Comparisons

[PonyKai]

Maybe I'm off my rocker, and they aren't perfect comparisons, and they aren't schools we want to be, but with all the conference realignment hoopla, here are three schools:

1.) NTSU: Today they announce that in the coming months they are going to hire a consultant "to examine the state of its athletics program and prepare for any future shifts in conference alignment." The college football world didn't end, yet, with this first salvo of schools jumping, but I would hardly consider this proactive, especially for a large state school in Texas with SO much to offer the world.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... f8fb9.html

2.) Fresno State: Apparently they're facing a fiscal crisis that is "raising questions about the Bulldogs' future in Division I athletics."
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/06/21/197 ... ng-in.html

3.) Houston: Ah, yes we come to Houston who is whoring itself out in a laughable fashion, announcing 100$ million plus plans for facility renovations and touting itself as an academic institution deserving to be mentioned in the same breath as UT, A&M, and Baylor in the Big 12.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 63459.html

Tonight, I'm going to go to bed happy with the fact that up to this point SMU has kept its public prostitution of its value limited to announcing a new video/audio system that actually has a completion date, and announcing a record haul for athletic donations, Circle of Champions included. I'm also pleased with the fact that so far as we know, the gents that run this show are being proactive, and committed to seeing the best possible outcome for the University, don't have any delusions about swimming with a lead weight that is Tulane, and have resisted the temptation to resort to very public screaming, kicking, whining, and crying (Waco I'm looking at you), when things look like they aren't about to go their way.

Who knows how, or when it'll end, but tonight I'm cautiously optimistic. Another apples to oranges comparison, during our last football coaching search to say that SMU was quiet about it would be a very conservative statement, to the point that a lot of smart, passionate people around these parts were about ready to climb a clock tower, and things turned out all right then.

"A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no holes...is a danish."

[West Coast Johnny]

You forgot the biggest bend-over whore of them all - Baylor. When Baylor found out that Big Tex wanted to dump her, it was time for Baylor to look themselves in the mirror and conclude that they are nothing without their "relationships" and they had to ask the question - "doesn't anyone want me anymore?" But Baylor picked themselves up by their boot straps, put on their rouge and lipstick, because they had a back up plan. Their good friends from the Southwest Conference can be relied upon for a place to shack-up in the Mountain West or C-USA. After their political hack leader leaked a story about how Colorado was seriously considering the MWC, Big Tex came back to her and everything was OK.

[ponyte]

Hey, what's with all the positive waves, man? This is our board of doom. Stop finding the good in SMU.

One other thing we never mention as this is the football board but it is the wonderful improvement in academics at SMU. That with the emergence of a good football team will make for a much better college experience for students. Great school in a great city with the football team on the verge of greatness. Its a great time to be a part of SMU.

[couch 'em]

Hey, what's with all the positive waves, man? This is our board of doom. Stop finding the good in SMU.

Well since you asked for it.....

Our only confirmed attempt at improving our conference situation was contacting a Big-10 bottom-feeder in an attempt to be the only non-AAU school in the conference.

[ponyte]

Hey, what's with all the positive waves, man? This is our board of doom. Stop finding the good in SMU.

Well since you asked for it.....

Our only confirmed attempt at improving our conference situation was contacting a Big-10 bottom-feeder in an attempt to be the only non-AAU school in the conference.

Thanks, I needed that! I feel better now that we are back to doom and gloom.

[EastStang]

See my comparison in the if the Big XII were women. That should bring you down. In all seriousness, when the word came down about conference shifts, this board lit up like a Christmas Tree with many folks saying how we were the sexiest piece out there. We're still in CUSA and we aren't leaving any time soon. Reality is over-rated. Now lets focus on making CUSA the best conference we can and SMU its flagship program.

[PonyKai]

Let's further break down the statement: CAUTIOUSLY optimistic. To advise caution while remaining optimistic. You know, a little sun every now then with that Vitamin D is a good thing...otherwise you wind up as some 30 year old hermit living in his parent's basement that's overweight and looks like a ghost. Just...temper it to maintain some credibility as a sane, reasonable person.

At the very least we aren't sitting here reading a statement from our President saying we're "tied at the hip to Rice and Tulane" or a press release saying that sometime in the coming months we might get around to hiring a single consultant to advise us on conference realignment.

[EastStang]

You know, a little sun every now then with that Vitamin D is a good thing...otherwise you wind up as some 30 year old hermit living in his parent's basement that's overweight and looks like a ghost. Just...temper it to maintain some credibility as a sane, reasonable person.

But, in the Health Care bill is a new provision in which Tanning Salon Services are now subject to a 10% surtax. Thus, if you are trying to get that Vitamin D through Ullee's UV Emporium, it just got more expensive. The IRS recently issued comprehensive preliminary regulations regarding what are Tanning services. So, go out in the sun and get skin cancer the old fashioned way.