PoconoPony wrote:My base line point is that our new uniforms should have SMU graphically displayed. If we get more TV and national media exposure in the future it is important that there is an identification and connection as we again reach out to the national audiences. My complaint with the new uniforms is that a large very large SMU should be visible. Maybe replacing those ridiculous stripes/clutter with an SMU on the tops of the shoulder pads.
Some good points have been made on this thread as to the knowledge and exposure of SMU nationally. SMU did not use the current Mustang logo until sometime in the 1970s. Old timers might remember us by our old Mustang logo which does not closely resemble the current logo ( see Ponyte's avatar). People born after 1972 were probably too young to remember the Pony Express and then we disappeared for half a century taking our name and logo entirely out of the national lime light. Our re-emergence started with the Hawaii Bowl and needs to be continually reinforced. We need a large visible SMU on our uniforms.
I'd go with 1975. Those of us born in 1973 remember it pretty well.
Actually the Ponies started using the running mustang logo on the sides of the helmets in 1967 under Coach Hayden Fry. These were the white ponies worn on the red helmets, and were worn until 1972. When Coach Dave Smith came on board, being a "fan" of Ohio State, he put the ponies in drab silver helmets with blue-red-blue stripes, gray pants, and plain red jerseys (at home). This look lasted until 1975. In 1976, Coach Ron Meyer re-instituted the running mustang on the helmet, but created what is now referred to as the "Mustang Mania" or "Pony Express" white helmet look, which lasted until 1986 unchanged. As a side note, from 19633-65, SMU wore a stylized bucking mustang in white on the red helmets designed by equipment manager Eddie Lane.
SMU wore blue running mustangs outlined in red under Coach Gregg from 1989-90, and 1991 under Coach Rossley. 1992 saw a return to the red mustang outlined in blue.
i really think it is more important that people identify us by the mustang than the university's acronym.
when i was a little kid in austin doodling in class i wouldn't write the word "Texas", i drew the longhorn logo because that is the more recognizable image.
"There ain't nothing you can't solve with one more beer"
RednBlue11 wrote:i really think it is more important that people identify us by the mustang than the university's acronym.
when i was a little kid in austin doodling in class i wouldn't write the word "Texas", i drew the longhorn logo because that is the more recognizable image.
good point. I always wondered why Oklahoma didnt change its name to "Oklahoma University" to match its helmet. Oh, and I mean that. Not being a smarta$$
PoconoPony wrote: but they do not know our logo and even where SMU is located.
Oh, they know our logo. What is astonishing, though, is that people in parts of Dallas, Texas and surrounding suburbs do NOT know where SMU is located (and I'm not talking about mexican or canadian illegals). Of course, most of these same folks don't know in which towns Tech, aTm, Baylor or UT conduct business.
I grew up in a Dallas suburb and couldn't tell you where SMU was nor recognize the pony logo. I think most of us under 35 who aren't parkies would agree.
I talk to people all the time who've worked Downtown and drive 75 every day and don't know where SMU is. Now that they changed Yale Blvd to SMU maybe a few more have caught on.
"With a quarter of a tank of gas, we can get everything we need right here in DFW." -SMU Head Coach Chad Morris
When momentum starts rolling downhill in recruiting-WATCH OUT.
If only SMU had followed through on my suggestion to build a highrise on the Mrs. Bairds property with a giant, red, neon, rotating pony on the top, ala the pegasus downtown.
Well the love field renovation is under way. Someone get them to do that place with red, blue, and red ponies the way austin's is awash in burnt Orange
couch 'em wrote:If only SMU had followed through on my suggestion to build a highrise on the Mrs. Bairds property with a giant, red, neon, rotating pony on the top, ala the pegasus downtown.
I've had more than one person tell me they now know where SMU is after they put the logo on top of the Expressway Towers at SMU Blvd and 75.
I'm so glad the big SMU on the front has disappeared. Historically, the only schools with big names on the front were the SWC, Oklahoma, and I think the Arizona schools. It looks totally high school.
It was kind of a cool SWC thing in the 80s, but now there is absolutely no need for it. If there is a game on television you see the two uniforms, look at the scoreline, and figure out which one is which. It's not that hard.