www.mustanglockerroom.com

[Stampede]

The buyers of most national retailers simply look at last year's top selling universities with "CLC" (collegiate liscensing corp), see the projected Top 40 teams in the country for the upcoming season and order from those lists.

Unfortunately, SMU does not make either of these lists and don't show up on the radar screens for the buyers. Complicating matters is that a buyer in New Yourk has no clue what the "local" teams are and really could care less about the locale. They simply want the "hot" teams.

When SMU starts winning....things will change and you will see SMU back in the stores. When we got the DP, CBS had their "national, college football" promotion planned aroungd SMU and was forced to substitue Miami at the last minute.

[NavyCrimson]

obviously, the 'negative' feedback, or i should say "backlash" is forcing a response from the athletic dept - this is what i just received in my e-mail:

A Statement From SMU Athletics

While the traditional running Mustang will remain the primary logo for the SMU Athletics Department, we are excited to introduce an enhanced identity package, consisting of a primary "SMU Mustangs" word image and a series of secondary graphic images. As we move into Conference USA, the new word image will complement the traditional running Mustang and will allow us to consistently brand our programs. The brand equity established over the last four decades with our running Mustang will be maintained as SMU enters its new home.

The development of this package included input from Mustang Club members, Lettermen's, coaches, athletics staff, faculty, SMU Office of Alumni Relations, SMU Public Affairs, student athletes and student leaders.

The new images will be incorporated along with the traditional marks in promotional materials and as part of the Athletics Department's new merchandising initiative, MustangLockerroom.com.

To view examples of the total SMU Athletics Identity Package: click here.

http://www.smu.edu/athletics/graphics_identity.asp

the wagons are circling - folks!

btw - the creativity still ain't worth a %(&%$# no matter how you fluff it up after the horses have already left the barn

[BrianTinBigD]

I am so glad that the compliance team has got a new look. Sure they have been unable to beat the WAC teams in years past, but with the move to CUSA I really think they have a chance this year.

[BrianTinBigD]

SMU does not refuse licensing requests unless the item is in poor taste (think SMU condoms).

That's poor taste? I'd buy those in a second. Marketing gimmick: "SMU fans, forget lamb skin...go with Peruna skin!"

If we could get the guys from Pluckers to co-market them, we could have the SMU F*ckers from Pluckers.

Hey, I know it was a stretch but I just could not resist

[MrMustang1965]

Well, you could e-mail Jim Copeland, but he is still on vacation for four more weeks!!!!!!!!

Already did.

Got a reply from Copeland (probably a secretary checking his emails) which reads as follows: we have no intent of replacing the traditional Pony logo but we think a compliment to that will result in more people wearing SMU apparel and more stores stocking it.

to which I sent the following:

If SMU would be more lenient with its licensing agreements there would be no need for a 'compliment' to the traditional Mustang logo. The traditional 'running Mustang' and the classic red & blue SMU letters are what need to be emphasized, not a new-fangled, cheap-looking logo that has no ties to SMU's historic past & tradition.

It makes no sense that in Dallas - the HOME of SMU - I can find HUNDREDS of University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and University of Oklahoma apparel and little or none of SMU's...just within a few blocks of the SMU campus!

The idea that a NEW logo will lead to more people wearing SMU apparel is ludicrous. If SMU would release the HEAVY restrictions currently placed on SMU licensing it will allow more merchants to stock apparel with the 'traditional' Mustang logo.

Your reply says 'we think'. In my opinion and the opinion of many loyal and faithful fans of SMU, there was no thought put into this idea whatsoever. It's dumb and just plain wrong.

Please listen to SMU's loyal and faithful fans this time. Please. Do the 'right thing' and banish this bad idea...the same way the Mustang Maniac and the 'new' fight song were erased.

Robert C. Hurst
"Mr. Mustang 1965"

Copeland's (or some secretary's) next response:

our research with retailers indicates that they will carry our apparel
when they have a market for it. In other words, when people buy it. Our
licensing agreements are no more restrictive than those of the other
schools you have named.

My response:

Somebody's not telling the truth.

In countless stores where displays exist from other schools, I have asked those stores' managers SPECIFICALLY why they are not carrying merchandise for the ONLY Div. 1-A school in Dallas. The response is consistently the same: "SMU will not let us carry such merchandise because the school controls the licensing differently than the other major universities and won't let us carry their apparel."

