Letter from Steve Orsini ... re: mascots

[FriscoPMG]

I don't care how well trained they are, the chance of them being spooked by 100 guys in uniform running behind them is pretty good....add all of the hoopla of what is going on in the stadium....this could turn into a rodeo...

Wasn't Navy the opponent when lit the grassy knoll on fire? Clearly we're attempting to top that with our pregame fiascos!

[PK]

Speaking of Navy...it's amazing they have done so well with a goat for a mascot.

[ponyte]

I am unclear why this is a big deal. Orsini accepts the gift of two horseys from a trophy wife. He plans to hose these trained critters with the other trained critters in our equestrian stable.

Now I don't know the going rate for two trained, non-glue quality horse flesh but it seems a nice $ worth gift. Our equestrian team can use the new horseys to practice and or compete. Big deal. Peruna is still our mascot, the cost of Peruna as compared to two full size horseys will be a consideration (Shetland pony being cheaper to transport feed take on the road and so forth).

So why is everyone apoplectic? We get some horses for our equestrian team, we get a little PR with Roger and a trophy wife and a save the 'wild' horses campaign. We probably need new horses anyway so why look a gift horse in the mouth?
Orsini isn’t crazy or ignorant of our traditions. He is just taking advantage of a nice gift and making the most out of it.

Besides, T Boone’s wife is a hack of a lot better halftime attraction then some of the ‘honored guest’ we have endured.

[smuuth]

Thanks Mr. Orsini, June and the Picken's for letting us share in this special cause. I think it sets a good example to our students and yes the alumni and people in this area that we care about others and great causes. Hopefully, our students will get the message that it is not just about making money that will bring happiness and fullfillment but also sharing their time and money with others and trying to make this world a better place to live instead of the sorry state we are now in thanks to the "me generation", many of who live on this message board and can only complain instead of trying to make a positive difference in our university, community, state, country and world.

[KnuckleStang]

ponyte, I'd feel a lot better about this if it were merely a gift to the equestrian team, as you are characterizing. I'd be all for that, and a ceremony at halftime for that too. But this is a gift that was accepted first and formost because JJ wants a big horse for his team to run behind, because the players apparently feel wimpy running behind our current mascot. I wasn't all that great at football, but I was expected to earn my self-esteem on the field, not by getting it from a mascot change. I was also raised to believe that tradition is important in college football. And because of these poor athletic dept decisions, our 80-yr tradition will not be leading the team on the field alone as it should (and possibly at all), and I would not be surprised to see Peruna relegated to a south end zone petting zoo, or eliminated entirely when all is said and done, despite what Orsini said. I hope you are right that it is a gift mainly for the equestrian team, but I really don't think that is true

[ponyte]

Orsini said we get to keep Peruna. I have no reason to doubt Orsini's word. Thus far, Orsini has been pretty straight forward and forthright.

And if the big horse runs in front to the team, I can live with that as long as Peruna is still around.

If this isn't a popular decision, then I suspect Orsini will get the message and reevaluate the big horse like he reevaluated Bennett's contract.

I can't get all worked up over this until I know that Peruna is out for good and the geldings are in.

[Stallion]

do you get worked up for a Presidential Election before or after the first Tuesday in November?

[FriscoPMG]

But this is a gift that was accepted first and formost because JJ wants a big horse for his team to run behind, because the players apparently feel wimpy running behind our current mascot.

Did JJ say this at the mustang press conference or at a different time? Sorry, I'm sure it was mentioned in one of the other mustang threads, but I just don't recall. Not questioning whether he said it or anything, just want to know since I can't remember.

[ponyte]

do you get worked up for a Presidential Election before or after the first Tuesday in November?

After. I am a true Ponyfan and wait till after the result so I can whine and complain. Isn't that our Ponyfans’ tradition?

[EastStang]

Ponyte. Ever heard of the saying "camel's nose under the tent". The problem isn't that the nose is there, its the rest of the camel following the nose that's the problem. Unfortunately, Orsini, Turner and Jones have made a deal that has not been very clearly spelled out. And I think many worry that putting two full size horses out there with Peruna is a step toward marginalizing our 77 year old tradition unless the purpose is something else. The problem is that no one has the cojones to say what their purpose is - which is why people are concerned. If it was something as innocuous as a gift to the equestrian team, I think everyone would be a lot calmer about this, and if that was the case, don't you think Orsini and Turner would be shouting it from the rooftops. The fans, alumni, Mustang Club members are like stockholders and need to know that someone is not messing with their investment. And if there was a $100 Million check coming with the horses at least some folks would know what our price is for selling our souls. Right now, just a couple of horses we don't need, can't sell and apparently can't use for equestrian, and we have to feed. Great deal.

