Letter from Steve Orsini ... re: mascots

[Dukie]

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

Sorry. Major fail. A horse with a rider on its back is in no way an appropriate mascot for a team called "Mustangs."

Is Staubach maybe behind this too? Maybe this is Step One in the renaming of the SMU Cowboys, because - while the debate about whether mustangs are wild or feral is interesting - the fact is that neither a wild horse nor a feral horse HAS A RIDER.

Messing with Peruna was a stupid idea. These new horses should disappear from future football games after this Saturday. I wasn't planning to travel to Dallas Saturday, but now I am - Navy game should be interesting and I look forward to cheering the team and booing any mention that these horses are new mascots.

[Bergermeister]

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.

you're an idiot.

[Pony!Poni!Pone'!]

I think this was brought up not maybe last week. Is there a PRCA message board somewhere that has discussions [deleted] about saddle broncs not really being broncs since they have riders?

and, while researching my own post, I came across this definition of bronco:
an unbroken or imperfectly broken mustang
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn -.

So, I guess a saddle bronc...which is difficult to ride, therefore imperfectly broken...is technically a Mustang. So, if the Pickens horses are a pain in the [deleted] to ride for the riders, I guess that would classify them as imperfectly broken, thereby making them broncos, and by extension Mustangs

[ponyte]

I fully understand and appreciate others' concerns. I just don't share those concerns at this time.

Being an old Pony, I do remember the time when someone really did try to end our traditions. The situation was different since we had just fulfilled our DP sentence. Pye wanted to replace the Mustang with Dallas Hall and did for a while. He also tried to end football at the D1-A level. He's efforts took time and planning. The alums rose up in opposition and eventually Pye backed down. I was one that got riled up as I didn’t play for some antique building but for the SMU Mustangs! And it still upsets me that Pye tried all that nonsense.

This doesn't have the same feel. First, this has the appearance of a fairly shallow deal. It seems more PR in nature and not something strategic. There wasn't any long term study or committee to evaluate options or anything like that. It has the appearance of a reasonably quick opportunity upon which we responded. It looks like PR project, not a Pye conspiracy.

Orsini and Turner came from schools with tradition. I place faith in them that they understand and respect our traditions. I am willing to give this the opportunity to be something of benefit for the University without trampling our tradition of Peruna. And if it turns out that I am overly optimistic and this really is an attempt to screw with our tradition, then I will voice my opinion (and make some financial decisions concerning the university) as I did some two decades ago.

[smuuth]

Burgermaster, just the reply I would expect. Sometimes the truth hurts. Now be a big boy and see if you can make a positive difference.

[Dukie]

I fully understand and appreciate others' concerns. I just don't share those concerns at this time.

Being an old Pony, I do remember the time when someone really did try to end our traditions. The situation was different since we had just fulfilled our DP sentence. Pye wanted to replace the Mustang with Dallas Hall and did for a while. He also tried to end football at the D1-A level. He's efforts took time and planning. The alums rose up in opposition and eventually Pye backed down. I was one that got riled up as I didn’t play for some antique building but for the SMU Mustangs! And it still upsets me that Pye tried all that nonsense.

This doesn't have the same feel. First, this has the appearance of a fairly shallow deal. It seems more PR in nature and not something strategic. There wasn't any long term study or committee to evaluate options or anything like that. It has the appearance of a reasonably quick opportunity upon which we responded. It looks like PR project, not a Pye conspiracy.

Orsini and Turner came from schools with tradition. I place faith in them that they understand and respect our traditions. I am willing to give this the opportunity to be something of benefit for the University without trampling our tradition of Peruna. And if it turns out that I am overly optimistic and this really is an attempt to screw with our tradition, then I will voice my opinion (and make some financial decisions concerning the university) as I did some two decades ago.

Respectfully, I don't think you do fully understand and appreciate other's concerns. Frankly, if we had some official acknowledgment that what you assume is going to happen - that these horses appear once and then never again at a football game, instead going off to a happy equestrian life - that would be fine. But we have some very strong indications that this is not the plan. And any more than one equine beast at an SMU football game will be very silly, so yes, even this once is an insult to tradition.

Making a lengthy anti-Pye diatribe here is a strawman and a distraction, the jangling of something shiny off to the side to divert attention from the issue to be brought front and center this Saturday.

[PlanoStang]

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.

This WAS a rumor started on here by the <= 30 somethings who like to yank us blue hair,
or nearing blue hair's chatty Kathy strings.

