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I received my season ticket renewal form today. They are implementing new Boulevard policies for this fall. From the letter:
"We are also very excited to announce some new opportunities for tailgating at SMU, both on The Boulevard and in newly designated areas on campus. Up until now, only a few luckyy fans have enjoyed a reserved spot on The Boulevard with those loyal fans claiming the tailgating space adjacent to their spot. This leaves the impression that premium tailgating with convenient parking is a privilege for only select individuals. As The Boulevard has grown in popularity and demand, the need to reserve actual tailgating spots has become necessary to ensure an orderly and enjoyable experience for everyone. Beginning in 2007, all tailgating spots will be reserved.

Because there is much more demand than available tailgating spots, more spots have been created on The Boulevard and in other soon-to-be popular areas on the beautiful SMU campus. In addition to surveying members of the Mustang Club, the athletic department and co-chairmen of the original traditions committee worked collaboratively to come up with a new tailgating plan. This plan will allow our fans the rare opportunity to "own" a piece of our campus for pre-game festivities. Existing Boulevard parking holders will be offered the opportunity for an adjacent tailgate spot(s). Any spots remaining will be sold to new interested parties and awarded based on Mustang Club donation levels. Many of you may want to consider being the first to begin a new tradition of tailgating at Doak Walker Plaza."

There was also a fancy borchure enclosed that includes the pricing for the Boulevard:
Boulevard North (north of Binkley)
Umbrella w/ 1 adjacent parking spot = $725 season
Umbrella w/ 1 remote parking spot = $675 season

Boulevard South (south of Binkley)
Tailgate spot w/ 1 adjacent parking spot = $480 season

Boulevard Northeast (east of Bishop, between the B-School and Clements Hall)
Umbrella w/ 1 remote parking spot = $675 season
Tailgate spot w/ 1 remote parking spot = $300 season

Dallas Hall (the main quad)
Tailgate spot w/ 1 remote parking spot = $300 season

Doak Walker Plaza
Tailgate spot w/ 1 adjacent parkig spot = $240 season
Tailgate spot w/ 1 remote parking spot = $180 season

How is this different from last year?

Boulevard parking up to $480 from $80! What - Did we win the national championship last year? That's crazy!

diamond_tom wrote:Boulevard parking up to $480 from $80! What - Did we win the national championship last year? That's crazy!

Guess they actually listened to the survey they sent out a few months ago. Now if they can just get the people who to the Boulevard into the stadium

The survey was bogus because the only way to answer the questions was to say " Please Raise my Price " A validation program to write the above mentioned letter.

Talk about the impression. You have to be privileged to pay 480 to spend another 200 for food, each game, all to have a couple hours to talk to your friends.

I thought those spots went to those of us that have and continue to support our team throughout the years. My first season tickets were purchased to fund the renovation of Ownby. There are many of us that do the hard work of M-Club calls and raising money.

Top 25 in every way!

To end this I will quote Al Gore's line as he was leaving the Buddist monks in California... " SHOW ME THE MONEY"

BUS wrote:Talk about the impression. You have to be privileged to pay 480 to spend another 200 for food, each game, all to have a couple hours to talk to your friends.

aparently you havent reserved a table at ghost bar

PonySoprano wrote:Doak Walker Plaza
Tailgate spot w/ 1 adjacent parkig spot = $240 season
Tailgate spot w/ 1 remote parking spot = $180 season

I'm sure this area will be popular... 150 degrees on the bricks with the closest shade in the front yard of Moody. Even Doak sweats. Plant some trees and give them 30 years and then charge a premium.

Maybe I am missing something but it looks like the area that I used for free in years past is now going to cost me money. In fact, is there any way to tailgate for free on the Blvd? Also, I love the option of being able to pay to tailgate and pay for a remote spot. Who the h*ll is going to do that? It will be cheaper to roll out the RV and go to away games than it will be to go to home games with this new idiotic policy. Guess I won't be buying a BLVD parking space this year.

there's a real easy way to tailgate for free... walk up to the fraternity tents and say you were an alumni... bring a fold up chair and enjoy the girls and free booze...

I am torn on this issue. On the one hand, I agree with BUS that this new policy seems to penalize those of us that have supported and stuck with the program through thick and thin. We were able to get our Boulevard parking spots based on the amount we donated to the Mustang Club, and also for those of us that have worked the fund drives.

On the other hand, the economist in me completely understands the theory of supply and demand. If the demand is that high for Boulevard spots, the price should go up, and if becomes an additional revenue stream for the athletic department, I can't get too upset about that.

Also, the Boulevard is a big place, so I don't see how they would stop people who park somewhere else and then walk over to the Boulevard and stake out a spot. Are they going to rope off quadrants of the Boulevard for each space they are going to "sell"? I will still plan on "buying" my parking and tailgating spot on the south side of the Boulevard, but I am interested in the details of this policy (the devil is in the details).

Finally, I am suprised that they didn't reach out directly to the people who currently have Boulevard parking to ask their opinions, since we are the ones most directly affected. Yes, I received and completed the survey they sent out, but BUS has pointed out the flaws in the survey.

This is another reason to support my idea to have a Mayor of the Boulevard. Besides serving in a ceremonial role, the Mayor can also represent the Boulevard constituency in matters such as these to the University. In fact, I will take this opportunity to announce my formal candidacy for Mayor of the Boulevard.

Is there really that much demand for the spots? I know early on there are always good crowds, but those crowds usually taper off as the season goes on, especially for Saturday morning and weekday games.

i really dont think the demand is that high yet, but i think they are being proactive by raising prices now because they are looking at the potential revenue they can bring in... i don't have a spot, but if i did i would probably be pissed off. but did all of you who have a spot think that you would never have an increase in price (i know this jump is rather large)? one there's inflation so your price would go up no matter what, but most importantly we all want smu to do well which will increase the demand and accordingly increase the price. so i think an increase in price is something everyone can deal with as long as we continue to put a better product on the field

PonySoprano wrote: I will take this opportunity to announce my formal candidacy for Mayor of the Boulevard.

You have my endorsement (as long as you do not propose any fancy bridges across the Boulevard or let the Mustangs move to Arlington).

The brochure says that they have created more spots on the blvd. How have they done this? Are they going to shrink the size of the spaces? May get a little tighter for our SUVs. Smaller spaces and higher prices. Nice.

And here we go....

The lets-gouge-the-people-that-actually-support-us-even-though-we-have-given-no-reason-to-be-supported policy is starting right on schedule.