SMU's New Athletic Director

[BUS]

Back on topic, The new AD looks to have branding and ticket sales background. OH Boy we need that.
The talk of beer sales, in out policy and if I may, better food alternatives... all have to do with game day experience.

You build a following when you provide a complete package.
One, a good team - check
Two, a good boulevard expeience - check
Three, competitive in stadium refreshments - No Check
Four, attentive and cordial customer service - (in/out) - No Check

And as these are being addressed, we hit the grass roots of a DFW fanbase.

The definition of a sale... "The transfer of belief from one to another" GSS

[MustangSTATS]

Two, a good boulevard expeience - check

The BLVD experience is great if you have a tent to go to, but not sure what a local nonalumni looking to check out the mustangs would get out of it.

[RyanSMU98]

Back on topic, The new AD looks to have branding and ticket sales background. OH Boy we need that.
The talk of beer sales, in out policy and if I may, better food alternatives... all have to do with game day experience.

You build a following when you provide a complete package.
One, a good team - check
Two, a good boulevard expeience - check
Three, competitive in stadium refreshments - No Check
Four, attentive and cordial customer service - (in/out) - No Check

One - In Progress. While we are lightyears ahead of where we were, a team that is slightly above .500 is not going to spark the attention of the larger community. There need to be bigger wins, better records, on a consistent basis. We're getting there, but we're by no means there yet. Hopefully this season can be a breakout year and the start of a trend.
Two - In Progress. As MustangSTATS said, unless you have a place you can go to or identify with, the blvd is just a bunch of tents filled with strangers who won't give you the time of day. I know there are exceptions (you, BUS, being one), but the general vibe is not one that is inviting to outsiders. Also think it should be shut down 30 mins before kickoff to incentivize folks to actually go into the stadium.
Three & Four - No Check, both areas need improvement. This ties back to shutting down the blvd ahead of game time. If you give folks an exceptional experience inside the stadium, there is less reason to stick around outside of it. Better concessions, in/out, giveaways during the second half, anything that engages the fan and makes them want to stay til the last verse of Varsity should be explored.

[MustangSTATS]

Now it is official:
"We are very happy to welcome Rick and his family to SMU," said Turner. "In his time at Chattanooga, Rick has demonstrated a commitment to athletic and academic success, fiscal responsibility, and a focus on the student-athlete experience. I am confident that he has the skills and abilities to keep SMU Athletics moving forward as we transition to the BIG EAST and become an even more prominent member of the college athletics landscape."...

[ponywhupp9202]

This is an interesting hire. I would have rather seen something a little splashier and/or ambitious, but not too grand. May be related to Dr. Turner not wanting a large ego in the AD position, or sometimes you hire somebody with a contrasting personality and differing skill sets to the person being replaced.

A few other thoughts:
I hope Mr. Hart can be an accomplished fund raiser. I don't think June or Larry are on campus right now without the seriously aggressive fund raising related to the circle of champions.

I am interested to see the dynamic unfold between Mr. Hart and the head coaches of our football and basketball teams. One often hears of a new AD wanting their own coaches and staff in place, and obviously Jones and Brown were hires of Orsini and Orsini/Turner respectively. My guess would be that both Jones and Brown leave voluntarily at some point in the future for greener pastures or retirement, but that Hart would not dismiss either of them unless there was a legitimate reason to do so.

I am hopeful this is a step in the right direction.

[Pony ^]

good hire. Welcome Rick!

[EastStang]

We're at the point in time where we need the coaches to coach and the AD to manage the department. A good marketing guy can focus on filling the seats. He should sit down with Mark Cuban (Ted Leonsis here in Washington is also a very fan friendly owner) who might be good resources for him to look to for building the brand. While the Mavs are a competitor, they also might be a source of some good dynamics (like Georgetown and the Wizards are in DC). Perhaps we could get a few games in the AA Arena for games against teams like Villanova, Georgetown or Louisville.

[MustangSTATS]

Not sure when they added this but it appears there are two mini ticket packages being offered by SMU:
MUSTANG PLAN
Sept. 15 vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 27 vs. Memphis
Nov. 10 vs. Southern Miss
PERUNA PLAN
Sept. 29 vs. TCU
Oct. 18 vs. Houston
Nov. 24 vs. Tulsa

First strategy of new AD?

[Stallion]

That should be very attractive to TCU and A&M Fans. I'd rather make them buy season tickets then pull out the mini-plans after those games sellout

[ponyboy]

The first thing I'd do as AD is fire that freaky six foot nine yellow jacket sideline security moron that does nothing but stare down fans in section 106.

[tristatecoog]

Never allow single game ticket sales for A&M or TCU unless you're a season ticket holder. Otherwise, you HAVE to buy a mini-season plan. That will maximize revenue.

[Bergermeister]

Mini Plans are $50 each. $16.50 per game - not bad. I imagine more than a few aggies bought the full meal deal for $90 before these plans were announced.

[soccermom]

Not sure when they added this but it appears there are two mini ticket packages being offered by SMU:
MUSTANG PLAN
Sept. 15 vs. Texas A&M
Oct. 27 vs. Memphis
Nov. 10 vs. Southern Miss
PERUNA PLAN
Sept. 29 vs. TCU
Oct. 18 vs. Houston
Nov. 24 vs. Tulsa

First strategy of new AD?

Mini packages, with 7/15 as date the link would be up, has been on smumustangs.com for some time now....don't know if we can give credit to new AD for it.

[gostangs]

these were in works already. long overdue. agree i might have waited another couple of weeks.

[soccermom]

Mini Plans are $50 each. $16.50 per game - not bad. I imagine more than a few aggies bought the full meal deal for $90 before these plans were announced.

I called the ticket office yesterday & was quoted $90.00 for the mini plan, not $50.00? In fact, trying to convince hubby wwe need season tkts this year....can't tell him about all of the games that will be televised or he might not go for season tkts!!!!