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does anyone have ideas for getting more people to the football games next year. i know that bennett is going to play much better football, thats not the problem. im curious if anyone has ideas in getting people from the blvd to the stadium.

The obvious first answer is to have the team win games.

Beyond that:
- Have a drawing that would give a fan the chance to play (perhaps on special teams?)
- Allow beer in the stands (I know, not going to happen)
- Adopt XFL uniforms for the cheerleaders
- "Name" entertainment .... before AND after the games
- Set up some system through which fans who stay the whole game get credit toward tickets to other sports. Other sports the NCAA doesn't monitor for attendance. (Actually, that's a really good one. Give them free hoops tickets, and even if they don't use them, they'd still count for inflated hoops attendance numbers.)

I just thought I would mention that today Coach Bennet went house to house during fraternity chapter meetings. Another great move by coach to get more fans out at Ford next year.

yeah, having coach bennett come to chapter really got the guys excited. he is a great speaker, even if he only has five minutes he can get people excited.

This is just another example of how Coach Bennet and the athletic department is making that extra effort to get people excited about the upcoming season. I also think it speaks volumes about how important the Greek community is with regards to student attendance and how much influence they possess.

Coach Bennett appears to be the type of guy who will take every opportunity he can to sell his program. When the season rolls around, I expect him to get more local publicity than we've seen in years. Let's just hope the Ponies can win on the field so the media will keep coming back for more.

Coach Dement could take a lesson from Bennett. I know it's tough on a guy who doesn't have the same personality and natural charisma, but I think we will see improved attendance and support for a coach who is out there pleading for it. John Kresse, the now retired bball coach here at the College of Charleston, was a great example of a "marketing guy" type of coach. He was always praising the fans and telling them that they were the key to the Cougars pulling out many a close home win. In his reign, C of C regularly sold out their home arena. Let's hope the day comes soon when SMU's football and basketball teams can play in front of packed houses.

When asked, Coach Dement has never refused to get out and for special events. He has gone by the fraternity houses and he once even stopped by a Mustang Maniacs party at Ozonas BEFORE a big home game against Tulsa a few years back. (I think it was Tulsa)

Not to start an argument...just wanted to point that out.



[This message has been edited by Eddie P (edited 05-06-2002).]