Chase Walling admits playing football at SMU has its perks. The Lake Highlands High grad likes his new teammates on the offensive line, Coach June Jones is a great guy – oh, and President George W. Bush shows up periodically to say hello.
“He’s honestly an idol of mine, and it was so incredible to have him at practice,” Chase told me. “Coach Jones just asked him to come talk to the team and he was here the next day.”
The former president lives in Dallas, of course, and is overseeing the construction and installation of his presidential library on SMU’s campus.
“He talked to the team as a whole about how many people would kill to be where we were and about playing for each other. We all ran gassers and then after practice I went up to him to introduce myself. He was just the nicest guy.”
Added Chase, “He told all the linemen that those sprints would come in handy for the caliber of girls at SMU, so that was funny.”
Chase says playing college football has been a big adjustment from high school.
“It’s weird going from one of the bigger and better players on the field to being at the bottom of the pack, but it’s a learning process I’m enjoying. I’m looking forward to being able to play in a bowl game and hopefully win the Conference USA Championship. I’m definitely enjoying meeting new people and being away from home, but also being close enough to come watch LH whoop up on the rest of 9-5A on Friday nights.”
