Spring 2018

SMU Announces 2018 Athletics Hall of Fame In this issue Class

 2018 Hall of Fame Class SMU and SMU Athletics, in conjunction with the SMU Announced Lettermen’s Association, have announced the newest class of the SMU Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2018 in-  Swim & Dive Host AAC ductees include: Janielle Dodds, Denny Holman, Wes Champs Hopkins, Hank Kuehne, Cheril Santini, and Clyde Carter.

 Football Announces 2018 These athletes will be recognized at the annual Hall of Recruiting Class Fame banquet and induction ceremony on Friday, May 4 at Moody Coliseum.  Jerry LeVias Mustang Football Golf Classic - Dodds was a four-time All-Conference honoree and two time All-America Honorable Mention Register Today! selection. She holds the SMU career record for points (1,861) and rebounds (974). As a senior, she led the Mustangs to the 2008 NCAA Tournament and a 24-9 record. That season, she was  Ponies in the Press named the Conference USA Tournament MVP after leading SMU to a 73-57 win over No. 18 UTEP in the championship game  In Memoriam Holman helped the Mustangs to three straight Southwest Conference titles and NCAA Tourna-  Upcoming Dates and ments, including a regional final appearance as a senior in 1967. He was named SWC Player of Events the Year in 1967, also earning all-conference and all-district selections. The Mustangs went 54- 25 during his seasons on the Hilltop with a 33-9 league record. Holman went on to play profes-  Renew your membership! sionally for the Dallas Chaparrals

Hopkins was an All-Southwest Conference safety on the 1981 and 1982 football national cham- pionship teams. He had 14 career interceptions, including a league-leading six picks in 1982. He had an SMU-record four interceptions in a game against Houston in 1981. Hopkins was a sec- ond-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1983 NFL draft, and played 11 seasons for the franchise. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1985 and was the 1988 Ed Block Courage Award re- Spring Sports are Underway! cipient. Visit smumustangs.com for Kuehne was a three-time All-American from 1996 to 1999. He won the 1998 U.S. Amateur up-to-date schedule championship and was the 1996 Southwest Conference individual champion. Kuehne represent- information for all sports. ed the United States as an amateur on the 1998 Eisenhower Trophy team and in the 1998 and 1999 Palmer Cups. He went on to play 11 years on the PGA Tour with eight top-10 finishes, in- Need tickets? cluding runner-up marks at the 2003 Shell Houston Open and 2005 John Deere Classic. He also collected four career professional victories. Login to your account to purchase or check out SMU’s Santini was a ten-time All-American and two-time NCAA Champion in 1-meter diving, winning official ticket reseller, the national title in 1992 and 1995. She swept the Southwest Conference championship on 1- Vivid Seats. meter over her four years, while winning the 10-meter crown in 1992 and 3-meter title in 1993. Following the 1995 season, she was awarded the NCAA's Top VII Award. Santini was also a three-time Academic All-American. In 1994, she was named one of Glamour magazine's "Top Ten College Winners."

Did you know? The Carter played football and basketball on the Hilltop, earning All-America honors on the gridiron in SMU Lettermen’s 1934. As a tackle, he led SMU to an 8-2-2 record as a senior in 1934. On the hardwood, Carter Association is on guided the Mustangs to a 14-3 record to capture the 1934-35 Southwest Conference Champion- ship. Facebook! Tickets for the ceremony and banquet can be purchased online here. For additional information on purchasing tickets Follow us here to stay in touch! to the SMU Hall of Fame Banquet, please call 214-768-4314 or email Jeff Lockhart at [email protected].

Mark your calendar for upcoming events and dates this spring! SMU Class of ‘15 —Holly Verner

Equestrian During her time on the Hilltop, Holly pursued a degree in Markets and Culture  UEC Championships at Dallas Equestrian Center. Dallas Texas. March 30-31 and excelled in varsity tennis on full scholarship. During her college career she Football attained a 11-5 record in singles matches and her rec-  Annual Spring game/ Lettermen’s Mixer: Saturday, April 14, 10am, Ford Stadium ord-breaking doubles record of 26-7. After graduation  Hall of Fame Banquet: Friday May 4, 6pm, Moody Coliseum she worked as an assistant account executive at  Jerry LeVias Annual Golf Classic: Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine June 1. (8am shotgun start) Maroch Partners in Dallas, before returning to California to pursue her passion for tennis. Holly is currently train- Men's Tennis ing at the Riviera Country Club, and in October of last  SMU vs. Wichita State at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas TX. April 6. 4:30 pm year she earned two title wins in six tournaments in  SMU vs. UT Arlington at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 8. 5 pm Southern California. Holly’s commitment to her sport shows tremendous gains in her fitness and mental  SMU vs. Tulsa at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 13. 4:30 pm training to play her way up the WTA rankings and con-  American Athletic Conference Men’s Tennis Championships at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, tinue her dream to play at the professional level. To TX. April 19-22 move through the rankings her success is determinant Women's Tennis upon her performance at the Women’s Open later this summer.  SMU vs Houston at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 7. 12 pm  SMU vs. UNT at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 12. 5 pm To learn more about Holly and support her passion for tennis, visit her website at  SMU Vs. ULM at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 14. 12 pm makeachamp.com/hollyverner .  American Athletic Conference Women’s Tennis Championships at SMU Tennis Complex. Dallas, TX. April 18-21.

