Anybody going to the reseat discussion Dec. 11?

[Blunt Pony]

I hear the frustrations and I understand them. If anything, I blame SMU for not being transparent with the fans. We are losing more money than most of us would want to really know. Any money that can be brought in is vital. Is it shortsided? Yes. But the reality that the future of some prominent programs could be gone in the next decade if we are not able to get P5 is at the front of everyone's mind in the athletic department.

Now that is the truth and we are not the only ones that are in this predicament. I think there are a lot more UAB's out there that are just going to throw in the towel on money pit football programs and get back to educating kids.

[GiddyUp]

I can't believe the price increases. Those are serious donations, nearly all the B10 schools are cheaper donations (sorry for B10 reference, just what I'm familiar with to use for perspective). I can't believe how quickly they're trying to capitalize. What happens if Brown retires and the team takes a step back? Is the place gonna clear out and then drop the ridiculous price while begging the loyal fans to come back? The ones that were in Moody last year.

Yes I hope it doesnt happen but LB could leave at any time as we know his history

[PonyTime]

I can't believe the price increases. Those are serious donations, nearly all the B10 schools are cheaper donations (sorry for B10 reference, just what I'm familiar with to use for perspective). I can't believe how quickly they're trying to capitalize. What happens if Brown retires and the team takes a step back? Is the place gonna clear out and then drop the ridiculous price while begging the loyal fans to come back? The ones that were in Moody last year.

Yes I hope it doesnt happen but LB could leave at any time as we know his history

There's a reason that there is a Coach in Waiting. I just hope that Larry's son is really enjoying SMU!

[GiddyUp]

I can't believe the price increases. Those are serious donations, nearly all the B10 schools are cheaper donations (sorry for B10 reference, just what I'm familiar with to use for perspective). I can't believe how quickly they're trying to capitalize. What happens if Brown retires and the team takes a step back? Is the place gonna clear out and then drop the ridiculous price while begging the loyal fans to come back? The ones that were in Moody last year.

Yes I hope it doesnt happen but LB could leave at any time as we know his history

There's a reason that there is a Coach in Waiting. I just hope that Larry's son is really enjoying SMU!

lets hope they would be lining up to play for him ?

[PonySnob]

On another note, Nic seemed to be in a good mood when he came into the meeting room prior to it starting. HCCM was there walking around introducing himself to everybody and I saw Tom Mason walking around as well.


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[SMU Section F]

I hear the frustrations and I understand them. If anything, I blame SMU for not being transparent with the fans. We are losing more money than most of us would want to really know. Any money that can be brought in is vital. Is it shortsided? Yes. But the reality that the future of some prominent programs could be gone in the next decade if we are not able to get P5 is at the front of everyone's mind in the athletic department.

Now that is the truth and we are not the only ones that are in this predicament. I think there are a lot more UAB's out there that are just going to throw in the towel on money pit football programs and get back to educating kids.

The more I read, the more I think we should shut down or downgrade football. Realistically, what are the chances we ever actually compete with the "big boys" on a regular basis? I'd get more enjoyment out of winning in the FCS than what I've been watching in Ford the past 10 years anyway.

Basketball is a far better fit for a school our size.

(Please don't hurt me. We all know it won't happen.)

[Pony81]

The point of this thread is to give the AD a view into the thinking of long time SMU fans. The ones who are the bread and butter of the fan base.

Careful SMU. We all understand that a quality program needs more revenue. No problem. You can raise prices / donation levels without angering your most loyal fans. I want my seats for 2 reasons: They are high quality and I know and like the people I sit around.

having season tickets in the same spot every year builds a community of people who will likely come in the bad years just to see people they otherwise wouldn't.

Re-seatings destroy that community and that incentive to come through thick and thin.

[StallionsModelT]

I hear the frustrations and I understand them. If anything, I blame SMU for not being transparent with the fans. We are losing more money than most of us would want to really know. Any money that can be brought in is vital. Is it shortsided? Yes. But the reality that the future of some prominent programs could be gone in the next decade if we are not able to get P5 is at the front of everyone's mind in the athletic department.

Now that is the truth and we are not the only ones that are in this predicament. I think there are a lot more UAB's out there that are just going to throw in the towel on money pit football programs and get back to educating kids.

The more I read, the more I think we should shut down or downgrade football. Realistically, what are the chances we ever actually compete with the "big boys" on a regular basis? I'd get more enjoyment out of winning in the FCS than what I've been watching in Ford the past 10 years anyway.

Basketball is a far better fit for a school our size.

(Please don't hurt me. We all know it won't happen.)

If SMU were granted access to a power conference and an additional $15-$20M in TV revenue, increased attendance due to better competition, etc.... I have no doubt in my mind that we could more than hold our own in a major conference. That's the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We are either P5 in the next decade or we, and probably half of the rest of the G5 football programs, call it quits. There is zero point in having an FCS program. Zero. You'd be better off bulldozing Ford and building a baseball stadium. No kidding.

[Teddy_Mustang]

Model T is right on point. Most here on this board don't understand the financial issues in athletics. Donations fund 90% of the Athletics budget very little is derived from ticket revenue, conference payouts or university support, sponsorships etc. On top of funding this annual debt the department needs to payoff the moody renovation, the tennis center, plus fund the new aquatic center. Then they have to fulfill the new obligations of the new football staff. That's is why is necessary to come up with other ways to generate or increase donation/revenue. It sucks but if you all want to see SMU in a P-5 conference this is the price of admission and will only go up from here until a new conference or football success happens.

[SMU Section F]

Now that is the truth and we are not the only ones that are in this predicament. I think there are a lot more UAB's out there that are just going to throw in the towel on money pit football programs and get back to educating kids.

The more I read, the more I think we should shut down or downgrade football. Realistically, what are the chances we ever actually compete with the "big boys" on a regular basis? I'd get more enjoyment out of winning in the FCS than what I've been watching in Ford the past 10 years anyway.

Basketball is a far better fit for a school our size.

(Please don't hurt me. We all know it won't happen.)

If SMU were granted access to a power conference and an additional $15-$20M in TV revenue, increased attendance due to better competition, etc.... I have no doubt in my mind that we could more than hold our own in a major conference. That's the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We are either P5 in the next decade or we, and probably half of the rest of the G5 football programs, call it quits. There is zero point in having an FCS program. Zero. You'd be better off bulldozing Ford and building a baseball stadium. No kidding.

Worst sell ever. I love baseball.

You have more faith than I, but I genuinely hope you're right.

[StallionsModelT]

Model T is right on point. Most here on this board don't understand the financial issues in athletics. Donations fund 90% of the Athletics budget very little is derived from ticket revenue, conference payouts or university support, sponsorships etc. On top of funding this annual debt the department needs to payoff the moody renovation, the tennis center, plus fund the new aquatic center. Then they have to fulfill the new obligations of the new football staff. That's is why is necessary to come up with other ways to generate or increase donation/revenue. It sucks but if you all want to see SMU in a P-5 conference this is the price of admission and will only go up from here until a new conference or football success happens.

How important is it to you to see SMU make the next, and likely final, cut in regards to P5. There will be one more major shift in realignment to the inevitable 4x18 or 4x20 scenario so that the playoff format is, in the eyes of the big boys, perfect. Thankfully for SMU there is time for us to get our house in order. Therefore we are going to be forced to do things in the short term that otherwise wouldn't be necessary in order to give ourselves the best possible chance at P5 inclusion. Everyone has a budget and I understand that. With that said, SMU is not really price gouging when you consider the on-court performance, Hall of Fame coach, quality of schedule, and possibly the most beautiful college basketball venue in the state of Texas.

All of this is about P5. We need the money and we need it now. IPF, coaches salaries, etc. cannot all come from the CoC. We all have to do our part. If you don't want to be a part of the solution then don't whine when we are left without a chair when the music stops here in 5 years and SMU football is dead.

