Homecoming Disaster - Worst Fans in Country?

[JasonB]

TCU didn't make a jump in attendance until they got LT.

It is going to take a 10 win team with a star player for us to get enough local recognition to make going to a game worth it for the general public.

Go look at the Rutgers attendance pre-Ray Rice and compare it with post-Ray Rice and you will see the same trend.

[mustangxc]

Let's hope Garrett Gilbert leads us to 8+ wins this season after the bowl game and lights it up in the NFL to become a superstar.

[jpe747]

Let's hope Garrett Gilbert leads us to 8+ wins this season after the bowl game and lights it up in the NFL to become a superstar.

I think that is a possibility and could be the catalyst SMU needs to jump into a favorable position.

[Treadway21]

At what point dies the length of the game play a part of our attendance issues. Our games seem to take forever and last 4 plus hours.

And if you don't know which if our teams (the exciting one or the inept one) is going to show up, of if the team will show up at all (a and m), it is a big time commitment for a casual fan.

[ponyinNC]

Casual fans will never come until we have a star player or until we make noise with 10 win seasons or undefeated runs like UH or NIU have now. Likely it will take both of those. That is just fact.

Until then, we have to make do with students, alumni, and locally SMU-affiliated folks. As we can see, that takes us to about 21K (tickets sold) and 16k (butts in seats). We need more.

If you look at the excitement surrounding basketball, it starts with star local players signing with SMU and the expectations for making noise in the CBB world with our HOF coach.

It's pretty simple actually. Get the star kids and/or the wins. LT. RGIII. Johnny Autograph.

For BB, it is Frazier and Mudiay. And LB really.

[mrydel]

At what point dies the length of the game play a part of our attendance issues. Our games seem to take forever and last 4 plus hours.

And if you don't know which if our teams (the exciting one or the inept one) is going to show up, of if the team will show up at all (a and m), it is a big time commitment for a casual fan.

Would 4 hours be too long if you were out with a hot chick or being served free drinks? Or both? I do not worry about the length of the game as much as the Jeckyl and Hyde to which you refer for who is going to show up. Marketing should start right now promoting Gilbert for the UConn game. National leader in total offense. Ahead of Manziel in total offense. Etc. Need the hook to get some drive-bys to show up. UConn will not be a well attended game. We need all the promotion we can get.

[SMUer]

I left both games at the end of the third...I'm convinced June knows who I am, see me leaving and only then starts trying...all to spite me.

[PSCA]

SMUer .... you have the solution .... leave earlier.

Everyone has their own definition of exciting, but you can't deny that our homes games this year have not been exciting. W or L lose it was down to the wire, except TT, but that was late 4th qtr. Even going back to the end of last year ... UH, Tulsa. Our home conference record is now around 15-1, 16-2 something like that. Our overall home record is not bad. We beat this stuff to death, I know (opponent, record, conference). But, the home games are overall entertaining for me. No No, don't give me the "I love mediocrity" BS. The games have been entertaining. Those who left early missed out ....late inning/late qtr rallies happen in every sport all the time. I wish they had the re-entry, so folks could come back in that may still be on the blvd, or come in period. Current Mustangs are the new version of the old Cleveland Browns ... "The Cardiac Kids".

I will not mention the person by name, nor her organization .... she is a good person, so I will not hang her out that way. But, I was at a board meeting today. This individual is a SMU grad and never misses the BLVD and never goes into the stadium. She asked if I was at the game, I said yes. Then I asked, did you get off the Blvd, she smiled and said no. So I told her, you are that no good rif-raf fan that drives me crazy. She said, it's all about the socializing. I asked would the opponent or the team record matter to her, she said no. It's all about the Blvd, socializing and the atmosphere. Grant you, that is just one young lady. But, I'm not too sure her sentiments are too far off from others.

[Grant Carter]

I left both games at the end of the third...I'm convinced June knows who I am, see me leaving and only then starts trying...all to spite me.

The temple game was tied at the end of the third, SMU had scored touchdowns on 4 straight possessions and had the ball on temple's 23.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stallion]

well I guess we need a better "socializing" area inside Ford. Hmm

[mrydel]

Well, Craig James killed the hookers we had hired.

[SMU_Alumni11]

I think some of y'all have some interesting definitions of exciting... I thought our season has been pretty embarrassing. Mainly because the games that should be neck and neck we got blown out, and the games we were neck and neck we should have blown them out of the water...

Hope CJ wins his lawsuit against the haters, glad we are with ESPN!

[SMUer]

I left both games at the end of the third...I'm convinced June knows who I am, see me leaving and only then starts trying...all to spite me.

The temple game was tied at the end of the third, SMU had scored touchdowns on 4 straight possessions and had the ball on temple's 23.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I left as Gilbert ran it in from the 10...so 2/3 through the 3rd. But you're right, they had scored on their previous two...guess I'm not the cause. Sorry guys!

