SMU Athletics Hosts First Black Excellence Celebration

SMU Athletics created a "Black Excellence Celebration" to recognize and celebrate Black alumni, faculty and staff.  In its inaugural year, the Black Excellence Celebration included a pre-game mixer  and brunch, a suite in Moody Coliseum and halftime recognitions, complete with the pageantry of roses and commemorative items, for alumni, faculty and staff. 

SMU has made it a point to try to gather and recognize alumni, Black alumni, and faculty and staff, on a more regular basis in this case.   Mustang alumni Jabari Hearn and Reggie Dupard were quick to comment on the increased resources and programming provided to SMU's student athletes. 

Aside from the new facilities, alumni were introduced to Life After Ball (LAB), a program that connects student-athletes to other alumni and professionals working in a multitude of fields.  Hearn '97 hadn't been back to SMU in 27 years before this year's Black Excellence Celebration on February 18.