SMU, Stanford taking aim at new heights amid changing college landscape

UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas — Oliver Luck, one of the most-respected figures in college athletics, quipped that A.D. stands for “Andrew’s Dad.” That kicked off an intimate, informative evening last week in SMU’s sparking Gerry Weber EndZone Complex.

Andrew Luck shook his head like sons do when their father makes a joke, but you could tell he enjoyed being on stage with his father alongside SMU legend Craig James.

Why Stanford Football general manager Andrew Luck, a 4-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, was seated in an SMU facility Thursday before his Cardinal took on the Mustangs centered around the new world of college football.

“I’m taking notes, we gotta steal everything you’re doing,” Andrew joked with the crowd before getting serious about what he saw from Stanford as he took the job. “A program that I’m very proud of, shaped a lot of who I am. As well as a program that failed to embrace what was going on in college football, perhaps even acknowledge what was going on in college football.” 

The 1911 Group, a networking organization for SMU alumni, offering exclusive access to high-impact networking events, put on the event at $1,500 a ticket. Paying up meant access to an open bar, a terrific buffet of Texas barbecue, and access to the program with Q&A session.

It was a top-notch event meant to showcase the direction of two universities that’ll be linked together as critical additions to the Atlantic Coast Conference last year. Prior to NIL, revenue sharing and conference realignment really heating up, this type of event would be tough to see coming to fruition.

Instead, the two schools are trading notes and hoping to build together.

Next year, Stanford will return the favor and put on an event with different guests with the same fundraising goal. It’s a friendly competition of sorts between two universities that are spending big to ensure their football programs head in the right direction.

“I paid attention to what SMU is doing. There’s been a massive resurgence here, right?,” Andrew said in a pregame interview with On The Pony Express Saturday morning before the Mustangs and Cardinal faced off. “No stories are the same, obviously, but we’re chipping away in our own way in our own story, so there’s things to learn. Some alumni groups got together about doing a little joint fundraiser and it was a heck of a time on Thursday night.

“It’s certainly sharing some trade notes, if you will. We both are committed to putting really good football teams on the field and being true to the university’s mission.”

Oliver, who was West Virginia’s athletic director (hence the A.D. joke) from 2010-14, was key in SMU’s move to the ACC. He assisted SMU’s Board of Trustees in navigating the world of conference realignment and the work paid off.

The three gentlemen seated on stage spoke for an hour on topics ranging from NIL to conference realignment to SMU’s resurgence to Stanford’s direction and more. During a “transformative” time in college athletics as Oliver said, Andrew and James, two Stratford High legends shared their takes while Oliver moderated.

Much of the conversation was around the hope that college athletics and in particular, college football, gets fixed. The Lucks are actively working in the industry and see many things happening quickly. While Pandora’s Box is opened with regards to the transfer portal, NIL and other topics, there’s still something else out there now.

“As my dad taught me, Pandora’s Box is opened in the old myth,” Andrew said. “The last thing that comes out of Pandora’s Box is hope.”

There’s plenty of hope around the two schools that they’ll be in good position long term in college football.

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SMU, Stanford committed to winning big

SMU and Stanford are in different phases of their builds. Rhett Lashlee’s put the Mustangs back on the national stage with an AAC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance the last two seasons.

For Andrew Luck, returning to his alma mater to lead the Stanford football program, it means the world. It means a lot when Brad Freeman, a prominent Stanford alum, donated $50 million to the program. That’s a game-changing donation for the Cardinal.

It’s a sign Stanford’s on the right track with the big picture. SMU’s fundraising is already rolling.

“That’s not a big deal at SMU,” Oliver reminded his son before the SMU crowd poured some applause on him for that. “I just wanted to remind you, you are in Texas. You’re back home, Son.”

“Thanks, Dad. We can let that breathe,” Andrew said.

ACC expansion move links SMU, Stanford and Cal

While Cal also joined the ACC at the same time, it’s SMU and Stanford that are linked. Whether it’s via Condoleezza Rice and George W. Bush’s ties (how bout that for 1911 Group’s next event?) or trading notes on how to build a football program, the universities can help each other as best they can.

Luck wants the focus ultimately back on Stanford. Hiring the next football coach this offseason will be a step in the right direction for that. He wants a foundation like SMU has built.

“I’m right where I’m supposed to be, I know that. I love this university,” Luck said last Saturday. “I love this program. I believe in football as a sport writ large, I believe in college football and I know working with these young men, this coaching staff every day, this is a dream job. We’re building a championship culture, championship process, because at the end of the day, it’s about developing young men and winning football games.” 


SMU’s certainly checked the winning football games box that Stanford hopes to begin checking in the future. It’d be a good thing if the yearly matchup between the two programs gets more attention with both winning.

The program continues to raise funds to be competitive, looks to renovate its football stadium again, and overall keep the train rolling in the right direction for the next round of college football realignment.

Both schools are committed to winning and sustaining success. They’re both working toward that together.

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