SPORTS TEAM HISTORY

Sports Team HistorySports Logo History
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Sports Team History Products
STH #3 Home Header 1440x650

SMU Mustangs School History

STH Greatest Player Polls Banner
SMU Mustangs




  • 1948
  • 1983
  • 2009
  • 2013
  • 2017
  • 1948: Doak Walker

    Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy

    In 1948: Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy as the best college football player in the nation.
    See Full Story
  • Eric Dickerson SMU 1983

    Pony Express Mate Eric Dickerson

    Dickerson committed to Texas A&M before reconsidering and deciding amongst Oklahoma, Southern California, and Southern Methodist University (SMU). His great-great aunt talked him into staying in the state of Texas to attend Southern Methodist University because she liked SMU coach Ron Meyer. Dickerson was the subject of recruiting controversy when he started driving a new Pontiac Trans-Am during his senior ...
    Read More
    See Full Story
  • smu mutsangs 2009 hawai bowl win

    Hawaii Bowl Champions

    In 2009: The football team wins its first bowl game since 1983, defeating Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl.
    See Full Story
  • American Athletic Conference (AAC)

    Mustangs joined the American Athletic Conference

    In 2013: The Mustangs leave CUSA and join the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
    See Full Story
  • SMU Mustangs 2017 basketball aac win

    Mustang’s basketball team wins its second AAC championship

    In 2017: The men’s basketball team wins its second AAC championship and reaches the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years.
    See Full Story

Mustangs Primary Logo
Mustangs Alternate Logo
Mustangs Wordmark Logo

History of the Mustangs

The SMU Mustangs have a long and storied history in NCAA athletics. From their first season of play in 1915 to today, the Mustangs have consistently been among the top teams in college sports. With a deep commitment to excellence on and off the field, SMU has earned numerous national championships, conference titles, and individual honors as an NCAA program.

At its founding, SMU was known as The Dallas College before becoming Southern Methodist University (SMU) in 1911. It wasn’t until 1915 that football began at what is now known as “Death Valley” – then located on campus near Ownby Stadium – with head coach Ray Morrison leading his team through their inaugural season against Texas A&M University; they lost 6-0 but would go on to win five Southwest Conference Championships over 25 years under Morrison's leadership between 1915–1940!

In 1932 Coach Matty Bell took over for Morrison after he left for Vanderbilt University; it was during this era that many consider some of the best players ever seen at SMU were recruited: Doak Walker (running back), Kyle Rote Sr., Bobby Wilson (wide receiver), Don Meredith & Forrest Gregg among others who helped lead them towards winning two more SWC titles by 1941 - including an undefeated 10-0 record during '41 when they beat TCU 20-14! In addition, these championship teams also had several All-Americans, such as Bill Mercer, who became a famous sportscaster later in life too!

Over time other coaches like Tom Landry brought even greater success with three consecutive bowl appearances from 1959–61, while Hayden Fry won another pair before retiring following the 1981 season. After that, Dave Smith took charge until 1986, when current head coach June Jones arrived, bringing yet another National Championship title home a long way… Since then, there has been much debate about whether or not it should be considered part "powerhouse" program due mainly because a lack of consistency compared to other significant universities across the country, but regardless fact remains that it still holds multiple records within the conference itself, which speaks volumes about how successful the program can indeed be if given a chance compete amongst best competition out there today!

Mustangs Products

Root Sportswear NCAA College Hand Sign Insulated Foam Can Cooler (One, Double Sided) (SMU Mustangs)
4.6 out of 5 stars(170)
$12.49 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
The Game NCAA Snapback - Patch Meshback - Classic Comfort - Adjustable Size - Let Everyone Know which Team You Support (SMU Mustangs - Blue, Adult Adjustable)
4.4 out of 5 stars(109)
Available for Amazon Prime $29.95 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Campus Colors NCAA Stainless Steel Tumbler Perfect for Gameday - 18 oz - Double Walled - Keeps Drinks Perfectly Insulated (SMU Mustangs - Blue)
4.6 out of 5 stars(1648)
Available for Amazon Prime $27.95 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Blue 84 NCAA SMU Mustangs 3" Vinyl Sticker 6-Pack, SMU Mustangs Red, One Size
4.2 out of 5 stars(75)
Available for Amazon Prime $24.99 $14.60 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Blue 84 NCAA SMU Mustangs 6" Vinyl Sticker 3-Pack, Smu Mustangs Red, One Size
4.3 out of 5 stars(37)
Available for Amazon Prime $15.99 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
SMU Mustangs 100-Percent Pre-Shrunk Vintage Arch College Short Sleeve Tee, Large, Sport Grey
4.2 out of 5 stars(248)
Available for Amazon Prime $19.90 $15.40 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Two Feet Ahead SMU Mustangs Newborn Baby Girl Bodysuit Creeper Onesie Hearts Tutu Skirt Dress(0-3 Months,SMU Mustangs)
4.8 out of 5 stars(127)
Available for Amazon Prime $39.99 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon
Team Golf NCAA SMU Mustangs Embroidered Golf Towel Embroidered Golf Towel, Checkered Scrubber Design, Embroidered Logo
4.8 out of 5 stars(7643)
Available for Amazon Prime $26.99 $24.41 (as of December 9, 2023 16:42 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Buy on Amazon




