new coach in Forrest Gregg and games returned to Ownby Stadium and when the season began with a 35-6 loss to rice.

I've been with this program for "The Miracle on Mockingbird'' when Michael Bowen caught the game-winning TD pass to beat Connecticut, 31-30.

I've been with this program when we led Texas 7-0, when we lost at A&M, 63-14, when we lost to Houston, 95-21, when we lost to Notre Dame, 59-6, and finished the season 2-9.

I've been with this program when games shifted from Ownby to the Cotton Bowl.

I've been with this program when I was stuck in Wichita Falls in 1992 and listened on the radio to hear the revenge 41-16 victory over Houston.

I've been with this program when it went 2-19-1 between 1994-1995.

I've been with this program with a 3-game winning streak over Arkansas. The most memorable was going to Fayetteville to watch a 23-10 win and afterwards, Arkansas coach Danny Ford apologized to his fans.

I've been with this program in 1996 when Roy Rios missed a chip shot game-winning field goal against Missouri and was the difference between us going 5-6 and 6-5 -- and probably cost Tom Rossley his job.

I've been with this program when I embarrassed myself when I booed our team going off the field at The Cotton Bowl with a dismal performance in the first half against Navy in 1997.

I've been with this program when that season surged and we clinched our first winning season with a wild 42-41 win at Tulsa.

I've been with this program when an Independence Bowl berth disappeared aon crisp Thursday November night at Amon Carter Stadium in a 21-18 loss to then-winless TCU. And I was with Mike Cavan when he suspended Donte Womack for the game for breaking curfew.

I've been with this program with season tickets at the new Gerald J. Ford Stadium in 2000 and we opened it with a 31-17 victory over Kansas on an excruciating 107-degree September day.

I've been with this program when the Cavan era ended bitterly when AD Jim Copeland said he had seen enough in 2001 and fired Cavan with 2 games to play in the season. Cavan responded after the North Carolina game -- his last -- and said I've had enough. It was another year I regretted because I canceled my season tickets -- an act I've never forgiven myself for.

I've been with this program when I drove over to Ford for the Phil Bennett press conference to introduce him as the new head football coach.

I've been with this program when 0-12 occurred in 2003, and I attended every game including the 21-19 loss to UTEP when a little screen covered 86 yards for the Miners.

I've been with this program when a 3-win season followed in 2004 with the understanding that the talent was so bare, that this rebuilding was going to take longer than I anticipated.

I've been with this program when I predicted a 5-6 season for 2005 and was laughed at by friends. At 2-6 going into November, it didn't look good. But a 29-24 win at Houston propelled to an impressive win over UTEP to finish the season at 5-6.

I've been with this program in 2006 when a winnable game against UNT was played horribly, but the squad rebounded with 3 consecutive wins. I watched the drama of the Justin Willis situation put the season in peril before it was resolved.

I've been with this program when character was found on Nov. 18 and 24-7 halftime deficit to Tulsa was turned into a 34-24 victory.

And now Nov. 25 is coming and so to is the biggest game in SMU football history since the Death Penalty as the boys get ready to play Rice.

Over these years, heartache, frustration, anger and bewilderment have easily won out over joy and satisfaction. Admittedly, my conduct in several instances was regrettable.

Regardless of what the fates allow on Saturday, my loyalty to SMU remains undaunted and will never waver.

Let's play some football in December!!

[BUS]

It has been a very long time for all of us. Both my parents are SMU grads. My father at 84 does not go to the games anymore but listens to them on the radio. He is so happy that we have a team. I remember going to games in the Cotton bowl from 1964 on.

This team is a group of fighters. They will come off the Dr's table and suit up for Coach Bennett.

Bennet would fight for them ( remember after the TTech Game ) and they will give EVERYTHING they have for SMU.

Meet me in Houston and
GO MUSTANGS

[FordtoTolbert]

so, what you are really saying is..if this program was a golf course, you have played about 2 holes??

[Arkpony]

Well..I have been with the program since 1955 and Don Meredith era. THAT is a long time!

[RGV Pony]

I announced my allegiance to SMU as a kid staying up too late watching the Holiday Bowl vs. BYU a long, long time ago. After my parents told me to go to bed, I did so, figuring SMU had won. Fortunately for me, I didn't have to bear with the misery of watching the true outcome unfold.

I can remember as a 5th grader in 1982 having a crush on a Sunday School teacher who was a blonde SWTxSt student and telling her I wouldn't be caught dead going to college there, that how could she be Methodist and not go to SMU.

