An Independent Plug for "The Pony Trap"
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:01 pm
I recently read David Blewett’s book about the Death Penalty against SMU Football, The Pony Trap. It is an interesting read, full of information about corruption at the NCAA, bias against SMU, and selective enforcement all interlaced with a very earnest personal story by Blewett. The most eye opening thing for me was the surprisingly minor infractions that ultimately counted towards “lack of institutional control” at SMU, especially when compared to what was documented as happening at other schools. Blewett obviously invested a great deal of research into compiling this book and he very efficiently sums up the data in the final chapters.
Yes, the death penalty happened a long time ago - and yes, it is time to move forward - but I also think that the relative unfairness of the process that occurred is worthy of attention, considering that our beloved alma mater was permanently stained by the episode. And this is coming from someone who is personally of the conviction that there was a positive side to the entire affair: that afterwards SMU focused its wealth of resources upon strengthening academics in a way that we are all benefitting from now.
So give this book a chance, and GO MUSTANGS!
Oops almost forgot:Book is called...The Pony Trap: Escaping the 1987 SMU Football Death Penalty
Amazon link for paperback: http://amzn.com/0985988304
You can read first few chapters on the kindle site: http://amzn.com/B008O70W0Y
Yes, the death penalty happened a long time ago - and yes, it is time to move forward - but I also think that the relative unfairness of the process that occurred is worthy of attention, considering that our beloved alma mater was permanently stained by the episode. And this is coming from someone who is personally of the conviction that there was a positive side to the entire affair: that afterwards SMU focused its wealth of resources upon strengthening academics in a way that we are all benefitting from now.
So give this book a chance, and GO MUSTANGS!
Oops almost forgot:Book is called...The Pony Trap: Escaping the 1987 SMU Football Death Penalty
Amazon link for paperback: http://amzn.com/0985988304
You can read first few chapters on the kindle site: http://amzn.com/B008O70W0Y