Please don't feed the STRING PULLERS

Well, at least, it generates hits on here.

[max the wonder dog]

Fact remains, Orsini could have said, "We are happy to bring attention to the plight of these animals, but they are not going to beome our mascots. Peruna will remain the one and only animal mascot."

He could have said that, but instead he said, "Together, they will represent a spirited tradition at SMU which is enjoyed by students, parents, alumni and other Mustang fans." His implication that Peruna is going to have company is pretty clear.

On the plus side, the blue hairs can remember when Dave Smith (RIP) had the mustang decals removed from helmets because he wanted the players to have a "pro team" look to go along with their move from the House that Doak Built to Texas Stadium. That experiment lasted two years. While I believe Peruna is facing a tough stretch, in the end he will be around long after the faux-mascots have left the stadium.

[ponyte]

Just out of curiosity, does the NCAA have rules about mascots on the sidelines? Will multiple mascots be allowed on the sidelines during a game?

Perhaps those that have a better understanding of NCAA rules (hello Stallion, PK) can research this. It may be that we can't have a Shetland pony and a couple of geldings (with or without riders) on the sidelines.

And that information may help the rest of us understanding if there are limits to the number of live critters on the sidelines during a game.

And thank goodness we are the Mustangs and whining about which species of horse and how many horses we will have as mascots. Imagine the problem we would have if we the Frogs or Aardvarks or opossums or ground sloths or turkeys or hippos or some other less romantic critter.

[RunPeruna]

Sorry. Major fail. A horse with a rider on its back is in no way an appropriate mascot for a team called "Mustangs."

My sentiments exactly!

[SMU Cyclist]

I must say I do not understand why a loud few of you are making such a big deal about this. I have talked to many current faculty, staff and students about this and the vast majority are in favor of the Mustang once you talk to them about it, since before I bring it up they really haven't concerned themselves with it at all. If a tradition causes so much apathy amongst the current students, then its effectiveness and meaning must be questioned. I can't tell you how many are basically unaware of any of this controversy, most of it is really a tempest in the ponyfans teapot.

One thing that aggrevates me is the use of "Big Horse." What we are talking about is a small horse (the Mustang) and a tiny horse (Peruna)

[PK]

Just out of curiosity, does the NCAA have rules about mascots on the sidelines? Will multiple mascots be allowed on the sidelines during a game?

Perhaps those that have a better understanding of NCAA rules (hello Stallion, PK) can research this. It may be that we can't have a Shetland pony and a couple of geldings (with or without riders) on the sidelines.

And that information may help the rest of us understanding if there are limits to the number of live critters on the sidelines during a game.

And thank goodness we are the Mustangs and whining about which species of horse and how many horses we will have as mascots. Imagine the problem we would have if we the Frogs or Aardvarks or opossums or ground sloths or turkeys or hippos or some other less romantic critter.

I don't know of any specific rules, but the boomer sooner wagon has two ponies pulling it I believe and it is brought on to the stadium floor next to the endzone at the cotton bowl stadium...IIRC.

[EastStang]

Not to mention the fact that every school that has a live mascot seems to have an a..hat in a costume that is supposed to resemble the mascot.

[couch 'em]

One thing that aggrevates me is the use of "Big Horse." What we are talking about is a small horse (the Mustang) and a tiny horse (Peruna)

Other than the disgracing of 80 years of tradition, this statement is the other reason I'm annoyed by this matter.

The same people who want to get a bigger replacement for Peruna are still going to have pen!s envy for the TTech horse when they see that mustang breeds are relatively small horses. It' just people going "why can't we be like ________!". Insert the name of the school they grew up fans of until they came to SMU. Probably also the name of the school on their non-smu hat they wear every saturday while they get drunk on the blvd and not go to the game.

[RGV Pony]

One thing that aggrevates me is the use of "Big Horse." What we are talking about is a small horse (the Mustang) and a tiny horse (Peruna)

Other than the disgracing of 80 years of tradition, this statement is the other reason I'm annoyed by this matter.

The same people who want to get a bigger replacement for Peruna are still going to have pen!s envy for the TTech horse when they see that mustang breeds are relatively small horses. It' just people going "why can't we be like ________!". Insert the name of the school they grew up fans of until they came to SMU. Probably also the name of the school on their non-smu hat they wear every saturday while they get drunk on the blvd and not go to the game.

which is why I've said all along we need some damn Clydesdales. Finally, you guys get it.