Trinity University's Simon Pure Ruling
Trinity’s future looked bright with the accumulation of talented players by Houston Wheeler and their growing reputation as a successful team. In 1972 it was beginning to look like the Tigers might become a baseball powerhouse. According to Paul Batista this was all derailed by something called the Simon Pure decision. The San Antonio Express covered Trinity’s Simon Pure ruling, describing it as, “Trinity’s de-emphasizing of athletics. Last year Trinity’s Board of Regents, on a recommendation from Dr. Wimpress voted to no longer award athletic scholarships, except in tennis” (SA Express). This decision led to major change for Trinity, as all sports left the Southland Conference after 1973, and the head football coach quit immediately after the decision was announced, stating, “They can just count me out of that intramural program” (SA Express). It seemed that coaches were against the decision as much as athletes themselves. R. Douglas Brackenridge’s book, Trinity University: A Tale of Three Cities, recounts these Simon Pure events, stating, “I suppose Trinity athletes thought the ‘Simon Pure’ adoption was the final blow to their Herculean endeavors” (Brackenridge, 304). In order for Trinity baseball to compete with big name schools, they needed to offer top notch players scholarships. According to Paul Batista, this decision, “killed the program” (Batista) and any chance Trinity had at become a baseball dynasty. The team’s shortstop, Kenny Cmerek, transferred to Southwestern, where he received first team All-American honors. On top of that, star pitcher Ricky Mahler transferred out of Trinity as well. It is very possible that without the Simon Pure ruling Trinity would be a small Division 1 school today rather than a Division 3 school. Athletics, especially baseball, were trending up, as seen by Houston Wheeler’s 1972 and 1973 teams earning playoff berths and competing with the top teams in the nation.