Fixing SMU Football: Levias has it right

[RGV Pony]

If you read the end of the DMN article, Levias is on to something. A 'legacy panel' should be created, consisting of the likes of Levias, McIllhenny, ED, CJames, maybe Forrest Gregg, GJ Ford, and perhaps a captain or two from the team & they should meet w/ Copeland & the football staff a few times a year to not only clear the air but to brainstorm and see to it that things that need to happen do happen. To see how the staff went about contacting James's son sickens me, and with such a panel created, that for one wouldn't happen. Plus, there would be an added sense of accountability.

[Johnny Rock]

Why? It is very simple...either SMU loosens its restrictions on admission of athletes (which includes accepting more credits to make it easy to allow transfers and JUCOs) or SMU continues to lose. Frankly, I do not need comments or suggestions from ex-players. Loosen the restrictions or continue to lose. Why does N. Texas, TCU, La. Tech, Tulsa get players we cannot? Answer: they have athlete friendly admission policies.

[SCAMP6381]

Guys it is obvious that other schools are able to get players who can get into schools sooner because of academic acceptance.In other words as they are recruiting they get the jump on SMU. I experienced that with my son. He took 9 hrs. of summer classes to get in to SMU. He did it because he was determined not to go back to a JUCO. If we don't start getting the jump on these schools they will continue to suck recurits right out of our grasp.At this moment if a board would help and not divide the program whatever it takes to win.GUYS!! please let's not get sucked up into what the former players who will not support or pay his own way to offer support to divide OUR HOUSE.We NEED HELP NOT CRITISIM. To go to the media and not actually talk to the people in charge (AD, COACHES) is a little lower than being a non-supporter. LET'S GET BEHIND WHAT WE HAVE HEAR AND SUPPORT HOWEVER WE CAN. THE STAFF AND TEAM NEEDS US.ED SIT ON IT BROTHER

[RedRiverPony]

Amen, SCAMP!

And I like RGV's idea of a legacy board, especially the part about including a couple of current players. I've always had the sense that one of the problems in the athletic department is that the right hand doesn't always know what the left is doing -- a lack of communication. That has to change. As harsh as the story in the newspaper is, maybe it will help improve the lines of communication, which might be far more significant than it sounds.

[PerunaPunch]

Craig James is bent because his kid didn't get the white glove treatment from SMU recruiters. I understand that his kid is pretty good, but not a great D1 prospect – an excellent walk-on candidate.

Besides, I'm pretty sure Craig can afford SMU's tuition. If he was that loyal and his kid wanted to play for SMU, tuition wouldn't be a problem.

Don't get too wrapped up in canonizing Dickerson and James because of the great things they did while at SMU. Neither has been terribly supportive of the school since they graduated. While alienating great players of the past is a huge mistake, realize that Dickerson has only been on campus twice since he graduated. Both times he was here to receive accolades, and both times, the university paid for his appearance.

It's real easy for people to criticize rather than getting involved and trying to improve the situation. For example: think of how incredibly positive Dickerson and James could have been to the program had either chosen to get involved (imagine the impact those guys could have on recruiting visits if they wanted to participate a little bit). But they've chosen not to. Hell, most people on this board have donated more to the university than Dickerson has (which he admits in the article is precisely $0). That's why I have to view his comments with skepticism.

[SCAMP6381]

It's obvious you guys get the picture.No return visits no support from these guys the least they can do is come and tell about how great an education you can get from SMU to the recruits who come in to visit. Hell I was smart enough to tell my rivals top 100.com kids about the education,which foremost is what will carry these kids to the next level in life, football is not a promise(NFL).E.D & JAMES are on the wrong side of the ball on the bench cheering for the wrong team. I would wish they were supportive of the kids if not the program or leaders of this program.

[SoCal_Pony]

Dickerson has contributed to SMU in the past. Like many, he has not supported them recently. I do not believe that should be a litmus test for credibility as one of our most reliable posters, Stallion, has also stated that he is not a member of the MC.

