Fans Leaving Early

[lwedge]

JJ needs to get more players dressed for the game on a rotation basis. We probably have 25 - 30 players not dressing that could be on the sideline for some games. Give them the chance to be out there.

I am not saying we need 90 on the sideline, but on a home game, it is reasonable to dress 75-80. These guys would let their friends and family know, as well as other students.

If we want to start having the enthusiasm I have seen for 30 years at SEC games, then let's take a few cues from how those schools and how they run their programs.

I stayed for the whole game on the west side and our group, section 103 about 18 rows up, was loud till the end.

Thanks to the students who did stay, they were loud and engaged.

Look for the D to play well if the offense can move it a little.

Has the makings for another good game.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Sometimes when you dress players that KNOW they're not going to play, you run the risk of having players that are not focused, and goofing around. Plus, it's pretty good incentive for players to bust their butts in practice, if they want to dress for the games.

[Pony_Fan]

You just yell "The game isn't over!" -- and then check out the look on their faces.

This is a stupid thread. Does any other school worry about start times? Gimme a break.
Get a babysitter.

There were quite a few students who stayed and I applaud them.

[lwedge]

Sometimes when you dress players that KNOW they're not going to play, you run the risk of having players that are not focused, and goofing around. Plus, it's pretty good incentive for players to bust their butts in practice, if they want to dress for the games.

If we have players who don't treasure the chance to dress and be on the field, even if they are a RS or have no chance to play, then we don't need them.

I am not arguing against your point because it has validity. But give the players WHO ARE busting it in practice every week that chance. It should inspire them to continue with their effort and get them comfortable with the process when it is their time to play.

I've been there, and it does matter.

JJ needs to be more flexible and accepting. I can tell you the Navy staff was surprised that we only dressed about 67.

To boot, if you are not dressing, you are not allowed in the lockeroom or on the field before or after the game. Recruits - yes, current players not dressing - no.

Hard to figure that.

[SMU Hockey 2010]

I liked that the student section had a good contingent staying for the Varsity at the end. That doesn't happen often after a loss.

Good job, us.

[Longtime]

A mid-October game should have been an afternoon kickoff. No question. It's the best weather of the year in Dallas and we had a 7 p.m. kick.

I'm sure the thinking by SMU was to A) allow families to get their Saturday activities out of the way and B) avoid conflicting with Texas-OU as much as possible. Like it or not, that game has a huge impact, just like a Cowboys game on Sunday.

As for fans leaving early, we don't have a Big 12 or SEC-type fan base where it's mostly younger people. You hardly see any small kids at Texas-OU and almost no blue hairs. We have families with kids, elderly people, etc. Right now the games are accessible for old folks and people with small children because the stands are rarely packed.It's just a fact of life about SMU and until we develop a bigger following, you're going to have to deal with people leaving early. And Even if they leave early, at least they show up at all.

As for kids being able to stay late at high school games, we're not talking junior high or elementary age kids. There are lots of toddlers and even infants at the games. I think that's great - start'em young on SMU football. But it's not a matter of whether a 4 year old can stay up past his bedtime. Oh, he can. Trust me. It's a matter of when he's going to have a screaming meltdown in the middle of the stands and how fast you can get him outta there.

Oh and to the newbie who thinks selling beer at the games would make people stay in the second half: It's against NCAA rules to sell beer at games. Some schools get around it, but SMU isn't going to. Besides, there's plenty of beer and other beverages consumed on The Boulevard. If that's not enough drinking for you, get a flask or a set of bar-noculars. I would hardly say going to an SMU game is a strictly sober experience.

But the bottom, bottom line is that for the first time in a long while we have games worth sticking around for in the second half. That takes some getting used to.

[Wuba]

Oh and to the newbie who thinks selling beer at the games would make people stay in the second half: It's against NCAA rules to sell beer at games. Some schools get around it, but SMU isn't going to.

It is against the rules but some schools get around it? Sounds to me like it might not be against the rules.

[Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans]

Oh and to the newbie who thinks selling beer at the games would make people stay in the second half: It's against NCAA rules to sell beer at games. Some schools get around it, but SMU isn't going to.

It is against the rules but some schools get around it? Sounds to me like it might not be against the rules.

Someone posted that they will be selling beer at the SMU/Houston game this weekend, but I agree I doubt you will ever see that at Ford Stadium.

[lwjr]

Oh and to the newbie who thinks selling beer at the games would make people stay in the second half: It's against NCAA rules to sell beer at games. Some schools get around it, but SMU isn't going to.

It is against the rules but some schools get around it? Sounds to me like it might not be against the rules.

Someone posted that they will be selling beer at the SMU/Houston game this weekend, but I agree I doubt you will ever see that at Ford Stadium.

Maybe that is why UH is able to attract large crowds.

[PK]

Whether the NCAA allows it or not, the fact is that University Park is a dry area and the sale of alcoholic beverages is illegal unless it is in a private club setting...which the glass enclosed area on the west side is. You can drink in UP, thus the Vard, but you cannot sell it unless you are in a private club. (at least that is my understanding)

[CalallenStang]

Whether the NCAA allows it or not, the fact is that University Park is a dry area and the sale of alcoholic beverages is illegal unless it is in a private club setting...which the glass enclosed area on the west side is. You can drink in UP, thus the Vard, but you cannot sell it unless you are in a private club. (at least that is my understanding)

That would be a simple fix.

"Your purchase of this ticket includes a membership to the SMU Beverage Club. This membership will expire at 11:59 PM on the date of the event."

[Wuba]

Whether the NCAA allows it or not, the fact is that University Park is a dry area and the sale of alcoholic beverages is illegal unless it is in a private club setting...which the glass enclosed area on the west side is. You can drink in UP, thus the Vard, but you cannot sell it unless you are in a private club. (at least that is my understanding)

I agree that even if SMU wanted to sell beer they would have to get permission from UP and that likely would not happen.

My question was, how can the NCAA have a rule against it that some schools get around? Put simply, if some schools sell beer at football games then clearly the NCAA does not have a blanket rule against selling beer at football games. They might have a number of hurdles in place, but there is not a rule against it.

[VarsityShop]

I bet Steve Orsini would go for it, but President Turner would never ever in a million years support such a move.

[SMU2007]

Annoying that SMU fans are leaving early - but at least they are showing up at all. One step at a time. Not too long ago, these people wouldn't even come at all. Maybe, in time they'll stay for the whole game.

[mrydel]

Whether the NCAA allows it or not, the fact is that University Park is a dry area and the sale of alcoholic beverages is illegal unless it is in a private club setting...which the glass enclosed area on the west side is. You can drink in UP, thus the Vard, but you cannot sell it unless you are in a private club. (at least that is my understanding)

I agree that even if SMU wanted to sell beer they would have to get permission from UP and that likely would not happen.

My question was, how can the NCAA have a rule against it that some schools get around? Put simply, if some schools sell beer at football games then clearly the NCAA does not have a blanket rule against selling beer at football games. They might have a number of hurdles in place, but there is not a rule against it.

I thought the NCAA rule was you can not sell alcohol at an on campus facility. Not sure how the private club deal works. Off campus is ok such as the Super Dome. Is the Houston stadium on campus? UNLV is not and they sell hard liquor.