Men’s Soccer Players selected in 2018 MLS Draft SMU Hosts AAC 2018 Swim & Dive Championships

SMU’s Michael Nelson and Mauro Cichero were selected in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft in Janu- ary. Nelson was selected 20th overall by the Houston Dynamo and Cichero was picked 29th overall by FC Dallas. This year marks the eighth time the Mustangs have had multiple picks in the MLS SuperDraft.

Nelson earned his third consecutive American Athletic Conference Goal- keeper of the Year honor after helping the Mustangs secure the 2017 American athletic Confer- SMU hosted the 2018 American Athletic Conference Swim & Dive Championships ence regular season and tourna- this past February at the newly built Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center and Barr- ment titles. This year Nelson McMillion Natatorium. Competing against the Mustangs were Cincinnati, Connecti- recorded a 17-3-1 record and 84 cut, East Carolina, Houston, and Tulane. percent saving percentage. Dur- ing his time at SMU, he recorded For the Women’s team, SMU has won 17 of the last 22 conference championships. a 47-20-7 record between the The Mustangs have also earned 21 individual and 14 relay championships in four posts, with 27 career shutouts, seasons as part of the American. The women’s team faced tough competition and 272 saves. placing fourth at the 2018 Championships trailing behind Houston, Cincinnati and East Carolina. Cichero, the 2017 American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year On the Men’s side, SMU has won 41 conference championships since the 1946-47 and first-team all-conference selec- season and have earned runner-up honors at each of the four American Athletic tion, helped the Mustangs win the Conference Championships. The men’s team has 28 individual; AAC champion- American regular season and tourna- ment with nine goals and seven as- ships and eight relay wins. The team placed third this year trailing behind Cincin- sists this year. He was named a nati and East Carolina. Hermann Trophy semifinalist for the second time in his carrier and earned 69 points including 24 career goals and 21 assists. Cichero will be join- ing fellow teammate Jordan Cano in the MLS who signed with FC Dallas on January 11.

The Mustangs finished the season with a record of 17-3-1 and ranked No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches’ Poll. After winning the American Athletic Conference Regular Season and Tournament titles, the team advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament.

SMU Football NSD 2018

The SMU football program and Head Sonny Dykes Sonny Dykes and Mustang Fans celebrated the incoming announced on February 7th the addition of 12 recruiting class with a Signing Day Celebration on student-athletes to the 2018 Mustang signing class. The February 7th in Dallas and special events in Houston and 12 student-athletes join seven previously-signed Mus- San Antonio. Most of the new class will arrive on campus tangs, who committed to the program on Dec. 20, Early for the Summer I session beginning at the end of May, Signing Day. but a few players have enrolled this spring.

