What businesses helped get the state of Texas back on their feet after the Kennedy assassination?
What professional sport franchise helped put the city of Texas back on the sports map?
What football stadium was nicknamed “The House that Doak Built?”
What coach was hired to help turn the SMU football program around?
What were the nine schools that were a part of the Southwest Conference?
What was considered the only way to compete in SWC football to be successful?
Who was the first player that SMU signed to help turn around their program that they paid for?
What was the name of the stadium that SMU moved to play their regular season games?
Coach Meyer did not want players that could play at the college level, but wanted players that could play where?
What was considered the game that launched SMU to the national football spotlight?
Why did SMU get on probation during the 1981 from the NCAA?
In 1981 what was the name given to the final game of the season against Arkansas?
Where did Ron Meyer go after leaving SMU to coach?
What was the name of the coach that took the place of Ron Meyer? Where did he coach before taking the SMU job?
How was Sherwood Blunt considered a part of the SMU football program?
Why did the NCAA pollsters drop SMU in the polls?
What newspaper helped break the SMU scandal in 1983?
What state did SMU recruit Sean Stopperich from?
Why did Sean Stopperich never make it in the SMU football program?
Who was Bill Clements and what job did he hold with SMU?
How was Bill Clements involved in the SMU investigation?
When SMU decided to stop “making payroll” to players, why did that not work?
How did Bill Clements try to throw the NCAA off his trail in the investigation? Who did he blame instead?
In 1985 SMU was placed on probation again, based on the violations of recruiting who?
What were some consequences of the probation in 1985 and 1986?
Why did they say Eric Dickerson took a pay cut when he entered the NFL?
At a conference held by the NCAA in New Orleans in 1985, they established the “Repeat Violators Rule”. What was that rule unofficially named by the public?
David Stanley, an SMU player, helped bring down the SMU football program by doing what?
How much money did David Stanley receive for playing at SMU?
What did the SMU faculty call for from the school?
What were some of the consequences the SMU football program endured when they received the “death penalty” in 1987?
What options were players given after SMU went on probation with other programs?
Since the football team was banned from playing, what sport took its place for the homecoming game?
What year did the they try to start football back up?
Who was hired to restart the football program? Why was he chosen to lead the program?
What happened on September 2, 1989?
Who was the first victory against since the “death penalty”?
What conference did SMU join after the Southwest Conference broke up?
What was the name of the coach that took SMU to its first bowl game since the “death penalty”?
Do you feel the SMU football program has ever recovered since the 1980’s?
Here are the answers to your questions:
Businesses that helped Texas after the Kennedy assassination: The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 was a significant event that affected the entire nation, including Texas. While specific businesses are not typically credited with "getting Texas back on its feet," the state's economy continued to grow due to its diverse industries, including oil, agriculture, and technology. The resilience of local businesses and the community played a role in moving forward after the tragedy.
Professional sports franchise that helped put Texas on the sports map: The Dallas Cowboys, established in 1960, became a significant force in professional sports and helped put Texas on the sports map. Their success in the NFL, particularly during the 1970s and 1990s, contributed to their reputation as "America's Team."
Football stadium nicknamed “The House that Doak Built”: The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, was often referred to as "The House that Doak Built" in honor of Doak Walker, a legendary SMU football player whose popularity helped fill the stadium.
Coach hired to turn the SMU football program around: Ron Meyer was hired in 1976 to help turn around the SMU football program.
Nine schools in the Southwest Conference (SWC): The SWC included the University of Arkansas, Baylor University, Rice University, Southern Methodist University (SMU), University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University (TCU), Texas Tech University, and the University of Houston.
Considered the only way to compete in SWC football: Recruiting top talent, often through questionable means, was considered necessary to compete successfully in SWC football.
First player SMU signed and paid for: Eric Dickerson was one of the most notable players SMU signed during this era, although the program was involved in various recruiting violations.
Stadium SMU moved to for regular season games: SMU played their home games at the Cotton Bowl during the height of their football success.
Coach Meyer wanted players who could play where: Ron Meyer wanted players who could play at the professional level, not just college.
Game that launched SMU to the national spotlight: The 1980 game against Texas, where SMU won 20-6, helped launch them into the national spotlight.
Why SMU got on probation in 1981: SMU was placed on probation due to recruiting violations, including improper benefits to players.
Name given to the final game of the season against Arkansas in 1981: The game was often referred to as the "Pony Express" game, highlighting SMU's powerful running back duo.
Where Ron Meyer went after leaving SMU: Ron Meyer left SMU to coach the New England Patriots in the NFL.
Coach who replaced Ron Meyer and his previous coaching position: Bobby Collins replaced Ron Meyer. Before SMU, Collins was the head coach at Southern Mississippi.
Sherwood Blunt's involvement with SMU: Sherwood Blunt was a booster involved in the payments to SMU players, contributing to the scandal.
Why NCAA pollsters dropped SMU in the polls: SMU was dropped in the polls due to ongoing investigations and allegations of recruiting violations.
Newspaper that helped break the SMU scandal in 1983: The Dallas Morning News played a significant role in uncovering the SMU scandal.
State SMU recruited Sean Stopperich from: Sean Stopperich was recruited from Pennsylvania.
Why Sean Stopperich never made it in the SMU program: Stopperich left the program due to injuries and the pressure of the scandal.
Bill Clements and his role with SMU: Bill Clements was a former Texas governor and a member of the SMU Board of Governors. He was involved in the decision to continue payments to players.
Bill Clements' involvement in the SMU investigation: Clements admitted to knowing about the payments and was part of the decision-making process to continue them.
Why stopping "making payroll" to players didn't work: The decision to stop payments was not immediately effective, as commitments had already been made to players.
How Bill Clements tried to deflect blame: Clements attempted to blame the continuation of payments on the athletic department and other officials.
Probation in 1985 based on recruiting violations: SMU was placed on probation again due to continued recruiting violations, including payments to players like David Stanley.
Consequences of probation in 1985 and 1986: SMU faced scholarship reductions, recruiting restrictions, and a ban on bowl games and television appearances.
Eric Dickerson's "pay cut" comment: It was a joke referring to the fact that he allegedly received significant payments while at SMU, more than his initial NFL salary.
"Repeat Violators Rule" unofficial name: The rule was unofficially named the "Death Penalty."
David Stanley's role in the SMU scandal: Stanley revealed the payments he received, which contributed to the NCAA's investigation.
Amount David Stanley received: Stanley claimed to have received around $25,000.
SMU faculty's call: The faculty called for reforms and greater oversight of the athletic program.
Consequences of the "death penalty" in 1987: SMU's 1987 season was canceled, and the 1988 season was limited. The program lost scholarships and faced recruiting restrictions.
Options for players after probation: Players were allowed to transfer to other schools without losing eligibility.
Sport replacing football for homecoming: Basketball took the place of football for the homecoming game.
Year football was restarted: SMU restarted its football program in 1989.
Coach hired to restart the program: Forrest Gregg was hired to restart the program due to his ties to SMU and his reputation for integrity.
Event on September 2, 1989: SMU played its first football game since the "death penalty," losing to Rice.
First victory after the "death penalty": SMU's first victory came against Connecticut in 1989.
Conference SMU joined after SWC breakup: SMU joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) after the SWC dissolved.
Coach who led SMU to first bowl game post-"death penalty": June Jones led SMU to the 2009 Hawaii Bowl, their first bowl game since the "death penalty."
Recovery of SMU football program: Opinions vary, but many believe SMU has made significant strides since the 1980s, though it has not fully returned to its former prominence.