[SMU Section F]

Model T is right on point. Most here on this board don't understand the financial issues in athletics. Donations fund 90% of the Athletics budget very little is derived from ticket revenue, conference payouts or university support, sponsorships etc. On top of funding this annual debt the department needs to payoff the moody renovation, the tennis center, plus fund the new aquatic center. Then they have to fulfill the new obligations of the new football staff. That's is why is necessary to come up with other ways to generate or increase donation/revenue. It sucks but if you all want to see SMU in a P-5 conference this is the price of admission and will only go up from here until a new conference or football success happens.

You're 100% right. Most, including myself, do not understand all the "ins and outs" of a college athletic department's finances. What I do understand is that at most SMU sporting events the overwhelming number of fans are 50 or 60 years of age or older. Now that SMU has finally shown some of the younger alumni (and students) how much fun a winning program can be and actually garnered some interest, it's apparently time to put the screws to them and leave a sour taste in their mouth.

SMU can justify this however they want (and they do have some legitimate reasoning), but unless we start winning big fast I don't see how this doesn't backfire...

I personally think we should focus on building a solid, consistent program and fan base before we start worrying about whether we're P5 or not. There will always be a new crisis that requires our money.

[StallionsModelT]

Section F,


You honestly think we couldn't hold our own in a major conference? The following schools have been to BCS bowls or had 9 plus win seasons over the past decade:

UConn
Duke
Wake Forest
Northwestern
Stanford
Vanderbilt
Boise State
Baylor
TCU


If we had access to P5 money and resources we could absolutely compete at their level. It might take a few years but we could do it. We are already paying P5 money for coaches. Give us a chance and SMU has proven that financially and from an administrative perspective that it will do what is needed to compete. You're allowing the June Jones disaster to cloud the potential of what we could be.

[Crong]

Where was the plan 5, 10, 20 years ago? Where's the plan now? You have to win to gain eyes for the TV networks (conferences) to notice. I've seen MK on the bench all season and Mudiay in China. That doesn't happen at UK who wants to win at all costs.

[StallionsModelT]

Model T is right on point. Most here on this board don't understand the financial issues in athletics. Donations fund 90% of the Athletics budget very little is derived from ticket revenue, conference payouts or university support, sponsorships etc. On top of funding this annual debt the department needs to payoff the moody renovation, the tennis center, plus fund the new aquatic center. Then they have to fulfill the new obligations of the new football staff. That's is why is necessary to come up with other ways to generate or increase donation/revenue. It sucks but if you all want to see SMU in a P-5 conference this is the price of admission and will only go up from here until a new conference or football success happens.

You're 100% right. Most, including myself, do not understand all the "ins and outs" of a college athletic department's finances. What I do understand is that at most SMU sporting events the overwhelming number of fans are 50 or 60 years of age or older. Now that SMU has finally shown some of the younger alumni (and students) how much fun a winning program can be and actually garnered some interest, it's apparently time to put the screws to them and leave a sour taste in their mouth.

SMU can justify this however they want (and they do have some legitimate reasoning), but unless we start winning big fast I don't see how this doesn't backfire...

I personally think we should focus on building a solid, consistent program and fan base before we start worrying about whether we're P5 or not. There will always be a new crisis that requires our money.

We don't have time for any of that. P5 inclusion is going to happen within the next decade. After that, its going to be over. The only scenario where we would ever be relevant in any sport that anyone cares about would be some sort of anti-trust suit which won't happen.

If this really bothers you I truly understand. But every action taken by the AD for the next several years is with the goal of P5. Is it realistic? Maybe not. But its worth every possible angle you can play to achieve it. We've got probably 3-5 years to get our house in order. After that, we will see where we stand. If football is still a train wreck and basketball proves itself to be a one hit wonder then well.....its been fun. You'll have the rest of your life to look back on SMU's glory days knowing they will never happen again. Why not fight through it for a few years and be a part of the solution? Its going to take everybody. Like Coach Morris said, its got to start with a culture change.