PonyFans Unite
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:56 pmBoarding the generic plane to Orlando for the Conference USA Championship game, I’m excited to see so many fellow Mustangs. At least half the passengers are wearing SMU gear – we’re off to a good start. Cars are lined up to get into the stadium, but there’s a large church parking lot down the street with friendly UCF fans directing traffic. It’s $20 to park, but we’re invited to a free hot dog, chips and a drink even though we’re sporting red and blue.
Inside the stadium, there’s a distinct energetic, festive atmosphere. The SMU section is smaller than I expected, given the percentage of fans on our flight; however, the cheering and yelling from this group of fans is initially pretty substantial. The Mustang Band is also there, which always contributes greatly to the volume and spirit of the crowd.
The other 9/10’s of the stadium is packed with the black and gold of UCF fans. They are respectful, but they also know how to cheer on their team, and the stadium bursts with their enthusiasm. It reminds me of “the good ‘ole days†in high school, and I yearn for the SMU crowd to have that level of spirit at our home games.
Growing up in a town (like so many others in Texas) that lived and breathed football, I was conditioned to support our high school team – not with money or polite applause, but with vigor and fervent cheering. Since Kindergarten, almost everyone wore the team colors and spirit ribbons on Fridays to school. Our stadium (capacity of almost 15,000) was about half the size of Ford Stadium at SMU, and it seemed the entire town was at the game, not merely in attendance, but with passion and conviction. When our team was down, we didn’t berate them, but instead cheered louder to remind the players that “You can do this. We believe in you.†Many a game was won with not only the brilliant strategy of the coaches and the talent of the players, but also with the energy of the fans.
SMU needs this energy. SMU craves this energy. As the Mustangs struggle with putting points on the board in the championship game, our small section of fans becomes quieter and begins to dwindle. Instead, we should be on our feet, we should be cheering louder, we should be shouting “Defense†on third downs, yelling at the top of our lungs during the opponent’s play-calling, and proudly, tauntingly chanting S-M-U. The only time we should respectfully quiet down is during our Mustangs offensive play-calling.
The SMU Mustangs, after a grueling 20+ years, are back. Let’s not idly stand by, but enjoy this exciting part of the journey together. It’s time to “Pony Up†in an entirely new way. So, PonyFans Unite! Wear SMU colors (visit Gameday Cloth for a great selection), welcome the other team (it’s the only thing they’ll walk away with), let our players know we believe in them (especially when we’re down), and most of all be passionate (at the games and in life).
Go Ponies!
Inside the stadium, there’s a distinct energetic, festive atmosphere. The SMU section is smaller than I expected, given the percentage of fans on our flight; however, the cheering and yelling from this group of fans is initially pretty substantial. The Mustang Band is also there, which always contributes greatly to the volume and spirit of the crowd.
The other 9/10’s of the stadium is packed with the black and gold of UCF fans. They are respectful, but they also know how to cheer on their team, and the stadium bursts with their enthusiasm. It reminds me of “the good ‘ole days†in high school, and I yearn for the SMU crowd to have that level of spirit at our home games.
Growing up in a town (like so many others in Texas) that lived and breathed football, I was conditioned to support our high school team – not with money or polite applause, but with vigor and fervent cheering. Since Kindergarten, almost everyone wore the team colors and spirit ribbons on Fridays to school. Our stadium (capacity of almost 15,000) was about half the size of Ford Stadium at SMU, and it seemed the entire town was at the game, not merely in attendance, but with passion and conviction. When our team was down, we didn’t berate them, but instead cheered louder to remind the players that “You can do this. We believe in you.†Many a game was won with not only the brilliant strategy of the coaches and the talent of the players, but also with the energy of the fans.
SMU needs this energy. SMU craves this energy. As the Mustangs struggle with putting points on the board in the championship game, our small section of fans becomes quieter and begins to dwindle. Instead, we should be on our feet, we should be cheering louder, we should be shouting “Defense†on third downs, yelling at the top of our lungs during the opponent’s play-calling, and proudly, tauntingly chanting S-M-U. The only time we should respectfully quiet down is during our Mustangs offensive play-calling.
The SMU Mustangs, after a grueling 20+ years, are back. Let’s not idly stand by, but enjoy this exciting part of the journey together. It’s time to “Pony Up†in an entirely new way. So, PonyFans Unite! Wear SMU colors (visit Gameday Cloth for a great selection), welcome the other team (it’s the only thing they’ll walk away with), let our players know we believe in them (especially when we’re down), and most of all be passionate (at the games and in life).
Go Ponies!
She is right!!!!