College Sports Established
1918

Location
Dallas, Texas

College Name
Southern Methodist University

Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1918 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States

Conference History
2013 - Present / American Athletic Conference
2005 - 2013 / Conference USA
1996 - 2005 / Western Athletic Conference
1918 - 1996 / Southwest Conference

Nickname
Mustangs - The SMU Mustangs is an NCAA Division I college football program in Dallas, Texas. The team has a long and storied history, with its first season dating back to 1915. But many people don't know that the nickname "Mustangs" dates back even further than that – to 1911!

The origin of the name can be traced back to an incident involving two students at Southern Methodist University (SMU). In 1911, two freshmen were walking across campus when they noticed a wild mustang grazing near one of the school's buildings. They decided then and there that it would make for an excellent mascot for their university's sports teams - thus giving birth to SMU's beloved Mustangs moniker!

For years after this event, various SMU student body members referred affectionately to their school as “the Mustang Academy” or “the Home Of The Mustangs." This eventually led university administrators to decide to make it official by officially adopting "Mustang" as its official athletic nickname in 1915.

Since then, generations of fans have cheered on their beloved Mustangs through countless big and small victories - including numerous conference championships and appearances in major bowl games over time! As such, this iconic nickname will continue living on for many more years into the future – connecting current players with alumni from decades past who proudly wore those same colors out onto fields everywhere around America every Saturday afternoon during fall seasons gone by…Go MUSTANGS!!

NCAA Championships
Baseball 0

Men's Basketball 0

Women's Basketball 0

Football 0

Soccer 0

Who is the greatest SMU Mustangs?
  • Add your greatest player

To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.

Sports News History

Sports News Worth Knowing

RSS NCAA Football Headline News

  • College football award winners 2023: LSU QB Jayden Daniels wins Walter Camp, Davey O’Brien awards
  • An ode to an incredible, bittersweet Pac-12 finale — with one more chapter still to be written
  • Trevor Etienne enters transfer portal: Brother of Travis Etienne led Florida in rushing TDs during 2023 season
  • ‘How will we pay for this?’ Radical NCAA plan raises questions
  • 2023 Heisman Tracker: Final votes from our writers

Sports Market History

Sports Team Marketplace of Champions!