Examples of stores where I've been told this are Dillard's, Foley's, JC Penney, Target, Wal-Mart, Footlocker, Sports Authority (formerly Oshman's) and almost every sports-related merchant in every shopping mall in the Dallas area. I challenge SMU officials to find their school's merchandise in these stores.

PLEASE open your eyes and get the 'big picture'! Merchandise from U.T., A&M, Texas Tech and OU is on the shelves and is readily available to a mass market. One of the reasons people will buy those schools' products is because it's already there! SMU's product is only available thru specialty stores (like the former Spirit Shop and the SMU Bookstore and a few select stores on Hillcrest Ave. across from the campus) or online. Only hardcore fans, students and alumni know about these availabilities...and some of them don't!!!!

The people who are buying those other schools' products are NOT all hardcore fans, students or alumni....they're buying those products because it's on the shelves and readily available! I see youngsters in grade school, middle school & high school wearing Longhorns, double TTs, Aggies and Sooners...there's no reason why Mustangs shouldn't be in their wardrobe, too!

SMU *must* get a share of this market - ESPECIALLY in Dallas! - by getting its product on the shelves, too.

No reasonable explanation has been put forth yet by SMU officials on why our school should not have t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, caps, button-down shirts, etc. on the shelves alongside these other schools for hardcore fans to buy, as well as for future fans. Doing this will build a fan base and, in some cases, lead to future students on The Hilltop.

[Mickey]

We need to hire another Eric Hyman and clean that whole Athletic Dept up. The top priorities should be football and MBB. Get them competitive.

Changing a renowned logo is following the traditional SMU policy of " if it ain't broke, break it".

This is another case of changing for changes sake only. I doubt if any real thought or study went into this. Just more throw some **** on the wall and see if it sticks. PATHETIC!

[MrMustang1965]

My mother, a 1949 graduate of SMU, heard about this silliness with the logo earlier this week by way of the editorial in The Daily Campus. She's 78 years old and is FUMING! Her first words were: "Doesn't anyone at SMU understand the meaning of the word 'tradition' anymore?" She's contacting all of her alumni friends from her era to let them know about what's happening. She said, "If they want any more $$$ on The Hilltop from me and my alumni friends, they'll end this ridiculousness immediately!"

Hey, Copeland and Company: Don't p*ss off my Mom!

[PonySnob]

The only tradition that hasn't changed for the past 15 years is not fielding a competitive football team!!!!! How much longer until Copeland retires????

[BrianTinBigD]

The only tradition that hasn't changed for the past 15 years is not fielding a competitive football team!!!!! How much longer until Copeland retires????

Not before July 25th, since he is on a month long vacation.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

My mother, a 1949 graduate of SMU, heard about this silliness with the logo earlier this week by way of the editorial in The Daily Campus. She's 78 years old and is FUMING! Her first words were: "Doesn't anyone at SMU understand the meaning of the word 'tradition' anymore?" She's contacting all of her alumni friends from her era to let them know about what's happening. She said, "If they want any more $$$ on The Hilltop from me and my alumni friends, they'll end this ridiculousness immediately!"

Hey, Copeland and Company: Don't p*ss off my Mom!

The best tradition was our uniforms. Thanks to Krispy Kopeland and gang they have changed those. Can you imagine telling the Notre Dame or Longhoen faithful you are having a helmet change?!

[NavyCrimson]

love it '65 with your mom!!!!

[BUS]

What needs to change is the Win-Loss record. We can sell both SMU looks. If you like one buy it, if you like the other.... buy it.

The bottom line is WINS.

Take a look at the past 5 to 7 years and review what has gone right.
Stadium
New majors
Reducing admittance resrictions
New coach in MBall and Fball
M-Club raising more money than budgeted
Move to C-USA

GO MUSTANGS

[Hoop Fan]

there is a huge college sports store out at Grapevine Mills Mall. I was surprised, but they did have lots of SMU shirts. SMU apparell exists at least at one store outside the Bubble.

[MrMustang1965]

Well, you could e-mail Jim Copeland, but he is still on vacation for four more weeks!!!!!!!!

Already did.

Got a reply from Copeland (probably a secretary checking his emails) which reads as follows: we have no intent of replacing the traditional Pony logo but we think a compliment to that will result in more people wearing SMU apparel and more stores stocking it.

to which I sent the following:

If SMU would be more lenient with its licensing agreements there would be no need for a 'compliment' to the traditional Mustang logo. The traditional 'running Mustang' and the classic red & blue SMU letters are what need to be emphasized, not a new-fangled, cheap-looking logo that has no ties to SMU's historic past & tradition.

