Orsini's Success ?

[Pony in SA]

First, I am glad we have Orsini and hope he can stay with us awhile so don't take this wrong way.

I am just curious what all his great successes have been. People keep touting what he has done, but other than a new stadium at UCF, what else ? I know UCF is taking off but it also seems like when you read about it others had a great big hand in that coming about and it wasn't all him.

Also, I don't really care about what he did at UCF or elsewhere I just care about what he will do for us. What I know is he has been our AD for some time and I don't see many changes yet regarding certain details involving athletics. I also don't see a change yet in realzing the importance to details or communicating with most fans.

Don't think our marketing campaign was huge success. We do have the Crum Center, but it is behind schedule. We still have ticketing and stadium issues that have not been corrected. Hell, the Ramon Flannigan banner near Gate 1 where you go to the grassy endzone in Ford is still hanging crooked and torn and several sinks in Ford still do not work. None of that is top 25 to me.

Also, there is no consistent communication with those of us who have had season tickets for years and been members of the Mustang Club. I still get things with 2 addresses although I have called, written and while in Dallas personally gone by to correct things. SMU plays UTSA down here in basketball Saturday. Think we could get an Intern to at least send e-mail to San Antonio alums to remind them of the game and to go out and support the ponies? That shouldn't cost much.

Hell, maybe some of us would help sponsor a lunch and buy tickets to the game? Anyone in the athletic dept. think to call or e-mall and ask ?

Hell, I gave money to the Crum Center and they did not even book it right so it went to SMU General Fund. I had to call the school and get it corrected for the athletic dept. No attention to detail, even on these things that would be simple to correct.

I like Orsini, and think he will be good, just wondering when these details will be addressed. Ford should be constantly cleaned, everything checked and working, and in best shape possible for recruiting if nothing else. 1 or 2 people should be hired to make a master list of season ticket holders and/or Mustang Club members and they should be communicated with on a regular basis so they feel more of a connection. The ticket office needs to be re-worked and upgraded (including computer upgrades) so that it is more fan friendly. SMU media guides and introductory letters need to be sent to every high school AD (not just those in the magic 300 mile radius) so they are there if we do ever come recruiting.

Hell, the soccer team's success needs to be touted and additional improvements need to be pushed for our truly successful program. Why not e-mail alums about each donating $50 or so so we could funnel more money into soccer ?

All of the above items are part of the "attention to detail" that I have not yet seen yet and Orsini has been on the job awhile. He may be trying and I don't know about it, but we need to do these things in all areas of atheltics if we really want to be top 25. Just seems like he has been AD long enough to change some of these things or at least begin to address them.

I hope he has landed a top 25 type coach and we will take off in football, but I still think we need to change alot of operations and spend more attention to detail on all aspects to be successful for the long haul.