After spring practices, off-season workouts, two-a-days and a scrimmage, the 2007 SMU football season kicked off Tuesday afternoon. No, not on a field against an opponent, but in an event for the supporters and contributors of SMU football.

Each table held at least one player or coach, and the 90-plus tables filled the dining room at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole.

The special guests of the event were Don, Lance and Lott McIlhenny, a father and sons combination that combined for 11 letters in SMU football, including Lance leading the Mustangs to the 1982 National Championship. Lance was the quarterback when the Mustangs defeated the Dan Marino-led Pittsburg Panthers 7-3 in the Cotton Bowl.

Also on hand was legendary announcer Pat Summeral, who led a panel discussion in which the three McIlhennys discussed choosing SMU, playing at SMU and the future for the football program.

The highlight of the event may have been the reaction when Lance McIlhenny said that he chose SMU because an alum would buy him a car before revealing that the alum was his father, Don.

Lott said that his most memorable SMU moment was standing in the tunnel of the Cotton Bowl before going out to play for the National Championship, knowing what that group of players, friends and teammates had the opportunity to do.

At the end of the afternoon, Don McIlhenny presented a gift to the 2007 football team.

When Owenby Stadium was torn down, the stadium the Mustangs played in from 1926-94, Don was given a mantle that hung over an entrance gate. Don had DeMyron Martin and Andrew Galloway hold it up for everyone in the room to see. It is to be restored and hung at Ford Stadium.

The Mustangs will officially kick off the season on Sept. 3 against Texas Tech.