The mustangs held strong to its claim of Texas pride, Fans eager to kick off the next season of Mustang SMU once again signed majority Texas players. Mus- Football should save the date for the 2018 Spring Game, tangs also arriving on the Hilltop hail from Louisiana and which will be held on Saturday, April 14th. Washington D.C. For full information on the 2018 signing class, including New Mustangs arriving on the Hilltop in 2018 include: player bios and highlight videos, visit Signing Day Central. To view the full Signing Day packet, click here. Darren Brown (DT) - Converse, TX (Judson) William Brown (QB) - Rosenberg, TX (Lamar On the Hilltop, the excitement around the 2018 football Consolidated) season is running high as the Sonny Dykes era begins. Trevor Denbow (LB) - Corsicana, TX (Navarro College/ Season tickets are available now for as little as $99 for Corsicana) SMU's six-game home slate. SMU’s Home Schedule for Nick Dennis (OL) - Midland, TX (Navarro College/Midland 2018 is listed below: Lee) Shabazz Dotson (DT) - Jacksonville, FL (Pearl River  Sept. 7 TCU C.C.)  Sept. 22 Navy Preston Ellison (S) - Odessa, TX (Permian)  Sept. 29 Houston Baptist Robert Hayes (CB) - Slidell, LA (Coffeyville CC/Salmen)  Oct. 27 Cincinnati Treveon Johnson (WR) - Brenham, TX (Brenham)  Nov. 3 Houston Terry Keys III (CB/WR) - Dickinson, TX (Dickinson)  Nov. 16 Memphis Levon Livingston (OL) - Washington, D.C. (Navarro Col- lege/Ballou) You can also be a part of directly supporting SMU Beau Morris (OL) - Baton Rouge, LA (Blinn College/St. Football in their recruiting efforts by making a gift in Michael The Archangel) support of the SMU Football Excellence Fund. Gifts may Terrance Newman (DT) - Duncanville, TX (Duncanville) be made online or by calling 214-768-2582. Jimmy Phillips, Jr. (OLB) - Mesquite, TX (Poteet) Ben Redding (TE) - Friendswood, TX (Friendswood) Football season tickets are now available! Click here or Jalen “JC” Rispress (OLB) - Fort Worth, TX (All Saints call 214-SMU-GAME. Episcopal) Jaylon Thomas (OL) - Lubbock, TX (Coronado) Gary Wiley (OLB) - Longview, TX (Pine Tree) TaMerik Williams (RB) - Angleton, TX (Angleton)

Hannah Miller—Named American indoor Track Athlete of the Week (1/23)

Women’s Basketball McKenzie Adams—Third Team All-American Johnasia Cash—Jerry Levias Outstanding Athlete Award Kiara Perry— AAC Weekly Honor Roll 12/26 Cross Country: Ariana Whitfield—All-Freshman Team Hannah Miller— named American Athletic Conference Women’s Runner of the Year Women’s Golf Team—Mustangs earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors Brigitte Dunne—Named the American Athletic Conference Golfer of the Week (2/7) Equestrian: Lauren Chappell—Named the American Athletic Conference Golfer of Nora Gray—UEC Reining Rider of the Month (Nov, Feb) the Week (3/15) Anne Mason Jackson—NCEA Standout Student-Athlete of the Month (Dec) Women’s Soccer: Vivian Yowan—EUC Rider of the month (Feb) Hannah Allred—American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team Isabelle Nashmi—American Athletic Conference All-Rookie Team Football: Claire Oates—Named (USC) All-Southeast Region Third Team; All- Evan Brown—Honorable Mention All-Conference; NFF Gridiron Club American Athletic Conference First Team of Dallas Collegiate Scholar-Athlete Haley Thompson—CoSIDA Academic All-District 7 First Team Ben Hicks—Touchdown Club of Columbus 2018 Players to Watch List Allie Thornton—All-American Athletic Conference Second Team Will Hopkins—CoSIDA Academic All-American Team—Earned Team Fair Play Award Justin Lawler—First-Team All-Conference Trey Quinn—First-Team All-Conference Women’s Swimming & Diving: Courtland Sutton—First-Team All-Conference Katie Crown—All-American Athletic Conference League Honors Josh Williams—CoSIDA Academic All-American Gabi Grobler—All-American Athletic Conference League Honors Van Malone—AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year Taylor Ohlhauser—All-American Athletic Conference League Honors Andrea Podmanikova—All-American Athletic Conference Honors Men’s Basketball: Felicity Passon—All-American Athletic Conference League Honors Ethan Chargois– Named the American Rookie of the Week 12/18; All- Matea Samardzic— Earned Most outstanding Perfor mer Honors at Rookie Team AAC Championships; All-American Athletic Conference Honors Ben Emelogu II—AAC Weekly Honor Roll Erin Trahan—All-American Athletic Conference Honors Jarrey Foster—AAC Honor Roll Shake Milton— American Athletic Conference Player of the Week Volleyball: 12/4, 1/22; Second-Team All-Conference; USBWA All-District; NABC Brittany Adams—All-American Athletic Conference Second Team; All-District 25 Second Team Named AAC offensive Player of the Week (10/30) Jimmy Whitt—AAC Weekly Honor Roll 12/18; Katie Hegarty— All-American Athletic Conference First Team Lauren Mills— All-American Athletic Conference First Team Men’s Soccer: Kendall Patterson— All-American Athletic Conference Second Team Jordan Cano— Third Team All-American; First Team Scholar All- Montana Watts—Named AAC American Defensive Player of the Week America (11/6) Mauro Cichero—First Team All-American; FC Dallas MLS Draft Pick *Student-Athlete and Team Accomplishments as of March 21, 2017 Garrett McLaughlin— Third Team All-American Michael Nelson—First Team All-East Region; Second Team Scholar All-America; Houston Dynamo MLS Draft pick Philip Ponder—CoSIDA Academic All-America Third Team

