Two more SMU classes lost...

[Mexmustang]

Currently two of my children are at SMU. Both refused to even go to Ft. Worth, with their friends, alone or with me. Both said the same thing, these games are not fun, they are an embarassment! The sad thing is the last time it was in Ft. Worth, they got new SMU shirts and hats, even an SMU flag and tried to out do the TCU students. I feel they have been cheated by their SMU experience. Next weekend they are both going to college games, just not SMU's.

What kind of alumni giving will the school expect of them in the future?

[dandyfan]

that is a post to ponder.....

[Bergermeister]

I'm surprised we haven't heard the "what about the children" rant earlier. You may need to support another school to protect them.

[MrMustang1965]

Next weekend they are both going to college games, just not SMU's.

Just out of curiosity, what games are they going to?

[HPPony]

Your kids have been “cheated by their SMU experience” because the Mustang football team is losing? They are “embarrassed” to go to the games because it is not “fun” for them?

Good grief, how selfish and self-centered can you be?

Despite the scholarships for 85 of our 104 players on the roster, playing college football involves incredible sacrifice and perseverance. It is such a cliché, but there is real truth to the old saying, “It is not whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game.” Our coaching staff is giving 110%, seven days a week. Our team is playing to the best of their abilities and then some. If these players weren’t busting their rears or if our coaching staff didn’t give a damn, then maybe it would be OK to be embarrassed. Until that time, our coaches and players deserve our support, respect, and admiration.

So, even though they will have received a degree from an excellent university, you are suggesting that your children and maybe many others like them will never financially support SMU as alumni because they didn’t have fun at the football games? OK, whatever.

[PonySnob]

The problem is that with the pitiful performance of the program since 1989, SMU has lost thousands of alumni who have graduated in the last 15 years. Look at the attendance at home games - for the most parts, those in attendance (non-students) are the elderly that remember the days of Doak and Kyle Rote or they are those that were there in the 70's-early 80's.

Somehow, SMU has to do something to attract alumni - post 89 back to the Hilltop or the fan base will just continue to shrink with each losing season.

[HPPony]

“Somehow, SMU has to do something to attract alumni…”

I truly believe SMU is trying to bring this football program back. But, “they” can’t do it alone. All of us, parents, students, faculty, alumni, coaches, players, EVERYONE has to pitch in and keep a positive can-do attitude. Not to just speak in clichés, but, “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Giving up and refusing to attend your own school’s football games because you are “not having fun” is not helping. Threatening to withhold future financial support is not helping.

[MrMustang1965]

HPPony: You're a new poster here. Glad to see you've joined the ranks. You speak volumes of truth. But please remember that many of the posts you're reading here are based on frustrations that have compounded over many years.

[Mexmustang]

I am glad I wrote this message this morning...last night I was in a real foul mood and you could have had a real time with my comments.

I am just tired of our not being competitive. It is frustrating to see how quickly Hawaii, Tulsa and TCU were able to turn their programs around and we still act divided on the issue--not this board, but faculty and alumni, etc.

And yes, I do feel athletic competitiveness instills pride in your university and builds that "fire" in your belly to support your school's teams and the university many, many years after graduation. And yes, I feel it is an important part of the college experience. How many of you are on this board as a result of SMU's past success? I would bet most of you.

Hell, I am still mad about bad calls against the T-sips, and laugh at my Aggie friends about our upsets, including their championship year, when Inez Perez came from the bench to beat them.

Who but y'all understand my frustration with last night--sure our team is young, but so are many of the players on the other side of the line, I had hoped we could scare TCU last night.

On a positive note, my son called and said his group decided to go to Stillwater instead and support his senior friends on the team.

[couch 'em]

Your kids have been “cheated by their SMU experience” because the Mustang football team is losing? They are “embarrassed” to go to the games because it is not “fun” for them?

Good grief, how selfish and self-centered can you be?

Welcome to modern America.

[MrMustang1965]

On a positive note, my son called and said his group decided to go to Stillwater instead and support his senior friends on the team.

How much influence did 'dear old Dad' have on that decision? Either way, glad to hear they'll make the drive and that they'll be there to support the Mustangs...come hell or high water.

[HPPony]

Thanks for the welcome, MrMustang. Don't let my "newbie" status fool you... I all too aware of the ups and downs of the Mustang football program over the years and the resulting frustrations.

Two things I think should happen, and happen sooner rather than later. #1: An outpouring of support and enthusiasm for this team by the student body, alumni, faculty, and community.
#2: The team should develop a winner’s mindset. Refuse to lose. Don’t get comfortable losing. Overachieve. Look at Highland Park High School for heaven’s sake. There is no logical reason that that group of skinny boys (the defensive line averaged maybe 190 lbs soaking wet) should have made it to the state semi-finals in football last year. Except that they know they are expected to win and they just don’t accept defeat. Whatever it takes, win the game. Never give up.

[jtstang]

Giving up and refusing to attend your own school’s football games because you are “not having fun” is not helping. Threatening to withhold future financial support is not helping.

I am not "giving up and refusing to attend" football games, but I am very definitely not having fun. And I don't believe you are either.

[HPPony]

Giving up and refusing to attend your own school’s football games because you are “not having fun” is not helping. Threatening to withhold future financial support is not helping.

I am not "giving up and refusing to attend" football games, but I am very definitely not having fun. And I don't believe you are either.

"Fun" doesn't always equate with winning the game. Call me a purist (Pollyanna?) but consider the whole experience, not just the final score. The tailgates on the Boulevard are fun. The SMU band is awesome – just like on the Titanic, those guys played on and on last Saturday night at TCU, to the bitter end. Ford Stadium is fun – what an experience to attend games there. Would it be more fun to win a few games? You bet. It’ll happen. Teamwork - it’ll take all of us.

[jtstang]

Come off it, how much fun did you have in FW Saturday nite?