Southern Methodist buildings bound to leave tourists baffled

The folks at Southern Methodist University, where UNLV’s football team is practicing this week, sure know how to mess with visitors.

  The on-campus football stadium is named for Gerald J. Ford, but if you don’t notice the middle initial, you would think the former and late president slapped down $20 million for the naming rights instead of some billionaire banker.

  Which wouldn’t make much sense, given President Ford was a Michigan Man.

  The basketball practice facility is named for Crum, but not the guy (Denny) who coached Louisville to six Final Fours and two NCAA titles. Sylvie P. and Gary T. Crum are alumni with very deep pockets.

  It is true that the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum serves as a study of the life and career of our 43rd president and that you can purchase a book on such matters in the gift shop for $43. You can also pick up a nice white polo shirt for $60. I’m guessing Gary T. Crum wears a lot of nice white polos.

  The lines to enter stretched long on Sunday as the temperatures dropped, people waiting to examine the 14,000-square-foot museum and its exhibits on education reform and the war on terror and the financial crisis and to wander through a full-sized Oval Office and a Texas Rose Garden.

  And, of course, to make sure the place isn’t really named for Reggie Bush.

  ED GRANEY/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL