UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas – The SMU Mustangs’ run to the College Football Playoff caught many football fans by surprise.
The 11th-seeded Mustangs will take on No. 6 Penn State on Saturday.
The football program’s success has raised the national profile of the school.
New student applications are up more than 50% compared to last year, according to the school.
Google searches have also surged for several questions about the university.
What does SMU stand for?
SMU stands for Southern Methodist University.
The school was founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Where is SMU located?
SMU is located in University Park, Texas, in Dallas County.
More than 12,000 students were enrolled at SMU for Fall 2024.
The campus is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
What is SMU’s mascot?
SMU’s mascot is the Mustangs.
Peruna, the Shetland pony, has served as the school’s mascot since 1932.
The latest mascot, Peruna IX, has been galloping across the field since 2011.
SMU Death Penalty Scandal
SMU was the only school to ever receive what is known as the “death penalty” from the NCAA.
The punishment was handed down after an investigation between SMU and the NCAA found that between Sept. 1985 and Dec. 1986 that student athletes were being paid by boosters and that university employees agreed to the illegal payoffs.
The penalty required the Mustangs to cancel their 1987 season and the school canceled the 1988 season too.
The university also lost 55 scholarship positions for four years.
The committee who handed down the penalty said the punishment was meant to serve as an example for other universities.
What conference is SMU in?
SMU plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
2024 is SMU’s first year in the ACC.
The Mustangs previously played in the American Conference (2013-2023), Conference USA (2005-2012), the WAC (1996-2004), the Southwest Conference (1918-2995) and the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1915-1917).
Famous SMU Alumni
- Laura Bush, former First Lady of Texas and the United States
- Kathy Bates, Academy Award Winning Actress
- Bryson DeChambeau, professional golfer
- Brian Baumgartner, Kevin Malone from ‘The Office’
- Stephen Tobolowsky, Actor
- Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO, Bumble; co-founder, Tinder
- Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League
- Clark Hunt, chair of the board, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL
- Eric Dickerson, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Raymond Berry, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Doak Walker, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Forrest Gregg, Pro Football Hall of Famer
- Payne Stewart, professional golfer
- Nadja Swarovski Adams, chairwoman of Swarovski Entertainment
- Kevin Lavelle, founder and CEO, Mizzen+Main
- Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver, TOMS
- Jack Ingram, Country Music Singer
- Rick Scott, governor of Florida