Got my Season Ticket Renewal today - New Blvd. Policies

[Bergermeister]

How can they possibly justify raising prices 600%?

Maybe they're trying to beef-up the buy-out fund.

[MustangStealth]

Maybe they're trying to beef-up the buy-out fund.

Maybe they're trying to run off the remaining fans so they can justify dropping to IAA.

/kidding

[Ponyfan4ever]

To be top-25, we have to generate top-25 revenues (that’s why the Mustang Club set a bigger goal in 2007). SMU has hired two new FB staff positions (On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator & a F/T Director of HS Relations) and three new strength coaches and has instituted a new aggressive marketing plan. The increased revenues are only paying to better the product on the field and the game experience. The idea that the cost should increase only after we start winning championships is backwards - you need the revenues to fund the needs of the program as it grows.

[diamond_tom]

I was about to make my Mustang Club contribution. Now I'll save that money for the increased costs.

[mrydel]

I will be happy to contribute to Special Delivery and BUS if either or both continue on the Blvd. They always feed and house me well so I should only expect to contribute a fair share for the work they do. Let me know if either of you do sign up and I will send some moola to help defray the rising costs.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

To be top-25, we have to generate top-25 revenues (that’s why the Mustang Club set a bigger goal in 2007). SMU has hired two new FB staff positions (On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator & a F/T Director of HS Relations) and three new strength coaches and has instituted a new aggressive marketing plan. The increased revenues are only paying to better the product on the field and the game experience. The idea that the cost should increase only after we start winning championships is backwards - you need the revenues to fund the needs of the program as it grows.

Lets have the admission requirements for recruits match those of the Top 25.

[Peruna2001]

Is anybody else wondering what the visiting fans are going to do when they come to tailgate? When NTSU comes in September, are they going to be made to pay for these expensive spots or are they going to just squat in one of these extremely expensive spots? Is there going to be any enforcement? If they get kicked out of the expensive spots, what's going to keep them from illegally tailgating in the lot behind the library like the Baylor fans did when they came a couple of years ago (I really enjoyed having to walk through that lot filled with broken bottles and finding about 20 empty cans of beer in the bed of my truck)?

[PonySoprano]

That is why I am saying I would like to find out the specifics of this new policy. I would hate for them to say that the only people who can tailgate on the Boulevard are the people who have "bought" their spots. The way it has worked in the past seemed to work well - the folks with the parking on the Boulevard have the area adjacent to their parking spot available for tailgating, but the rest of the Boulevard is open.

The way things are described in the letter are still a little vague. I'd like to know more.

The Mayor. . .

[PonyCat]

The way it has worked in the past seemed to work well - the folks with the parking on the Boulevard have the area adjacent to their parking spot available for tailgating, but the rest of the Boulevard is open.

I don't think that's the way it worked. The Blvd. was open and "squatters" could take any spot they wanted - even if it was next to someone's parking spot. I think that was one of the problems. This just assures that the people who pay for parking get the spots.

As far as the Mayor thing goes, aren't Jim Johnston and David Hudnall the "founders" - sort of like the Mayor(s)?

[Ponyfan4ever]

There will be enforcement. SMU PD and CSC will enforce the spots and rules. People and visitors can’t squat. The opportunity to purchase tailgating spots will be given to visitors in some areas. They will have to pay if they want to tailgate on campus.

[BUS]

Mrydell, I was shocked and surprised by this 600% increase is cost. Mama was not happy at all and she is fine with purchasing a few ticket for a few games and going on the dart train.

I have written Special D and asked about joining him.

I do not understand the confusion and reason for this. I thought we all let all people come and join the area. That is the way the Bonds family, ArkPony, the Chicken and the like all got together. United in out love for SMU.

Yes a little help would soothe the sting but 600% increase - Not a lot of tact there.

Someone said, save the M-Club donation to pay the extra cost. It's an idea.

[BUS]

Ponyfan4ever, how do you know so much? Your a newbie and I would say you work in the Athletic office.

I hope you see you have a little fire on your hands. But let's be realistic.. It's months before football season and people will forget.

[PonySoprano]

[quote="PonyCatI don't think that's the way it worked. The Blvd. was open and "sqautters" could take any spot they wanted - even if it was next to someone's parking spot. I think that was one of the problems. This just assures that the people who pay for parking get the spots.
[/quote]

"General" tailgating was always allowed on the Boulevard south of Binkley, but the regulations that the University sent out every year always stated that the area next to the parking spot was reserved for the people that parked there. I never have had a problem with people trying to tailgate in my Boulevard spot.

Also, I believe that part of the tailgating experience is having it open and being able to meet new people/drinking buddies (even if they happen to cheer for the other team). The Boulevard is one of the few things that really brings us long suffering SMU fans together and creates a sense of community. I would hate to ruin that by raising the "cover" charge.

[BUS]

I was approached by the very nice people in the Geology Department and asked to set up next to me. We got along, helped each other and again bonded out of support for the same idea... SMU.


I remeber when Tulane was here right after Katrina - The Tulane coach and his family were there in the same clothes that they had for 5 days. His wife really wanted a glass of wine. I did not have any wine but with one step to the side the Geology Department offered two varieties and she was very pleased.

Again.. It's about money

[PonyCat]

"General" tailgating was always allowed on the Boulevard south of Binkley, but the regulations that the University sent out every year always stated that the area next to the parking spot was reserved for the people that parked there.

PonySoprano - was it enforced? Just wondering. I never had a spot north of Binkley, but I heard that squatters had become a problem for some of the peope who had paid for spots and that they (squatters) couldn't be moved b/c the areas were really "open."

Also, I e-mailed a buddy who graduated from Ole Miss (since the Blvd. is based on The Grove) about all this and he said that they have to pay $1,000 plus a donation to the Athletic Department for a parking spot at the law school (which isn't even next to the tailgating spots). Maybe $480 isn't so bad!