SMU Fans Get F- in Support of Team

[Stallion]

I realize that generally I'm preaching to the choir to many of you but SMU's crowd support in the 4th Q, Overtime and in key 3rd and 4th down situations is nothing short of pathetic. This is college football where you are supposed to go to the game(both halves), get off your rear and make some noise, This ain't eating quiche in the luxury box at Texas Stadium or relaxing to the dance numbers of the Maverick Girls at the AAC. Have some of you people forgotten how to support your team? Here's a clue-when the kids on the sideline start waiving towels and imploring the crowd to yell you are suppose to get off your fat ------- and make some noise-any noise-you can stomp on the aluminum walkway, you can ring your special Mustang Bell, you can whoop or you can hollar or scream until you turn red -but for god sakes do something. Yesterday was an embarrassment. And this is where Charleston Pony's plea that we hurt ourselves with lack of support comes in-its not just the lack of numbers in the stands - its the lack of enthusiam. The top recruits we really need go to games in Lubbock(the Saddle Tramps Bell), College Station(the Aggie Whoop and Hollar), Waco(Sic 'Em Bears), Fayetteville(Pig Shooie chant) etc. SMU fans help make the decision for those recruits even easier by their indifferent attitude. Sometimes I think we'd probably do better in recruiting by NOT having players come to the game.

[PonySnob]

Do you have any Grey Poupon?

You are 100% right about the pitiful lack of enthusiasm our fans at the game show. Given the dismal crowds, it is hard to see how we will ever have any kind of "home field" advantage at Ford Stadium. Part of the problem is that the majority of alumni who are at the games are holdovers from the Doak Walker days who just sit in their seats. There are precious few fans in attendance on a regular basis who attended SMU in the past 15-20 years.

[PK]

I'm glad to say that the fans in my area were up and screaming, so maybe thats why I didn't notice what sounds like, from your description, a large number that sat on their hands. I'm glad they showed up to be counted, but I agree they need to get involved. I know there are a good many elderly types showing up and it may be hard for them to yell and scream. That will be me some day, but I think I'll just bring a bullhorn to help my voice carry.

One other observation, just like at the San Jose game, a large number of fans stayed around in the stands after the game to soak in the good feelings of a win and to cellebrate with the team. That is fun to see happen.

[ALEX LIFESON]

you are correct on the high percentage of bluehairs. but at least they are there to support the team. in my section, i have seen younger faces on mount rushmore!

[PK]

i have seen younger faces on mount rushmore!

Now that is funny!

[BIGHORSE]

I DO MY PART OF YELLING

AND FLAG WAVING

AND COWBELL RINGING.

[Corso]

I disagree, Ponysnob - we could have a homefield advantage. Win a game early in the season and it gets kind of noisy in Ford. Remember when we hung tough with Tech at the beginning of the year? That place was loud - from SMU fans. Not sure who our first couple of home opponents are next year, but we win an early home game and we gain something of a homefield advantage.

[Mustangs35SMU]

2005
9/10 vs TCU
9/17 @ Texas A&M
9/24 vs Baylor
TBA @ UAB
TBA @ Marshall
TBA vs ECU
TBA @ Houston
TBA vs Tulane
TBA vs UTEP
TBA vs Rice
TBA @ Tulsa

If we can beat TCU and stay competitive (which I do expect) againist A&M just imagine how crazy our crowd would be againist Baylor!

I really do think next year we can atleast have a winning record.

Looks like Ill be able to go to the TCU, A&M, Baylor, ECU, Houston, Tulane, UTEP, Rice, and maybe Tulsa game next year yay! *waits for 2005 season tickets to go on sale*

[leopold]

Our home schedule next year is excellent. TCU, Baylor, UTEP, Tulane, and Rice? I'm sorry, people, but if we can't get 20,000 to those games we are in major trouble.

That, and apparently the 12,000 or so we had for homecoming is the worst in history. I went to the game and I can tell you it wasn't even all that. I don't mind saying we should be ashamed of ourselves.

[couch 'em]

The worst is the greeks leaving at halftime of a winning game. Kind of a sad sight to look over and see the homecoming queen and some dude standing by themselves in the student section with several empty rows on both sides for the rest of the game.

[HPPony]

Fayetteville(Pig Shooie chant) etc. .

Being a U of A alum, I just have to make one correction here... That would be, "Pig Sooie..." Not "Shooie." We're trying to CALL the hogs, not run them off!

[Arkpony]

Stallion? Were you wearing an SMU shirt with the number "32" on it? If so, I stood and cheered just about everytime you did! You were my leader! Great job!

[ALEX LIFESON]

If it was a blue jersey, that would be the great Mustang1965!

[HixsontoLeVias]

...interesting fan observations, and some "harsh words" here....my wife forgot something in the car, so we had to run back to Daniels and Hillcrest to get it...at 1:50 pm, a mere 10-12 minutes before kick-off, the B'Vard was at a fever pitch, TONS of folks talking and mingling, with really NO intention to either hurry to the game or even GO to the game, the Law School tent as well as the Reunions tent were PACKED..10 minutes before kick-off...maybe the NCAA will let SMU count B'Vard attendance towards our stadium #, would easily push us over 20,000.
**Students: I don't get it. Do the students NOT know any f'ball players? No F'ballers are in frats? No one goes to class with an f'baller? Chicks dont' date F'ball players? Weird...I guess drinking Red Stripe on the patio is more fun.
**Boxes: I don't like the "stadium box / closed windows / Oh Luvey, look down there, it's our banker / Texas Stadium-Mavs suite" vibe at all...it is sort of hard to hear 750 people screaming behind plexi-glass...I put the "box crowd and the still on the 'vard bunch in the same category...
**Joe Blow / Mustang Club / Die Hard FAN: Not sure we need to be "calling out" the only TRUE / Loyal fans we still have. Hasn't been much to SCREAM about over the last 5-10-15 years, Stallion..and about 85% of the time, the impassioned SCREAMS are met with a fumble/interception/2 yard gain when 3 was needed/ etc., etc....
I thought the crowd was "into it" during the 1st. half..it was FUN to be in the stands....with time, more wins, some MO, the feet stomping, bell ringing, flag waving, off your back side screaming will hopefull meet with Stallions approval....in the meantime, nice W boys...let's keep it up....Long Live Lance / Craig / Eric....

[PlanoStang]

The worst is the greeks leaving at halftime of a winning game. Kind of a sad sight to look over and see the homecoming queen and some dude standing by themselves in the student section with several empty rows on both sides for the rest of the game.

Student section looked filled in by a bunch of sororoties at halftime. After the HQ was announced, they bailed out. At least they got their tickets counted.

They need to shut down the "Vard" with an alcohol, and loud music curfew/ban about 45 minutes before the game. Hey, this big party is making it hard for the nerds still in the dorms to study.

I think the Vard was started to attract people to the game. I think it's only
distracting students from going. Also, they need to block it off, and only let game ticket holders, students, and adults in.