College Logo Battle

Greatest Player Polls

STH Product Sale

College Schools
Menu
  • ACC
    • Boston College Eagles
    • Clemson Tigers
    • Duke Blue Devils
    • Florida State Seminoles
    • Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
    • Louisville Cardinals
    • Miami Hurricanes
    • North Carolina State Wolfpack
    • North Carolina Tar Heels
    • Notre Dame Fighting Irish
    • Pittsburgh Panthers
    • Syracuse Orange
    • Virginia Cavaliers
    • Virginia Tech Hokies
    • Wake Forest Demon Deacons
  • America East
    • NJIT Highlanders
  • American Athletic
    • Charlotte 49ers
    • East Carolina Pirates
    • Florida Atlantic Owls
    • Memphis Tigers
    • North Texas Mean Green
    • Rice Owls
    • SMU Mustangs
    • South Florida Bulls
    • Temple Owls
    • Tulane Green Wave
    • Tulsa Golden Hurricane
    • UAB Blazers
    • UTSA Roadrunners
    • Wichita State Shockers
  • ASUN
    • Austin Peay Governors
    • Bellarmine Knights
    • Central Arkansas Bears
    • Eastern Kentucky Colonels
    • Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
    • Jacksonville Dolphins
    • Kennesaw State Owls
    • Lipscomb Bisons
    • North Alabama Lions
    • North Florida Ospreys
    • Queens Royals
    • Stetson Hatters
  • Atlantic 10
    • Davidson Wildcats
    • Dayton Flyers
    • Duquesne Dukes
    • Fordham Rams
    • George Mason Patriots
    • George Washington Colonials
    • La Salle Explorers
    • Loyola Ramblers
    • Massachusetts Minutemen
    • Rhode Island Rams
    • Richmond Spiders
    • Saint Louis Billikens
    • St. Bonaventure Bonnies
    • St. Joseph’s Hawks
    • Virginia Commonwealth Rams
  • Big 10
    • Illinois Fighting Illini
    • Indiana Hoosiers
    • Iowa Hawkeyes
    • Maryland Terrapins
    • Michigan State Spartans
    • Michigan Wolverines
    • Minnesota Golden Gophers
    • Nebraska Cornhuskers
    • Northwestern Wildcats
    • Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Purdue Boilermakers
    • Rutgers Scarlet Knights
    • Wisconsin Badgers
  • Big 12
    • Baylor Bears
    • BYU Cougars
    • Central Florida Knights
    • Cincinnati Bearcats
    • Houston Cougars
    • Iowa State Cyclones
    • Kansas Jayhawks
    • Kansas State Wildcats
    • Oklahoma Sooners
    • Oklahoma State Cowboys
    • TCU Horned Frogs
    • Texas Longhorns
    • Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • West Virginia Mountaineers
  • Big East
    • Butler Bulldogs
    • Connecticut Huskies
    • Creighton Bluejays
    • DePaul Blue Demons
    • Georgetown Hoyas
    • Marquette Golden Eagles
    • Providence Friars
    • Seton Hall Pirates
    • St. John’s Red Storm
    • Villanova Wildcats
    • Xavier Musketeers
  • Big Sky
    • Eastern Washington Eagles
    • Idaho State Bengals
    • Idaho Vandals
    • Montana Grizzlies
    • Montana State Bobcats
    • Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
    • Northern Colorado Bears
    • Portland State Vikings
    • Sacramento State Hornets
    • Weber State Wildcats
  • Big West
    • Cal Poly Mustangs
    • Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners
    • Cal State Fullerton Titans
    • Cal State Northridge Matadors
    • Hawaii Warriors
    • Long Beach State 49ers
    • UC Davis Aggies
    • UC Irvine Anteaters
    • UC Riverside Highlanders
    • UC San Diego Tritons
    • UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
  • C-USA
    • FIU Panthers
    • Jacksonville State Gamecocks
    • Liberty Flames
    • Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
    • Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
    • New Mexico State Aggies
    • Sam Houston State Bearkats
    • UTEP Miners
    • Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
  • Horizon
    • Cleveland State Vikings
    • Detroit Mercy Titans
    • Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
    • Robert Morris Colonials
    • Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers
  • Ivy
    • Brown Bears
    • Columbia Lions
    • Cornell Big Red
    • Dartmouth Big Green
    • Harvard Crimson
    • Penn Quakers
    • Princeton Tigers
    • Yale Bulldogs
  • MAC
    • Akron Zips
    • Ball State Cardinals
    • Bowling Green Falcons
    • Buffalo Bulls
    • Central Michigan Chippewas
    • Eastern Michigan Eagles
    • Kent State Golden Flashes
    • Miami (Ohio) Redhawks
    • Northern Illinois Huskies
    • Ohio Bobcats
    • Toledo Rockets
    • Western Michigan Broncos
  • Missouri Valley
    • Belmont Bruins
    • Bradley Braves
    • Drake Bulldogs
    • Evansville Purple Aces
    • Illinois State Redbirds
    • Indiana State Sycamores
    • Missouri State Bears
    • Murray State Racers
    • Northern Iowa Panthers
    • Southern Illinois Salukis
    • UIC Flames
    • Valparaiso Beacons
  • Mountain West
    • Air Force Falcons
    • Boise State Broncos
    • Colorado State Rams
    • Fresno State Bulldogs
    • Nevada Wolf Pack
