SMU Announces Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class

[PonyPride]

SMU Announces Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class
Gregg, Hunt, Moracova & Stewart To Be Honored; Meredith To Serve As Honorary Chair

March 24, 2008

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU Athletic Department, in conjunction with the SMU Lettermen's Association, today announced the inaugural class of its Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2008 inductees - Forrest Gregg, Lamar Hunt, Martina Moracova and Payne Stewart - will be honored at an induction dinner and ceremony on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at the Hotel Palomar. Don Meredith will serve as Honorary Chair.

The SMU Athletics Hall of Fame is a revitalization and broadening of the SMU/Dr Pepper Hall of Fame, which existed at SMU from 1978 to 1986. The Dr Pepper Hall of Fame honored athletes and administrators who played major roles in establishing the Mustang football program. The 35 members of this group will also be recognized at the May 2 event.

"The Lettermen's Association is proud to have played a part in the formation of the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame," said Lettermen's Association president Jim Johnston. "As one of our stated goals, we are committed to maintaining the fine tradition of SMU Athletics, and a Hall of Fame is a perfect way to help preserve our athletic legacies."

"As a department, we really want to recognize the contributions and successes of our former student-athletes," said SMU's Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. "It is only fitting that we have an active Hall of Fame to commemorate their outstanding accomplishments."

A brief listing of the class and their achievements follow:
Forrest Gregg ('56) - former Mustang football player, coach and athletic director; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame;

Lamar Hunt ('56) - former SMU football player and founder of the Kansas City Chiefs; member of the Pro Football, Texas Sports, National Soccer and International Tennis Halls of Fame;

Martina Moracova ('98) - 14-time NCAA swimming champion and Olympic medalist;

Payne Stewart ('79) - 1989 PGA Champion, two-time U.S. Open Champion and member of five U.S. Ryder Cup teams.

Tickets to the Induction Dinner and Ceremony are available by calling (214) 768-4633.

[Water Pony]

I love this first Hall of Fame Class, especially Martina. And just imagine all the possibilities for future classes. Given our rich history in FB, swimming, BB, soccer, etc. the HOF will be memorable.

[smu diamond m]

Lamar Hunt ('56) - former SMU football player and founder of the Kansas City Chiefs; member of the Pro Football, Texas Sports, National Soccer and International Tennis Halls of Fame

National soccer and international tennis? I didn't know he had a connection to either. Pretty cool nonetheless, and an amazing first class.

[CalallenStang]

Didn't know about Lamar's connection to tennis, but he was instrumental in forming the MLS.

[PonySoprano]

Uh, Doak Walker? That seems to be a glaring omission, or is he a part of those 35 that were part of the Dr. Pepper HoF that will be recognized?

[CalallenStang]

Do they recognize previously inducted hall of famers?

[PonyKai]

Obviously Walker and Dickerson have been honored previously in some capacity. They also both have their jerseys retired, and one has a statue outside the stadium. The other should as well.

Regardless, big picture here folks: More tangible evidence that both this administration and the University is donating more time and effort to recognizing and supporting athletics at SMU. No matter how mundane, trivial, simple, or overdue anything is in regards to athletics, it's both healthy and a positive sign for it to be happening.

[Bergermeister]

Didn't know about Lamar's connection to tennis

Some of Moody's biggest crowds.

[mrydel]

Didn't know about Lamar's connection to tennis

Some of Moody's biggest crowds.

Newcombe and Laver put on some great shows.

[SMUMan02]

Lamar Hunt ('56) - former SMU football player and founder of the Kansas City Chiefs; member of the Pro Football, Texas Sports, National Soccer and International Tennis Halls of Fame

National soccer and international tennis? I didn't know he had a connection to either. Pretty cool nonetheless, and an amazing first class.

Hunt was a true sportsman. One of the most fascinating lives imaginable.

[smu diamond m]

So, what was his actual claim to fame, re:tennis?

[PK]

So, what was his actual claim to fame, re:tennis?

Tennis: In 1967, Hunt co-founded the World Championship Tennis circuit, which gave birth to the open era in tennis. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1993.