It makes no sense that in Dallas - the HOME of SMU - I can find HUNDREDS of University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and University of Oklahoma apparel and little or none of SMU's...just within a few blocks of the SMU campus!

The idea that a NEW logo will lead to more people wearing SMU apparel is ludicrous. If SMU would release the HEAVY restrictions currently placed on SMU licensing it will allow more merchants to stock apparel with the 'traditional' Mustang logo.

Your reply says 'we think'. In my opinion and the opinion of many loyal and faithful fans of SMU, there was no thought put into this idea whatsoever. It's dumb and just plain wrong.

Please listen to SMU's loyal and faithful fans this time. Please. Do the 'right thing' and banish this bad idea...the same way the Mustang Maniac and the 'new' fight song were erased.

Robert C. Hurst
"Mr. Mustang 1965"

Copeland's (or some secretary's) next response:

our research with retailers indicates that they will carry our apparel
when they have a market for it. In other words, when people buy it. Our
licensing agreements are no more restrictive than those of the other
schools you have named.

My response:

Somebody's not telling the truth.

In countless stores where displays exist from other schools, I have asked those stores' managers SPECIFICALLY why they are not carrying merchandise for the ONLY Div. 1-A school in Dallas. The response is consistently the same: "SMU will not let us carry such merchandise because the school controls the licensing differently than the other major universities and won't let us carry their apparel."

Examples of stores where I've been told this are Dillard's, Foley's, JC Penney, Target, Wal-Mart, Footlocker, Sports Authority (formerly Oshman's) and almost every sports-related merchant in every shopping mall in the Dallas area. I challenge SMU officials to find their school's merchandise in these stores.

PLEASE open your eyes and get the 'big picture'! Merchandise from U.T., A&M, Texas Tech and OU is on the shelves and is readily available to a mass market. One of the reasons people will buy those schools' products is because it's already there! SMU's product is only available thru specialty stores (like the former Spirit Shop and the SMU Bookstore and a few select stores on Hillcrest Ave. across from the campus) or online. Only hardcore fans, students and alumni know about these availabilities...and some of them don't!!!!

The people who are buying those other schools' products are NOT all hardcore fans, students or alumni....they're buying those products because it's on the shelves and readily available! I see youngsters in grade school, middle school & high school wearing Longhorns, double TTs, Aggies and Sooners...there's no reason why Mustangs shouldn't be in their wardrobe, too!

SMU *must* get a share of this market - ESPECIALLY in Dallas! - by getting its product on the shelves, too.

No reasonable explanation has been put forth yet by SMU officials on why our school should not have t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, caps, button-down shirts, etc. on the shelves alongside these other schools for hardcore fans to buy, as well as for future fans. Doing this will build a fan base and, in some cases, lead to future students on The Hilltop.

Copeland's (or some secretary's) latest response:

"I too want more SMU apparel out there but we are getting a different
reply from the retailers. We have compared our licensing agreement with
that of other schools and there is no difference. In fact we use the
same licensing service as other Texas universities."

Hmmm...which other Texas universities? Schreiner College in Kerrville? Kilgore Junior College? College of the Mainland in Texas City?

[DiamondM]

Mr Mustang, while your enthusiasm is admirable, your complaint here is misguided. Jim Copeland, Scott Secules, and others in the AD would LOVE, just as much as you would, to see SMU apparel in local stores. While some criticism of the department is valid, it simply makes no sense to assume that Jim Copeland, Scott Secules, and Copeland's secretary are lying about the licensing restrictions. What would be their motivation for not wanting to see more SMU stuff for sale in Dallas and elsewhere? Even if Copeland did not actually care about how SMU does (which you'd know is incorrect if you'd ever spoken to the man), it would be a matter of pure professional and self interest to sell more SMU stuff and have SMU succeed on the playing field.

You are barking up the wrong tree here. The licensing agreement we have is just like for University of Texas. The difference is that stores want the UT stuff, and have not yet been convinced that there is a demand for SMU stuff, even in Dallas. The process for being able to manufacture and sell licensed college material for Texas, A&M, Baylor, TCU, etc. is exactly the same as for SMU. You might also see some unlicensed UT stuff -- again, because manufacturers and sellers think that it is profitable to do it.

Get all your friends and family to complain to store managers, ask for SMU gear, and you might see some results.