Winter 2016

In this issue

2016 Hall of Fame Class Announced

Men’s Basketball tips off with a record-breaking start

Heritage Hall Moment

Men’s Soccer and Vol-leyball claim AAC Titles

In Memoriam

Upcoming Dates and Events

Ponies in the Press

Jerry LeVias Mustang Football Golf Classic registration now open!

Winter and Spring Sports are Underway!

Visit smumustangs.com for up-to-date schedule

information for all fall sports.

Need tickets? Login to your account to

purchase or check out SMU’s official ticket reseller,

Vivid Seats.

SMU Announces 2016 Athletics Hall of Fame Class Benz, Donie, Dupard, Ely, Hernandez, and Sanders to be honored DALLAS (SMU) – SMU and SMU Athletics, in conjunction with the SMU Lettermen’s Association, have announced the newest class of the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2016 inductees include: Amy Benz, Scot Donie, Reggie Dupard, Janet Ely, Daniel Hernandez, and the late Henry “Choc” Sanders. These athletes will be recognized at the annual Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony on Friday, May 6 at Moody Coliseum.

Amy Benz, one of the top women’s golfers in SMU history, played at SMU from 1981-83. Benz was an All-American, and the winner of the AIAW National Championship in her sophomore year. She was the 1982 NCAA individual national champion, and was awarded All-American in both 1982 and 1983. Benz was also a member of the 1982 U.S. Curtis Cup team. Benz would go on to have a very suc-cessful career on the LPGA Tour totaling 13 top-10 finishes.

Scott Donie ranks as one of the most successful and accomplished divers ever to compete for SMU. Donie swam for the Mustangs from 1987-90, where he was an eleven-time SWC Diving Champion and three-time NCAA Champion. Donie earned All-America honors in 1987-89. His success did not stop at SMU, as Donie was a member of the U.S. National Diving team from 1985-96. He is a two-time Olympian, winning the silver medal in the 10-meter platform in 1992 while competing for the United States.

Reggie Dupard is one of the greats in SMU Football history. As a powerhouse running back from 1982-85, Dupard helped the Mustangs clinch both an SWC Championship and a National Champion-ship in 1982, a 1984 NCAA Co-Championship, and an Aloha Bowl win against Notre Dame in 1984. He earned All-Conference honors from 1982-1985, and was named an All-American in 1985. Dupard is one of only two players in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, and is still the school's third-leading rusher. After being drafted in the first round by the New England

Patriots in 1986, Dupard played five years in the league for both New England and Washington. Janet Ely was a diver for the Mustangs from 1971-1975. She became the first female from SMU to represent the USA at the Olympic Games in 1972 in München, taking fourth in both the springboard and platform events. Following her tenure at SMU, Ely had an impressive career which included both championships and world records. She took gold in the 10m platform at the World Championships, competed in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal in platform, and won the World Diving Championships in 1978. Ely is one of SMU’s most decorated divers to this day.

Daniel Hernandez owns one of the most impressive careers in the history of the Men’s Soccer pro-gram at SMU. During his time on the Hilltop, Hernandez twice earned All-America nods and was named Conference Player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. After leading the Mustangs to a Western Athletic Conference title in 1997, Hernandez was named a Hermann Trophy finalist. Hernandez was selected in the second round of the 1998 MLS Draft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, a member of the United States Men’s National Team. He also played in the Mexican Primera Division from 2003-

2005. In 2009, Hernandez signed with MLS’s FC Dallas, where he helped the team to a 2010 Western Conference Championship. Henry “Choc” Sanders was a household name during the early seasons of SMU Football. Sanders played guard for the Mustangs from 1928-29, and was the first First Team All-American from SMU in school history, earning the honor in 1928. Sanders was also named to the 1928 and 1929 All-Conference teams, and was an integral part of the Mustangs’ 1929 undefeated season. In his three years on the Hilltop, Choc helped the Mustangs tally an overall record of 19-5-5. Tickets for the ceremony and banquet are expected to go on sale this month. For additional information on purchasing tickets to the SMU Hall of Fame Banquet, please call 214-768-4314 or email Jeff Lockhart at lockhart@smu.edu.

Did you know? The SMU Lettermen’s Association is on Facebook!

Follow us here to stay in touch!

