More Steps on the Ladder to the Next Level

[BRStang]

We need our school to get with the program and start licensing more merchandise for retailers to sell. It is so disappointing that there only like 3 or 4 places in the world where you can buy SMU gear. I mean, c'mon!!! I even noticed UT has set up a store for nothing but donghorn crap within a stone's throw of SMU.

As an example, my son just said he wanted a "fathead" helmet for his wall as he saw a commercial for it during the Steelers/Browns Game. We went online to the fathead website. NO SMU FATHEADS!!! TCU, yep, they are there. Luckily he said he wanted either a Saints or LSU helmet, instead of Mississippi State (my wife's alma mater). He asked where the SMU stuff was. (I hate trying to explain to a 7 year old why we never see SMU stuff ANYWHERE and why the kids in his class stare at him when he says he went to an SMU game over the weekend.)

If we are going to be top 25, we need to quit the mickey mouse marketing crap and get our stuff out there. I'm not suggesting SMU stuff be on every shelf in D-i-c-k-s Sporting Goods here in Baton Rouge or even Austin, but we went in D-i-c-k-s in Frisco during the weekend of the Tulane game and NOTHING!

Does anyone know Orsini's position on this? Someone should talk with him and get this train back on the tracks. I noticed in the Mack Brown pay raise article that UT said merchandise sales went from like 25M to 70M or something under Mack Brown. Doesn't SMU realize it could be bringing in revenue by licensing more sellers of SMU stuff all the while helping to gain exposure for our school? Bunch of dummies.

[mustangdm]

I would imagine the demand just isn't there. Through the bookstore and online, merchandise probably gets out to whoever wants it. I think merchandise if an effect of a great athletic program, not a cause.

[BRStang]

I'm not saying D-i-c-k-s should have 40 different types of T-shirts like they do for UT/aTm/Tech/OU/OSU/TCU/Baylor...I'm just saying maybe have ONE! If they can sell Baylor crap at the Frisco D-i-c-k-s or Sports Authority, there is a market for some SMU stuff.

Also, I can't even find an SMU football jersey to buy for my 7-year-old--online or in stores. B&N by campus carries a "jersey" that looks nothing like what the players wear and generally it comes in size 4T or smaller. The next size up is the "faux" Adidas Jerseys for adults, which doesn't even come close to what the players actually wear.

Baby steps. I'm not suggesting they start mass producing the stuff to sell in every store in Texas, but they do need to start treating this like a D1 program instead of a high school.

[mr. pony]

I was told in a unique little store in downtown McKinney, Texas, that SMU had some roadblocks up for use of its trademark mustang that made it difficult to market.

This place sold these old-fashioned looking aluminum ice buckets with school logos, etc. One wall was full of them from every stinkin' school in the country - except SMU.

I asked why no SMU and was told of the trademark difficulties. If true, we need to get that fixed - now!

[expony18]

i bought a shirt at nordstroms last night.... they had three different shirts

[RGV Pony]

I was told in a unique little store in downtown McKinney, Texas, that SMU had some roadblocks up for use of its trademark mustang that made it difficult to market.

This place sold these old-fashioned looking aluminum ice buckets with school logos, etc. One wall was full of them from every stinkin' school in the country - except SMU.

I asked why no SMU and was told of the trademark difficulties. If true, we need to get that fixed - now!

I was told the same thing about 15, 20, and 20+ years ago.

Funny thing is, the first SMU item I ever owned was bought in Ft Stockton, TX in 1982 or so....a shirt I saw in a sporting goods store. So, given the timeline-did we give our merchandising the dp too?

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

BRStang believe it or not it is actually better now that it was just a couple of years ago, but I totally agree we still have a long way to go. I would expect to see much more Smu logo items available online and in local stores as we continue to improve. The demand was just not there with Smu losing year after year. It will be just like jtstang said about the Dallas Morning News coverage....it started happening when we started winning. I hate to say it, but be patient we are getting closer to the situation improving.

[BUS]

Today, I purchased 4 front door mats from Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, I go to that store at Christ-mass time.
The border is red with the SMU in blue in the middle. Price 14.99 each.

Park lane and Central.

If you go to Collin Creek... nothing.

I understand consumer products as I have sold them for 20 years. We need more purchases to validate wider coverage of store chains.

What will do that is WINNING.

Peace be with you always.
GSS

[Mustang98]

I would imagine the demand just isn't there. Through the bookstore and online, merchandise probably gets out to whoever wants it. I think merchandise if an effect of a great athletic program, not a cause.

That's exactly it. A few years ago we had a flight delay at the airport in Houston and there was a kiosk with UT, A&M, TCU, Baylor, Notre Dame hats, etc. I got into it with the salesman about not carrying SMU stuff. It got to the point where my wife took the kids to walk around the terminal because she was so embarassed by me. Finally, the sales guy said, "I could buy 25 SMU hats and three months from now I may sell one, but I can't afford to buy merchandise that will just sit there." He had a point and I settled down. That was in 2006 when we finished 6-6.

You gotta hope that a few more 7-5, 8-4, 9-3, 10-2 seasons could yield some more sales.

[SMUPhil]

On the other hand, I was at one of those hat stores (Lids, or Hat world) about 4 months ago here in DC and they had an SMU hat.

[Junior]

Today, I purchased 4 front door mats from Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, I go to that store at Christ-mass time.
The border is red with the SMU in blue in the middle. Price 14.99 each.

Park lane and Central.

If you go to Collin Creek... nothing.

I understand consumer products as I have sold them for 20 years. We need more purchases to validate wider coverage of store chains.

What will do that is WINNING.

Peace be with you always.
GSS

Did you also hit up Home Depot to make it a nice little Saturday.

Just kidding, movie ref.

I guess I'll be making my way to the Bed/Bath/Beyond this weekend for a new doormat.

[Junior]

On the other hand, I was at one of those hat stores (Lids, or Hat world) about 4 months ago here in DC and they had an SMU hat.

The one in Nortpark has a TON of SMU hats. I even bought a black one with a black pony on it. Pretty cool as far as SMU hats go.

[smupony94]

Today, I purchased 4 front door mats from Bed Bath and Beyond. Yes, I go to that store at Christ-mass time.
The border is red with the SMU in blue in the middle. Price 14.99 each.

Park lane and Central.

If you go to Collin Creek... nothing.

I understand consumer products as I have sold them for 20 years. We need more purchases to validate wider coverage of store chains.

What will do that is WINNING.

Peace be with you always.
GSS

Did you also hit up Home Depot to make it a nice little Saturday.

Just kidding, movie ref.

I guess I'll be making my way to the Bed/Bath/Beyond this weekend for a new doormat.

Frank the Tank

[Oliver]

Ya I agree with this, but I assume its just the demand. Even at d-i-c-k-s here by the northpark mall, you'll only find one or two items they started carrying a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure if the sports authority carries anything SMU related.

The bookstore is hopeless as well, the one adidas hat i went in to buy was actually sold out the other day, and of course there's no real time table for when they get new shipments, and I'm fairly certain thats the only place you can actually get the hat.

Also I've heard multiple times that the players don't even get privileges with gear. I was shocked when my buddy on the team said they provide no way for players to get gear for their parents and family, and that there are strict limitations on the amount of sweats, shirts, hats, etc. they get for themselves.

I guess we'll just have to wait until people really believe in this team for adidas to start shelling out the gear

[BIGHORSE]

The Sports A uthority on Central and Park Lane had some nice

red polo shirts last year, also J.C. Penny at Grapevine Mills

had some t. shirts and bags last year.