Game Presentation

[abezontar]

The band was mic'd. The Game production folks have to actually turn the mics on for it to work, though.

With allegedly one of the biggest bands in years, I would hope that you wouldn't need to be mic'd.

[CalallenStang]

The band was mic'd. The Game production folks have to actually turn the mics on for it to work, though.

With allegedly one of the biggest bands in years, I would hope that you wouldn't need to be mic'd.

I think it's 88 members.

There are problems with the sound trajectory. The band is in section 122. Sound goes straight to the area between Sections 104/204 and sections 105/205. The curvature of the trumpet bell directs that sound up, into the second level (which is an improvement from sending it over the top of the press box, which is what occurred when the trumpets weren't in front), while the other sound goes straight across. The nature of sound waves as they travel is that it spreads and therefore loses amplitude (volume). Due to the curvature of the stadium, the waves have to travel further from 122 to the home side than they would if, like the visiting bands, we were sitting in 128 and aiming for sections 102/202 and 103/203.

If Orsini reads this, don't move the band. Just turn the mic on.

[Peruna Pete]

I have to agree with many others that the game presentation was simply abysmal. I brought a colleague who is a Baylor professor to the game and I was embarrassed. The choice of music prior to kickoffs; well, it sounds like a pale imitation of an NBA game, but I can live with it. But I would think that having had all year to get ready for the season opener, somebody could have fixed the sound system. The faint classical music made it sound like somebody had WRR on in the background. But that was quite preferable to the screeching sound made for almost three quarters. When it finally subsided, one of the more significant cheers of the night arose from the crowd. The referee mikes never worked right, and sound levels were consistently inappropriate.

But I think perhaps the only person who had a worse night that BLM was the PA announcer. Mispronounced names (of the home team, yet) and clownish errors like telling me that for more information, I should go to "smu.com.edu" were but a few examples of his incompetence. At one point, he made a lengthy announcement inviting fans to purchase tickets to some event that he went on to tell us would take place on August 31st. Was I supposed to get in my time machine and go back to last Monday?

Add all that to the halftime foul up of directing "my attention to the video board," only to watch a minute or so of blank space before they gave up, the very amateurish attempt at a kiss-cam, and the lackluster performance of the team, and you have a disappointing game experience. The worst part of it, for me, is that I came really wanting to be proud of Ford Stadium and the Mustangs. I wasn't.

BTW, I was glad to see that the Mustang Band looks a little larger this year. I wish they had done a full halftime show. I guess there just wasn't time, what with all that time we spent directing our attention to the video board...

[EastStang]

I was talking with Orsini at the ECU game several years ago, and he was talking about what a great game presentation atmosphere they had there and I thought, "oh, no". Pirate noises, "Enter the Sandman" before the game, kind of like Walt Disney meets Metallica.

Here's a thought, "tradition". College bands, minimalist announcing (first and ten on the four), replays without comment, dance teams, cheerleaders, you know the things that separate college football from pro football. And of course silly ads from our sponsors. (After the game enjoy a great pizza at....) If I recall the sound system at our empty Cotton Bowl games was putrid, but do try and calibrate it once in awhile. Don't try to be like the Cowboys or the Mavericks. They have millions to throw at game production, we don't. Remember the Navy game and the pyrotechnic disaster. Just keep it simple. College is rah, rah and that's what makes it college football. Try to not get so wrapped up in "game presentation" that you forget what separates College Football from pro football. And by the way, students are a part of that equation (so try and stay for the second half).

[couch 'em]

[quote="CalallenStang"] The curvature of the trumpet bell directs that sound up, into the second level (which is an improvement from sending it over the top of the press box, which is what occurred when the trumpets weren't in front), quote]

.........point them lower?

[friarwolf]

Can we please dispense with bringing 5 year olds out to do dances at halftime? That stuff belongs at a high school game...............

[SMU21TCU10]

Can we please dispense with bringing 5 year olds out to do dances at halftime? That stuff belongs at a high school game...............

lol they been doing that as long as i can remember. im glad someone else agrees with me on that

[RunPeruna]

I also agree with you on that...for the record.

[Come and Take It]

Another issue that doesn't really have anything to do with the game presentation but more with the atmosphere - where were the flags that represent the retired numbers that hang above the north end zone? I'm sure 99% of the people didn't notice but it's another detail that was overlooked.

I noticed that as well. Also, why isn't there anything in the stadium recognizing the national championship teams?

[Pony41]

I had about 30 first time fans attend the game. Many of them are graduates of Texas, LSU, Tech, etc. I had hopes for showing them a nice stadium and entertaining game. Unfortunately, the quality of play on the field was not as entertaining and I knew that would partly be the problem with playing SFA. Most of my group eventually departed after half time back to the boulevard where they had more fun.

For college football fans that live in the Dallas area they want to see exciting matchups between teams that have winning traditions or are at least on the upswing. SMU vs. SFA doesn't fit that description that's ok. I sold them on the boulevard and got them all into the game, the game didn't entertain as well.

A winning product on the field will get more football fans in the stands and have less people leave at halftime. The game presentation will take care of itself with the excitement of the games.

Also a lot of these first timers did bring children and commented that Ford is a nice venue to bring kids to a college game.

[SmooBoy]

Since I am unsure many in the marketing group follow this site, make sure you are forwarding comments along to the higher ups. Nothing will change if they think everything is okay.

[SMU21TCU10]

didnt someone send the Pony Up song thread to Orsini last year? Lets send him this one. Not it

[SmooBoy]

didnt someone send the Pony Up song thread to Orsini last year? Lets send him this one. Not it

Yep, I did, and got lots of responses from various people within the school. And it changed the next home game.

[CalallenStang]

The curvature of the trumpet bell directs that sound up, into the second level (which is an improvement from sending it over the top of the press box, which is what occurred when the trumpets weren't in front), quote]

.........point them lower?

...we are...should be better than last year.

[Dooby]

The issue is we have two competing groups. This thread is full of people [deleted], but if you read through this carefully, people are arguing differenent things and assuming that everyone else agrees.

Fact is we can go the hardcore traditional route or we can go with a more modern sensory deprivation route. Either way is going to tick off a large chunk of the fan base.

If you ask me, I say we need to go with the modern sensory deprivation route. We need to atract kids and families and the fact is that the hard core-traditionalists are going to die.

But the real problem is that right now we are just half-assing the thing.