BLVD is sold out

[DiamondM]

Brian,

Do you know what number space you were squatting in because no one was showing up? Or can you tell me who your neighbors were? I will follow up with the staff -- if it continues not to be used, they WILL call the person and suggest they buy a spot in the Meadows garage and another space will open up.

But that said, the fact that you were not only getting a spot free, but apparently also not contributing to the Mustang Club and not buying season tickets and didn't realize that at some point the free ride might come to an end is a bit curious. I hope you can still find some welcoming Ponies on the BLVD, but I also hope you will realize that by making the BLVD actually worth something to the people who use it, SMU is taking a step in the right direction (if a step a little too far given the price hike). I also hope everyone realizes that the goal is not simply to get people to the BLVD, but to get people in the actual stadium for the game -- thus, the season ticket requirement.

[PK]

both with your presents at the games and your financial support.

I hope you meant to say "presence". If I have to start bringing presents, I'm out of here.

Cheapskate.

Thanks for the heads up.

[SMUstang]

Hey guys, lets go look at "The Grove" which was the model on which "The Boulevard" was started. I may be mistaken, but I don't think it is so structured that new tailgaiters are precluded.

[BrianTinBigD]

Brian,

Do you know what number space you were squatting in because no one was showing up? Or can you tell me who your neighbors were? I will follow up with the staff -- if it continues not to be used, they WILL call the person and suggest they buy a spot in the Meadows garage and another space will open up.

But that said, the fact that you were not only getting a spot free, but apparently also not contributing to the Mustang Club and not buying season tickets and didn't realize that at some point the free ride might come to an end is a bit curious. I hope you can still find some welcoming Ponies on the BLVD, but I also hope you will realize that by making the BLVD actually worth something to the people who use it, SMU is taking a step in the right direction (if a step a little too far given the price hike). I also hope everyone realizes that the goal is not simply to get people to the BLVD, but to get people in the actual stadium for the game -- thus, the season ticket requirement.

I am a Mustang Club member at the $150 level. I have kids who play sports and I travel a great deal as well. Season tickets are just a waste of money but I try and make up for it by dragging my football team, my daughters friends, and anyone else I can to come to SMU games and we buy tickets. I also travel to the away games. We broke out the RV for the Rice game(those of you that borrowed the restroom will remember it) and hung out in the squalor that is Denton last year. I also listened to the UTEP game in Barcelona via the internet. I am not going to worry about this anymore. We are going to get a spot over in the BLVD Northeast section and wait for someone to die of old age over on the Southside. Can't remember the spot # but we were always across from the family section at Perkins. I am just annoyed at the lack of communication from SMU on the whole process. We have been calling and e-mailing for months and sometimes it would be weeks before we would get a response. Not a real good job being done by SMU's finest in the AD office.
At least they were able to score close to $100K from all the tailgaters.

[Eddie P]

I sincerely hope your comment about "death by old age" was tongue in cheek. Otherwise its despicable. I'll make my own "tongue in cheek" comment: I'll take 10 Brian T's for 1 blue hair on the boulevard...probably 20: 1.

[Treadway21]

PK said, MM65, the almighty $ rules everywhere.

With all due respect to those upset about the cost:

Its been a long time since I took my economics class, but wouldn't this fall in a supply and demand issue. If the ADept can make more money without pricing people out, I think we should be happy to have something that SMU can make money on. It only helps all the programs. Adam Smith and Milton Friedman might be able to explain it.

"The most important single central fact about a free market is that no exchange takes place unless both parties benefit."
Milton Friedman

[jtstang]

BrianTinBigD: I'm still around. Just not 'active'. And SMU athletics will be getting as little of my money as possible until it puts a winning product on the field and on the court.

I don't blame you one bit for being p*ssed off. It's loyal fans like you (and others) who supported the Mustangs before and during the continuing 'dark age' who are getting the hardwood up the kiester from the SMU AD's office. Once again the almighty $ rules. Nowhere is this more true than on The Hilltop.

Just to get this straight, you're back, but not a sunshiner anymore?

[RGV Pony]

BrianTinBigD: I'm still around. Just not 'active'. And SMU athletics will be getting as little of my money as possible until it puts a winning product on the field and on the court.

I don't blame you one bit for being p*ssed off. It's loyal fans like you (and others) who supported the Mustangs before and during the continuing 'dark age' who are getting the hardwood up the kiester from the SMU AD's office. Once again the almighty $ rules. Nowhere is this more true than on The Hilltop.

Just to get this straight, you're back, but not a sunshiner anymore?

and jt, my understanding is that you didn't expect him back, but now that he is, you're pleasantly surprised?

