CA Mustang wrote:Really, is that what is holding back SMU football attendance? Who decides NOT to go to a game because there is no reentry? Who passes because beer isn't being sold?
All the students and recent graduates. I know at least two dozen alums that don't go b/c they can't keep drinking at the game or at least run out at halftime and slam a few back. Instead they tailgate then either head home or to a bar to watch the SMU game now that we are on TV or any other game if we are not.
Unfortunately there is a large number of people that can be persuaded to attend games through the availability of alcohol. And honestly, I bet our crowd would be a lot more rowdy if we could drink in the stadium.
CA Mustang wrote:Really, is that what is holding back SMU football attendance? Who decides NOT to go to a game because there is no reentry? Who passes because beer isn't being sold?
All the students and recent graduates. I know at least two dozen alums that don't go b/c they can't keep drinking at the game or at least run out at halftime and slam a few back. Instead they tailgate then either head home or to a bar to watch the SMU game now that we are on TV or any other game if we are not.
Unfortunately there is a large number of people that can be persuaded to attend games through the availability of alcohol. And honestly, I bet our crowd would be a lot more rowdy if we could drink in the stadium.
I am all for alcohol consumption at football games including inside Ford Stadium, but honestly shouldn't these folks be seeking professional help ?
Paladin wrote:I am all for alcohol consumption at football games including inside Ford Stadium, but honestly shouldn't these folks be seeking professional help ?
gostangs wrote:the in stadium drinking options are being examined stay tuned.
How hard is it to sneak booze into Ford? I once snuck an entire 2 liter bottle of rum in Baylor Stadium. At Ownby, I never had problems bringing in booze.
CoxBizGrad wrote:You guys are overcomplicating everything and reaching for excuses. Win games and the fans will come out of the woodwork. This is true for any high school, college, or professional team.
It wasn't true for us in the 80s. Do take a look at our attendance back then.
Shortly before David Stanley went on Channel 8, we had a "big" home game against the Aggies at Texas Stadium.
While it didn't sell out, it was a pretty large crowd. I would guestimate the crowd was 70-80 Aggie fans. It was probably our last home game with a huge crowd. The season ending home game against Arkansas was a ghost town.
Section 111 has 50 recent grads (2009 or later). Tickets were 80 a pop for 2011 including donation. Most of us buy multiple and encourage others to come.
I don't think 111 req. a donation. That's endzone seating, but yes they are cheap.
It's not the cost, it's the incentive to buy season tickets. Grads I knew mooched tickets off frat members and the band for several years. If they didn't get tickets they buy a single game and still sit wherever they want or just say "oh well" because the boulevard was the main attraction anyway.
SMUer wrote:Have you cruised the boulevard during a game?
No, I'm inside the stadium watching the game!
SMUer wrote:We only bring about two-thirds of the boulevard in, the rest stay at their spots, drink and watch prime time games...it's really bizarre.
Sorry, I guess I just don't see the attraction. You can eat and drink 365 days a year, but SMU home games only happen 5-7 times. Are they THAT attached to alcohol?
smubrooks wrote:All the students and recent graduates. I know at least two dozen alums that don't go b/c they can't keep drinking at the game or at least run out at halftime and slam a few back. Instead they tailgate then either head home or to a bar to watch the SMU game now that we are on TV or any other game if we are not.
Unfortunately there is a large number of people that can be persuaded to attend games through the availability of alcohol. And honestly, I bet our crowd would be a lot more rowdy if we could drink in the stadium.
It sounds like a steady stream of alcohol is a lot more important to them than taking a couple hour break for SMU football.
I like to drink. I come from the infamous freshman year where dead SMU students were being found in Waco Portapotties and scattered about the SAE house. When I go to a SMU football game it means I'm going to be laughed at by the other guys at my office on Monday when they ask what I did last weekend, I'm going to be stuck watching SMU play Memphis in a empty stadium, and the only tailgate involves me awkwardly begging old guys if I could please, pretty please have a beer or a burger, AT LEAST LET ME GET A FEW DAMN DRINKS IN THE STADIUM. SMU games feel like going to church. I was screamed at by a SMU cop at the NW St game for smoking a cig in an upper level section that was literally completely empty.
There are all these barriers to having fun at a SMU football game. People like alcohol. Step off your high horse with the addiction crap and realize that we have to start knocking these barriers down. Because I'm as big of a fan as you're going to get out of the young generation and I am EXTREMELY BORED during many of the games.
