O.T. 80M in facilities upgrades???

[Bergermeister]

We should be mining every last Dollar and/or peso out of the large mexican community!

Does the SMU Athletic Department/Mustang Club accept pesos? - I know Pizza Patron does - wasn't sure if tickets and concessions could be purchased with the alternate U.S. currency.

[mustangbill67]

As a person who has traveled extensively throughout the country for more years than I can count, my experience has been that our swimming, soccer, tennis and the extinct track program have brought SMU tremendous favorable national exposure. To not support these programs makes our athletic program one dimensional. All the great universities excel not only in football and basketball but in the non-revenue sports as well. They are part of the overall college experience and should be treasured and supported financially. These programs at SMU historically have produced world class athletes of which we should all be proud. My soapbox for today.

[mustangbill67]

We should be mining every last Dollar and/or peso out of the large mexican community!

Does the SMU Athletic Department/Mustang Club accept pesos? - I know Pizza Patron does - wasn't sure if tickets and concessions could be purchased with the alternate U.S. currency.

Maybe we could set up a currency exchange at the ticket office and make a little money.

[couch 'em]

Plus, and more importantly, if we get SMU to be on the radar in the poor hispanic areas, it might leach over to the poor black & whites areas south of dallas where we can pick up new football and bball fans. We must branch out from just rich people!

[East Coast Mustang]

I didnt say we shouldn't support non-revenue sports, but they should NEVER take precedence over the football and basketball programs in terms of funding, especially with the glaring needs which are evident at Moody right now. I think you may be confusing "small-mindedness" with realism. Walking around the Moody concourses this past season was like stepping into a time warp. This should be our #1 priority right now, bar none. If you disagree with this, then you're really not taking a realistic approach to how Division I sports (should) operate. Make the FB and MBB programs top notch in terms of facilities first, and then used what's left over for the other sports.

[mrydel]

I didnt say we shouldn't support non-revenue sports, but they should NEVER take precedence over the football and basketball programs in terms of funding. I think you may be confusing "small-mindedness" with realism. Walking around the Moody concourses this past season was like stepping into a time warp. This should be our #1 priority right now, bar none. If you disagree with this, then you're really not taking a realistic approach to how Division I sports (should) operate. Make the FB and MBB programs top notch in terms of facilities first, and then used what's left over for the other sports.

In general funding terms you may be right, but I certainly would not be offended in the least if a major donor came in and wanted to designate funds toward a new Natatorium or soccer field or some other non revenue sport. I would be more than delighted to see our swim team get back to the level it once was. We are not far from there so the leap would not be too high.

[RednBlue11]

according to sam1122 we need new seats for our stadium....

[East Coast Mustang]

In general funding terms you may be right, but I certainly would not be offended in the least if a major donor came in and wanted to designate funds toward a new Natatorium or soccer field or some other non revenue sport. I would be more than delighted to see our swim team get back to the level it once was. We are not far from there so the leap would not be too high.

Neither would I...if a private donor wants to donate money specifically for the swimming or golf programs then that's fine. But I think the school should allocate funds first and foremost to the programs (FB and MBB) which have the most potential return on investment for SMU in terms of future revenue and media exposure.

[mrydel]

And I think it is part of the AD's job to go out and find those private donors for all of those sports in order to upgrade them all to top 25 levels. No reason why all of this can not be accomplished at the same time. We do not have to wait on Moody to do swimming, or soccer if we can get someone to donate for swimming or soccer before the Moody money is available. The money talks and takes precedence over the need. Whereever the owner of the money says it should go, is where it will go.

[DiamondM]

In general funding terms you may be right, but I certainly would not be offended in the least if a major donor came in and wanted to designate funds toward a new Natatorium or soccer field or some other non revenue sport. I would be more than delighted to see our swim team get back to the level it once was. We are not far from there so the leap would not be too high.

Neither would I...if a private donor wants to donate money specifically for the swimming or golf programs then that's fine. But I think the school should allocate funds first and foremost to the programs (FB and MBB) which have the most potential return on investment for SMU in terms of future revenue and media exposure.

All of these projects are special projects requiring special designated funds. I don't think any general operating funds go towards any of these capital projects -- as was the case with Ford and the Crum Center. "Asks" for the lead and other significant donations are specifically directed at people who we think are interested in funding specific projects. It isn't about valuing one over the other, necessarily. My list was based on where I would funnel my own money based on the needs I see.

I still maintain that the potential return on the larger investment needed to improve concourses and bathrooms for fans in Moody is not as significant as the potential return on the smaller investments needed to provide basic acceptable facilities for the athletes in a couple of the other sports.

[East Coast Mustang]

All of these projects are special projects requiring special designated funds. I don't think any general operating funds go towards any of these capital projects -- as was the case with Ford and the Crum Center. "Asks" for the lead and other significant donations are specifically directed at people who we think are interested in funding specific projects. It isn't about valuing one over the other, necessarily. My list was based on where I would funnel my own money based on the needs I see.

I still maintain that the potential return on the larger investment needed to improve concourses and bathrooms for fans in Moody is not as significant as the potential return on the smaller investments needed to provide basic acceptable facilities for the athletes in a couple of the other sports.

Well, has anyone offered to pay for a new swimming facility? Surely if the program is so historically significant as people here claim, then wealthy donors should be lining up to get their name on a new building for the swimming Stangs. My point is, in terms of the university's priorities, we need to focus on Moody first and foremost. Also, an indoor FB practice facility will probably be necessary in the coming years to remain competitive in recruiting.

[Water Pony]

I'm with water pony on this one.

And the natatorium was actually the OLD basketball gym, before Moody was built, so that facility is plenty old.

The athletic dept would probably not be around if it hadn't been for our success in soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, etc the last 30 years. Don't forget that during the miserable 90's, we had visibility on a GLOBAL stage with athletes like Ryan Berube winning the GOLD MEDAL at the Olympics.

Thanks, Phil and mrydel

SMU and swimming is a great combination. I love all non-revenue sports

[Water Pony]

I didnt say we shouldn't support non-revenue sports, but they should NEVER take precedence over the football and basketball programs in terms of funding, especially with the glaring needs which are evident at Moody right now. I think you may be confusing "small-mindedness" with realism. Walking around the Moody concourses this past season was like stepping into a time warp. This should be our #1 priority right now, bar none. If you disagree with this, then you're really not taking a realistic approach to how Division I sports (should) operate. Make the FB and MBB programs top notch in terms of facilities first, and then used what's left over for the other sports.

Believe me, there is no fear that a non-revenue sport would take precedence over FB and BB. Look at the budget; by any measure they receive the vast majority of funding, including capital improvements. To exclude a new natatorium is only one example.

As for funding for a new swimming complex, currents efforts on focused on a lead donor. The projected cost is more than $16M and the university will not move forward unless 80-90% is donated. At the moment, there are commitments for almost half, but that would meet SMU guidelines to begin development.

So, there is little fear that non-revenue will handicap FB or BB. These two sports will always be served. The challenge is to be competitive with the non-revenue sports, while asking that capital funding be exclusively donor based.

The reality for a private university with a smaller enrollment and alumni base is to be relevant against at the BC$ money machines. Yes, it is a problem for non-revenue sports lover; but some help would be nice, so SMU can be competitive across the board.

[Mexmustang]

Think positive, it goes to expand Ford...upper deck and end zone.

[davidsmu94]

I smell a new track..