Now is the time...

[RGV Pony]

Think the mass of fans who would turn out for baseball (like for all non-football sports) would PAY for the fan-friendly park? There are a lot of other athletic facilities on the school's/Orsini's wish list before a new baseball stadium. I don't dislike the idea, but I'd say baseball is a loooooooooong way off in the future. Track facilities already are in place, and how much would it cost to create the needed scholarships? Probably would have to add fewer women's scholarships to balance out the Title IX requirements, too.

I agree. And as for those women's scholarships to offset the men's track, easy solution. Women's Bowling Team. I saw Ark State taking on Maryland Eastern Shore just the other day on ESPN. No new facilities needed.

[Corso]

just a small correction Corso-initially when SMU made a strong push for national honors in Track in the late 70s and early 1980s-they did have some strong sprinters on the team-not coincidentally they were collaborative signees from Football-remember guys like Mitchell Bennett, James Collier, Rod Jones and others. I believe Ronald Morris may have run track too for at least a year. Come to think of it-wasn't Russell Carter a top 200 Meters kid too. I think Bennett, Collier and Morris were Texas State Champions in the 100 in high school at their Class level. Of course, there were also guys like Michael Carter and Charles Waggonner in Field events. Ron Meyer used track as an asset for the Football Team. BTW all those guys were Texas Top 100 players in Football so we are talking some big time talent. I bet none of those guys would have gone to SMU w/o the track program-something to consider. You are correct that subsequently SMU's track success was more and more tied to Field Events in the mid-1980s forward.

Very true. I know we had good sprinters back in the day. But when football came back and we didn't have a bunch of Rod Joneses running around to do double duty between the two sports, the track team still excelled, thanks in large part to a bunch of Scandinavian throwers.

[mrydel]

As an aside to a good track program, take some time and read about the retirement of John McDonnell as the UA Track Coach. 42 National Titles and 83 Conference Titles along with many other accolades.

[Longtime]

Facilities? When was the last time SMU hosted a track meet? Is it even possible for SMU to host a collegiate-level track meet anymore?

I'm sorry, but where is this fan base for SMU track that you speak of? The only people I've ever known who followed SMU track were former lettermen. I know a lot of people who follow college baseball. And college baseball certainly gets more play in the media than college track.

Yeah, SMU men's track was a great program. But great success doesn't translate to a great following. In its last years the program was mainly foreign-born throwers. Not a lot of fan attraction there.

IF you bring back track and IF it's going to have a following, you need to have a traditional team with sprinters, some of whom might even be from the U.S. Most people who like track like to watch the sprints and relays.

There may have been a following for SMU track, but in no way could it compare to the potential impact of a successful baseball program. SMU might host one or two track meets a year that would draw decent crowds. You build a nice baseball stadium and field a decent team, and you will get nice crowds every weekend. Bring in an A&M or a UT and you'll pack the place. Make a run at the College World Series and everyone in Dallas will know.

Win an NCAA championship in track and field and it might get mentioned on the local newscast.

[Corso]

Facilities? When was the last time SMU hosted a track meet? Is it even possible for SMU to host a collegiate-level track meet anymore?

Don't know. But at least they could practice without asking the school to undertake another multi-million-dollar construction project.

I'm sorry, but where is this fan base for SMU track that you speak of? The only people I've ever known who followed SMU track were former lettermen. I know a lot of people who follow college baseball. And college baseball certainly gets more play in the media than college track.

Did I mention a fan base? If so, it was a mistake.

Yeah, SMU men's track was a great program. But great success doesn't translate to a great following. In its last years the program was mainly foreign-born throwers. Not a lot of fan attraction there.

Resurrect the program, win big, and some folks might come out - just like tennis, swimming, soccer, etc.

There may have been a following for SMU track, but in no way could it compare to the potential impact of a successful baseball program. SMU might host one or two track meets a year that would draw decent crowds. You build a nice baseball stadium and field a decent team, and you will get nice crowds every weekend. Bring in an A&M or a UT and you'll pack the place.

