Observations and the Return of the Carnival Barker

[Eddie P]

First, the good.

Gutsy win...liked the adjustments.

Not a huge crowd but they seemed into it.

Extremely pleased with the student section. Very into the game. In fact, I will go on record as saying I have never seen the student section dance in coordination with the band in my meager 16 years association with SMU. Almost 2 full sections. It was really cool to see. I dont think the days of the student body being "too cool" to come to a football game are quite over, but this gives me some hope.

You can see how much the Boulevard has evolved since it began. So many more elaborate set-ups then previous years. And are there more tents now then ever?

Liked the new video board.

Noticed the band played a rather current song, which was a pleasant surprise. Really liked the halftime tribute. Good idea and execution.

Now, the bad.

Weather was brutal. The humidity made it worse than Lubbock in my opinion. People were just dripping.

Bus pick-up at Mockingbird Station was horrendous. 3 busses were sitting there empty as we waited in the heat for 20 minutes until the guy who had just left with a load came back. It looked like he brought back some other drivers. So maybe just bad timing on our part. But it still sucked.

Didn't see Everclear. Didnt really try.

Lose the "Bionic Woman" sound effect, for goodness sake! What is that supposed to signify? Have we entered the Matrix? And it also distorts the announcer. Actually, that might be a good thing.

Carnival Barker...
Okay, what in the hell is going on here? I know money is tight, but how do we consistently get some guy from Safeway to do our announcing. It's been pointed out in other threads this guy's various screw-ups so I wont rehash all of them again. Although the coughing/hacking was absolutely unacceptable at any level of competition up from junior high. Ridiculous. Incredibly ridiculous. Wait, I will mention something that hasnt been posted. What's up with the cheese-dick concession advertising? "Zach Line runs for a first down and YOU should RUUUN and get a HOTTT DOOOG." Really, I mean really? Is the budget so tight that we have to use our ersatz announcer to market the concessions? Let's class it up in here for the next game, please. I want an announcer who appears like he does this for a living, not a guy who goes to Olive Garden for the soup salad and breadsticks special everyday for lunch.

[Mestengo]

That's the only thing I like at Olive Garden.

[Eddie P]

Oh, before the announcer and his wife/friends/children/life partner come on to defend him as a person, please note that I'm sure the individual is a great person. This is nothing personal. I just think his announcing sucks. If you ever watched me play basketball, you would say I sucked at that too. That's why I dont go out to the gym in front of a bunch of people and display my suckiness for the world to see.

[MustangFan]

At least he didn't pull a "NO GRIT, ALL QUIT" gaffe like he did at basketball last season ... when he also announced Derek Williams by three different first names IN A SINGLE GAME.

Get the soccer announcer or bring back The Great Dan Bell. We might not have liked his "third down thunder" stuff, but that wasn't him — that was a sold sponsorship. Those guys are true professionals.

[ponyscott]

Oh, before the announcer and his wife/friends/children/life partner come on to defend him as a person, please note that I'm sure the individual is a great person. This is nothing personal. I just think his announcing sucks. If you ever watched me play basketball, you would say I sucked at that too. That's why I dont go out to the gym in front of a bunch of people and display my suckiness for the world to see.

Man that coughing on the microphone and the commercial up real loud at the end of the game when the Alma Mater was being played were way off the chain. I didn't hear the 'run to the stand to get a hot dog'?...if that happend then I am embarrased as that is really cheesy.
I will mention another time that the food at the concession stands still are High school-ish...I mean hot dogs and pizza are still the only staples you can get if you haven't had dinner before the game?

[smupony94]

Not going to rat the basketball players out but why don't they go to the games? Saw them head other way before game

[Eddie P]

He made several cheesy concession tie ins throughout the game. The first few missed my attention but I caught the rest. There was a coke version and a pizza version too, I believe.

[Junior]

That's the only thing I like at Olive Garden.

I also get a side of alfredo sauce to dip the breadsticks in. Quite tasty.

[PK]

He made several cheesy concession tie ins throughout the game. The first few missed my attention but I caught the rest. There was a coke version and a pizza version too, I believe.

In regards to the concession ads, my guess is that it is not the announcer's prerogative to make or not make. It is most likely scripted with a requirement to get so many in at certain points in the game. He is just doing his job as required. This is a matter that needs to be taken up with the AD.

[f4shionablecha0s]

In fact, I will go on record as saying I have never seen the student section dance in coordination with the band in my meager 16 years association with SMU.

Actually, we've done it all the time in the past four years. Just about every game I've been to, we did the thing where we stomp on the bleachers and yell go.

[CalallenStang]

It's 4th down and you should take advantage of our 4 downs...1st down, Pizza; 2nd down, Popcorn; 3rd down, Nachos; and 4th down, Soda!

[The PonyGrad]

Loved the video board. Quite clear and the sound was 1000% better, except the ref's mics.

Announcer, not so much.

Video presentations on the board were very good.

[smupony94]

Loved the video board. Quite clear and the sound was 1000% better, except the ref's mics.

Announcer, not so much.

Video presentations on the board were very good.

Did anyone else think that the left side showed some warping, or was it not fully covered?>

[mrydel]

It was the first home game this year and they tried some new things. The picture and sound were so much better it is hard to really complain too much.

[SMU89]

in regards to concessions/revenue, they should really look at what it would take to enclose one of the concession/walkway areas at the end of the stadium and make it a "club" for those wanting adult beverages.