Hypothetical Recruit's Reaction to SMU?

[ponyboy]

Let's say you're a three star rivals recruit with offers from Baylor, TCU, Iowa State, and SMU. You've visited Baylor, TCU, and Iowa State so far and came away with an impression of them, a feeling for the coaches, the types of facilities, the size of the campuses, the look and feel of the stadium, the conference alignment, even the uniforms.

I'd think you'd have to like the facilities here. Everything must seem much smaller, but very, very upscale. The campus and the neighborhood is unbelievable -- even to the point of being intimidating maybe. The coaching staff would have to be very, very impressive to anyone. But, like the WAC, CUSA isn't exactly a top conference.

What would you impression of SMU be vis a vis those other schools?

[Nacho]

Gee ponyboy, I don't know. SMU?

[jtstang]

Big 12, without a doubt.

[ponyboy]

Very insightful as always, Nacho.

I'd like a hypothetical reaction -- or maybe a real reaction from those who have actually been through the process. I'd think SMU would be a very attractive place to go to school, but then again I grew up white and upper middle class.

The education is fantastic, particularly if you're wanting a business degree. Although small in size, the campus is text book collegiate. I can imagine the uniform would be important to a 17 or 18 year old kid and we have a pretty cool colors and logo. Conference affliation is a little worrisome. TCU's no better, but Baylor and Iowa State would provide more glam. Coaching staff is outstanding -- cool, confident, not their first rodeo. Athletic facilities are outstanding. Though no indoor facility yet, the stadium is small but first rate like the rest of campus. Chance to play for June Jones is attractive.

What other reactions might you have as a recruit? What else would be important to you? What things might you not like about SMU?

[ponyboy]

Big 12, without a doubt.

So you'd go Baylor or Iowa State. Why?

[mrydel]

This is a hypothetical that really can not be answered. There are many factors that come into play with a recruit's decision other than the campus and facilities. There could be legacy, or girl friend, or close to home, or far from home, education, chance for pros, exposure, like to play in front of large crowds, want a chance at a major bowl, coaches, and on and on and on. Most of us would agree SMU has a beautiful campus with good facilities. So does Arkansas. But some choose SMU and some choose Arkansas.

[Alaric]

Let's say you're a three star rivals recruit with offers from Baylor, TCU, Iowa State, and SMU. You've visited Baylor, TCU, and Iowa State so far and came away with an impression of them, a feeling for the coaches, the types of facilities, the size of the campuses, the look and feel of the stadium, the conference alignment, even the uniforms.

I'd think you'd have to like the facilities here. Everything must seem much smaller, but very, very upscale. The campus and the neighborhood is unbelievable -- even to the point of being intimidating maybe. The coaching staff would have to be very, very impressive to anyone. But, like the WAC, CUSA isn't exactly a top conference.

What would you impression of SMU be vis a vis those other schools?

A guy I do some biz with has a brother who's being recruited by SMU. he's also waiting on an offer from A&M. He's really liked his visits here, think the coaching staffs are friendly, competent, loves his position coach, likes the facilities overall but the stadium's size is an absolutely an issue with him...he says a bigger stadium would make a difference in his decision and others' decisions. for now, we'll have to work with a gorgeous albeit small stadium unless someone wants to pony up...

[SMU 86]

I would also think that potential early playing time would be somewhat of a factor in the decision. If the position in which a recruit plays is loaded at Iowa State and it is very thin at SMU with only a few seniors there I would think he would consider the real opportunity to play early at SMU.

[Ponymon]

Let's say you're a three star rivals recruit with offers from Baylor, TCU, Iowa State, and SMU. You've visited Baylor, TCU, and Iowa State so far and came away with an impression of them, a feeling for the coaches, the types of facilities, the size of the campuses, the look and feel of the stadium, the conference alignment, even the uniforms.

I'd think you'd have to like the facilities here. Everything must seem much smaller, but very, very upscale. The campus and the neighborhood is unbelievable -- even to the point of being intimidating maybe. The coaching staff would have to be very, very impressive to anyone. But, like the WAC, CUSA isn't exactly a top conference.

What would you impression of SMU be vis a vis those other schools?

A guy I do some biz with has a brother who's being recruited by SMU. he's also waiting on an offer from A&M. He's really liked his visits here, think the coaching staffs are friendly, competent, loves his position coach, likes the facilities overall but the stadium's size is an absolutely an issue with him...he says a bigger stadium would make a difference in his decision and others' decisions. for now, we'll have to work with a gorgeous albeit small stadium unless someone wants to pony up...

Yeah, we should have stayed with the Cotton Bowl. Always impressive to have 5 to 10,000 fans show up for a decrepit stadium that holds 70,000. He should check out Rice's stadium, which fits the profile that he is looking for!

[jtstang]

Big 12, without a doubt.

So you'd go Baylor or Iowa State. Why?

Because I'm a 3-star guy getting a shot to play in the spotlight of the Big 12.

[Stallion]

I bet there are few recruits when comparing BCS stadiums with Ford Stadium don't think to themselves-"you know its very nice but its a little small". It does not make a statement of big time College Football. Probably a factor in losing kids to the BCS conference among the obviously many others.

[Mexmustang]

The story that can set SMU appart:

A strong football tradition (only TCU really compares of the four)

Dallas, no competition (unless you like the sounds coming from Interstate 35, in Waco).

Academics, no competion

Campus, girls, opportunity following graduation, SMU

Coaches, a proven NFL head coach and offensive guru and a coaching staff of teachers and mentors

Finally, a unique opportunity to make a special name for yourself by returning the program to prominence. It is now hard for me to mention the names of many players on UT's last National Championship team. Think what what members of that first special team would mean to our alumns and press.

[Ponymon]

I bet there are few recruits when comparing BCS stadiums with Ford Stadium don't think to themselves-"you know its very nice but its a little small". It does not make a statement of big time College Football. Probably a factor in losing kids to the BCS conference among the obviously many others.

Having been to Tech's stadium in Lubbock and the Bear's stadium in Waco, I think we match up with quite a few BCS schools!

[Pony Ride]

If Ford was filled with rabid mustang fans for every home game, the size would not matter. When recruits see us on TV and a 32K seat stadium that is only half full, that makes an impression.

Winning is always the number 1 thing. Period. Win, and everything gets better. Let's hope $10MM will get us there (again, thank you circle of champions).

[Alaric]

Yeah, we should have stayed with the Cotton Bowl. Always impressive to have 5 to 10,000 fans show up for a decrepit stadium that holds 70,000. He should check out Rice's stadium, which fits the profile that he is looking for!

That's a great attitude - screw anyone who wants to play in a big stadium. I want the kids who have offers to play in big nice BCS stadiums...let's work hard to get them past this perceived negative which, if we're going to be going after BCS caliber kids, it's going to be a consideration. In the past it wasn't since we were just competing against the UL-Monroe's of the world for kids.

Hopefully we can add another 10,000+ seats someday and offset some of the negative.