16,612

[tristatecoog]

UH had a group of folks selling season tickets this year and it seemed to pay off. They had a lot of enthusiasm after last year, just like SMU fans. There was such a push for season tickets that I bought four endzone tickets for $250. It was a family four pack for two adults and two kids. That seems like something that could work at SMU. Haven't the 'Stangs done something like that in the past?

The students were great but the only time the alums seemed to get involved were either on a long play or a TD. It's certainly more of a scene at SMU games. The fans are slowly turning the corner but yes, a big win will go a long way. Beat Wazzu and then TCU and the Ponies will be getting Top 25 votes. Just hang with TCU and people will be impressed enough to come back.

[malachi896]

As a student that went to almost every game during my three years of undergrad (2002-2005) and three years of law school (2006-2009), I have to say that the atmosphere at the game on Saturday was vastly different. The last game I went to was the Southern Miss game in December of 2008. (spent all of last season working abroad in London). To see the student section actually making noise and supporting the team was amazing. I remember days when I would sit in the student section and sorority girls around me would be fixing each other's hair and makeup in order to prep for parties at half time. Sure, we still have a lot to work on, but some of us are forgetting just how pathetic our support have been over the last 2 decades. We just have to take it a step at a time and slowly build it back up.

[Nacho]

if we beat wsu the tcu game will be sold out.
we have to be good and play good teams to attract big crowds.
the uofh game could also be close to a sell out if we are doing well.
just keep winning and the crowds will be there.
it's a process. we have lost a generation of fans. takes time.

[ahhall22]

You could have heard a pin drop for most of the game.

I appreciate the Picken's gift of the mustangs to the university. But can we PLEASE lose the cowboys? I really do not ever want to see some clown riding a horse waving a cowboy hat on the field ever again in Ford. We are Mustangs, not cowboys.

Ditto on the pin dropping.

LOVED IT when folks cheered when Peruna ran across the field!
LOVED IT when folks boo'ed the cowboys on horseback riding across the field!

Peruna is my Mascot!

[smupony94]

if we beat wsu the tcu game will be sold out.
we have to be good and play good teams to attract big crowds.
the uofh game could also be close to a sell out if we are doing well.
just keep winning and the crowds will be there.
it's a process. we have lost a generation of fans. takes time.

TCU and UH fans will be the majority for both games

[Nacho]

tcy maybe but not uofh

[Dooby]

Seemed like more to me based on previous announced attendance; maybe we finally quit lying about attendance.

[smupony94]

Seemed like more to me based on previous announced attendance; maybe we finally quit lying about attendance.

I agree. tickets taken not tickets sold

[Charleston Pony]

Baylor played Buffalo last night in Waco and brought in more than 40,000 to Floyd Casey Stadium! In...WACO!!! I think it was Parents' Weekend, though. Still....

well...TCU played Tenn Tech and drew 37,117

the facts are these: 1) SMU has NEVER (at least in what I will call the modern era) drawn very well. Outside of Russ Potts' marketing magic, even our top 10 programs relied heavily on our visitors to attract a strong crowd 2) in the 20 years post death penalty, very few athletics minded students have chosen SMU and those who did have pulled for Texas (or whatever school they may have wanted to attend but Mom & Dad said otherwise) and 3) the DFW community does not identify with SMU. We are seen (rightfully so) as an elitist school.

That's a lot to overcome, but look at what TCU has accomplished. Ten years of success has attracted a different profile student. I wasn't there, but reports are the students in attendance Saturday were much more "engaged". It starts there. When kids visit, they can conclude "that looks like fun". The school and education speaks for itself. The challenge is to offer the intangibles...those kids that might be attracted to SMU because of the notariety that comes with a successful football program WILL support the program and help build the enthusiasm that will attract more students who feel the same...and in turn more alumni who will continue supporting the program. The student/alumni thing will come with winning. The DFW community is a huge challenge and I think JJ "gets it" with many of the things he is promoting.

[skyscraper]

I forgot to post this yesterday, but kudos to whoever distributed the tix for the few bus brigade groups. They were in 125 and the surrounding empty sections on the east side as opposed to be stuck in the top of the end zone.
Might as well have someone in decent seats over there rather than lost in the upper reaches of the horseshoe.

[abezontar]

Baylor played Buffalo last night in Waco and brought in more than 40,000 to Floyd Casey Stadium! In...WACO!!! I think it was Parents' Weekend, though. Still....

well...TCU played Tenn Tech and drew 37,117

the facts are these: 1) SMU has NEVER (at least in what I will call the modern era) drawn very well. Outside of Russ Potts' marketing magic, even our top 10 programs relied heavily on our visitors to attract a strong crowd 2) in the 20 years post death penalty, very few athletics minded students have chosen SMU and those who did have pulled for Texas (or whatever school they may have wanted to attend but Mom & Dad said otherwise) and 3) the DFW community does not identify with SMU. We are seen (rightfully so) as an elitist school.

That's a lot to overcome, but look at what TCU has accomplished. Ten years of success has attracted a different profile student. I wasn't there, but reports are the students in attendance Saturday were much more "engaged". It starts there. When kids visit, they can conclude "that looks like fun". The school and education speaks for itself. The challenge is to offer the intangibles...those kids that might be attracted to SMU because of the notariety that comes with a successful football program WILL support the program and help build the enthusiasm that will attract more students who feel the same...and in turn more alumni who will continue supporting the program. The student/alumni thing will come with winning. The DFW community is a huge challenge and I think JJ "gets it" with many of the things he is promoting.

I don't think June "gets" anything when it comes to promoting. If we get a get a check from certain donors I may change my mind, but his non-football decisions regarding the program are questionable at best.

[stc9]

I don't think June "gets" anything when it comes to promoting. If we get a get a check from certain donors I may change my mind, but his non-football decisions regarding the program are questionable at best.

Are those JJ's decisions or are they Randy Ross's decisions? I know JJ is the head coach and the front man with the outside world, but what exactly does the "Head of Football Operations" do if not make those decisions? Who is the person that should be taking point on this? It is not going to be JJ during the season, so who is the person that should be handing out tickets at Youth Football games to create the next generation fan?

I don't want to appear to be mindlessly defending JJ and his staff. I want to know how Steve Orsini's Athletic Department works. Is it the head coach's job to drive all aspects of the program? Is JJ responsible for the ticket office's efforts to sell tickets to his games? Does the same hold true for the Tennis Program? What is the connection or disconnect between the Athletic Department & Football Program about getting people to come into the building.

[fivemon]

our biggest problem is the size of our school. I went through this with a buddy this last week end. our average class size has been around 1,500, an optimistic view point would be that 1/3 of these students are football fans that would purchase season tickets. out of that 500, maybe 350 live in the dallas area or could easily drive to the games. As it is easy to see, we will forever have a hard time filling the stadium until we convert local college football fans to become SMU fans.

[Mestengo]

And the scary part is more than half of the fans I know are not connected with SMU. So their already taking up a LOT of the slack

SMU alum, families, and their friends need to go to work. Not withstanding the loyal fans that are Alum

Kudos to RVGPony who single handedly recruited a new fan last week. He even joined the Mustang Club.

[RGV Pony]

And the scary part is more than half of the fans I know are not connected with SMU. So their already taking up a LOT of the slack

SMU alum, families, and their friends need to go to work. Not withstanding the loyal fans that are Alum

Kudos to RVGPony who single handedly recruited a new fan last week. He even joined the Mustang Club.

A Texas alum, no less