The Students Don't Get It

[abezontar]

Every other college in this country has its students at the games regardless of how good or bad a team it has.

That's entirely not true.....ever heard of a school called Rice? They don't have great student involvment, what about Buffalo? What about San Jose State, Tulsa or UAB? There are a lot of schools that have just as poor student involvement in the atheletic program as we do. The only thing we can do to get students to come to the games other than field a winning team is to play teams that they have heard of, the likes of TCU, Baylor, Houston, Rice, Texas, Texas A&M, Tech and Arkansas, and I think it is safe to say that we will never be able to get them all on the schedule week in and week out. Maybe if we had a winning team that the creation of the Big 12...oh wait....

As far as acting the crybaby? You are the one griping about the students lack of support something that you as an individual have absolutely no control over. That's whining if you ask me. At least I can (and have) written to the board about Bennett, Copeland and the state of our programs at SMU, in an effort to affect change.

[Stallion]

all I know is that when SMU had beaten TCU 15 years in a row but had some good SMU teams on the ropes the entire student body and even the alumni side of the field of Amon Carter Stadium were on the feet and very loud. I distinctly remember that to this day. Smu fans have just given up-i'm embarrassed of the whole cheering section. If the underdog does give TCU a game this week, I really encourage every one of you to take a lead in changing this school embarrassment. The players on the field deserve vocal support. This sitting on our hands even with a full house and getting shouted down in our own stadium is devastating to recruiting.

[mrydel]

all I know is that when SMU had beaten TCU 15 years in a row but had some good SMU teams on the ropes the entire student body and even the alumni side of the field of Amon Carter Stadium were on the feet and very loud. I distinctly remember that to this day. Smu fans have just given up-i'm embarrassed of the whole cheering section. If the underdog does give TCU a game this week, I really encourage every one of you to take a lead in changing this school embarrassment. The players on the field deserve vocal support. This sitting on our hands even with a full house and getting shouted down in our own stadium is devastating to recruiting.

I agree with this sentiment fully but...is it just me or can we do away with this"THIRD DOWN THUNDER" stuff. That wore on me to a point of not wanting to yell in hopes that he would quit saying it.

[Stallion]

I'd prefer an applause meter perhaps using the Mustang as a barometer.

[mrydel]

I'd prefer an applause meter perhaps using the Mustang as a barometer.

Or just a flashing "make some noise" sign on the scoreboard.

[abezontar]

I think they have done both of those in the past haven't they....I know they have the make some noise marquee.....everybody ignored it too.

[RGV Pony]

I wouldn't be surprised if our PA guy got this idea from Bennett. Kstate does a good job with a similar ploy in Manhattan...only people respond. "...and that's good for another Wildcat..." and the crowd says, "FIRST DOWN"

[Duke Blue Blood]

Just win games.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

i think like 98% of ncaa schools do not allow the sale of beer within their stadiums except in the suite/press box area.

i believe Colorado did, but when they had the problems recently with the hooligans i heard they stopped it.

Tulane may have sold beer inside the Super Dome.

Of course when SMU was playing at the Cotton Bowl in the 1990's you could step right outside the stadium steps and buy beer.

i seriously doubt President Turner an ordained minister is going to go for selling beer inside Ford, but it would make for a more lively and rowdy stadium.

[RE Tycoon]

I'd prefer an applause meter perhaps using the Mustang as a barometer.

I can see it now...the horse drags [deleted], eyes down, tongue hanging out, resembling a donkey more than a horse. And then as the applause thickens the horse slowly emerges into a gallop. But with our crowd I don't see the poor horse ever being allowed to leg out a nice gallop.

[RE Tycoon]

Regarding the beer thing:
I heard that last year the marketing department tried several different tactics to try to sell beer to us poor slobs outside of the Club Level. If I remember correctly, the idea that had legs was setting up some sort of "beer garden" area where you would have to be a member much like in a dry county. I beleive this was the original idea for the Mustang Stables area. Obviously the proposal was shot down and I beleive it was the city and not our pious President. This is all from memeory so the details might not be accurate. I do know for a fact that the marketing dept. has tried every angle to try and sell beer in the actual stadium (the revenue from beer sales alone would put our budget on par with any BCS school). I think they should be commended for that but I also think they should not give up. Revisit this every year with the powers that be and maybe at some point they will relent.

Regarding "Mustang Thunder":
I too was beat down by the repetitive "Mustang Thunder" call from the PA guy. I think they should only break it out in key points during the game. I do however love the call of "First Down Mustangs!". I know it sounds kind of gay, but I get chills when I hear that. I don't know if people recall my rants about our "gameday presentation" but I have been a staunch critic (six year old cheerleaders on the filed, etc.). I will however give credit where credit is due, we have two of the best PA guys in the buisness, college or pro. They both have great voices and they lend a lot to the SMU experience. I don't know their names, I think the basketball guy is Dan Bell?, but they deserve recognition. It's one of those things you don't notice unless it's bad, and we have it very good.

[Diamond Girl]

Actually, the young cheerleaders are 8 years old, and they have more spirit than most of the current students.

[me@smu]

Pretty much "Third Down Thunder" was a nice experiment but if I hear it one more time in the stadium I am getting up and leaving. Besides, it just didn't work. People were going to yell or not yell without that obnoxious call every time.

[RE Tycoon]

I don't want to get off on another tangent about the "8 year old cheerleaders", but those girls have no idea what they are cheering for. Their parents push them out there, so they can remark how cute little Betsy looks. I'm obviously on an island by myself when it comes to this subject, probably because I don't have kids.

By the way this is in no way an endorsement of the students, I agree they lack spirit.

[Diamond Girl]

My niece happens to be one of the little cheerleaders, and she wanted to be one, not her parents who are both SMU alums. She absolutely loves SMU and has been going to all the games since she was a baby.