SMU Football & Dallas

[DFW HOYA]

Some interesting discussions here about what, by a lot of accounts, is a team that can't just gain any traction.

Though not an alumnus, I've lived in Dallas almost all my life outside of four years at Georgetown, where football draws crowds of 2,000-3,000 and expectations are kept fairly low (our big game last year was Cornell).

Locally, I remember going to the games of the Mike Ford era, of Mustang Mania, returning to Dallas during Ownby's last days, the Cotton Bowl, and now Ford. Judging by attendance, there just aren't a lot of us fans outside the Hilltop coming to games that don't wear visitor's colors.

Conference USA is the best (and maybe last) hope for SMU football at the I-A level. SMU absolutely needs an infusion of local support (much as TCU hes done) to raise expectations and interest. To that end, if it means hiring a "name coach" and not just another "up and coming assistant", this would be the time to do it. No, SMU doesn't need a Switzer, but it could use someone who could set the program on a course even after they're gone. In some ways, Army (a team with major losing problems of late) is doing that with Bobby Ross. Ross knew the pros, he had college experience, and he's got that team believing again. Northwestern did likewise, even if Gary Barnett was not the best coach to do it with. But Northwestern is no longer synonomous with losing, and it's drawing 30K crowds regularly.

With the Cowboys trying to distance themselves from the Dallas area sports public out in Arlington (where there'll be zero economic impact since Jerry will keep all the money), SMU needs to get a product out there soon that will have the DART line jumping with fans on a Saturday. It has the location, it has the tradition, but it needs to get Dallas believing again.

And it can do it.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

Georgetown Fan Please Leave
To talk on board, should have picked
school that is not S***

[ClassOf81]

Please tell me you're not saying G'town is a bad school. Academically, it's sensational.
I'm going to hold out hope (for your sake) that you are kidding.

[Sir Trolls A Lot]

"Sensational!" That word is one you would likely hear at a gay club.

I know people In Highland Park sometimes exagerate but c'mon, Georgetown isn't even the best school in D.C.

1) George Washington
2) Catholic U
3) S***town

Please tell me you're not saying G'town is a bad school. Academically, it's sensational.
I'm going to hold out hope (for your sake) that you are kidding.

[Mustangs35SMU]

Ok this guy is worse than PonySnob

[Water Pony]

Good post, DFW Hoya, and thanks for the contribution. Sir Troll isn't a real booster and his posts are always on the childish side. He may be a junior high student which is the only conclusion you can reach when you try to make sense of his smack.

[LA_Mustang]

It doesn’t take long for someone to show his true colors. What do you expect from someone named sir trolls a lot?? His two posts in this thread may be the most idiotic I have ever read on PF.com.

DFW Hoya, thanks for taking the time to post. You make good points. Many of us true SMU supporters have long discussed that it is crucial for SMU to connect with the non-SMU Dallas sports fans. Our marketing department DOES work very hard with a limited budget to promote SMU athletics. Unfortunately, they’re fighting an uphill battle. Think about it, their job is to get disinterested students/alums and Dallas sports fans to come out and watch a football team that is 1-18 over the last two years and has had one winning season in twenty years. And as we all know, Dallas will only follow a winner, otherwise, you’re just a punch line. Currently, SMU’s fans base is approximately 1500-2000 alums that really care and a small hand full of students. That just isn’t going to cut it in D-1.

We did make a very significant hire in basketball coach Jimmy Tubbs. He has strong ties to the Dallas area and should be able to land one or two of the many blue-chippers coming out of the Dallas area. He coaches a style of basketball that should bring more people out to the games and will hopefully result in some winning basketball.

Otherwise, it doesn't look too good. We have outstanding non-revenue sports programs, but unless either football or basketball is making money, you can’t survive in D-1. And SMU is in the ICU.