SMU Wins!

Just wanted to see what it felt like to type those two words together: SMU wins. In the immortal words of Staind, it's been awhile. Actually, the Ponies' athletic department has won something. Something called the American Football Coaches Association's 2006 Academic Achievement Award. The Mustangs compiled an abysmal 11-35...

By Robert Wilonsky

May 26, 2006

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Just wanted to see what it felt like to type those two words together: SMU wins. In the immortal words of Staind, it's been awhile. Actually, the Ponies' athletic department has won something. Something called the American Football Coaches Association's 2006 Academic Achievement Award. The Mustangs compiled an abysmal 11-35 record on the football field the last five years, but turns out they may have a legit excuse. Seems every player in SMU's 2001 freshman class graduated and earned a degree this spring, prompting the prestigious award.

"It's an honor to win this award and it shows the commitment SMU makes to its student-athletes," SMU head coach Phil Bennett said. "It's also a tribute to our tremendous academic support staff, our faculty and our student-athletes that value their educational success. We're very proud of this achievement, and we will continue to strive for academic excellence."

In case you're wondering--as if you had to ask--no, Texas didn't make this Top 25 list. The only other state schools graduating at least 70 percent are Baylor and Texas Tech. Duke has won the award a record 12 times, which apparently is a zero indicator about the integrity of your lacrosse program. Since the award's inception in 1981 SMU has been earned honorable mention (70 percent) 11 times. For now, we assume incoming AD Steve Orsini will place the trophy in the dusty spot saved for a bowl victory. --Richie Whitt

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