Looking for an old SMU roster

[BOSS]

I have an old football signed by the SMU squad from around 1980 but I'm just not sure of the actual date. It includes the signatures of Eric Dickerson, Craig James, & Lance McIlhaney (sp?) to name a few.

I'm looking for an old roster to help me out. Any assistance on this would be great.

Thanks in advance!

[Stallion]

here's some names to look for. Dickerson and James graduated after the 1982 season(1983 academic year). McIllhenney graduated after the 1983 season. If all 3 are on the roster it must be from 1980-1982 seasons. Look for Eric Ferguson and Harvey Armstrong -if they are on it-it couldn't be in 1982 because their last year was the 1981 season. Then look for Lance Pederson, Lee Spivey and John Simmons-if they are on it-couldn't be in 1981 because their last year was the 1980 season. It couldn't be in 1979 because McIllhenney first season was 1980.

[BOSS]

Stallion, your awesome...I knew I could pop on here and get good info.

Here is the deal--of the names I can make out,

Eric Ferguson is on there

Lance Pederson & John Simmons are on there.

I guess that makes it 1980. But there is a problem--the Lance McIllhenney signature is real "chicken scratch" so I am waivering as to whether or not it is really him. Was he #40? Because #40 is right next to his name.

Other names off the top--Gary Smith, Mark Thompson, Mike Fisher, Blane Smith, Ray Douglas, Charles Wagoner, Brian O'Meara, Kevin Chaney, Mike Barn--just to name a few.

Thanks for your help!

[Mickey]

#40 could be older brother Lott McIlhenny

[ponyte]

Point of trivia. If Clement Fox (last season 1980) is on there it is a rare ball as he did not sign many footballs. He lead the team in touchdown receptions that year.

[Stallion]

No 40 definitely was Lance's brother Lott-so technically it could be 1979 too. Got any other names like Emanuel Tolbert whose last year was 1979.

[Arkpony]

Charles Waggoner (In my opinion The BEST of the 7 running backs signed along with James and Dickerson) only played his freshman year hen he was injured. So that would narrow it down to that one year

[PlanoStang]

It must be from the 1980 team. From my 1980 Texas Football magazine,
Lance Pederson, and John Simmons were both seniors on the 1980 SMU
2-deep roster.

[Stallion]

actually if Waggoner signed it is MORE LIKELY(but not definite) 1979 because he was injured during the Texas Tech game at the end of 1979. BUT as I remember he may have stayed with the team until final diagnosis that he couldn't return to the team was made. He definitely remained at SMU and ran for the track team after his FB career.

[BOSS]

The above poster is correct, #40 is Lott McIllhenney. Now that I know what to look for, it is easier to make out the name.

So am I right to say that this ball is most likely from the 1980 team?

More names if you are interested...Stephen Wright, Steve Endicott, Kenneth Jackson, David Temple, Delbert Johnson, Wesley Hopkins, Eddie Garcia(?) #1, [deleted] Blaylock, Todd Moore #18, Tony Good, Gary Martin, Russell Washington, James Mobley

[PlanoStang]

If you can find Lance McIlhenny's signature on it for sure, then that pretty much proves it. His first year at SMU was 1980, when he took over for Mike Ford, and beat Texas in his first start I believe. I may be repeating Stallion a little, but I'm reading it out of the Bible aka Texas Football.

[ponyte]

Kenneth Jackson was on the '79 team and not on the '80 team. He ran track after the '79 season. It is a good chance that is a '79 team ball. Check for Bob Fisher (87), Emmanel Tolbert (21), Randy Katz (53), Ken Rosenthal (1), Tom Lyle (5) Jim Bob Taylor (12), John Wayne Wells (95)Mark Gann (82) Bob Wilson (85), and Twitty Hunt (61).. These fellows were on the '79 team but not the '80 team I do believe.

[BOSS]

ponyte,

Affirmative on the Jim Bob Taylor #12-he is definitely on there. So I guess that makes this a '79 team ball. Cool.

Thanks Guys!

[PlanoStang]

Yup, Its a 79 ball. I remember without the "Bible" Jim Bob's senior year.

[ponyte]

It is a '79 team. Jim Bob started the '80 season at SMU. During two a days he was designated to be red shirted. He wasn't interested in that deal and left SMU. He ended up at Ga. Tech and played for them.

The decision to redshirt Jim Bob was a shock to him and the team.

The 1980 team photo was taken before two a days and Jim Bob may very well be sitting in the front row of that pic. He was not on the team though by the end of two a days. Jim Bob had stepped in during the '79 season after Ford went down and later Mike Fisher. He had a rough season, as did that Pony team. His expectations going into the '80 season was to either start or be the backup. So much for history lessons about Jim Bob Taylor. I do hope he is doing well where ever he is.