[Brooklynhite]

The loudest noise the fans made Saturday BY FAR was when the official told SMU to stop playing music when Temple was on offense. The reaction was funny and appropriate, but it's sad that the most noise we made all day was in response to the official and not in support of the team.

I’m SO glad someone mentioned that moment with the music warning by the official. I am a long-suffering fan (from childhood in the late sixties) like so many on this board; I live far away and can only afford to usually get back to attend one game a year, and it always upsets me when I get into that half-empty but beautiful stadium. I dearly love being surrounded by crowds of people wearing SMU gear, I almost feel as if I need to pinch myself as if in a dream. On the other hand, I too watch with disappointment when about two thirds of the student section disappears after the halftime ceremony.

Yet I felt the “music warning” moment at the Temple game was fantastic and transformative, because yes, it incited the crowd in a way I haven’t observed since the glory days of the early eighties. I felt that the crowd became loud, rowdy, and almost mutual participants with the team (the proverbial 12th man) from that moment on. We were definitely providing support to the defense, which – granted - NEEDED some extra help; whenever there was a third down, the crowd was on its feet hollering OR stomping on the bleachers WITH their feet, and we were truly loud. Even the defensive backfield noticed because they began encouraging the crowd on, waving their arms for us to roar our support – and we DID!

The crowd was small, but those who remained after that music warning moment were as participatory as any Aggie or Razorback fans I have ever seen. I wish I knew how we could clone those (we) particular fans, and I don’t have any suggestions about how to solve the myriad of problems that are constantly discussed here on Ponyfans. But I simply had to make the point that there is a corps of true supporters out there, and seeing them rise to the occasion certainly gave THIS longtime fan a wonderful memory to carry back home with me from Dallas.

[PSCA]

Was not sure where to post this. I guess I could have started a new one, probably should have. One of the things I like about homecoming is running into ex-players. Thought I give a quick update on some of those I spoke with Sat … beyond the ones we know and read about. I know some on the board see and talk to these guys, so this is more for the out of town guys I guess.

1) Marquis Frazer: Finished up in Canada, he looked good. Going back next year, said CFL is a two year commitment. Hopefully he sticks; he said Bo Levi had a good year.
2) Zack Zimmerman; Looked the same and working at a Global Logistics company in town.
3) Mike Morris: Selling commercial real-estate. In fact, has a property in Idaho he is trying to move for Mason.
4) Bryce Hudman: Looked great, he is an event planner in Dallas
5) Victor Jones: Looked great … still at playing weight and shape. Working for American Airlines and getting married next spring. I like all of these guys, but I really like Victor. He dealt with a lot of injuries while at SMU … eventually having back surgery.
6) Lincoln Shick: Left the team a year ago. One of SMU_Alumni11 South Lake boys. Lincoln will finish his undergrad in Geology this spring and is applying to various grad programs including SMU … another really great kid. His dad Tom was a stud OL at Maryland and teammate of Randy White.
7) Ryan Moxi…. (can’t remember how to spell his last name). Moxi, completed his Bachelors and Masters in accounting at SMU and working for a local Financial Planning Company. He is working on his CPA next year and is getting married in May to a former SMU soccer player. Moxi is a hoot and still ruff around the edges. He blows apart any stereotype of accountants.
Cameron Rogers: Finishing his Masters in Dec. Dropped from 240 down to 208 … looks great and not an ounce of fact on him. Ankle is about 90% heading words 100%, and the shoulder is 100%. After Grad would like to stay in sports and the sports related fields. SMU has talked to him about that.
9) Mark Voosen: Currently working for the SMU Ticket and Promotions office and loves it.
10) Kevin Grenier: Finishing his undergrad this Dec in Engineering. Still looks as big as a house … in a good way. Family has an engineering business back in AZ, but hopes to stay in Dallas with a business partner they have on a special product. Also has a serious girlfriend … SMU soccer player that I suspect will become Mrs. Grenier in the future.
11) Chase Kennemer: Working/running his step dads auto leasing business and getting married to Kenny Perry’s (PGA) daughter. Hardly recognized him with hair. Chase is a very engaging and funny guy. He was heading to SMU Law, but decided on the family business.
12) Not Jordan Free, but Jordan Free’s parents. Jordan is currently an intern in the LSU Strength and Conditioning department.
13) Cody Worthen: Underrated player during his time IMO, is working at the Cooper Clinic. Received his degree in Sports Management (Kinesiology). He looks good. When I saw him he was with Rogers and Grenier, and they both commented that he still eats like a pig, works out once in awhile, but still has zero fat and strong as ever. Then they looked at him and said … man you p—s us off.

I think someone made a comment on this or another post, debate JJ’s coaching, but he seems to help shape and develop fine young men. These guys, as well as many others certainly embody that. As the commercial states “All will be going pro in something other than sports”. These young men will represent SMU proud and well.