President’s Corner Fellow letterwinners, It’s my pleasure to introduce myself as the new President of the Lettermen’s Association for 2016-18. I hope to continue building on the outstanding legacy that has already been developed by my predecessors and to advance the influence and legacy of all SMU Letter-winners during my term. I have had numerous friends and teammates lead the Lettermen’s Association in the past. I hope I can make them proud over the next couple of years! This is a special time on the Hilltop, as we celebrate victories and watch our school grow in renown. From the successful completion of a $1 Billion campaign, to the individual and team victories achieved by our student-athletes, we have so many reasons to wear our SMU colors with pride. Chief among those reasons is the announcement of this year’s SMU Athletics Hall of Fame class. These outstanding Mustangs represent the very best in their sports. I hope you’ll save the date to join us in Dallas on May 6th to honor these SMU legends and the induc-tees from previous years that have brought honor to SMU at the highest athletic levels. We also recently celebrated another great Mustang, Garry Weber, our 2015 Silver Anniversary Mustang Award recipient. Garry not only possesses an exceptional record of public service and community participation, but has proven to have the kind of character SMU strives to instill in its graduates. As for the current goings-on at SMU, it’s been an exciting winter thus far for the Mustangs. Our Men’s Basketball team continues to reach new heights with a 21-3 record thus far and the lead in the American Athletic Conference. Meanwhile, our Men’s Golf team captured

the Erin Hills Intercollegiate team title earlier this month, while Women’s Golf finished fourth in the Florida State Match-Up last week. Women’s Tennis is thus far 7-0 on the season, and several other winter and spring sports are enjoying strong seasons as well. We are very proud of the athletic and academic accomplishments of these young men and women, and I hope you’ll take the time this spring to stay up to date with all that is going on here on the Hilltop. One of my goals over the next 2 years is to take the model that has been applied to Men’s Basketball, and replicate over all 17 sports. It’s time we increase the national profile of our many successful non-revenue sports, as well as match the winning success in football. This will require additional work from our administration, student-athletes, and yes, the Lettermen’s Association as we should be the standard for what it means to be a fan of SMU athletics. I’m going to ask you for either your time, effort, or money. For those that can provide all three, thank you. Be prepared to work, but let’s also prepare to celebrate! We hope to see you this spring at the annual Spring Mixer, scheduled for April 16th before the SMU Football Spring Game. Look for more details in your inbox soon. Don’t forget to renew your Lettermen’s Membership so you don’t miss out on any of the great benefits we offer. Call 214-768-4000 or visit smu.edu/lettermens to renew online. Pony Up!

Greg Gardner Football 1989-91

Men’s Basketball Closing Strong in 2016 The SMU Men’s Basketball team, under the leadership of Head Coach Larry Brown and Associate Head Coach Tim Jankovich, overcame numerous obstacles on its way to the best start in school history this year. After receiving a one-year postseason ban from the NCAA and opening the season without Coach Brown on the bench for the first nine games, the Mustangs were disregarded by many, knowing that a regular-

season title was as far as they would advance. The team, however, has battled on with only seven scholarship players, currently claiming a No. 21 spot in the AP poll and boasting a record of 21-3 on the season as they look to repeat as conference champions. SMU’s senior players have led the way in creating opportunities for the team. Nic Moore, tabbed to repeat as American Athletic Conference Player of the Year during the preseason, has been named to the Oscar Robertson Award Watch List, the Bob Cousey Award Top 10 Finalist list, the Naismith Award Midseason Watch List, and the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list. Moore leads the Mustangs in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game, as well as in assists, steals, free throw percentage, and three-point shooting. Forward Markus Kennedy was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List and was a unanimous selection to the All-American Athletic Conference Preseason First Team alongside Moore. Jordan Tolbert, in his first action for the Mustangs this season after sitting out last year due to transfer rules, has been named Conference Player of the Week twice this season and leads the team in rebounds. Home matches remain against ECU, Tulane, and UCONN. For tickets to remaining home games, please contact the SMU Ticket Office at 214-SMU-GAME.

Heritage Hall Moment

Honoring the history of SMU Athletics

In 1953, SMU Sports Information Director Lester

Jordan sent a letter to ten veteran sports writers

who covered the Southwest Conference and asked

them what intersectional football game produced

the greatest amount of national recognition for the

Southwest Conference.

Overall there were ten games that were mentioned,

and SMU had played in six of the ten

games. Number one on the list was SMU’s one-

point loss to Army (14-13) in 1928 at West Point. The SMU-Army

game was mentioned by nine out of the ten sportswriters and received

and received 70.5 points out of a possible 100. The 1928 Mustangs

went on to achieve a 6-3-1 record and also produced SMU’s first All-

American in lineman Henry J. (Choc) Sanders.