I also think Craig James’ son deserved more than a standard form letter.

[Mexmustang]

The school/faculty/administration do need a wake-up call. If they think no one cares or no one notices they will think they can just slide by, as they have done for years.

In my opinion, Turner needs to take the "heat" and press for those changes needed.

I don't blame the ex-players for their lack of support or criticism. Like many of the alumns of that era, they were made to feel unwelcome--like "leppers". Finally, asking some to participate after twenty years is a little too little and too late. Certainly, better than nothing.

In addition to those acedemic changes "athletic friendly". we need to declare an amnesty to all our alumns and welcome them back--including those that got the university in trouble. We all knew what schools in the SWC were doing and got fed up with it. Our real problem was that was wrong, secondly, we did not have the experience or system to manage it covertly, when we decided enough was enough and got into the "game".

I am not advocating paying our players, just reunifying our alumns, both players and those we've blacklisted. All of the metroplex alumns, knew what was going on then and no one complained. We all heard the rumors and saw our recruiting successes. We are all just a guilty as those players and alumns we have made to feel unwelcome.

I was on a number of SMU boards, including the undergraduate school after Pye took over. I never felt he gave a damn about any of us, especially when we brought up football. But, the truth is SMU was fighting for its financial survival. There were only a couple of board members still associated with the school that had the money and the desire to keep the school solvent. Thank God.

But, those days are long over--and, so is Vietnam and I feel we are still split and fighting one another just like then. We need to get over the dp and regroup. I am not a fan of Bennett as a head coach (I still hope he can learn and think he is a tremedous person), but he has helped move the school to a more even playing field. No additional movement is going to occur until Turner feels the heat or justification to challenge the faculty senate over the adminision issues. I only wish the faculty understood that our players put more hours in on behalf of the university than most of them do. I only wish that more understood the value of football to the alumni base and their participation in giving. I also wish that our current board was made up primarily of SMU alumns, not outsiders.

[Dwan]

ED should get involved cause he's not doing anything else. A few months ago he was the celebrity guest at the opening of a best buy in Santa Monica as was intorduced as "former LA pro legend." How desperate is best buy that in LA, the only celeb they could get was ED? I mean were Kevin Dillon and Ian Zering busy? Sidenote, I threw out some pony ears and he returned them with a smile. Also, he is just as confused as I am as to why the pony express is not included in EA sports college football all time teams.


ps - he was not wearing his goggles.

[PerunaPunch]

Dickerson has not contributed anything in the past. He's only been on campus twice in the last two decades, and both those appearances were paid. He could EASILY be part of the solution, but instead, has decided to contribute to the problem.

Why do you think Craig James' son deserves a scholarship if he's going to ride the bench for 5 years? Are we so deep with talent that we need to give honorary scholarships to marginal players??

A few years ago, Bennett told Ryan Wolcott (Doak's grandson) he would have to walk on because we didn't have a scholarship available. And Wolcott was one of the top kickers in the state. It was only at the last minute that a scholarship became available and we were able to offer.

And also remember that the coaches are JUST A LITTLE BIT busy right now... you know, trying to win games and such. There will be much more time for in-house visits between the last game and Signing Day.

[SoCal_Pony]

PP,

Old Pony elaborated on what I also believe to be true. Both ED and CJ contributed to SMU when they first entered the NFL. I also thought it was a scholarship…even if it wasn’t, I still think they both contributed.

I also did not say CJ’s son deserved a scholarship, only that he deserved more than a form letter. Obviously this meant a lot to Craig, otherwise he would not have mentioned it.

Living here in SoCal, I have the opportunity to see ED on local tv on a somewhat recurring basis. He represents himself well and the few times he has mentioned SMU, it has never been in a derogatory way. Personally, I am glad he did not give a sunshine report to the DMN, we can leave that to Copeland and Turner.

Finally, that Dillon / Ian Zering reference was funny.