SMU announces in-game improvements before Navy game

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Game Improvements For SMU-Navy Game

DALLAS (SMU) – In advance of this Friday night's game against Navy, SMU has made several changes to enhance the gameday experience at Ford Stadium.

As part of its on-going commitment to continuous improvement, SMU conducted an extensive review of game operations following its last home game, analyzing every aspect of the stadium experience from tickets and parking to concessions and connectivity. Several recommendations will be immediately implemented, with the intent to show immediate improvement.

• Concessions & Hospitality: Staffing will be increased based on the projected attendance, and work is underway to connect additional points of sale (POS) in concessions, which when completed will nearly double the capacity. More beverage kiosks will be added, and merchandise tables will be relocated with the goal of moving our fans and guests through concession lines faster so they can return to their seats and enjoy the game.

• Traffic: Additional police officers will assist with traffic flow – both vehicle and pedestrian. Extra message boards and signage will provide more direction and rideshare vehicles will have additional designated drop-off points to prevent congestion. However, a Friday night game can present its own set of parking and traffic issues as people travel to campus during rush hour, so we are asking attendees to factor in some extra travel time.

• Connectivity: We are working to encourage more wireless providers to join our current wireless system which would help extend cellular service.

• Communications: SMU will continue to send pre-game messaging reminding ticket holders to download their tickets in advance, that tickets can be used for entry at any gate, to carry clear or very small bags and to bring an unopened water bottle if they would like. We will also continue to have staff outside the stadium directing fans to open gates if lines build.

Longer term, the $100 million Garry Weber End Zone Complex and Ford Stadium expansion will modernize existing infrastructure, including refurbishing the west side premium areas, adding public restrooms and concessions stands and installing a commercial kitchen. Even with these welcome improvements, SMU will continue to identify challenges and find opportunities to improve the gameday experience for everyone.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and we encourage fans to get to campus and enter the stadium early. Pony Up!

[peruna81]

Well, great stuff, "Solving" a problem post problem.

"Proper Preparation Prevents P*** Poor Performance" I remember a particular coach we are all fond of saying that in 1977.

Not grousing per se, but where was this prior to the sellout against TCU?

[Bergermeister]

Hey! They’ve only had 20+ years to get it right. I’m sure this will do it. What a crock. They can’t find their ars with both hands. And the beat goes on…

[ponyboy]

It’s a response. I’m thankful for that.

[SmooBoy]

You have a better gameday presentation and in-game improvements, coupled with a competitive team on the field, and people come back. It's a start.

[Dukie]

Well, great stuff, "Solving" a problem post problem.

"Proper Preparation Prevents P*** Poor Performance" I remember a particular coach we are all fond of saying that in 1977.

Not grousing per se, but where was this prior to the sellout against TCU?

I'd like to grouse about that. Where was it indeed. That was both an opportunity to get it right, and a need to do so.

Now between the 2-3 record and the negative experience of whatever "attractable" casual fans came to the TCU game, there isn't even a need for these "enhancements." Oh well.

[mtrout]

I think having half the fans automatically takes care of the problems from the TCU game.

[laxdawg97]

Just for fun, let's see if we can do a little translation on this one....

From SMUMustangs.com:

Game Improvements For SMU-Navy Game

DALLAS (SMU) – In advance of this Friday night's game against Navy, SMU has made several changes to enhance the gameday experience at Ford Stadium.

As part of its on-going commitment to continuous improvement, SMU conducted an extensive review of game operations following its last home game, analyzing every aspect of the stadium experience from tickets and parking to concessions and connectivity. Several recommendations will be immediately implemented, with the intent to show immediate improvement.

TRANSLATION: get ready for consultant speak, and aggressive expectations management

• Concessions & Hospitality: Staffing will be increased based on the projected attendance, and work is underway to connect additional points of sale (POS) in concessions, which when completed will nearly double the capacity. More beverage kiosks will be added, and merchandise tables will be relocated with the goal of moving our fans and guests through concession lines faster so they can return to their seats and enjoy the game.

TRANSLATION: somehow, we projected less than full attendance for the TCU game and staffed accordingly, with no slack, and never considered the weather could impact demand for beverages. also, we're working on the concessions thing, but we have no clue whether it will be any better for the navy game. mainly, we're counting on cooler weather.

• Traffic: Additional police officers will assist with traffic flow – both vehicle and pedestrian. Extra message boards and signage will provide more direction and rideshare vehicles will have additional designated drop-off points to prevent congestion. However, a Friday night game can present its own set of parking and traffic issues as people travel to campus during rush hour, so we are asking attendees to factor in some extra travel time.

TRANSLATION: it's going to be even worse on Friday, and you can't blame us for it so don't even bother trying to determine whether we did anything different, much less hold us accountable.

• Connectivity: We are working to encourage more wireless providers to join our current wireless system which would help extend cellular service.

TRANSLATION: wireless works fine in the suites, otherwise some dude in IT said he sent some emails, or something but it sounded like money so we didn't actually listen.

• Communications: SMU will continue to send pre-game messaging reminding ticket holders to download their tickets in advance, that tickets can be used for entry at any gate, to carry clear or very small bags and to bring an unopened water bottle if they would like. We will also continue to have staff outside the stadium directing fans to open gates if lines build.

TRANSLATION: lines are your fault, we could add staff, but we aren't

Longer term, the $100 million Garry Weber End Zone Complex and Ford Stadium expansion will modernize existing infrastructure, including refurbishing the west side premium areas, adding public restrooms and concessions stands and installing a commercial kitchen. Even with these welcome improvements, SMU will continue to identify challenges and find opportunities to improve the gameday experience for everyone.

TRANSLATION: we will never, ever stop managing down expectations

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and we encourage fans to get to campus and enter the stadium early. Pony Up!

[NavyCrimson]

BRILLIANT!!!

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

The press release always sounds great. We'll see the next time there is a sellout. . . whenever that may be.

[One Trick Pony]

I wonder what the game day presentation is like at Raymond James Stadium. May be the only game i attend .

[SMUFan]

USF games are bland. The cannon will scare the crap out of you, but the empty seats and indifference from their fans will help you recover

[Big Hoss]

If only they could know in advance that there would be that many people at the game. If only there were a correlation to number of fans attending to number of tickets sold.

What an effing joke!

[TwoTimeGrad]

They still had problems at the Navy game. There was a standalone beer/water stand near 206 that had one very hardworking person, but that meant the line was still 10 minutes at least. Needs to be two folks at minimum, or better two serving and one taking payments.

The school should have someone observing/working the service areas during games and not hearing about it later.

[PonyPride]

New pledge for improvement announced today:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91647