Replacing Peruna

couch 'em · Post by **couch 'em** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:44 pm

The more I read this guy's letter the more it sounds like a joke or a gimmick to drum up school spirit backlash, ala "new coke". If only I were right.

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 2:51 am

I liked new Coke, hate new Peruna idea

Longtime · Post by **Longtime** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 3:33 pm

Being completely practical, having a full-size horse run across the football field wouldn't be possible. Not at full-gallop anyway.

Even the slowest horses can hit 30 mph, and no human can keep up with that. The top human speed is around 27 mph.

A quarterhorse can hit 50 mph:

http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/horsespeedmph.htm

So with a full-size horse, at best we could see the horse trot across the field. Real inspiring. I'd much rather see Peruna sprint across Ford Stadium than see a big horse jog across. That is, if school officials would allow a full-size horse on the field at all.

Now, in fairness, Colorado uses a full-size buffalo, "Ralphie," who runs across Folsom Field before every game. While Ralphie is a great mascot, keep in mind that her (yes, I said "her") top speed is about 25 mph. It's possible for her handlers to keep up with her for a short distance.

But also keep in mind there are five handlers when Ralphie runs. One of Mr. Montague's complaints about Peruna is that you can barely see him between the handlers. With a full-size horse, you might need six or more handlers to control him/her on a run. You would have to look through a crowd of people to even see the supposed "wild" horse that would replace Peruna.

Here's an account of running with Ralphie: http://espn.go.com/page2/s/neel/031009colorado.html

So, from a strictly practical purpose, I don't see the benefit of a full-size horse over the current Peruna. I think this all boils down to some people wanting a more "macho" mascot than a shetland pony, but it's just not practical. The ultimate compromise would be for SMU to have a field and stables to house a small herd of Mustangs on campus, along the lines of Baylor's bear pit. But again, that's not practical at land-choked SMU.

Personally, I see Peruna's small size as an advantage. He can go more places than a full-size horse could. I don't think we use Peruna enough to rouse spirit and interest in SMU. When was the last time he visited the set of a morning TV show like Good Day or Good Morning Texas? Why couldn't he come to a couple of basketball games? He could greet people in the lobby or go out on the floor for the pregame. Does he ever go to soccer games? Other community events?

Spaz · Post by **Spaz** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 6:53 pm

couch 'em wrote:
Kappas Are Yummy wrote:"Meadows filth"? You're a serious a-hole dude.

Just wanted to post my apologies for that comment - bad choice of words posted while angry and looking at the "meadows" association in the guy's email.

I have several friends who have graduated from meadows (and called me on this comment) and I never meant to insult the entire school.

However, that doesn't change the fact that you are a serious a'hole...

couch 'em · Post by **couch 'em** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:11 pm

Spaz wrote:However, that doesn't change the fact that you are a serious a'hole...

I don't deny this

Peruna2001 · Post by **Peruna2001** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:19 am

that's great raplh wrote:i would not mind having a real mustang in addition to peruna

For reference, there was a time in the past where, in addition to Peruna, we also had a horse (with a rider) and a dog. I have the picture somewhere, but it will take some time to find it. I'll admit that I don't mind having a "real mustang" in addition to Peruna, BUT it just doesn't seem practical. The sidelines are already fairly crowded and it would cost too much money.

BrianTinBigD · Post by **BrianTinBigD** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 1:00 pm

Let's just bring back the 'Noid

SMUtrojanFAN · Post by **SMUtrojanFAN** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 2:24 pm

Just a little perspective: At SC games, Traveler is an awesome mascot that represents decades of heritage and tradition. You can't have Tommy without Traveler. Unfortunately, with the renovation of the Coliseum 10 years ago or whatever, room for galloping around the field has drastically decreased (they eliminated the track around the field). Thus, Traveler sort of trots around 2/3rds of the field, but really can't do much more, which sucks because it's just not as cool. I suspect it would be the same situation if we had a "wild mustang" trying to run around our field. It just wouldn't work.

DanFreibergerForHeisman · Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:12 pm

If this is true, I can only imagine the amount of alumni donations they will lose.

Personally, I stopped giving money when we switched to blue helmets - and I won't give that school one cent of my money until we go back to the white helmets.

Now, if we get rid of Peruna - they can forget about me for good.

Peruna2001 · Post by **Peruna2001** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:05 pm

Has anybody actually written a letter to the guy? If you haven't, please do. I have already written a letter, gotten a reply, and replied back. He needs to know that people actually care.

perunapower · Post by **perunapower** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:13 pm

Word is that both Judith Banes and Don Hopkins (Mustang Band Director) have both said that the statements Mr. Montague made are false. Don Hopkins has said that his "quote" a blatant lie.

Peruna2001 · Post by **Peruna2001** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:09 am

In all of the replies that I've received from Scot, he keep stating that "a lot of people" agree with with him. I feel that this may be along the same lines as Judith, Don and Tommy "agreeing" with him. There's a facebook group, "Save Peruna," with around 300-400 members. This guy is appearing to be more of a nuisance than an actual threat.

Longtime · Post by **Longtime** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:42 am

He's not just a nuisance, he's a fraudulent, misrepresenting nuisance.

The sad thing is, some media outlet will probably pick up on his one-man campaign and publicize it. But maybe then the backlash will drown him out.

...and for DFFH: Not donating because of blue helmets? Give me a break. Stick around long enough and the white helmets will be back. I promise you. In the meantime, all you're doing is hurting SMU athletics, no matter the amount you're withholding. There are bigger battles worth fighting than the color of the helmet.

Spaz · Post by **Spaz** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 1:49 pm

Does anybody know if this crusade is till going on? I can't get a reply from the guy since I called him a "hopeless yahoo"

Bergermeister · Post by **Bergermeister** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 10:38 am

THE END.