How about a \"new\" tradition?

by **Diamond Girl** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:35 pm

You guys complain and complain about the poor turnout at the games, but I have yet to read something constructive about how to improve the problem.

What about this . . . an incoming freshman class is selected (e.g., next year's) to participate in spirit/loyalty induction during orientation week. The students receive the words to "Varsity" and "Pony Battle Cry," and a history of SMU the summer before orientation begins. During nightly induction sessions they learn to sing these songs, learn old cheers and new ones, and are quizzed about SMU history. A la Aggieland, group cheers are developed so that everyone participates, and each dorm chooses a spirit leader to lead these group cheers. At midnight each night, a freshman quad spirit practice is held - all frosh must attend (the dorm ra's take attendance) - complete with the Mustang Band and spirit leaders. The last night of orientation week, the football team attends and there's a big spirit rally in the quad. After orientation week is over and classes begin, spirit rallies are held at midnight Thusdays before game days. In fact, the first spirit rally of the season could be held in Ford Stadium; upperclassmen and alumni would be invited.

In subsequent years, the spirit/loyalty induction sessions could be held in Ford Stadium with not only the incoming frosh participating, but also the previous class(es) who have gone through this, so that at the end of four years, the entire student body would be involved.

The point is, a new tradition needs to be started that ingrains school loyalty and spirit into the students so that the students want to attend the games, regardless.

by **jtstang** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:39 pm

Or, even better, how about a new tradition where we put a product on the field that everyone is proud to come out and watch?

by **ponygrad90** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:52 pm

Cynicism and apathy need to be discraded while we are currently on a winning streak. There is an old saying. "winning cures everything" just ask any stock trader, its great when the market is going up!

As far as the idea goes, it could easily be added to AARO (if in fact that is still going on) but how about introducing the starting lineup! Giving out the season notes so that people could get really interested in the program! Introducing the different coaches etc. And don't make it all about football! Intoduce the BBALL team at one of these student rallies and incoprorate a continuation at the Boulevard and on Midnight Madness.
SMU needs to continue to build upon the tradition of the Bouelvard and studen't game day experience! SMU should sell out every year for Homecoming where the Homecoming parade goes down the Boulevard and ends up by Ford! and Parents Weekend- where the parent's our sent invitations directly by the school to attend a pep rally on Friday and Tickets to the game on Satutrday!

by **jtstang** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:03 pm

If I was truly apathetic I would not be posting here. However, in the interest of winning two in a row, I will attempt to tone down the cynicism until next week.

by **BUS** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:15 pm

Five years ago, I wrote a long letter to Dr Turner asking that this exact thing be done. Other ideas in the letter was to facilitate campus involement by...
Contest in Meadows Vocal school to see who got to sing the National Anthem.
Contest in Perkins to see who got to give the prayer before the game.
A participation punch card that when punched got you 5 extra points on ONE test grade of your choice.

That would be comitment, TRUE COMMITMENT.

I received a nice letter returned to me within two days stating that other issues were being pursued ( Facilities ) but thank you for your input.

by **couch 'em** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:21 pm

How about you get people at AARO that actually know something about SMU history and songs. Most of those people don't know what Pony Battle Cry is supposed to sound like, or any of the history of the school, nor do they care - and it shows.

And anyway, your idea can't work, things like 'requiring' and keeping people out that late is considered by the school to be 'hazing', even if you are a SMU organization working for the betterment of the school.

by **abezontar** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:36 pm

'but only if you want to'

by **Corso** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 3:44 pm

jtstang wrote:If I was truly apathetic I would not be posting here. However, in the interest of winning two in a row, I will attempt to tone down the cynicism until next week.

Um .... we have won two in a row. You mean "in the interest of winning THREE in a row"?
:wink:

by **Diamond Girl** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 4:03 pm

I guess I was at SMU long enough ago that going on "scavenger hunts" at 3 am and having to memorize university history and school songs weren't considered hazing.

by **MustangSally** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:02 pm

The people in charge of AARO, Mustang Corral, First Weekend, etc usually don't know the songs themselves is the problem. I remember 3 or 4 years ago at the first game of the season, all the rowdy freshmen (oops, FIRSTyears) sang Pony Battle Cry along with the band...and finished the song with GO STANGS GO, when its really FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT. Sounds petty, but that's what they were all taught at AARO, the WRONG words to our own damn fight song.

The students leading Corral and AARO (for the most part) come and go every year, mostly doing the job just to 'get involved' or because 'it looks good on a resume.' I had a friend, totally unknowledgable of anything SMU spirit-related, he went to a few football games a year, and I don't think he'd ever been to bball game. Most of the time, he's telling about how UT is so awesome at everything. Anyways, 2 years ago, he was THE student director of Mustang Corral. This is the type of stuff I'm talking about. Also, hardly any of the faculty/staff running this stuff has been around since before the DP. No one in charge REALLY knows what needs to be done, they just try random little things each year that don't work. This is why we have 'pep rallies' where the only students there are the sororities, and they are only there because they are told they get 'spirit points' that will help them win homecoming or whatever.

What they need to do, is run a REAL pep rally, with no incentives like FREE PLUCKERS WINGS or SPIRIT POINTS or RANDOM LOCAL COUNTRY BAND PLAYING, and actually just have the focus be learning some traditions, being spirited, loving your school. Sure it may be small at first, but I bet a group of people will take something away from it, and it may grow in future years. So yes, Diamond Girl, your idea sounds awesome, the problem is the people running this type of stuff for the school don't GET it.

by **BrianTinBigD** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:03 pm

Why don't we just build a giant bonfire. We could get the students to build it, pass out beer, and it would be a great bonding experience. Oh wait, that model failed before :twisted:

Let's hire engineers, get professionals to build it, and have a grand old party watching trees burn.

Or we could go cheap, by some roman candles, shoot them off in the stadium and ignite the end zone grass before every game. We could have a contest each week on how gets to start the fire.

by **MrMustang1965** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:04 pm

DG: Your comments are well-founded. Unfortunately, the school's administration isn't buying into it the way you or I do. Sad. The same ideas have been put forth by others (BUS) and the former head yell leader of 1947-48, Mr. Joe Patterson. We're not TAMU, thank goodness. But there's no reason why SMU shouldn't instill a sense of history and tradition within its student body. I'll be the first one to volunteer to teach the course!

by **MustangSally** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:07 pm

BTW, 3 years ago, in band we had the freshmen do stuff like a scavenger hunt and learn the songs, etc. We got a visit from the Dean of Student Life and she gave us a big lecture on why none of this stuff is actually band-related and could easily be viewed as hazing. "What does this have to do with marching and playing?", was the type of questions she asked. "Uh, how about being spirited and being a close-knit group of people that rally behind our teams". She's worked at SMU a whole, hmm, 3 years now, so I know she's interested in keeping our long-standing traditions around. Apparently if it's anything straying from your sole goal as an organization, it's hazing.

by **couch 'em** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:14 pm

Heh, if only the people on here knew what all is actually considered hazing these days. It really is laughable. No wonder people in other countries think we are weak - because we are. I fear for the future of the country when I think about how whiney, weak, and "the world owes me everything" so many of my 'fellow' students are these days.

by **The PonyGrad** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:18 pm

I like the ideas, but not too sure about the Prayer Contest. :shock:

How about a \"new\" tradition?

How about a \"new\" tradition?

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