Talk SMU Up!

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:13 pm

In the past week - since learning of Steve Orsini's hire at AD - I've had a chance to speak with several Dallas area residents...some of who are SMU alumni and some are not.

I ask them what they think about his hiring and about SMU athletics overall. The responses range from "I didn't know SMU hired a new AD" to "I think he'll be fantastic!" to "SMU still plays football/basketball?" to "I've gone to a few games over the years...they're pretty boring" to "Well...I haven't been to an SMU football/basketball game since I graduated".

To each of these people I have asked them to attend at least ONE SMU home football and basketball game this season. I've given them information about SMU's football record last season (responses have usually been "you mean they actually won some games...?") and about SMU's new AD. I ask them if they've even seen or been in Ford Stadium (most of the answers were 'no'). I tell them about SMU's strong finish in football last year and how the Mustangs were the spoilers in TCU, UofH and UAB's seasons.

I tell them how excited I am to see SMU turning the corner from the 'dark days' and that it's an exciting and interesting time to be an SMU fan!

Many of these people graduated from schools a long way from Dallas (Kansas, Stanford, Ole Miss, Michigan, etc.) and I've asked them to 'adopt' SMU as their school away from their alma mater. Most of them have been receptive to the idea and are geniunely interested in seeing SMU put out a better product this year.

So...I encourage each of you to do the same. Reach out to someone you know who didn't graduate from SMU or even a school in Texas who now lives in the greater Dallas/FW area and encourage them to embrace SMU as their school away from their alma mater. The more people we can get to the games this year, the better!

I've already got two Kansas alumni and two SMU alumni ready to attend games this fall. I'm still working on the Stanford, Ole Miss and Michigan alumni!

GO MUSTANGS!

by **EastStang** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:50 pm

Keep up the good work. I'll be there for my 30th this fall.

by **mr. pony** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:03 pm

Good job, MM1965. I'm on board.

Along those lines: I was in a local sports bar the other day where there were pennants and flags from every d*** school you can imagine..... but NOTHING from SMU.

I asked the owner if I could bring some items in and he was very receptive. He said he'd been wanting some things from SMU, but no one ever brought any in.

I took care of that and would like to encourage everyone to put SMU out there everywhere it is appropriate.

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:19 pm

mr. pony wrote:Good job, MM1965. I'm on board.

Along those lines: I was in a local sports bar the other day where there were pennants and flags from every d*** school you can imagine..... but NOTHING from SMU.

I asked the owner if I could bring some items in and he was very receptive. He said he'd been wanting some things from SMU, but no one ever brought any in.

I took care of that and would like to encourage everyone to put SMU out there everywhere it is appropriate.

curious...which sports bar was it? I noticed the same thing at Champp's and they said the same thing.

by **Corso** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:25 pm

I went to Plucker's a few weeks ago, and saw nothing from SMU. They claim to be an SMU sponsor, and they're .... maybe a mile from campus? There was plenty of stuff from other schools, the cowboys, rangers, etc. I'll eat there again when they correct that.

by **nc pony** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:45 pm

i do the same thing all the way in north carolina, where college sports are king. Out here, SMU is only known for how hot the girls are ((they call it SuperModel University)) and some people remember the DP. Other than that, we are not on the map. I would love for us to go to a bowl game so that I can validate all of the talk I do about us. Or make the dance just once!

by **RE Tycoon** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:55 pm

Corso wrote:I went to Plucker's a few weeks ago, and saw nothing from SMU.

Not so fast my friend...

I was at Pluckers last Friday and my friend and I were talking about how much SMU stuff they have. They've got uniforms, posters, banners and those car flags, lots of SMU crap. I don't know where you ate, but it could not have been at Pluckers. Next time you go look at the right hand wall and above the bar.

by **McClown27** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:55 pm

I live in New Haven, CT so I don't get to influence that many people. Otherwise, I made my brother take his children to the games. His 6 year old has really taken to SMU bball games.

by **SMU Football Blog** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:16 pm

Stallion wrote:you guys are as excited as little bunnies! Rah! Rah! Rah!

