15,475

[bagice]

The Mustang Club line was insane..I also skipped that and found beer and food elsewhere.

[CalallenStang]

The student section was yelling "first down" after the band played "Peruna" on each first down.

[Mexmustang]

The students that stayed really seemed to enjoy it. They got with the band and were in sinc with the cheers, etc. But I saw whole sororities leave right after their candidates and the the results of HC King and Queen were announced. I have two sons at SMU now, the last of 5 attending SMU. They both left at half time. I admonished them and they said, "well, everyone leaves at half-time (no beer), it's not cool (no beer) to stay" "We have to get ready (get some beer) for the parties".
Other than cutting them off, which I am considering, something needs to change.
I understand your mention of the part about the sunshine, but this is the first game, where the lights were not on by halftime. What about the other games?
Again, alumns don't establish or build tradition, all we do is remember and complain if it is challenged. It is the students that build tradition at the university. I guess, part of the problem is our opponents, even I can't get too excited about some directional school in Florida or Alabama. Maybe when we get more competitive and upset a TTU or A&M (schools that associates of mine attended) at home, the 20 year cycle will finally break.

[Mestengo]

The Mustang Club line was insane..I also skipped that and found beer and food elsewhere.

I stopped by but did not eat or drink, can I get a partial refund?

[LawSchoolPony]

Not surprised by this number. For the thread on attendance estimates before the game, people on here were throwing out numbers like "26,500." If you were serious, then you need to put down the cool-aid and step away.

Brought 4 people to the law school alumni tailgate besides myself, including a Rice grad and none of us went to the game, but the Boulevard was great. I was the only one who wanted to see the game. Hope to make UTEP.

[smuuth]

To improve attendance, SMU must overcome the perception that is promoted that other than the athletes, it is a rich school for rich kids run by some rich influential alumni. You know how the t-shirt reads "We're not snobs, we're just better than you". It also needs to recruit more from this area. Shawnbrey McNeil and his popularity and success should send a warm message to Dallas area football fans.Somehow it needs to change that perception to one that is the University of the Dallas metroplex area and while exclusive in many ways is open and welcome to all. Then people will adopt it and support it. The big crowds and mustang mania involved large give-aways to boost attendance.

[Phxfan]

To improve attendance, SMU must overcome the perception that is promoted that other than the athletes, it is a rich school for rich kids run by some rich influential alumni. You know how the t-shirt reads "We're not snobs, we're just better than you". It also needs to recruit more from this area. Shawnbrey McNeil and his popularity and success should send a warm message to Dallas area football fans.Somehow it needs to change that perception to one that is the University of the Dallas metroplex area and while exclusive in many ways is open and welcome to all. Then people will adopt it and support it. The big crowds and mustang mania involved large give-aways to boost attendance.

Just my thoughts from along way from Dallas. Seems like somebody needs to think outside the box. The stadium looked pretty void of people. Maybe SMU could get things rolling a bit more by hooking up with some companies to not only promote the company but give away/sell some tickets. NASCAR was giving away tickets at the local casinos around Phoenix for May 09 race. Looked a lot better on TV with the stands full. Then of course, there are group homes, Boy's Girls clubs, YMCA, Church groups etc. May cost some $ to get things rolling but will eventually pay off. We are in a recession, maybe the employment/unemployment office.

Looking at the stands, I thought, if I were a kid looking to play at a school, I would want to play in front of a full stadium, not a bunch of empty seats.

[arlington pony fan]

. . . It also needs to recruit more from this area. Shawnbrey McNeil and his popularity and success should send a warm message to Dallas area football fans.

We actually have quite a few players from all over the metroplex. Yenga, Padron, Brooks, LeRebius, Turner, Bell (has anyone heard how he is doing - prayers go out to him), and others. I think the secret to improving attendance from surrounding communities is to offer CHEAP general admission seating ($10)and just KEEP ON WINNING.

We may not fill the stadium, but we sure will be feeling good anyway!

The crowd may not have been big, but they are becoming more enthusiastic.

[Mexmustang]

One other idea. We only have a few home games, yet two are scheduled this year on two weekends the students aren't even here, Fall Break and Thanksgiving. Why can't we at least move Thanksgiving to the next weekend? Many alumns can't even attend that weekend. Surely Tulane doesn't have a conflict?

[mrydel]

One other idea. We only have a few home games, yet two are scheduled this year on two weekends the students are even here, Fall Break and Thanksgiving. Why can't we at least move Thanksgiving to the next weekend? Many alumns can't even attend that weekend. Surely Tulane doesn't have a conflict?

First, I think CUSA sets the schedule not us, and second, the Thanksgiving weekend game came about due to Tulane double scheduling a game earlier in the year, and third moving Thanksgiving would take an act of Congress.

[mrydel]

I understand your mention of the part about the sunshine, but this is the first game, where the lights were not on by halftime. What about the other games?

I agree that too many students leave at halftime. It is just that on homecoming more than the normal amount seem to leave early for other events. Yesterday it seemed more than normal stayed in comaprison to other homecomings.

[CalallenStang]

One other idea. We only have a few home games, yet two are scheduled this year on two weekends the students are even here, Fall Break and Thanksgiving. Why can't we at least move Thanksgiving to the next weekend? Many alumns can't even attend that weekend. Surely Tulane doesn't have a conflict?

We will be playing in the conference championship the weekend after the Tulane game.

[ponyscott]

I have to say I was very surprised by the lack of attendance at the game yesterday. I do not know if the boulevard stayed lively after the game started but it seemed to me that there were lots of people there. The student section only filled before halftime, but I really thought with the increased publicity about the game, and about this team, we would break 20K.

But I don't want to be negative given that we have 5 wins! Next week is going to be HUGE. With UTEP losing to Tulane but scoring a lot of points this game should present our defense with an opportunity to show that the Rice game was a one-off poor performance.

No doubt the Boulevard is a double edged sword, SMU made it so much of an event that people do not go to the game...they stay on the BLVD for as long as they can and then go home. You could have filled Ford to capacity with just the people on the Blvd....

That is so true and discouraging as even the friends I had tickets for didn't come in until late in the third quarter and his wife decided to stay on the Blvd and party. There has to be a way to get more folks off the BLvd and into the game to show support as its really,to me, disrespectful to our team to stay out there instead of coming in showing support ,but alas that will always be the way here in DFW. We will have to be understanding of the 20K plus or minus crowds and teams like Rice are never going to bring a contingent, even ECU had more fans.

[Mexmustang]

I'm only suggesting that when we have input take into consideration our student schedule. Tradition begins with the students, not most of us. We need to get them more involved.

By delaying our start time by an hour (3:00PM instead of 2:00PM) and closing the sponsored "tents" 30 minutes before kick-off we might get more people at the game. Yesterday was "Chamber" weather, I was tempted to just party all day.

Instead of the team marching to the game, maybe our band, the alumni band, Peruna and cheerleaders should lead the parade down the blvd. 30-45 minutes before game time to encourage people to the game (I guess they still go down the blvd. but not that late), making a "roundup" or "last call". Calling out their friends, a fire truck, a large bell, etc. to follow them to the stadium. I am sure you have some better ideas.

[Waldorf]

If you want more people off the Boulevard pass out raffle tickets before the game, then award prizes during the game.