Oral History of the old SWC and early Big 12

[Bison]

'I don't wish either of them well': The demise of the Southwest Conference, 25 years later

Twenty-five years ago, the Southwest Conference played its last game. But the SWC will never be forgotten, thanks to its innovative offenses, penchant for scandal and pettiness to the very end.

www.espn.com

I enjoyed the read...I don't think we will see another SWC but there's no denying its impact on college football. In the old Big 8, there was certainly some spillover effects from the SWC such as those option offenses and yes the cheating from both Oklahoma schools that had both put on probation in the late 80's. You even wanted to beat those non Nebraska and Oklahoma schools because you couldn't stand them in other sports. Even some of the Big 8 schools voted against Nebraska in league matters because of the hate for them.

Seems like California is lame in comparsion.

 

[Duff Man]

Fun article. The disparity in resources amongst conference members was just unsustainable.

The part about Spike Dykes having the opposing coach over for cocktails the night before games is pretty amazing.

 

[leftybuff]

I lived in SWC country from 72-83, and then followed Arky religiously until I went to CU in 87, even after. The SWC was a wild ride. Texas politics, oil money, rampant recruiting cheating, tons of talent, players and coaches, overlapping fanbases, hating your neighbor....there was nothing like it.

 

[BehindEnemyLines]

A while back the sports jocks did an interview with Marcus Dupree. At one point the convo turned to the recruiting process.

One of the hosts prefaced a question by saying he was pretty sure the statute of limitations was past, even for the ncaa. He then asked Dupree what was the one thing offered to him, during recruiting, that stood out.

Dupree replued, "an oil well".

 

[BuffLuke80]

A while back the sports jocks did an interview with Marcus Dupree. At one point the convo turned to the recruiting process.

One of the hosts prefaced a question by saying he was pretty sure the statute of limitations was past, even for the ncaa. He then asked Dupree what was the one thing offered to him, during recruiting, that stood out.

Dupree replued, "an oil well".

That's not surprising in the least bit.

 

[hawg1]

WPS

1957 - 1983

 

[patebuff]

A while back the sports jocks did an interview with Marcus Dupree. At one point the convo turned to the recruiting process.

One of the hosts prefaced a question by saying he was pretty sure the statute of limitations was past, even for the ncaa. He then asked Dupree what was the one thing offered to him, during recruiting, that stood out.

Dupree replued, "an oil well".

That's awesome

 

[Bison]

My grandfather, a big OU fan, before he died in 1997, he talked about the Big 12 being the Dirty Dozen for a reason.

Looking forward to the oral history of Nebraska and roids.

 

[CarolinaBuff]

Haven't read this yet but sounds like some similar things were talked about in the 30 for 30 Pony Excess. One of the best stories was when Texas A&M was recruiting Eric Dickerson and he suddenly showed up in this shiny new Trans Am and everyone was calling it the Trans A&M

 

[leftybuff]

Haven't read this yet but sounds like some similar things were talked about in the 30 for 30 Pony Excess. One of the best stories was when Texas A&M was recruiting Eric Dickerson and he suddenly showed up in this shiny new Trans Am and everyone was calling it the Trans A&M

FWIW, I heard that story when Dickerson was playing at Sealy HS. Not in the same league, but it was the hot story in the H-Town area among HS FB players. Story goes A&M booster shows at Dickerson house in a new Trans Am, hands Dickerson the keys saying:"This means we'll see you at A&M, right?" Dickerson says "sure". The next day he fires up the Trans Am to go sign his LOI for SMU.

Craig James played in H-Town too, at Stratford HS. Crazy times.

 

[GregInArlington]

He said oral