Men’s Swimming & Diving: Jonathan Gomez— American Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Week 1/16, 1/30; AAC Championships Most Outstanding Performer Bryce Klein— AAC Championships Most Outstanding Diver Jim Stillson— USA Diving’s Phil Boggs Award Recipient Team— CSCAA Scholar All-America Darian Schmidt—Men’s Diving Coach of the Year Team Sponsor Package ($3,000*): Rowing  Registration for one team of four Emily Fogg-Recipient of Hyer Society’s 2018 University Achievement  Clubhouse and Media Recognition as Team Sponsor Award Individual Golfer Registration ($750*) Track & Field Chelsea Francis—Named American Indoor Track Athlete of the Week (1/30) *Tournament participation includes pre-tournament breakfast Latessa Johnson—Earns American Indoor Track Most Outstanding and admission to the post-tournament luncheon and live auction. Performance Award; Named American Indoor Track Athlete of the Week (2/13) Call 214-693-4677 to register by phone!

In Memoriam Richard (Dick) Bernet (1/32-2/18)— A Dallas Native, Dick Graduated from Highland Park High School where he demonstrat- ed his superb athletic and musical talent. A member of Phi Delta Theta, he attended SMU via a full track scholarship, pole vaulting for the mustangs. After graduating he served in the US Air Force where he became a Captain and flew the first jets for the Air Force. Following his military career, he joined his father’s stock brokerage business with Schneider Bernet & Hick- man.

John Hamberger (10/24-12/17)—After serving in the Navy during World War II, John attended SMU where he played foot- ball for the Mustangs where he earned an SWC championship in 1947 and 1948, two Cotton Bowl’s, all SWC tackle , and 1948 Chicago Tribune All-American. John was then drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles before we was transferred to the Pitts- burgh Steelers. After his football career, he went in public school administration serving as a head football coach, athletic ad- ministrator and eventual principal before retiring after 38 years.

John McElhaney (‘35-1/18)—Known as “Hoot Owl” John was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, ran with Peruna at football games, and swam on multiple Southwest Conference champion swimming teams. After graduating from SMU, he attended law school and prac- ticed law in Dallas and representing SMU on multiple affairs including the SMU football infractions during the 1980’s. John was very active in the legal community, training gener- ations of lawyers, and holding positions in the American Bar Association.. For his legal accomplishments he received the SMU Dedman School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.

Ronald Meyer (2/41-12/17)—Coach Ron Meyer attended Purdue University before establishing an impressive coaching career at SMU and later NFL teams such as the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Meyer, a two time recipient of the AFC Coach of the Year, also served on national television as a CNN analyst and Sunday morning commentator.

Walton Miller (9/32-1/18)—An honor graduate of Highland Park schools, Walton attended SMU excelling in academics while serving as an officer for his fraternity Phi Delta Theta and playing basketball and tennis. He also attended Air Force ROTC training and was commissioned with the Air Force Reserves after graduating with high honors from SMU. Walton then joined his mother in operating the Henry Miller Insurance Agency in Dallas, which he grew into a regional Life and Property and Casualty brokerage firm.

Jim Parr (12/38-12/17)—Jim graduated SMU in 1962, while on the Hilltop he was a member of ATO Frater- nity and served as a 4-year track letterman where he won several events in the Southwest conference as well as national meets. After graduating he became a 1st Lieutenant in the Marines where he competed in track through the US and abroad. Jim then returned to the Hilltop to become the youngest Head coach for Track and Field and Cross Country. Leaving SMU in 1979, he then went on to work for Jackson and Lone Star Concrete.

Billy Bob Stewart (11/44-2/18)— Billy Bob was a loving husband and father from Grand Prairie, Texas. After playing football in high school where he was a star quarterback and linebacker, Billy Bob went on to play for SMU. While at SMU he earned All-Southwest Conference for three years. He was then drafted by the New Orleans Saints and also played Canadian Football. After his football career , Stewart worked as a private investigator for 27 years.

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 To renew, visit our website, call 214-768-4000 or send your payment to PO Box Five-Year: $375 750315, Dallas, TX 75275. Lifetime: $1500