Letter from Orsisi on geldings

[untitled]

Well, for many little girls, Shetlands are associated with My Little Pony...There are still other breeds of miniature horses and I thought it may be one of those i.e. a Pony of the Americas, Hackney or Welsh, althought the last two were somewhat unlikely. I do have respect for tradition but I also have respect for change, change can be good...However, like many suggest, the only thing that I think we should be concerned about is wins. As far as I am concerned, yes, we could be the rainbow ponies and if we go to a bowl, that'd float my boat just fine. Why can't we just have both? Even though those two horses look like they'd eat Peruna, the team enjoyed seeing them on the field during practice last week and I think it'd be a nice addition. But I guess nice addition just doesn't cut it.

That's the problem, though. It doesn't appear that it's just a nice addition- they're subtracting, as well, by (potentially) reducing Peruna's role as SMU's mascot. As others have already opined, the fan base probably wouldn't be so upset if Orsini simply indicated that these horses would not interfere with our well-established traditions. If, for example, Peruna no longer leads the team onto the field, then this move is no longer just a "nice addition"- it's a change of an 80 year old tradition.

[bagice]

really aggravates me when people say we just need to move on. With the cryptic press release from Orsini yesterday, it is not time to move on. SMU makes this veiled announcement what a week and half ago, still hasn't clarified a damn thing yet people are just supposed to lay down and accept this without question? Perhaps SMU Gelding fans are the ones who have been castrated and no longer know how to stand up for anything that matters. I also don't understand those that are so afraid of dissent and differing opinions who constantly plead for other people to move on which is really a euphanism for not wanting to be disagreed with or not being able to win the debate on the merits.

The whole thing is just such bad form by SMU its really unbelievable.

Very true...We cannot let this die...I don't care if we never lose again this year, become conference-USA champs, and win the Liberty Bowl, I will still be [deleted] about this......The Athletic Dept. needs to grow a pair and come out and say they made a mistake, apologize, and put this mess behind us. The heat is working, I know of several that have cancelled donations, and they are at least now addressing it..

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

what choice do we have but to move on? the horses will be donated this saturday. do you people really think you can stop it now? orsini says it will be decided later what the plans are for these new mustangs. you cry babies assume he is lying. why do you think there always must be a sinister plan? sometimes in business situations arise and management works on plans for the situation, but there are always employees that assume the worst....what are they doing? they're trying to do this...they're trying to do that...like there is always some big secret plan....gotta create a boogie man....when in reality I've been in those situations where management is trying to decide what the best plan is...but the cry baby employees already assume some terrible sinister plan is already in place. we are 3-2. this football team is progressing. so this week the cry babies can't complain about Bo throwing interceptions so they double up and complain about horses....are there any posters on this board that frequent other team messaage boards that they follow...are there just as many nuts on those boards too?

[jtstang]

are there any posters on this board that frequent other team messaage boards that they follow...are there just as many nuts on those boards too?

I do not look at other boards, I prefer my nuts close to home.

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

are there any posters on this board that frequent other team messaage boards that they follow...are there just as many nuts on those boards too?

I do not look at other boards, I prefer my nuts close to home.

We're just making up for the admin's lack of, that's all.

[peruna81]

Knucklestang mentions earlier the '800 lb gorilla' in the room...'gluestick'(s) has as much to do with making connections to T. Boone, Jerry Jones, Roger Staubach et al and other non-alums that are in some manner affiliated (or could be) with SMU through promotions or personal interests. It is part of the business of the deal.

Money does change things...welcome to CHANGE.

Couch 'em, I believe you are spot on with your response to Steve Orsini...but in this case, 'connections' trump tradition, or at least the few of the 7500 that protest.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

"do not look at other boards, I prefer my nuts close to home"

lol ..JT true.... but i thought you'd be all over the UT boards....should be fun on there now-a-days with you guys being undefeated and what is shaping up for a cakewalk to the national title game this year for ya beloved horns.

[Stallion]

at UT and A&M they would burn down the administration building if they tried to destroy a major tradition. Many grew up on these traditions from early childhood. Many SMU students come from across the country and don't understand the significance of our traditions. They should stand down in these discussions if they don't have an full appreciation of their significance.

[Wuba]

at UT and A&M they would burn down the administration building if they tried to destroy a major tradition. Many grew up on these traditions from early childhood. Many SMU students come from across the country and don't understand the significance of our traditions. They should stand down in these discussions if they don't have an full appreciation of their significance.

You are right, the torching of the administration building after they cancelled the Aggie Bonfire was epic. Doesn't everyone remember that?

How do you define having a full appreciation of the tradition's significance? Are you saying that anyone who does not agree with you does not have a full appreciation of the tradition's signifcance and therefore does not have a voice in the dicsussions?

[Stallion]

Not at all-I said what I meant. And the Aggies still have a bonfire despite the fact it isn't official. The debate about bonfire among Aggies-despite fact that people were KILLED-makes this SMU dispute look like a tea-party

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggie_Bonfire

[Wuba]

Not at all-I said what I meant.

I guess I should not have added the last question. How do you define having a full appreciation of the traditions' signficance?

[PerunaPunch]

Orsini promised "Top 25 in everything we do".

The one bona fide, Top 25 program we did have -- men's soccer -- Orsini screwed up and let our coach get away.

Just this year, Peruna was named the #10 Best College Mascot in the Country. Now he's going to screw that up too??

[jtstang]

"do not look at other boards, I prefer my nuts close to home"

lol ..JT true.... but i thought you'd be all over the UT boards....should be fun on there now-a-days with you guys being undefeated and what is shaping up for a cakewalk to the national title game this year for ya beloved horns.

I like UT because my wife went there and because they are good and consistent in athletics. As for the latter, it might be better said that I admire them rather than like them.

That said, I don't like them enough to ever go and read their message boards. But I have a feeling if I did I would find the nuts you referred to...I think every team has them.

[Mestengo]

Go Mustangs!

[EastStang]

Here's how you embrace change. You thank Madeline for her horses. Name one Madeline and one Boone, then you put them out at the equestrian center, you let our fine equestrian team train them to be show horses and jumpers and bring them out now and then at football games at halftime for an Equestrian Exhibition and use them in Equestrian competitions. That's the way it ought to be handled. Otherwise, Peruna is a stud who is not going to take well to having other horses around and has never been a horse that plays well with others.