Stallion, for someone that gripes about SMU marketing as much as you do, you sure do like to ignore how important word of mouth is.

Plain and simple, the road is going to be a lot tougher in 2007 than 2006. This really is, and I actually think you acknowledged as much, Bennett's best chance to go bowling. Because really, if he can't get it done in 2006 with a lot of returning starters, a nonconference schedule that includes Ark. State, UNT and Sam Houston as well as also playing the weak three sisters in C-USA East, then what chance is Bennett ever going to have?

So let's say Bennett actually does get it done in 2006 and we win seven to nine games. Do you think these people are going to travel to a bowl game when they haven't been to an SMU game all year or in the past several years? Of course not. We have to get these people on campus and we have to sell tickets and we have to get them to the game.

No amount of marketing is going to get people in Ford Stadium if we aren't willing to go ourselves. It is easy to be cynical. It is also easy to waive the pompoms without regard to actual reality. But the fact is, if any of us can think of a way to drag a couple of people with us to the games next year, we ought to do it.

by **SMU Football Blog** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:16 pm

PS-You can wizz on the Sam Houston game all you want, but I am planning a big tailgate that week because I figure it is my best chance to get my friends that are UT-following SMU alumni to the game. It is the only Texas road date aside from Tx-OU before late October. Even that isn't that good because UT and Rice play at Reliant in Houston.

by **LawSchoolPony** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 6:51 pm

Just talk up The Boulevard as the college gameday experience that it is...there aren't many places like it, in Texas at least. Most pre-game tailgating at many schools happens on a parking lot - SMU has the advantage w/ the Boulevard.

Talking it up couldn't hurt - especially if we start off strong in the fall. As for persuading any SEC alums to come to the game, just point out the similarity to the Grove at Ole Miss and the general "southern" feel of SMU pre-games...that will peak their interest!

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:51 pm

SMU Football Blog wrote:PS-You can wizz on the Sam Houston game all you want, but I am planning a big tailgate that week because I figure it is my best chance to get my friends that are UT-following SMU alumni to the game. It is the only Texas road date aside from Tx-OU before late October. Even that isn't that good because UT and Rice play at Reliant in Houston.

Sam Houston's colors are orange & white (although not BURNT orange) so your U.T. buddies should feel right at home! Tell 'em it will also give 'em a preview of what they'll see two weeks later when the Bearkats play the Longhorns in Austin. Yes, you read that right. Sam Houston State will play the University of Texas. :shock:

by **Hoop Fan** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:51 pm

Blogman, lets not set the bar for success at a bowl game. We could easily win 7 games and be left out of a bowl as you well know I am sure. I think its gonna take 8 wins at least and even with our schedule that doesnt leave much room for error.

by **Hoop Fan** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:33 pm

alldallasfan wrote::shock: I'm on board graduated from Wayland Baptist and my wife graduated from University of Alaska and currently live in Anchorage Alaska looks like a 50% chance we can be back in DFW in 2006 last SMU game attended was vs. NC State in 2001 also attended spring game in 2003 if not back in Dallas in 2006 will be shortly after GO SMU!

like to hear that. Sincerely, thanks for supporting SMU.

by **MrMustang1965** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:13 pm

Hoop Fan wrote:
alldallasfan wrote::shock: I'm on board graduated from Wayland Baptist and my wife graduated from University of Alaska and currently live in Anchorage Alaska looks like a 50% chance we can be back in DFW in 2006 last SMU game attended was vs. NC State in 2001 also attended spring game in 2003 if not back in Dallas in 2006 will be shortly after GO SMU!

like to hear that. Sincerely, thanks for supporting SMU.

...enjoy the cool weather up there while you can! Hope to see ya in hot & humid Dallas soon!

Talk SMU Up!

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