Gerry York

SMU Heritage Hall

Congratulations to our Volleyball and Men’s Soccer teams, who claimed conference championships this season and went on to postseason appearances. This is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for Volleyball, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this season. Men’s Soccer advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of their NCAA tournament and ended the season ranked #13 in the NSCAA poll. Go Mustangs!

Freshman Shake Milton drives to the basket against

Houston in a 77-73 victory on January 19, 2016.

Senior Nic Moore is receiving national attention for

his play this season.

SMU Football is #TexasTough on NSD 2016 The SMU football program and Head Coach Chad Morris announced on February 3rd the signing of 25 student-athletes who will join the team in 2016. Coach Morris and his staff again focused on the Lone Star State, signing exclusively student-athletes from Texas for the second straight year. The class earned a No. 2 ranking in the AAC and No. 6 among all non-Power 5 programs by Scout.com. "We signed some difference-makers and some guys who can make an impact next season,” said Morris. “I’m also excited and proud that we were able to sign so many Texas kids. It's a great day to be a Mustang!" New Mustangs arriving on the Hilltop in 2016 include: Michael Badejo (DL) - Grand Prarie, TX (Timberview) Harrison Barton (OL/DL) - Bellaire, TX (Houston Christian) Ryan Becker (ATH) - Marble Falls, TX (Marble Falls) Brandon Benson (WR) - Waco, TX (La Vega) Jordan Carmouche (RB) - Manvel, TX (Manvel) Blake Carlisle (LB) - Dickinson, TX (Dickinson) Michael Clark (S) - Cedar Hill, TX (Cedar Hill) Christian Davis (DB) - Waco, TX (Midway) Myles Duke (LB) - Baytown, TX (Goose Creek) Ke’Mon Freeman (ATH) - Texarkana, TX (Liberty-Eylau) Demerick Gary (DL) - Dallas, TX (Kimball) Patrick Jones (DT) - Ft. Worth, TX (Arlington Heights) Ken McLaurin (DL) - Aubrey, TX (Ryan) Mikial Onu (S) - Sugarland, TX (George Ranch) Corey Rau (TE) - Katy, TX (Cinco Ranch) Collin Rock (S) - Cypress, TX (Cypress Ranch) Joshua Shelmire (WR) - Dickinson, TX (Lutheran South) Kadarius Smith (OL) - Plano, TX (Plano North) Noah Spears (LB) - Irving, TX (Nimitz) Eric Sutton (CB) - Cedar Hill, TX (Cedar Hill) Aphonso Thomas (RB) - Van, TX (Van)

Jacob Todora (OL) - Frisco, TX (Wakeland) Jordan Ward (LB) - Sugarland, TX (Kempner) Braxton Webb (OL) - San Angelo, TX (Central) J.T. William (DT) - Denton, TX (Ryan/Trinity Valley CC) Coach Morris and Mustang Fans celebrated the incoming recruiting class with a Signing Day Celebration on February 3rd in Dallas and special events on February 4th in Houston and Austin. Most of the new class will arrive on campus for the Summer I session beginning at the end of May. Fans eager to kick off the next season of Mustang Football should save the date for the 2016 Spring Game, which will be held on Saturday, April 16th as a part of SMU’s Founders’ Day Weekend. Admission is free and all fans are welcome. For full information on the 2016 signing class, including player bios and highlight videos, visit Signing Day Central. To view the full Signing Day packet, click here. On the Hilltop, the excitement around the 2016 football season is running high as year two of the Chad Morris era nears. Season tickets are available now for as little as $99 for SMU's six-game home slate. SMU’s Home Schedule for 2016 is listed below:

Sept. 17 Liberty

Sept. 23 TCU

Oct. 22 Houston

Nov. 5 Memphis

Nov. 17 USF

Nov. 26 Navy You can also be a part of directly supporting SMU Football in their recruiting efforts by making a gift in support of the SMU Football Excellence Fund. Gifts may be made online or by calling 214-768-2582.

