UMYF Groups at Ford...

[MustangKurt20]

I saw a post about student volunteers trying to get UMYF from East Texas to come to the games. I grew up in Lone Oak,TX which is about 50 miles east of Dallas and I remember when I was ten years old and my dad taking a UMYF group to see SMU play A&M at the Cotton Bowl. Up until that day I had no idea about SMU and the experience was really neat. I desperately tried to get kids from my church/students still at Lone Oak/kids here at SMU which otherwise hadn't gone to the game had it not been for me nagging at them to go. There are students who reach out and try to promote our team, but the fact of the matter is people don't want to waste their Saturday watching a 3-9 team. I, however, loved every minute of every game and I'm totally geeked about next year. I'm going to make a serious effort this summer when I go back to call some of the youth ministers I know around the Greenville to Tyler area UMYF's to see if they wouldn't like to come and catch a game at Ford. I agree with someone's comment about how much more exciting it is for East Texas country boys to come and watch SMU in the big city because I am one. So I'll see what I can do on that.

Kurt

[Mustangs35SMU]

Count me in on that one!

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The Red and Blue Is Back! God Bless SMU Football!

[Sic_em]

When I was a kid, they used to have MYF day at the Cotton Bowl during the State Fair. I remember seeing SMU-UH a time or two. That would be a much more attractive trip than just going to Ford for a game, IMO.

[MrMustang1965]

I plan to spread the word around Houston, too. ROAD TRIP TO DALLAS! Four hours up. Watch the game. Four hours back. And almost every church I know has a church bus or church buses that they can use.

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"Winning ain't everything...but it's a lot more fun than the alternative!" S.M.U. SPIRIT: IT STARTS NOW!

[MrMustang1965]

Sic_em: Our 'home' is now Ford Stadium. It is MUCH nicer than the Cotton Bowl. The last time I was at the Cotton Bowl, it was in such disrepair it was sad. While going to the State Fair is cool, we're trying to not only promote the SMU Football Team but also SMU itself! Get the kids on the campus and let 'em see a school that could become their alma mater. Thanks for the post.

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"Winning ain't everything...but it's a lot more fun than the alternative!" S.M.U. SPIRIT: IT STARTS NOW!

[Sic_em]

1965, I agree with what you're trying to do, but put yourself in the kids' position. If you're going to take a field trip to Dallas, I think it's more attractive to the average teenager and his girlfriend to go to the State Fair and take in a ball game instead of going to Ford Stadium and taking a tour of campus. Remember, 9 out of 10 kids can't afford to go to SMU anyway.

[MustangKurt20]

I don't know about 9 out of 10 kids can't afford SMU. Currently at SMU 75% of students are on some form of financial aid. While it might just be a Work Study, a loan, scholarship, etc..., its good for SMU and hopefully trying to get out of the Snobby Millionare's University label.

Kurt

[crazy horse]

Sic Em what the heck are you doin' here! Don't you have something better to do?

BTW - No game Tuesday - give me a call.

With all due respect to sic em, the Fair is not nearly that exciting. We're talking 14 and up here. They've probably been to the Fair a few times already and/or Six Flags. If another event is a must, they could make it an overnighter - stay at a local church and do the fair or other attractions - my Church did that on a New Orleans trip. It takes a little creative thinking and planning ahead. Or some clever co-marketing by the SMU marketing gurus.

But the game alone could still be great. Get the kids on campus get some live music, food and the Boulevard hopping. Build a few other on campus events especially for them and the game will be the icing on the cake.

I agree. SMU is not for everyone. But I was by no means a rich kid. I worked my arse off to pay my way through because the education was good and I loved the campus. That's the type of kids you want anyway.

[MrMustang1965]

Sic_em: Looks like you're outnumbered. Come on! Think "outside of the box"! The State Fair is only for 3 weeks in October. Ford Stadium and SMU football lasts a heck of a lot longer! The Cotton Bowl is a cesspool. Ford Stadium is a palace! What is it that you're so hooked on about the State Fair of Texas? It's a haven for crime. Dirty. Smells bad. And it's nothin' but a bunch of midway hawkers and pigs and cows! And if you're lookin' for a place to lose your money...geez! Don't even get me started! At least if these kids come to SMU, they'll be gettting an education with their hard-earned money! Crazy Horse & MustangKurt20...thanks for the back-up!

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"Winning ain't everything...but it's a lot more fun than the alternative!" S.M.U. SPIRIT: IT STARTS NOW!

[Sic_em]

Crazy Horse, I know about the playoff schedule but thanks for the reminder.

I realize that I am outnumbered on this issue. Most of my observations are based on my personal experiences. When I was in MYF, we made a few trips to Dallas to see SMU games. They were either at the Cotton Bowl and combined with the State Fair or were at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, which was a big deal to me.

I have fond memories of watching Mike Ford to Emanuel Tolbert and later, some of the battles at Texas Stadium, usually Baylor vs. SMU which were some very good games and had the Baptist vs. the Methodist thing going with youth groups from both denominations.

I agree with Crazy Horse and others that going to the State Fair may not have any special appeal for some kids, particularly ones who live in the Dallas area and have been several times. I grew up in a small town about 100 miles out from Dallas and going to the fair or Six Flags was a big deal back then. Maybe times have changed.

Ford Stadium by itself can be entertaining as I found out last year when Crazy Horse took me to the Navy game. The ballgame was painful to watch but SMU setting the turf behind the endzone on fire during the pregame fireworks ceremony and getting to smell burning grass for the next half hour more than made up for it.

Regardless of venue, I agree that SMU will need to do some creative marketing to make this successful.

[This message has been edited by Sic_em (edited 02-18-2003).]