Celebrating 100 Years Of Mustangs Sports
As SMU celebrates the centennial of its founding in 1911 and opening in 1915, the University also is marking 100 years of achievements in athletics through a recently released book, In Honor of the Mustangs: The Centennial History of SMU Athletics, 1911-2010. The first history of SMU athletics showcases exploits on the gridiron as well as achievements in swimming, basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country, tennis, baseball and equestrian competition. In Honor of the Mustangs, published by the Lettermen’s Association and SMU’s DeGolyer Library, was written by SMU professor emeritus of communications and centennial historian Darwin Payne ’68. Gerry York ’58, curator of SMU’s Heritage Hall, selected the book’s 650 photographs. For more information, contact Pamalla Anderson, DeGolyer Library, at 214-768-0829. Copies also are sold at SMU Bookstore, 214-768-2435, and Culwell & Son, 214-522-7000.
Hall Of Fame Beckons
SMU’s Athletics Department and the Lettermen’s Association have inducted these six new members into the Athletics Hall of Fame:
Craig James ’82 is SMU’s third all-time leading rusher (3,743 yards). The three-time All-SWC selection led the Mustangs to the Southwest Conference Championship during the 1981 and 1982 seasons. He teamed with Eric Dickerson ’84 to form the “Pony Express” backfield. James was drafted by the New England Patriots and played with the team in the 1985 Super Bowl.
Gene Phillips ’71 ranks second in SMU men’s basketball history with 1,932 career points. The three-time SWC Player of the Year was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1971 NBA draft and played with the ABA’s Dallas Chaparrals.
Lisa Cole Zimmerman ’90 is SMU’s all-time leading scorer for women’s soccer with 101 goals and 44 assists. The 1990 All-American led the team in goals for four straight seasons (1987-90).
Luchi Gonzalez ’01 ranks third in the men’s soccer program history with 128 career points. The 2001 winner of the Hermann Trophy, presented to the nation’s top men’s soccer player, and NCSAA First-Team All-American helped the Mustangs win regular season conference championships in each of his years at SMU.
Tommy Bowers Sr. ’55 is the only baseball player in the program’s history to be named an All-American. He helped lead SMU to its only share of a league title by tying with Texas for the SWC title in 1953. He played professionally with the Dallas Eagles and was honored as the Texas League Pitcher of the Year in 1957.
Alfred R. “Red” Barr ’71 served as the head coach for SMU swimming from 1947 to 1971, leading his teams to 17 SWC Championships. SMU’s pool was named in honor of Barr, who coached 50 All-American swimmers and divers.
Bouncing Into The CIT
The men’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament in March, where the Mustangs lost 72-55 to Santa Clara University at Moody Coliseum. Robert Nyakundi led SMU with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Mustangs spent most of the game without leading scorer (18.3 ppg) and rebounder (9.6 rpg) Papa Dia (left), who suffered an ankle injury when he was fouled on a layup with 8:18 left in the first half. The Mustangs (20-15) finished with their first 20-win season since 1999-2000. Dia was selected the 2011 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the C-USA All-Defensive Team. The senior forward also was named All-Conference USA First-Team.
Nyakundi was selected All-Conference USA Third-Team and Collin Mangrum was named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team.