[Pony!Poni!Pone'!]

. Unfortunately, Orsini, Turner and Jones have made a deal that has not been very clearly spelled out. The fans, alumni, Mustang Club members are like stockholders and need to know that someone is not messing with their investment. And if there was a $100 Million check coming with the horses at least some folks would know what our price is for selling our souls.

I believe those that need to know already do. And by those that need to know, I mean those with significant investments with larger portfolios of 'stock'.

[KnuckleStang]

But this is a gift that was accepted first and formost because JJ wants a big horse for his team to run behind, because the players apparently feel wimpy running behind our current mascot.

Did JJ say this at the mustang press conference or at a different time? Sorry, I'm sure it was mentioned in one of the other mustang threads, but I just don't recall. Not questioning whether he said it or anything, just want to know since I can't remember.

I was told that when he got here he was pushing for the removal of Peruna entirely and was told that's not going to happen by Turner and others. FAst forward to Pickens, etc.
Also, in the PC he said, "My team wants to run out behind a REAL mustang."
He may have been just kissing Pickens *ss with that statement, but my first thought was, I don't give a tinkers damn what animal the team wants to run out behind. They really don't have a say int he matter. Don't get me wrong, I love the team, but I love SMU more. Peruna is our mascot, and in 8 decades, has earned the right to lead our team on the field, by himself. That is our tradition

[EastStang]

. Unfortunately, Orsini, Turner and Jones have made a deal that has not been very clearly spelled out. The fans, alumni, Mustang Club members are like stockholders and need to know that someone is not messing with their investment. And if there was a $100 Million check coming with the horses at least some folks would know what our price is for selling our souls.

I believe those that need to know already do. And by those that need to know, I mean those with significant investments with larger portfolios of 'stock'.

So I guess the Mustang Club doesn't need my money or any other donor of under $100,000/year. You want to rethink that concept!

[Wuba]

Ponyte. Ever heard of the saying "camel's nose under the tent". The problem isn't that the nose is there, its the rest of the camel following the nose that's the problem. Unfortunately, Orsini, Turner and Jones have made a deal that has not been very clearly spelled out. And I think many worry that putting two full size horses out there with Peruna is a step toward marginalizing our 77 year old tradition unless the purpose is something else. The problem is that no one has the cojones to say what their purpose is - which is why people are concerned. If it was something as innocuous as a gift to the equestrian team, I think everyone would be a lot calmer about this, and if that was the case, don't you think Orsini and Turner would be shouting it from the rooftops. The fans, alumni, Mustang Club members are like stockholders and need to know that someone is not messing with their investment. And if there was a $100 Million check coming with the horses at least some folks would know what our price is for selling our souls. Right now, just a couple of horses we don't need, can't sell and apparently can't use for equestrian, and we have to feed. Great deal.

I am sure there is not a $100 million check coming with these horses, but I do wonder if there might be a significant donation announced during the ceremony. I am not an expert about how these things are handled (and I know SMU gets pretty much every aspect of game presentation incorrect so SMU will probably screw this up too), but it seems to me that one way to handle it is to announce we are getting some horses then when it is time for the Pickens to speak they express their thanks and "surprise" Turner/Orsini with a kind donation.

If that happens, I hope we learn from OSU's mistake and ask for it in cash rather than as an investment in his fund that we subsequently borrow against only to see the value tank destroying our collateral leading to margin calls...

Of course, some people will not be happy with the change (whatever degree of change there might end up being, if any) no matter how big that check is and other people will be happy with the change even if there is no check at all, so I do not think a check will settle the debate anyway.

[Pony!Poni!Pone'!]

. Unfortunately, Orsini, Turner and Jones have made a deal that has not been very clearly spelled out. The fans, alumni, Mustang Club members are like stockholders and need to know that someone is not messing with their investment. And if there was a $100 Million check coming with the horses at least some folks would know what our price is for selling our souls.

I believe those that need to know already do. And by those that need to know, I mean those with significant investments with larger portfolios of 'stock'.

So I guess the Mustang Club doesn't need my money or any other donor of under $100,000/year. You want to rethink that concept!

You could make the same argument, then, for them not disclosing the identities of the CofC