Ford Game Day -- Not Kid Friendly

[Pony in SA]

If this was mentioned in other Game Day thread, sorry. My 7 year old son was stopped entering Ford Saturday and told he could not bring his SMU football into the stadium. They said policy was no footballs allowed. I told them not only had he been bringing them to every home game since the stadium was opened (we have had season tickets for 17 years), that at the Scrimmage he played with Coach Sawyer's kids in the end zone and they made plans to hook up at the UNT game.

I asked to speak to a Game Day "supervisor" (they have blue shirts instead of yellow). I pointed out to him there were tables in front of us where they were selling the same footballs. He had no answer and then said he was told policy now was no footballs.

My son and I went to our seats in 105 and what to they show on the scoreboard ? I kid with a blue 11 jersey throwing a football. My son says "he has his, why were they mean to me -- this sucks". I later asked the Lockerroom people selling footballs if we they could be played with at the stadium and they said "sure, that is what we are selling them for" In fact the young girl said most kids play with them in the end zone area.

What is the real policy ? Why are we selling them in stadium if can't have them in the stadium ?

If the policy is now no footballs, fine but we should not be selling them then in the stadium or selectively efforcing the rule. Also, I think from a liability standpoint alone having the kids roll down the hills in the end zone like they were doing Saturday is much worse than some kids throwing a football on level surface back by the scoreboard. Either way, certainly bad PR with how handled.

[SmooBoy]

My son says "he has his, why were they mean to me -- this sucks".

Your son sounds like Bart Simpson.

I agree, there needs to be a clear-cut policy. Set the footballs and cowbells free.

[mrydel]

In my days this is why all of we guys were accompanied by a "pregnant" woman. Easy way to get a football in the stadium, and many other things. Yet to have a yellow shirt "frisk" an expecting mom.

[Mu$tang]

I agree, there needs to be a clear-cut policy. Set the footballs and cowbells free.

I would have just tried a different entry gate, because it sounds like the yellow shirt at that gate was just flexing his ego.

Smooboy, Don't have a COWbell man.

[DiamondM75]

SOLUTIONS TO FORD POLICIES

If you get hassled by a yellow shirt, no football, no reentry, etc. go to another gate.

[Longtime]

This kind of stuff really p___es me off about SMU.

We're dying to build a fan base, especially families because they spend money, and we won't let a little kid bring his ball into the game?

It's short-sighted and cruel. Doesn't anyone at SMU have a heart? Are the security drones so inhuman that they can't simply look the other way?

Change the policy NOW.

If not, let's turn Ford Stadium into the Astrodome in "The Bad News Bears: Breaking Training." Let them play! Let them play! Let them play!

[RGV Pony]

My kid brought his red and blue football into the Tech game. However, that is the same kid who when he was 1 had to go all the way back to his car to put the stroller away. Who knew that while at the SEC championship game in Atlanta and at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, strollers go in the ticket office, but at Ford, no dice.

Customer service. I guess Sweet didn't leave much of a mark on the organization. Doesn't SWA espouse itself as a customer service organization that happens to be an airline. SMU would be well served to espouse itself as a customer service organization that happens to be at a private educational institution with an intercollegiate athletics program that is (just barely) Division I.

#1 reason customers quit a business (ie fans quit going to a game) is some level of perceived apathy or indifference on the part of the business or organization.

[Bergermeister]

This isn't a Highland Park High School game where it is a kiddie-land free-for-all. Teach your son to watch a football game or take him to daycare. They should not admit anyone under 14 years of age anyway.

[RGV Pony]

This isn't a Highland Park High School game where it is a kiddie-land free-for-all. Teach your son to watch a football game or take him to daycare. They should not admit anyone under 14 years of age anyway.

You're right. There's a lot more room at Ford for kids to wander around through open space than at a Highland Park HS game.

[d_pony]

send an e-mail to steve orsini with your complaints - we can't help you only sympathize with you - his e-mail address is - [email protected]

[Pony in SA]

Thanks, but already been down that e-mail road to Steve O to no avail.

By the way, my kid does watch the game Bergermeister and has already sat through some horrible SMU football his first years in life. Think they would reward him and others with kids who have done the same by allowing them to throw the ball in the endzone at least at halftime.

Besides, he would be more willing to bring more of his friends to the game which means their dads would come, which means more concessions sold. Still got to be safer than letting the kids roll, run, slide, etc. down the endzone hills. Of course it sounds like Bergermeister is all for the kids getting hurt or not being there anyway.

[George S. Patton]

This isn't a Highland Park High School game where it is a kiddie-land free-for-all. Teach your son to watch a football game or take him to daycare. They should not admit anyone under 14 years of age anyway.

What the hell is the matter with you? That might be one of the dumbest things you've ever written. If you were being a smart alec, OK. If you aren't, then by all means, let's make sure people like do their best to vanquish the young fan base we would like to build.

[OC Mustang]

This isn't a Highland Park High School game where it is a kiddie-land free-for-all. Teach your son to watch a football game or take him to daycare. They should not admit anyone under 14 years of age anyway.

Hey BM, I hope you're being sarcastic. 'Cause if not, you can bite me. You can guess what comes next.

[jtstang]

Maybe we should make games adults-only and clothing optional. But I'd feel sorry for the guy who has to clean out the bouncy house afterwards.

[BUS]

From what I have seen The BIG O does not get customer service.

Accounting 101 yes.

As far as Sweet goes... he may have not been able to direct the tone and service level of SMU athletics and GOT OUT QUICK.