Cross Country:

Holly Archer—All-AAC Selection

Karoline Skatteboe—All-AAC Selection; All–South Central Regional

Selection

Shanoah Souza—All-AAC Selection; All-South Central Regional

Selection

Equestrian:

Keagan Snively—UEC Reining Rider of the Month (Nov)

Football:

Courtland Sutton—Named to USA Today Freshman All-America

Team

Men’s Basketball:

Markus Kennedy—Preseason All-AAC First Team Selection

Shake Milton—AAC Rookie of the Week (11/16, 1/4)

Nic Moore—Named to Wooden Award Preseason Top 50; Named to

Naismith Trophy Early Season Watch List; Preseason All-AAC First

Team Selection; AAC Weekly Honor Roll (12/7); Named to Wooden

Award Midseason Top 25; Named to Oscar Robertson Trophy Watch

List; Named to Senior CLASS Award candidate list; Named to Bob

Cousey Award Finalist List; Most Outstanding Player, Continental Tire

Las Vegas Classic

Semi Ojeleye—nominated for 2016 Allstate NABC Good Works Team

Jordan Tolbert—AAC Player of the Week (12/14; 12/21)

Team—Currently Ranked #21 in AP Poll

Men’s Soccer:

Christian Boorom—AAC All-Rookie Team Selection

Idi Camera—AAC Offensive Player of the Week (10/26)

Jordan Cano—All-AAC Second Team Selection

Mauro Cichero—MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist; NSCAA All-

East Region First Team; AAC Offensive Player of the Year; All-AAC

First Team Selection

Emil Cuello—AAC All-Rookie Team Selection

Stanton Garcia—AAC Offensive Player of the Week (11/2)

John Lujano—NSCAA Scholar All-America Third Team; NSCAA All-

East Region Second Team; AAC Midfielder of the Year; All-AAC First

Team Selection

Michael Nelson—NSCAA All-East Region Third Team; AAC

Goalkeeper of the Year; All-AAC First Team Selection

Jared Rice—NSCAA All-East Region Third Team; AAC Defensive

Player of the Week (9/28)

Caleb Smith—AAC All-Rookie Team Selection

Jacob Speed—NSCAA All-East Region Second Team

Coaching Staff—AAC Coaching Staff of the Year

Team—AAC Regular Season Champions; Advanced to Sweet Sixteen

of NCAA Tournament

Men’s Swimming & Diving:

Bryce Klein—AAC Diver of the Week (11/3, 11/10, 11/24, 1/12)

Bartosz Krzyzaniak—AAC Swimmer of the Week (11/24)

Lucas Schenke—AAC Swimmer of the Week (11/10)

Christian Scherubl—AAC Diver of the Week (11/3)

Men’s Tennis

Hunter Johnson—doubles championship, Jack Kramer Invitation (Nov)

Yates Johnson—doubles championship, Jack Kramer Invitational (Nov)

Women’s Basketball

McKenzie Adams—AAC Weekly Honor Roll (11/30, 12/28)

Stephanie Collins—AAC Weekly Honor Roll (12/7)

Alicia Froling—AAC Weekly Honor Roll (11/23, 12/14, 1/4, 1/18)

Dai’ja Thomas—AAC Freshman of the Week (11/16)

Gabrielle Wilkins—AAC Weekly Honor Roll (1/11)

Women’s Golf

Jenny Haglund—Named to Golfweek Midseason All-Conference Team

Lindsey MacCurdy—Named to Golfweek Midseason All-Conference

Team

Women’s Soccer:

Taylor Barg—Women’s Soccer 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-District

Seven Second Team selection

Claire Oates—AAC All-Conference Second Team

Vanessa Valadez—AAC All-Rookie Team Selection

Women’s Swimming & Diving:

Marne Erasmus—AAC Swimmer of the Week (1/12)

Lauren Lamb—AAC Diver of the Week (1/12)

Tara-Lynn Nicholas—AAC Swimmer of the Week (11/3)

Volleyball:

Avery Acker—AVCA All-America Honorable Mention; AAC Player of

the Year; AAC Setter of the Year; AVCA All-Region First Team

Selection; All-AAC First Team Selection; CoSIDA Academic All-

American of the Year; CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team

Selection

Cailin Bula—All-AAC Second Team Selection

Abbey Bybel—All-AAC Second Team Selection

Janelle Giordano—AVCA All-America Honorable Mention; AVCA

All-Region First Team Selection; All-AAC First Team Selection

Morgan Heise—AVCA All-America Honorable Mention; AAC Libero

of the Year; AVCA All-Region First Team Selection; All-AAC First

Team Selection; AAC Defensive Player of the Week (11/2, 11/9, 11/16,

11/23)

Coach Lisa Seifert—AAC Coach of the Year; AVCA Region Coach of

the Year

Team— AAC Champions; appearance in NCAA Tournament

Join SMU Football on Monday, April 11th at the Four Seasons Las Colinas for

the 2016 Jerry LeVias Mustang Football Golf Classic and Awards Banquet!

