SMU and "Pony Excess": The Scars Remain

By Richie Whitt Thu., Dec. 9 2010 at 11:59 AM

Categories: SMU

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No one from the 1980s pay-for-play scandals remains at SMU, but the stigma - and the residue from the NCAA's Death Penalty - remain on the Hilltop.

Those wounds may not be re-opened, but they'll certainly be re-visited Saturday night when ESPN presents its latest 30 for 30 documentary: "Pony Excess."

Athletic director Steve Orsini says the Mustangs long ago healed from that era. Maybe. But with a one-hour, 42-minute, stirring look back and interviews with everyone from Dale Hansen to Verne Lundquist to former assistant coach Steve Endicott we'll at least be reminded where the scars are.

Patrick Duffy narrates. And, no, it's not just a coincidence that the documentary airs immediately after the Heisman Trophy will awarded to a player embroiled in controversy - Cam Newton.

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Dale Hansen, football, SMU, Steve Orsini

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Just an FYI - there are still 2 more 30-for-30 shows to air that were postponed until 2011. One of them is about Steve Bartman and the meltdown of the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS.
TCU had their paying players scandal 25 years ago, Horned Frog. droht, Jecalti
TCU will be in this column within 4 years. Same story, second verse, different county.
i know where the bodies are buried. the stories i could tell..
There are a lot of wannabe comedians on this blog.
The Pony that was better than Dickerson or James but had to quit football because of injury: http://www.dallassouthnews.org/blog/2010/04/05/disd-legends-series-charles-waggoner-part-i/
@Question Mark, We're not worth his precious time. Since we're not needed here, wanna go get some wings and a couple of pitchers at Hooters?
Where am I? I thought I was supposed to be in every headline?
@anon, NO..uh huh...nope..couldn't handle it for a week, let alone a year.
The Marcus Degree story was the best one I've seen but they've all been pretty kick ass except for the Fernando Valenzuela one and the Yankee/Red Sox one.
The Crystal Ball bit is damn funny. Just sayin'.
To think SMU got the Death Penalty and Auburn get nothing for Cams pops shopping him, that used to be a major violation. The NCAA runied SMU, we all know every other school was paying too.
As someone who was a fan in the 80's, and a vendor in the 90's.....you could clearly see this "event" crippled this football team for a long time. I believe they are back now, but boy o' boy what a price to pay! To be made an example of. The NCAA holds as much cred as a crankwhore on a binger.
@Jagger - hell yes. @Anonymous - hell no.
If getting CLee back meant that you would have to listen to Jagger for a whole year....would anyone do it?
@Rooster- Because we keep hoping you join in the circle jerk and make us all butt hurt in an instant! Please advise.
I see this documentary being one of the best ones they have done. They did save it for last. I also see that SMU will never be worth a damn again.
Why does every thread in this blog ultimately end up a Ticket lemming circle jerk?
I am tired of everyone on this blog making fun of me all of the time. Am I really that bad?
"And, no, it's not just a coincidence that the documentary airs immediately after the Heisman Trophy will awarded to a player embroiled in controversy - Cam Newton." Anyone know where I fit in here?
Good quick hit RW...The littlest of tickets had the producer of the doc on yesterday..and the courage boys had Hansen on this morning...guess I know what you listen too as you drive to work..can't stand Jagger anymore than the rest of us, right?
Actually, it's a total coincidence, unless ESPN producers could magically see into the future back earlier in the year and know what was ahead this college football season. After last year's Heisman ceremony, they showed the 30 for 30 on the rise and fall of the University of Miami football team...seems like college football is the common connection instead. chbarow the