Getting Our Students Into Football

[StallionsModelT]

This is something I've kind of always thought about the SMU student body. Yes there are those of us (especially us on this board) who are rabid fans of SMU and attend as many games as we can, but for the most part I feel we have a VERY apathetic student body.

Now I'm no expert and the key to getting them back is no secret. We have to become "THE" thing to do on Saturdays and we have to win. Dallas is a city with alot of options for college kids and we need to make the game experience one that keeps 'em coming back. Dallas is also a "winners" city. Anyone who has spent an extended time here knows that if a team is good, Dallas will support you. We have a very image conscious student body and we need to cater to them and make the program a priority or a "hot spot". Clearly, winning and playing an exciting brand of football is the way to get this done.

[George S. Patton]

Off the topic: Your signature is hilarious.

[peruna11]

i think everything else is in place. we just need to win. there is (nor has there been) a shortage of drunk students on the blvd that would love to come in and watch us WIN. Otherwise, it'll just be more of "Dude, the (insert big12/sec school) game is on, let's go to Milo's"

[Big Hoss]

This is something I've kind of always thought about the SMU student body. Yes there are those of us (especially us on this board) who are rabid fans of SMU and attend as many games as we can, but for the most part I feel we have a VERY apathetic student body.

Now I'm no expert and the key to getting them back is no secret. We have to become "THE" thing to do on Saturdays and we have to win. Dallas is a city with alot of options for college kids and we need to make the game experience one that keeps 'em coming back. Dallas is also a "winners" city. Anyone who has spent an extended time here knows that if a team is good, Dallas will support you. We have a very image conscious student body and we need to cater to them and make the program a priority or a "hot spot". Clearly, winning and playing an exciting brand of football is the way to get this done.

Very true. I think winning consistently goes a LONG way. My gut instinct says the buzz alone from the JJ hire will help in the first couple games of this next season, but the product on the field has to be what they keep coming back for.

Granted, beer sales would be a big plus, too, but that probably won't ever happen.

A distant 2nd behind on-field success is a more cohesive in-game production, as discussed in another thread today. If you have gone to a Mavs game in the last few years, I think you'll notice the difference. All of their music, jumbo-tron, cheerleaders, etc. all is very smooth and choreographed. Sometimes it's a bit over the top for a sports purist like myself, but that's one way to keep the casual sports fan entertained and coming back for me. Especially important for kids, IMO.

[sail420s]

Here is an idea I have had for the past year or so. I don't know what that area of the stadium is called that is the round room with past athletic acheivements on the wall. It connects the stadium to the spirit store.

What if they got a separate liquor license for this room only or more than likely have an outside vendor do it and share the profits. Put in some tables, sell some beer, and have flat screens showing other games. Make it accesible from inside the stadium only and not allow beer to be taken out (think Old 57 or Stars Club at AAC). This may not keep people in the seats, but it would help keep them in the stadium. Especially with the new goofy no in and out rule. This would give people the ability to get a beer (don't wanna waste a good buzz that was built up on the blvd), watch some other games for a bit, and get back to their seats to watch what is hopefully a good game on the field. They could even market it as a benefit for season ticket holders. Any thoughts?

[RE Tycoon]

That was the idea with the Mustang Stables a few years back. From what I understand the push to serve alcohol has been explored but has been rejected by the school or more likely UP. Someone else might have better insight on the issue.

[Alaric]

Hopefully incoming students will be bigger football fans. If you've enrolled at SMU over the past 15 years you were coming to a moribund program and many may not have cared about football.

I think we should also make greek attendance mandatory. maybe put shock bracelets on ankles...maybe all students and shock everyone if you're not within a 300' radius of the 50 yard line. Wow, that just sounded like FTT or something BD would say

[SMU_DAD_00]

Its simple and you all have stated it.. WIN-Baby win. Everyone likes a front runner, especially in Dallas..

[couch 'em]

Greek attendance is key at SMU. We need to find a way to not just get large numbers of greeks in the stadium for the WHOLE game, we need to find a way to make them WANT to be there. It's all about attitude, and it starts with putting for a non-embarrassing product.

Luckily with JJ's offense we'll be scoring a lot of points. I think it is classless, but it'll have to be done - we need to run up the score whenever we can and shoot for 60-70 points/game to gain legitimacy.

[MrMustang1965]

Here is an idea I have had for the past year or so. I don't know what that area of the stadium is called that is the round room with past athletic acheivements on the wall. It connects the stadium to the spirit store.

What if they got a separate liquor license for this room only or more than likely have an outside vendor do it and share the profits. Put in some tables, sell some beer, and have flat screens showing other games. Make it accesible from inside the stadium only and not allow beer to be taken out (think Old 57 or Stars Club at AAC). This may not keep people in the seats, but it would help keep them in the stadium. Especially with the new goofy no in and out rule. This would give people the ability to get a beer (don't wanna waste a good buzz that was built up on the blvd), watch some other games for a bit, and get back to their seats to watch what is hopefully a good game on the field. They could even market it as a benefit for season ticket holders. Any thoughts?

That 'round room with past athletic achievements on the wall' is Heritage Hall. It will soon be expanded, thanks to Gerry York and his efforts to preserve SMU's athletic history. Take some time to tour Heritage Hall and learn about SMU's wonderful sports history. You won't regret it.

As for selling liquor in Heritage Hall...uh, no...I don't want some drunk crashing into Doak Walker's Heisman trophy or any of the other mementos that are on display in there!

I think it is classless, but it'll have to be done - we need to run up the score whenever we can and shoot for 60-70 points/game to gain legitimacy.

Mike Leach makes it work for Texas Tech...no reason JJ can't do the same for the Mustangs.