I know that your average SMU student didn't pick SMU b/c of the football program. But damn we had some guys that acted like they'd never seen the sport! I'm sure that every school has these type of kids, but lets all be honest, we have a BUNCH of them at SMU. There's nothing wrong with that, but as a kid from small town Texas it would be nice if we had a little bit of rural flavor at SMU. Its a minor beef b/c I loved my time at SMU and look back on those years fondly.
Assuming the football and basketball programs improve dramatically over the next 3-4 years, it will be interesting to see if and how much the applicant pool changes. Hopefully we'll get more fans in the student body.
I'm sure that we will if we win. Dallas is very much a winner's city. If SMU football/basketball become events where students feel is a hot spot to be, then they'll be there. Its not just SMU. Dallas in general has that mentality.
My high school has a great football program and the one thing I missed coming from there to SMU was the pride people had in it. I remember being at the 21-10 game vs TCU and getty hellaciously rowdy (my inner Big 10 fan in me came out to party!). It was great it was a rivalry game and I was pumped. I was disappointed in my fellow fans' lack of desire to create a hostile environment. I hope one day that Ford will be considered a tough place to play.
StallionsModelT wrote:I played against Justin in YSA football when we were kids in rural East Texas and we good friends at SMU. No tellin' how many dips of Kodiak he owes me. One of the best all around people you will ever meet. We need more of those type kids at SMU. Being from a tiny East Texas town and knowing how important football is to that area and this state as a whole, it'd be nice if we were able to be more attractive to small town Texas kids in our student population. Instead I can't tell you how many times I went to games as a student and sat next to a drunken frat guy with a popped collar that didn't know what a first down was. Not exactly the kind of educated fanbase I was hoping for when I arrived.
Broheim: SMU is frat....Doesn't all of SMU get drunk on the blvd before the games? And I guarantee you that they knew what a first down was...that seems kind of ridiculous? I think the argument from the frat kids is the same as everyone else...give us a product on the field to be proud of and the support numbers will increase exponentially.
I have nothing against any of the frats/sororities at SMU. I was lucky enough to be friends w/ people from each so I have no beef with them at all. But yes. There were a few guys who were in a frat that I was sitting in front of at the Tech game my freshman year that didn't know what a first down was. I'm honest to God not making this up. That said I agree w/ the crux of what you said. Give the Greeks a product they can feel proud of and they will support it thoroughly.
