Indoor Practice Facility

[SMU 86]

No way the school or UP allows a big ugly practice facility on the corner of Bishop and Mockingbird. The site south of the dedman parking lot, or someplace across 75, puts the building in a less prominent site.

I think Couchem is right. That would be a better location.

[ponyscott]

No way the school or UP allows a big ugly practice facility on the corner of Bishop and Mockingbird. The site south of the dedman parking lot, or someplace across 75, puts the building in a less prominent site.

That is so true as its too prominent and too ugly to lead into a beautiful campus...and town as well, as it would be a main entrance. BTW does anyone know would be the basic cost and budget of such a structure/facility?

[mr. pony]

The publicly stated goal of Orsini is "Top 25" in everything we do. An indoor practice facility is necessary if SMU wants to get top talent to play here. Why does everything at SMU take so damn long to get done?

Weren't we No. 2 in '82 without one?

[NavyCrimson]

Well said - Mr. Pony!

[SMU 86]

The publicly stated goal of Orsini is "Top 25" in everything we do. An indoor practice facility is necessary if SMU wants to get top talent to play here. Why does everything at SMU take so damn long to get done?

Weren't we No. 2 in '82 without one?

No other programs hardly had IPF's then either so it was not a matter of facilities then in regards to recruiting. Now it is because a lot of programs have them. Also, in 1982 we were paying players and now we are not so yes we do need one.

[friarwolf]

Build one somewhere around Love Field over to Harry Hines or somewhere close to Fair Park and invite Dallas ISD schools to use on a first come, first served basis when we aren't using..................

[CA Mustang]

Also, We are a passing offense and need to work on timing. It is not easy to do that in pouring down rain, snow or ice, especially in December if we are preparing for a bowl game.

Building a facility for something that happens once or twice every couple of years?

After attending last year's Navy game, it is clear the offense needs to spend MORE time practicing in the elements, not less.

Also, we are being recruited against by other teams that have IPF's that are telling recruits not to come here because of that.

Which schools are doing that? I bet those schools have far more selling points than just a practice facility.

[SMU 86]

We lost a recruit and in the interview he mentioned the fact that we did not have an IPF as one of the reasons he did not come. You might be caught in a time warp but since our school has some negative perceptions anyway it would help to show progress at least in that area. Also, if we are not planning ahead regarding bowl games (practicing in December) and want to stay keep it like it is then we do not need one.

[az1]

An indoor practice facility would be good.

[papawasamustang]

Google "why are indoor practice facilities important" & you will c many reasons why SMU needs one. You will find interesting info re: Okla St., Baylor, Colorado St. & the list goes on & on re: schools upgrading their facilities.

[CalallenStang]

Difficult to practice outdoors in conditions like this:

[RunPeruna]

The publicly stated goal of Orsini is "Top 25" in everything we do. An indoor practice facility is necessary if SMU wants to get top talent to play here. Why does everything at SMU take so damn long to get done?

Weren't we No. 2 in '82 without one?

I'm pretty sure we were competing with the trend at the time (paying players). Today's trend is practice facility so it's time to compete.

[NavyCrimson]

Don't see the value but whatever. Kinda shows you the "shallowness" of a lot of the athletes today but it is what it is (anonymous). I guess you can say it's society in general. When an athlete looks at something such as this over the education opportunities that SMU has to offer (or any college for that matter), something is amiss - but whatever. As long as it's donations, let'em do what they want to do but like PK said, keep it away from the entrances to our campus. We've got one of the most beautiful campuses in the country so let'em stuff it somewhere else.

[PonySoprano]

Its not any different than in the 70s and 80s when players were making their decisions based on who paid the most...instead of "shoe money" players are looking at facilites, training table, etc.

[Billy Joe]

RunPeruna- yes the team was No. 2 in 1982 without an indoor practice facility. The team also was built by paying players and the schools SMU competed with did not have indoor practice facilities. SMU needs to build one quick if it wants to continue to take steps towards fielding winning teams and getting to bowl games.