Does Sherwood get unfair blame?

[NickSMU17]

I wish the couple ex-players on here would speak up more...your comments are usually spot on and provide the most insight...

Thanks for the post

[Mitch McConnell]

I'm not suggesting that at all, mrydel. I grouped him in with the others. I have another friend who went to school in your era and thinks fondly of Sherwood. And I when I said what I said to him, he bristled too because of his connection. But he also understood how I felt.

My first two years on that campus were for the two years we didn't play.

Do you think I felt denied or robbed of something because of what happened? You bet I did.

Do you think I couldn't enjoy the entire college experience because of what happened? You bet I couldn't.

As a student, how much fun do you think I was having in the fall of 1987 when homecoming was a soccer game against North Texas or whoever it was?

As a student, how much fun do you think I was having in the fall of 1987 when I went to the Texas-OU game and I went to it wearing a SMU hat and getting jeered from both sides as people asked, "How did SMU do this weekend?"

I can certainly see when something of this magnitude impacts people who are connected to those in question are likely going to come to their aid.

You absolutely have the right to defend him like I had the right to defend Pony in SA on the whole "Tulsa should go to the CUSA title game". It's apples and oranges on a grand scale but the premise is the same in my view.

You won't abandon Sherwood like I won't abandon Pony in SA. Like you, there is a bond.

I would never ask you to apologize for your friendship. I wouldn't question Blount's love or loyalty to the university. it was obvious he loved it and probably still does. I'm sure there's a part of him that's dying because he's been cut off to some degree. Maybe he loved too much. And that's what appears to have happened with Clements and the others. They loved the school to the point where it had a negative impact.

[smusic 00]

mrydel, I am not questioning his character or his value as a friend. But the facts are out there, and it seemed like some people on here were trying to make him out to be a victim of the SMU money machine as opposed to one of its engineers. I do believe his actions were his way of showing appreciation to the University that gave him a shot at success. Suggesting that the cheating game was bigger than him and he got caught up in it seems disrespectful to the effort he put into getting athletes to SMU.

[gostangs]

I cant believe some of the b.s i am reading from some of you - its kind of scary based on everything we have been through.

He and boosters like him did this becasue they are hopeless jock sniffers. They knew what they did was wrong and did it anyway. If someone "official" asked him to do it he could have just said no, can I give some money to the program ina way that is legal?

But no, in a perverse use of time and resources he chased around 18 year old football players - to be a deal maker - and guys that do that do it because it makes them feel like insider big shots - its all about ego - not "love for the school". Give me a break!!

I am glad the school denied him entry to that event and hope they keep doing so. He and others like him have earned our despise. And, yes - I know him.

We have things going the right way now - lets focus on that - not cry useless tears for the undeserving.

[b_caesar]

Several years ago there was a reunion of the 1968 SMU football team that Sherwood played on and Hayden Fry attended. The reunion was at The Meadows Museum and Sherwood wanted to attend to see his teammates and Coach Fry. The school refused his request. What a bunch of .... that was! That decision and the one with the two recruits that came to school last summer and were denied admission tells you all you need to know about how Christian our admin is.

Interesting attempt to paint two completely different incidents as similar in nature when they're not.

[Charleston Pony]

I doubt Sherwood thought what he did was "wrong" at the time. Yes, he knew it was against the rules, but also probably figured he was helping the school and program he loved and was just "competing" with our conference mates under the unwritten rules that existed in that era. I was a fraternity brother of the guy and probably knew more through his cousin than from ever getting to know Sherwood, but the guy did bleed red and blue and was an intense competitor. You don't become an all SWC MLB without being intense. I assume he was bitterly disappointed that he alone seems to be painted as the bad guy in the aftermath of all of this. I always wondered if he was giving a larger percentage of his income than others to allow SMU the success we enjoyed.

Would things have been better if everyone came clean and confessed their sins? Who knows? I would love to hear "the rest of the story" but I expect in order to protect others, we never will. Sherwood was a big part of what ultimately blew up in SMU's face and has lead to some pretty lean years for SMU athletics and some depressing times for a lot of us, but we're still here, aren't we? It's not like he pulled a Madoff.

[One Trick Pony]

It's ok to give as much as you want to the school or the Mustang Club. Just dont give the kids anything. What's wrong with this picture?

[Charleston Pony]

It's ok to give as much as you want to the school or the Mustang Club. Just dont give the kids anything. What's wrong with this picture?

I agree and I wish all the "banned" boosters were allowed to contribute legitimately today. I don't agree that they should be prohibited from doing so (if that's still the case)

[gostangs]

oh please - he absolutely knew it was wrong. He is a sleeze. We dont want anything to do with these guys or their money. Good riddence.

[mrydel]

and they speak so highly of you.

[One Trick Pony]

Thad and his movie damn him!

[Samurai Stang]

oh please - he absolutely knew it was wrong. He is a sleeze. We dont want anything to do with these guys or their money. Good riddence.

I would happily welcome back their money. SMU still accepts donations from Clements, as the hypocrite academics that believed it would be wrong for the athletic department to accept such money still allowed donations to be made to academic areas of interest.

[RGV Pony]

It's ok to give as much as you want to the school or the Mustang Club. Just dont give the kids anything. What's wrong with this picture?

I agree and I wish all the "banned" boosters were allowed to contribute legitimately today. I don't agree that they should be prohibited from doing so (if that's still the case)

I would be happy to serve as a trustee for any funds they'd like to contribute. RGV Living Trust will then contribute such funds to the Mustang Club/school, minus a ten per cent administration fee.

[One Trick Pony]

If I Bag some big boys can I get a commission like Dr Turner gets? Or is that considered a bonus?

[jkflamebo]

oh please - he absolutely knew it was wrong. He is a sleeze. We dont want anything to do with these guys or their money. Good riddence.

I would welcome all back with open arms.