[PhirePhilBennett]

Jim Copeland had his faults but he also recognize those that supported the progam during the "bad years". This group has one goal $. The more you give the more they will pay attention to you and I am not talking about $1000 Mustang Level members. THey are paying attention to the very high $ doners. Those of us who have 's supported the program in early 80's when times were good and contributed $150 and increased our donation as our situatiuons improved and stuck with the program through the 90' are now are being pushed aside. Mustang Athletics will once again become the play ground of the snobs as long as they are willing to write a check. If things go south again they will come crying on our shoulders. I recognize that it takes $ to have a first class program but this group is ignoring those who have kept the program afloat for the last 20 year. Many long time volunteer Mustang Club Fund raisers have dropped out of the volunteering because they are being made to feel unwelcome by Steve O and his new staff. I know I was one of them. Over the years my family has supported the program to the tune of $3000 to $5000 a year with contributions ,season tickets etc. If things continue on there current trend, my family will find other places for our money.

Really? I seem to remember being a supporter from '89 through '99 and then getting 'bypassed' by a bunch of first-timers who 'tagged' along with some big-whigs for seat selection in FORD (I was on the 15 yard line at FORD, but had been on the 35 in the Cotton Bowl), only to see that big group disappear after 2 seasons - then I got upgraded at FORD. I had been giving $500/yr + 4-seats for some time as well.

I don't think anything has changed under Orsini as far as 'priority' is concerned. Follow the money.

[Arkpony]

Will Do Bus! See ya'll at the Tech Game (and don't forget to bring my chair!)

[jtstang]

and jt, my understanding is that you didn't expect him back, but now that he is, you're pleasantly surprised?

Indeed. Welcome to the dark side, MrMustang5150.

BTW, that was very well played, sir.

[BrianTinBigD]

I sincerely hope your comment about "death by old age" was tongue in cheek. Otherwise its despicable. I'll make my own "tongue in cheek" comment: I'll take 10 Brian T's for 1 blue hair on the boulevard...probably 20: 1.

"Death by Old Age" was intended tounge in cheek. However, I am sure that it is the preferred method that most on the board would pick as their demise. Car wreck is so messy, drug overdose and alcohol is to in right now, cancer sucks, heart attack doesn't sound real appealing. So we are really just waiting for death by old age or The Blog's dream death(and I am sure many others on this board) dying in bed with a smile on your face and 3 hot coeds by your side(this might eventually be known as the Hefner).

[MrMustang1965]

BrianTinBigD: I'm still around. Just not 'active'. And SMU athletics will be getting as little of my money as possible until it puts a winning product on the field and on the court.

I don't blame you one bit for being p*ssed off. It's loyal fans like you (and others) who supported the Mustangs before and during the continuing 'dark age' who are getting the hardwood up the kiester from the SMU AD's office. Once again the almighty $ rules. Nowhere is this more true than on The Hilltop.

Just to get this straight, you're back, but not a sunshiner anymore?

Affirmative.

[Charleston Pony]

this same and somewhat entertaining debate is taking place on college chat boards across the country. For those who have been comatose the past several years, the arms race is on in the world of college athletics. Athletic Directors everywhere are looking for ways to increase revenues and this "long time loyalist" vs "bandwagon deep pockets" debate is raging even where the big boys play.

I'm over here in Clemson vs Carolina.Bowden vs Spurrier territory and am amused by co-workers complaining that to retain their assigned season tickets and parking lots, they now have to pony up more $ for both the tickets and to retain their booster club status level.

For years, as I complained about our lack of a faithful following (After all, that is the reason we weren't invited to play with the BCS cartel), most on this board said "never fear; things will be different when westart winning". Well, guess what? Even at 6-6, things are looking different. Prime spots on the Blvd are not unlike seats between the 30 yard lines in Ford. Let's hope the day is coming when you wont see those seats unless you are a certain level Mustang Club Contributor. If/when that day comes, there will be several "loyalists" - who supported a losing program when they could get in the cheapest way possible and sit back comfortably in a mid field seat - who will be complaining about how unfair the SMU administration has become.

Ah yes - it looks as if we might FINALLY be making some progress. I think I will book a flight for the UNT game. Think we might come close to packing Ford for that one?

[MrMustang1965]

I think I will book a flight for the UNT game. Think we might come close to packing Ford for that one?

No.

TCU will be playing U.T. in Austin (televised) at 6 p.m.
A&M will be playing Fresno State in College Station (televised) at 2:30 p.m.
Texas Tech will be playing UTEP in Lubbock at 6 p.m.

The SMU student body and many alumni will - once again - hang out on The Blvd. to watch those games on TV (or stay at home to watch on TV) or travel to those destinations to watch those games in person. And you'll see more people on Sept. 8 at Ford Stadium dressed in green & white than in red & blue.