Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University (also known as SMU) is a private, coeducational Methodist-affiliated university in University Park, Texas, (an enclave of Dallas). Founded in 1911 by the United Methodist Church, SMU currently operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico.

Athletics

SMU's athletics teams are known as the Mustangs and participate in the NCAA's Division I (I-A for football) as a member of Conference USA, having left the Western Athletic Conference in favor of C-USA in 2005. SMU's closest rival in academics and athletics is Texas Christian University (TCU).

Related Topics:
NCAA - Division I - Football - Conference USA - Western Athletic Conference - 2005 - Texas Christian University

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SMU?s official mascot was named after an early 20th-century patent medicine, Peruna Tonic, which was popular for its ?kick.? Peruna is a black stallion Shetland pony that attends all home football games. Mustang fans show school pride with Pony Ears during school songs, chants, and cheers.

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The SMU football program was a national powerhouse before it received the "death penalty" - consisting of disbandment of the team for one year and a limited schedule the following year - for repeated violations of NCAA rules and regulations in its days as a member of the Southwest Conference. Since the "death penalty," SMU's football team has not placed a top 3 place in its division and to this day dispute is raised reguarding the past and public affairs with their "death penalty."

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