Better fans.

[BIGHORSE]

We always want better coaches and better players, but

we also need better fans, you can always tell most of

the Mustang fans at the game because most will not

wear S.M.U. shirts or even red and blue.

[WildBillPony]

You got that right. Too busy complaining about the concessions and halftime shows.

[apisarna]

Yes, when we will have fans that truely believe in what we are doing as a whole. Players don't want to come if we keep changing ... like....coaching staff and program direction. We need to build consistency. When recruits come to campus, we need to impress how SMU fans are really supporting the program...not complaining about little things (we can have pov but a constructive one). Fans cannot change coach, our style of play, and etc...but fans can help fill the house and get crazy about SMU. When will I see that! I've been waiting for this since 1990. Haven't seen that since, but hoping that one day it will come.

[ALEX LIFESON]

We always want better coaches and better players, but

we also need better fans, you can always tell most of

the Mustang fans at the game because most will not

wear S.M.U. shirts or even red and blue.

I hear you, and agree 100%. A large group of our fans, wear every color EXCEPT, red and blue.

[mr. pony]

I don't buy ANY of that crap. Fan support starts with wins on the court, on the field. No fan base in the country has been more abused than SMU's over the last 20+ years.

Get it done on the field, on the court. Stop blaming the fan!!

[Charleston Pony]

you are baiting me with this thread, aren't you?

unfortunately, as many have pointed out in response to my rants on this subject, it's beating a dead horse.

We all wish there were more of us (referring to the fanatics that dwell on this board and support the program), but the the truth is that the majority of SMU students, alumni & faculty are either disinterested or are not going to support SMU athletics until it is "in vogue" to do so.

It's really a shame becasue we all know it's about recruiting better players and that better players generally want to play for schools that have great fan support. The age old chicken vs egg argument here.

I will give Doh credit for appealing to the students for their support. Hope he doesn't give up like so many before him have, but like he says, at some point, you have to give the kids a reason to want to come back.

[BIGHORSE]

One example is the Utep game last week , the Utep fans all

had on Utep shirts and the S.MU. fans had on black, green

grey and every color but red and blue.

[Charleston Pony]

hopefully the "red out" against Memphis wont look too much like blue

[PonySnob]

I don't buy ANY of that crap. Fan support starts with wins on the court, on the field. No fan base in the country has been more abused than SMU's over the last 20+ years.

Get it done on the field, on the court. Stop blaming the fan!!

A+

[Charleston Pony]

that's right. This is SMU. We are ENTITLED to a top 25 program. I keep forgetting.

[CA Mustang]

It is not a matter of blaming the fans, but understanding the role fans play in a successful program.

Doherty was quoted as saying SMU would need to draw 4,500 consistently to attract the top players. While you can debate the exact number, the concept has validity. People gripe about missing out on four and five star players, but how many of those play for schools that draw less than 2,500 regularly? How many winning programs draw what SMU draws?

Sure, you can say you'll support the progam when it is a winner. But what are the odds the program will ever become a winner without a higher level of fan support?

[abezontar]

It is not a matter of blaming the fans, but understanding the role fans play in a successful program.

Doherty was quoted as saying SMU would need to draw 4,500 consistently to attract the top players. While you can debate the exact number, the concept has validity. People gripe about missing out on four and five star players, but how many of those play for schools that draw less than 2,500 regularly? How many winning programs draw what SMU draws?

Sure, you can say you'll support the progam when it is a winner. But what are the odds the program will ever become a winner without a higher level of fan support?

What are the odds that you are going to get consistent support when you can't even get 3 star guys in here to compete in a bad conference? Those kids do play in front of smaller crowds.

[Charleston Pony]

the simple fact is that we are a small private school in a major metro area that enjoys very little fan support...it's a big part of why the SWC broke up...the big boys got tired of carrying the small privates.

Our sister school in Ft Worth has shown us that you can still be competitive if you care to. I think SMU, with the construction of Ford Stadium, the hiring of Jones and the hiring of Doherty and construction of the Crum Center is finally saying we want to compete at the highest level. We've just dug such a deep hole in the past 20 years that it will be difficult to bring the fair weather fans back.

I still believe it will happen, but there is no question that our lack of a fan base has been a big part of the situation we are in today. Those who believe having a top 25 caliber team will automatically fix the problem are just not acknowledging our reality. Thos who were around when we were winning the SWC remember how many poorly attended games we hosted.

[BIGHORSE]

I don't buy ANY of that crap. Fan support starts with wins on the court, on the field. No fan base in the country has been more abused than SMU's over the last 20+ years.

Get it done on the field, on the court. Stop blaming the fan!!

Not blaming the fan for our woes, just saying if our fans would

wear S.M.U. shirts or at least our colors, then it is just

a piece of the puzzle.

[CA Mustang]

What are the odds that you are going to get consistent support when you can't even get 3 star guys in here to compete in a bad conference? Those kids do play in front of smaller crowds.

Pretty long, because no one wins in basketball with just one and two star players.

So are you blaming the coaches instead? Those three star players don't have a problem going to our conference rivals, so the conference isn't the problem. Or is it your position that fan support will only increase as soon as SMU joins the Big 12 or SEC?