Man there is a lot of bickering about a guy who played for smu and went through one of the toughest times. Yes there is info in the book we haven't heard before (e.g. Theresa Hawthorne was a handy person to say called up wfaa but she was not exactly the insider that turned the tide) and plenty of research and fact, not innuendo, as to how Berst bent NCAA investigation rules and utilized well timed leaks to the press to do his work for him.
The author would have been a senior on the 87 team...was a freshman in fall of 1984. For those of you chronologicalky challenged, that answers the questions you brought up above. As he writes in the book, he loved smu and wanted his degree from a place on a par with smu, and the only place he would've gone to play was Stanford, who made the decision not to pursue nor sign any of the smu players because of the "taint" the scandal carried (summarized from the book).
This book is well done and researched and not a half-a$$ed rehashing of stuff that's already been said. And no its not through pony colored glasses.
dbone....I bought your e-book and read it....good stuff and heartfelt! I just found it a little odd you never checked on your NCAA eligibility ( knowing what you know about the good ole NCAA) or getting Junes acceptance to try out earlier than when you did?.......at least you got into good shape over all those months, but I sure would have checked much earlier than that.....it happens I know.
Thanks for writing it and giving a little of your personal SMU history. See you out on the BLVD!
I for one think the book deserves a reading, yes it's a tough subject for anyone loyal enough to be on this board but it sounds like it has a new perspective. (Jees, I'm always kind of shocked at the negativity people are willing to exhibit online when there's no face to face, but especially on a site that most of us presumably share a deep affection for something in common)... Dbone I ordered your book and I also put your links on the SMU "LinkedIn" alumni site because someone had started a discussion there about Penn State's sanctions compared to the ones we received. Good luck!
Then the others...my first book...I'm inching forward.
Happy to see the debate on ignoring vs. discussing the Death Penalty. It's a healthy debate. I'm giving a copy to PonyPride this weekend...he can settle it.
Dave, I'll be getting it on Kindle once two a days are over and I have time to read it. Looking forward to your take it. Hope all is well for you and yours.
Ill be getting the book as well. Being born in 1987 and not being an alum. Just a fan Im still interested in information about the death penalty. People still comment on it when I wear my SMU gear, its still in peoples mind and its part of our history.
dbone, Halfway through your book. Great stuff. I admire your spunk and not taking "no" for an answer.
Also loved the recaps of the '85, '86 seasons. The '86 UT game in Austin was fantastic, even in defeat. Listened on the radio. Went nuts when y'all tied it in the fourth quarter. Will never forget it.
I am halfway through the book and I can't put it down. We all needed 20+ years of distance to be able to take all this in. A Payroll To Meet was good, but too fresh from the actual events. You really laid out the history and the big picture of both SMU and the NCAA. I grew up as a teenager in Houston rooting for the Pony Express when they came to town. I never liked UT, but as I got older I had to learn to be polite to UT alums. Some of my best client's went to UT, but now that I am half way through your book I really have a terrible taste in my mouth about UT and guys like Deloss Dodds. All Ron Meyer ever wanted was SMU to be like USC. UCLA still competes in the PAC 10, and little old USC keeps chugging along right next to them. It's a shame we got to be the perfect whipping boy of the SWC and NCAA. Great book so far and I can't wait to continue reading. Thank you for your insight, research, and putting your heart on the pages.
"Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion" - Rudy T.
