Peruna getting Big Horse Friend

[George S. Patton]

One other tradition that changed is that the Nebraska-Oklahoma game is no longer played every year.

I'm really indifferent about this. For those of you who really have a problem and want to stop it before the 10/17 game, put a protest, sign a petition, do something and fight this. I'm sure this board is a way to voice your frustations to start. But if you really believe in this, channel your energy to do something about it.

May not go anywhere but at least the university will acknowledge an opposing voice.

[KnuckleStang]

Really....simmer down, this is way off the chart and contarary to some of the stuffy posters it makes sense and actually draws attention to the Mustangs plight, both us and the real mustangs...it can work and lets give it a chance...any traditions changing ?? examples .....Stanford Indians now a friggin tree? Miami University was the Redskins and is now the Redhawks...Eastern Washington U was the Savages now is the Eagles...Elon University was the Fighting Christians and they changed to the Phoenix and the crazy one for the history books: St.Bonaventure University...the men’s teams were known as the Brown Indians and the women’s squads went by “the Brown Squaws” until 1979. In 2001 one former female athlete at St. Bonaventure told Indian Country Today, “[A] Seneca chief and clan mothers came over from the reservation and asked us to stop using the name because it meant ‘vagina.’ We almost died of embarrassment.” Since then both wens and women's teams have been known as the Bonnies....traditions changed...but some not for the better .....many colleges changed their mascots because they had to....this one is good and is 'addition to' and not 'instead of'.....sorry I am on the other side here....

Still waiting for examples of change to tradition not mandated by the NCAA

[ponyscott]

why? who cares who madates what and getting into that stuff.....this has created attention to both mustangs.....lets just enjoy all the attention and lets win baby!

[TheBestAvailable]

Yep.

How loudly would you laugh if the TEXAS LONGHORNS trotted out a weak calf instead of BEVO?

I know it doesnt put points on the board but it's time the mascot matches the name.

It has to do with mindset and June is going to do some things to change that here. I love it.

[abezontar]

Yep.

How loudly would you laugh if the TEXAS LONGHORNS trotted out a weak calf instead of BEVO?

I know it doesnt put points on the board but it's time the mascot matches the name.

It has to do with mindset and June is going to do some things to change that here. I love it.

Except that if they started using a calf in the twenties, no one would be clamoring to change it to a full-grown longhorn now.

[KnuckleStang]

Yep.

How loudly would you laugh if the TEXAS LONGHORNS trotted out a weak calf instead of BEVO?

I know it doesnt put points on the board but it's time the mascot matches the name.

It has to do with mindset and June is going to do some things to change that here. I love it.

Does a 70-year college tradition mean nothing to you people. Someone please explain to me (and I am being serious) how will ditching a 70-year college football tradition help us win more football games. Hate to break it to ya, but the mascot is not the problem

[PonySoprano]

What are the logistics with the Mustang going to be? It is going to be on the field during games (I don't think there's enough room on the side lines at Ford)? Are we going to need professional handlers to make sure this "trained" mustang doesn't get spooked during a game - or is Mrs. Pickens going to handle those duties herself? If she does, can we get her in one of the dance team outfits?

Is T. Boone going to build a corral in the south end of Ford for this horse?

What is the name of the horse going to be? Maybe we can take a page out of Lonesome Dove and name the horse the Hell [deleted] (if we do that, some might say its named after Mrs. Pickens).

[MrMustang1965]

What is the name of the horse going to be? Maybe we can take a page out of Lonesome Dove and name the horse the Hell [deleted] (if we do that, some might say its named after Mrs. Pickens).

A+

[couch 'em]

a real live Mustang does convey more wild power and stamina

Yeah, when I think 'wild power' I think of a domesticated horse sitting docile on the sidelines.

Geeze. I can only imagine what would happen if some aggies started complaining that reveille didn't demonstrate enough power to represent the noble agricultural worker.

Bottom line this comes down to one, or both, of the following:

1. [deleted] envy because most alums from the last 20 years were fans of Big 12 school _______ before, during, and after their time at SMU, and never learned or cared about anything existing at SMU. "Why can't we be more like _________".

2. Publicity stunt for Pickens. I'm not sure what he thinks he gains gets out of this, but hopefully it'll result in an indoor practice facility.

What I want to know is why we keep copying texas tech of all schools. First the circling of pony ears around your head at the end of Varsity for each year you've been in school.....directly copied from Tech. Now, a "mustang" (i.e. standard horse descendant from a Mustang) and rider.....just like Tech.

[SMU89]

I guess some would rather continue to have a miniature horse than a full size horse.

They are squaws.

[SoCal_Pony]

I just want to stress that this IS NOT a replacement for Peruna. Our Shetland pony Peruna remains a beloved living mascot for SMU Athletics, continuing a spirited tradition. Secondly, the presence of Peruna the Shetland pony and a Mustang at SMU is not new – in the late 1960s, both appeared on the field with the Squires. Here are the photos:

Sorry SID, but I am not buying it.

I happen to work in the advertising / entertainment industry.

One of the most fundamental of rules of advertising…don’t f with a successful brand.

And that is exactly what SMU is doing here.

There is no rational explanation for this other than $$$$...sad when you think about it, a school such as SMU doesn’t need to compromise standards….this sounds more like a Coog High tactic.

Oh, and answer me this…how many schools have 2 different live mascots at a game?

[RGV Pony]

Oh, and answer me this…how many schools have 2 different live mascots at a game?

I guess it depends on how you characterize "live." If you mean animal, then I'll give you that. If not, I guess you could say Traveler & Tommy Trojan. Not to be confused with Tommy Tutone.

[MrMustang1965]

What I want to know is why we keep copying texas tech of all schools. .

I wouldn't mind seeing S.M.U. copy TT's W-L record since the Pirate came onboard.

[ponydawg]

We knew June got rid of the rainbow because it had an alternate
meaning. And well ponies and rainbows are kind of one in the same.
I'm all about tradition, but as far as branding, our pony is hurting. No one can match our brand
with good football for over 25 yrs. I hope peruna stays, but I'm not ready to jump out of a window
just yet. I'll wait and see if there is actually something to b*tch about first.

[mustangbill67]

This is a serious donation to the University. It will promote SMU athletics as well as the Wild Horse foundation, a very worthy cause in my opinion. We should embrace this new addition to our tradition and all it represents.