    • New Mexico Lobos
    • San Diego State Aztecs
    • San Jose State Spartans
    • UNLV Rebels
    • Utah State Aggies
    • Wyoming Cowboys
  • Ohio Valley
    • Eastern Illinois Panthers
    • Lindenwood Lions
    • Little Rock Trojans
    • Morehead State Eagles
    • SE Missouri State Redhawks
    • SIU Edwardsville Cougars
    • Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
    • Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks
    • Tennessee State Tigers
    • Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
    • Western Illinois Leathernecks
  • PAC 12
    • Arizona State Sun Devils
    • Arizona Wildcats
    • California Golden Bears
    • Colorado Buffaloes
    • Oregon Ducks
    • Oregon State Beavers
    • Southern California Trojans
    • Stanford Cardinal
    • UCLA Bruins
    • Utah Utes
    • Washington Huskies
    • Washington State Cougars
  • Patriot
    • American Eagles
    • Army Black Knights
    • Boston Terriers
    • Bucknell Bisons
    • Colgate Raiders
    • Holy Cross Crusaders
    • Lafayette Leopards
    • Lehigh Mountain Hawks
    • Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds
    • Navy Midshipmen
  • SEC
    • Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Arkansas Razorbacks
    • Auburn Tigers
    • Florida Gators
    • Georgia Bulldogs
    • Kentucky Wildcats
    • LSU Tigers
    • Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Missouri Tigers
    • Ole Miss Rebels
    • South Carolina Gamecocks
    • Tennessee Volunteers
    • Texas A&M Aggies
    • Vanderbilt Commodores
  • Southland
    • Houston Christian Huskies
    • Incarnate Word Cardinals
    • Lamar Cardinals
    • McNeese Cowboys
    • New Orleans Privateers
    • Nicholls State Colonels
    • Northwestern State Demons
    • Southeastern Louisiana Lions
    • Texas A&M Commerce Lions
    • Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders
  • Southwestern
    • Alabama A&M Bulldogs
    • Alabama State Hornets
    • Alcorn State Braves
    • Arkansas-PB Golden Lions
    • Bethune–Cookman Wildcats
    • Florida A&M Rattlers
    • Grambling State Tigers
    • Jackson State Tigers
    • Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
    • Prairie View A&M Panthers
    • Southern Jaguars
    • Texas Southern Tigers
  • Summit
    • Denver Pioneers
    • Kansas City Roos
    • Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks
    • North Dakota Fighting Hawks
    • North Dakota State Bison
    • Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
    • South Dakota Coyotes
    • South Dakota State Jackrabbits
    • St. Thomas Tommies
  • Sun Belt
    • Appalachian State Mountaineers
    • Arkansas State Red Wolves
    • Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
    • Georgia Southern Eagles
    • Georgia State Panthers
    • James Madison Dukes
    • Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
    • Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks
    • Marshall Thundering Herd
    • Old Dominion Monarchs
    • South Alabama Jaguars
    • Southern Miss Golden Eagles
    • Texas State Bobcats
    • Troy Trojans
  • West Coast
    • Gonzaga Bulldogs
    • Loyola Marymount Lions
    • Pacific Tigers
    • Pepperdine Waves
    • Portland Pilots
    • Saint Marys Gaels
    • San Diego Toreros
    • San Francisco Dons
    • Santa Clara Broncos
  • WAC
    • Abilene Christian Wildcats
    • Cal Baptist Lancers
    • Grand Canyon Antelopes
    • Seattle Redhawks
    • Southern Utah Thunderbirds
    • Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
    • Tarleton State Texans
    • UT Arlington Mavericks
    • UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
    • Utah Tech Trailblazers
    • Utah Valley Wolverines

STH News

Latest Sports Team History News

Scottie Pippen and His Infamous Impact on the Chicago Bulls 6 Championship Wins

December 4, 2023

The Oldest Basketball Team in the NBA: Sacramento Kings

November 30, 2023

Nick Sirianni Applauds His Eagles After Their Revenge Victory Over the Chiefs

November 27, 2023

The Evolution of the National Basketball Association: A Journey Through Time

November 15, 2023

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Search in posts
Search in pages
Sports Logo History
Sports News History
Sports Market History
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Sports Team History
© 2013 - 2023 Sports History Group LLC - All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Sports History
    • Baseball History
    • Basketball History
    • College History
    • Football History
    • Hockey History
    • Soccer History
  • Greatest Player Polls
    • CFL Greatest Player
    • MLB Greatest Player
    • MLS Greatest Player
    • NBA Greatest Player
    • NFL Greatest Player
    • NHL Greatest Player
    • Premier League Greatest Player
    • WNBA Greatest Player
  • More…
    • Sports Team News
    • Sports Team History Products
Available for Amazon Prime