Were you around in 1989? That was one of the selling points about the football schedule, yet even Ownby Stadium didn't always fill up when the Aggies and Horns came to town. I have no interest in seeing maroon- and puke-colored hats take over SMU to watch a team beat the crap out of my Mustangs. Track would take some time to build up, too, but less of it.

Win an NCAA championship in track and field and it might get mentioned on the local newscast.

By that logic, should we shut down every sport that doesn't draw crowds? Men's soccer draws a few hundred, and is one of the best in the country. The swimming teams don't even draw that, but they are among the nation's best. I'm proud to be associated with those programs, and I get to a lot of soccer games, and a swim meet or two, every year. Winning makes everything look better.

[mrydel]

I witnessed the fan following of SMU baseball. Did you? Yes, I will agree the Rangers will draw more than the SMU track team would. Yes there are more paying baseball fans nation wide than track fans. But do not confuse the sport with the SMU following. I have witnessed both. SMU never drew in baseball. Sad, but true. The baseball field was just north of Ford (soccer field now?). How much more convenient can that get? No one came.

AND....if no one is going to attend either, I would rather have a sport that might attract some exceptional football talent. Odds are better to get a FB/Track athlete than a FB/Baseball although either could occur. Our history with FB/Track combos has been very good.

[jtstang]

But do not confuse the sport with the SMU following.

Yes, the SMU "following" in most any sport is in a class by itself. And that class could fit in a one room school in a small town in Rhode Island.

[RGV Pony]

But do not confuse the sport with the SMU following.

Yes, the SMU "following" in most any sport is in a class by itself. And that class could fit in a one room school in a small town in Rhode Island.

good point. Regarding baseball attendance, or "support," the question is how many of the finite 1500 (including the 40 or so regularly on the board) would care enough to show up for games? Chances are it would make the womens bball crowds look like SRO affairs.

[jtstang]

Probably no more than would show up at the average track meet, but at least track has the added advantage of helping attract good athletes in other sports, as Stallion's post made clear. BTW, he left off Roy "Robot" Martin from the list of sprinters, although he was a track-only guy.

[overcusser]

Facilities? When was the last time SMU hosted a track meet? Is it even possible for SMU to host a collegiate-level track meet anymore?

I'm sorry, but where is this fan base for SMU track that you speak of? The only people I've ever known who followed SMU track were former lettermen. I know a lot of people who follow college baseball. And college baseball certainly gets more play in the media than college track.

Yeah, SMU men's track was a great program. But great success doesn't translate to a great following. In its last years the program was mainly foreign-born throwers. Not a lot of fan attraction there.

IF you bring back track and IF it's going to have a following, you need to have a traditional team with sprinters, some of whom might even be from the U.S. Most people who like track like to watch the sprints and relays.

There may have been a following for SMU track, but in no way could it compare to the potential impact of a successful baseball program. SMU might host one or two track meets a year that would draw decent crowds. You build a nice baseball stadium and field a decent team, and you will get nice crowds every weekend. Bring in an A&M or a UT and you'll pack the place. Make a run at the College World Series and everyone in Dallas will know.

Win an NCAA championship in track and field and it might get mentioned on the local newscast.

DFW already has one major league team, 3 minor league teams, and college teams at TCU, UTA, UTD, UofDallas, and Dallas Baptist. It's not like the market is thirsting for baseball as you suggest, I think it's pretty well saturated already. SMU baseball may draw some interest but certainly not enough to make it a revenue sport.

[gostangs]

We have a major league team? Where?

[d_pony]

the question is not what sport you would rather see brought back (baseball or track) but rather would sport , if any, would help athletics - June Jones is on record saying that track would help us recruit football players - i think that says it all

[davidsmu94]

If one were really, reallly, and I mean really nosey... they might discover some things.. things that would let you know that SMU could have a top 20 Men's track program next year. Discuss among yourselves

[ALEX LIFESON]

d_pony said "the question is not what sport you would rather see brought back (baseball or track) but rather would sport , if any, would help athletics - June Jones is on record saying that track would help us recruit football players - i think that says it all "

I agree 100%

[SMU2007]

soccer is not a sport.

it is especially not a marketable sport.