SMU "traditions" video

[couch 'em]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBhQxBaNnAo

Came across this on youtube.

[redpony]

Great video. I enjoyed watching it. I see a lot has changed since the days of some of us 'oldies'.

GO PONIES!!!

[dcpony]

Pretty bush league. Low production value.

[Diamond Girl]

I'd like to see some 'tradtions' that are more than 10-15 years old. The Mustang Band, Peruna and Celebration of Lights were the only three that were around before the '90s.

[couch 'em]

What traditions remain at SMU from then?

[Diamond Girl]

Traditions predating the '90s:
Peruna
Mustang Band
Celebration of Lights

[PonyKai]

Traditions predating the '90s:
Peruna
Mustang Band
Celebration of Lights

Drinking. Lots of drinking.
The pig run.

[Diamond Girl]

gold fish and peppermint schnapps.

[smu diamond m]

PIGSKIN REVUE

[DiamondM]

This video was originally posted on the SMU main website and there was an email that went out a while back encouraging us to view and comment. So of course, I did. I very politely, but very clearly stated that it was disappointing that most of the so-called "traditions" listed started AFTER I graduated in 1994 -- I'm old, but not THAT old. "Things we do" is not the same as a "tradition," let alone one of our top 11 "traditions." There are so many other ACTUAL traditions at SMU that should be recognized. Pigskin Revue, The "M" Award, Tate Lectures, The Diamond M, "Pony Ears", to name just a few.

Anyway, on the Boulevard a couple of months ago Judith Banes came up and thanked me for my comments (Arlene Manthey also thanked me and agreed that more thought should have been put into selected the top traditions). Seems my comments had apparently caused quite a stir because some thought that the students would be "so disappointed". But mine (and other similar comments) ultimately led to the video being pulled from the SMU site.

[jtstang]

I spent 8 years in school and never once did a diamond m. Or wore a beanie.

[FWMustangGirl]

This video was originally posted on the SMU main website and there was an email that went out a while back encouraging us to view and comment. So of course, I did. I very politely, but very clearly stated that it was disappointing that most of the so-called "traditions" listed started AFTER I graduated in 1994 -- I'm old, but not THAT old. "Things we do" is not the same as a "tradition," let alone one of our top 11 "traditions." There are so many other ACTUAL traditions at SMU that should be recognized. Pigskin Revue, The "M" Award, Tate Lectures, The Diamond M, "Pony Ears", to name just a few.

I'd just love it if someone could teach our current students (cheerleaders included) to do "Pony Ears" properly.

[DiamondM]

I spent 8 years in school and never once did a diamond m. Or wore a beanie.

You probably never won an "M" Award either, but that doesn't make it not a good tradition. http://smu.edu/studentlife/mawards.asp

[jtstang]

I spent 8 years in school and never once did a diamond m. Or wore a beanie.

You probably never won an "M" Award either, but that doesn't make it not a good tradition. http://smu.edu/studentlife/mawards.asp

No, I was a semi-finalist once but I lost because I could not spell the name of the award in the talent competition.

I guess my point is just that not everything the band does is a tradition, and not every tradition is band related. I do like the way they march at halftime. And that cowbooy dude on the drums was funny.

[DiamondM]

I agree with you that not every tradition is band related --- and I listed several non-band traditions that I think are great. Peruna and Celebration of Lights from the original list are excellent non-band traditions, as are the M Award, the Tate Lecture Series, and Pony Ears from my list. That's 5. And it's possible that one or two non-band new "traditions" are great ideas that should be recognized too, including the Boulevard and Mustang Corral.

There are plenty of great BAND traditions I didn't list because I think those traditions are "personal" to the band and do not necessarily have university-wide meaning. Incidentially, the 76 year-old Pigskin Revue isn't just a "band" tradition -- it used to involve lots of campus groups and performers, and was the traditional introduction of all of the homecoming candidates to homecoming attendees. However, due to the university not really supporting this venerable university wide tradition since the mid-90s it has become more and more the case that it is a band and band alum get together. But maybe if someone recognized this great tradition, it could be revived to what it once was.

I will admit that the Diamond M is a band tradition, but like "Script Ohio", it is the long-time signature not just of the band, but of the whole college football experience. I say it's a top tradition if it is part of one of the greatest college pranks of all time.