Major Sponsorship: $5000

Team of three & SMU Celebrity; Tee box recognition; Program recognition; Banquet tickets; 5

complimentary raffle tickets

Team Sponsorship: $3000 Team of three & SMU Celebrity; Program recognition; Banquet tickets; 5 complimentary raffle tickets

Tee Box/Green Sponsorship: $2500

Tee box recognition; Program recognition; Banquet tickets; 3 complimentary raffle tickets

Special Sponsorships: $2500-$10000 (call for details) Includes recognition in program; banquet tickets; raffle tickets

Banquet tickets: $150

The Mustang Football Golf Classic benefits the SMU Football Excellence Fund.

Be a part of the excitement! Call 214-768-7681 to register or to receive more information.

Online registration for teams and individuals is also available.

*Student-Athlete and Team Accomplishments as of Feb. 1, 2016

In Memoriam George J. “Jerry” Buchanan (3/31-10/15)—Jerry Buchanan, a native of Dallas and graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School,

played baseball for the Mustangs, lettering in 1950. He transferred to Drury College in Missouri and, following a tenure in the

United States Army, played in the minor leagues until 1958. He then took a job with American Airlines, where he remained

until his retirement in 1996.

Joseph W. Geary, Jr. (2/24-1/16) - Joe Geary played baseball for the Mustangs during his time on the Hilltop and earned a de-

gree in government and economics. Joe served in the US Army Air Corps (now the Air Force) during World War II and partic-

ipated in over 50 missions. He returned to SMU for his law degree and enjoyed a lengthy and successful practice until his

passing. In 2011, Joe was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor by the French government in recognition for his service in

World War II.

David Musselwhite (6/37-12/15)—Musselwhite received his BA from SMU in 1959. A quarterback for the Mustangs during

the 1956-58 seasons, he also served as Student Council President. Musselwhite went on to earn his JD from SMU and built a

successful law career before retiring to become a Methodist minister.

Jack Talmage Norton (3/28—12/15) - Jack Norton, a member of the 1946 State Championship football team at Highland Park

High School, earned his BA in Geography from SMU in 1951. Norton, a member of the SMU swim team and Kappa Alpha

fraternity, served in the Naval Air Force Reserves and enjoyed a successful 40-year career with Mobil Oil Company.

Herschel O’Kelley (4/36—1/16) - Herschel O’Kelley, a double-sport athlete on the Hilltop, earned his BBA in 1958. He was a

part of two SWC Championship Men’s Basketball teams and played with the Mustangs in two NCAA Tournaments, including

a Final Four appearance in 1955-56. A 1958 letterwinner, O’Kelley also played for the Mustangs Baseball team during his

time on the Hilltop.

Mark your calendar for upcoming events and dates this spring!

February 17th: SMU WBB vs. Tulsa, 7:00 pm **Senior Night**

21st: SMU MBB vs. ECU, 1:00 pm

27th: SMU WBB vs. Houston, 2:00 pm

28th: SMU MBB vs. Tulane, 2:00 pm

March 3rd: SMU MBB vs. Connecticut, 8:00 pm

24th: SMU Day of Giving

April 11th: Jerry LeVias Mustang Football Golf Classic and Awards Banquet

Single Player Registration $1000; Team Registration $3000; sponsorships available! Call 214-768-7681 for info.

16th: SMU Founders’ Day Weekend (visit the Founders’ Day Website for details on all weekend events)

SMU Football Fan Fair and Spring Game

Free Admission; Kickoff at 1:00 pm

16th: SMU Lettermen’s Spring Mixer 11:00 am

South End Zone, Ford Stadium

*All Men’s and Women’s home basketball games are played at Moody Coliseum. For ticket information, call 214-SMU-GAME.

For information on home contests for all other spring sports, please visit smumustangs.com.

It’s that time of year! Renew your Lettermen’s membership today—don’t miss out on great benefits like free football

tickets, exclusive merchandise offers, special events, and more!

Membership Levels Annual: $75

Recent Grad (10 years or less): $35

Auto Renewal: $65

Five-Year: $375

Lifetime: $1500

To renew, visit our website, call 214-768-4000 or send your

payment to PO Box 750315, Dallas, TX 75275.