I can remember thinking West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, NM was pretty fortunate that they were the Mustangs and had white helmets, blue jerseys and white pants (and I didn't go to West Mesa)

I remember SMU being everywhere in the 80s, with references on 'Dallas,' seeing Ron Meyer coach in the NFL, Raymond Berry coach in the NFL, Don Meredith on MNF, being featured prominently on "Football, Texas Style" on TV39 in Dallas on Sunday nights.

...and now, this is rapidly becoming the best time to be an SMU fan. Hopefully more success is around the corner, and this time without the specter of what that success may ultimately cost

[PonyLove]

Started watching SMU as a senior in high school (79--I'm old)...fortunate enough to attend during the glory days....Cotton Bowl my senior year...never missed a home or away game as an alum..until I lost my season tickets in the divorce..lol...I'm back...Go Ponies!

[MrMustang1965]

I've been a Mustang fan since 1957 when I was born into the fandom. Went to my first SMU football game in 1959. Have loved watching the Mustangs ever since! I'm ready for the bowl drought to end! Let's all go to Houston and watch the Mustangs WIN!

[Mustangs35SMU]

Awesome post Big10Pf.

And why I can't remember some of it...I've been to almost every home game since 1988.

That 21-19 UTEP loss in 03 though. Wow I had forgotten about it till now.

One more game boys. One more game! Beat Rice!

[Nacho]

They wouldn't be Mustangs if they didn't break your heart.

[EastStang]

I've been an SMU fan since I applied to the school in 1971.

[SMUstang]

Well..I have been with the program since 1955 and Don Meredith era. THAT is a long time!

Me too - that's when I enrolled as a freshman. Don was in my speech class.

[The Falcon]

I can remember listening to Doak Walker the Mustangs play Notre Dame
and Michigan over Chicago stations in my hometown of Rockford Ill.
They were exciting and I liked the Mustang logo.

Never thought I'd pass Doak's statue on my way to work everyday.

I moved to Dallas in 1968 and have worked at SMU since that time. I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

[SMUstang]

Speaking of radio - You really missed something if you didn't hear Kern Tipps on the Humble Game of the Week every Saturday afternoon in the fall. There will never be another one like him.

[mrydel]

Well..I have been with the program since 1955 and Don Meredith era. THAT is a long time!

Me too - that's when I enrolled as a freshman. Don was in my speech class.

Is it true he always turned out the lights when the party was over?

[Mountain Mustang]

I don't have quite the history as some on this thread (class of '01) but I can't ever remember a time in my life when I wasn't rooting for the Ponies. I was born in '78 and don't really remember the Dickerson-James early to mid '80s era, but I've been told by my folks that I'd been to some of those games.

What I do remember is SMU post-death penalty. We had season tix at Ownby since the Ponies came back to life and one of the things I loved the most was going to the games, then going to Bubba's or Balls or Peggy Sue's or Snuffer's afterwards. I couldn't wait to go see guys like Romo or Freiburger, Rongea Hill and Jason Wolf, Tom and Mick Rossley, Ramon Flanigan, Donte Womack and later Bordano and Swan. Never the most talented guys in the country but they ALWAYS gave their heart and soul and embodied "Pony Pride."

As a student I got my heart broken when I made the trip to Ft. Worth and witnessed a winless TCU team beat the Ponies and cost us a possible bowl bid. I suffered through the Cavan era, and made it to many a tailgate at the Cotton Bowl. I also got to got to watch Ford Stadium open and the Ponies triumphant win over Kansas on that scorching September day. I'm proud to say that there's a brick with my name on it in the south end zone.

As an alum, I'm sorry to say I haven't been able to attend many games. My profession (golf) requires me to work on the weekends, and has moved me from Dallas to Montana to California and now to North Carolina. I've always watched the Ponies from a distance, but I wasn't able to keep my finger on the pulse of SMU football or basketball as much as I would've liked over the years... Until I found this site a month ago.

I've really enjoyed the banter going back and forth and it's great to see other passionate Pony fans out there. I'm not sure if SMU will beat Rice (I sure hope they do) but what a great atmosphere to have for the last game of the season (hopefully not the last game of the year). This really is about as close to a playoff as you can get in college football and I am looking forward to trying to watch the game on cstv.com and rooting the Ponies on to victory...

GO PONIES!!!! BRING HOME A BOWL GAME TO THE HILLTOP!!!!!!!