The Southern Methodist University football scandal, also known as Ponygate, was one of the most serious consequences the NCAA has ever given to a college or university. In this case, the Southern Methodist University football program was found to be illegally paying its players after having already been in trouble with the NCAA multiple times. The first time this football program was caught by the NCAA for not following its rules was in 1985. That's when an incident occurred involving offensive lineman Sean Stopperich. Before transferring schools after suffering an injury that left him unable to play, he was paid $5,000 by one of Southern Methodist University's enhancement programs to attend school and play football there. This caused "the NCAA to place SMU on three years of probation in 1985, limit its postseason appearances, ban the boosters involved, and strip the football program of 45 scholarships." However, this did not teach the program or the school a lesson. Once again in 1986, Southern Methodist University's football program was found to be in violation of NCAA rules. This was the seventh time they had broken and been caught breaking NCAA rules. This time it was discovered that "an unnamed booster was discovered to have paid 13 Mustangs players $61,000 from a slush fund with the approval of key members of SMU's athletic staff." The result of this complication with NCAA rules is what became known as the “death penalty.” This death penalty declared “no football in '87”. only seven games in '88. no television or bowl appearances until 1989 and restrictions on off-campus recruiting and number of assistant coaches until 1989 SMU signing no letters of intent for any high school players this winter... middle of paper.. .amp%3Bhp%3D25%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bwc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff%26amp%.Sobocinski, Eric J. “College Athletes: What Is Fair Compensation?” Marquette Sports Law Review 7:257. http://scholarship.law.marquette.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1172&context=sportslaw (accessed May 18, 2014). Sullivan, Robert and Craig Neff. “Shame on you, Smu.” Sports Illustrated, March 9, 1987.Article. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1135953/1/index.htmThelin, John R. and Lawrence L. Wiseman. The old college try: Balancing academics and athletics in higher education. Washington, DC: School of Education and Human Development, George Washington University, 1989. Weingarten, Paul. "Governor 'sorry' for SMU scandal." Chicago Tribune, March 12, 1987. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-03-12/news/8701190899_1_smu-scandal-bill-clements-smu-board