Dear Editor:

Having been at SMU for a long time, the fall semester is alwaysthe most exciting and upbeat for me. The enthusiasm of new students(and their parents) is invigorating and.

Watching and learning from new students are renewingexperiences. Add in the many fall traditions surrounding ourfootball season make for loads of excitement.

During most of my career at SMU, football has either been at theCotton Bowl or at Texas Stadium. Having moved our football gamesback on campus at Ford Stadium has made a wonderful difference inthe atmosphere of each home game.

Our first taste of spirit is during a pep rally at the steps ofHughes-Trigg. We enjoy the before-game activities out on theBoulevard. We relish our times when parents gather here for ourFamily Weekend. I do miss the Homecoming Bonfire on the Coliseumparking lot. (Ah, fire regulations.) But, those were the days.

Speaking of “those days,” I have always felt thespirit for athletics was nearly 100 percent determined by whetheror not the football program was winning. I am convinced that CoachBennett will make the difference for SMU as we move to the wincolumn.

The fall is a beautiful and wonderful time of the academic year.I hope you agree and will join me with enthusiasm for the openingof an outstanding fall of 2003!

Jim Caswell,Vice President of Student Affairs