Rick's Tweet

[couch 'em]

"SMU alumni" indeed

[CA Mustang]

Not every alum gives a crap about SMU football. The overwhelming majority of alumni from the past 20 years are most definitely "casual fans". And have you forgotten that our undergrad enrollment is about 7,000? Yes those 7,000 should care, but the majority probably don't, and the percentage of those who are die hard/more dedicated fans are not going to put a dent in the attendance numbers.

It's a numbers game, and SMU's fan base is too small to think that we can pack a stadium for a conference game against UCF. There just aren't enough people who care about that after 20 years of irrelevance.

2007 couldn't agree more and CA, how does one win actually change the who.e culture of the school. If we were beating them every year along with other BCS teams and we had that fan turnout then yeah I would have a give up attitude but the fact is one win doesn't change everything overnight and obviously the half of that season along with this season ruined everything

Both of you guys are missing the point. I'm not talking about attendance for one game (too many variables can affect attendance for any specific game), but rather attendance overall. How can you expect "casual fans" to attend in any significant numbers when those closest to SMU rarely show? My point is that we have do do a much better job of getting our own house in order (greater support from alums and students) before you can expect the casual fans to show. After all, why should a casual fan show up when those closest to the school won't? And yes, I am aware of SMU's size. However if your position is that the most SMU can expect from the die-hard fans is ~16K, then we truly are lucky to be heading to the BE.

[redpony]

How can you expect "casual fans" to attend in any significant numbers when those closest to SMU rarely show? My point is that we have do do a much better job of getting our own house in order (greater support from alums and students) before you can expect the casual fans to show.

And to get people to show up you must consistently win and have an exciting product. That starts with the coaches engaging the students, the alums and the casual fan. Our current staff does not have an exciting product nor does it do anything to promote SMU fball to the Dallas community and the casual fan. In fact, we all pretty much agree that jj is just totally disinterested in SMU and the city of Dallas.

Good example- look at the excitement LB has created with bball. Our bball games are light years ahead of last year when it comes to an exciting product on the floor. We also realize that this is just the beginning of our bball journey.

[GrapevineMustang]

And you know how much community promotion our coaches do all the way from Peru?

I can't say what you "pretty much agree" on any more than you can say what anyone else thinks and agrees on. I go to every game, and most of the fans around me are like me: they wish like hell we won more games, but also are there supporting the team -- coaches and players. When the football team was honored at the basketball game the other night, the fans applauded loudly, and many stood. When JJ was introduced, I heard a few boos, but the general reaction was very supportive. JJ played it right, giving praise to the basketball team, and got cheered as he and the team walked off. I'm glad to say I was among those cheering.

[I'm4Peruna]

I want to respectfully disagree to some extent with you. From my vantage point in Moody the other night, yes, people stood when the team came out. When June was introduced and spoke there were many crossed arms compared to the clapping. The support is for the team and not June. June learned a little on how to play the game by way of his comments on the BBall team, but on the flip side he owes LB and Co. a lot of credit for talking up June. Notice June gets a mention in EVERY article by LB. IMHO June has done nothing to repair damage with the Alumni.

[redpony]

And you know how much community promotion our coaches do all the way from Peru?

Having 4 adult children and their families working in the greater Dallas community as well as a number of business associates that I communicate with I do keep in touch with what is happening in Dallas as well as on the hilltop. thank you very much