Did I miss something?

[OR-See-Nee]

Serious:

I saw a post where the team is leaving today to go to the Islands. Was there a pep rally, or some other type of event organized, where those of us who can't go to the bowl game could have come together as Mustang nation, pay our tribute to the team, and wish them safe travel, a kick [deleted] game, and safe return?

I didn't see anything advertised for such an event; I was curious if I missed the announcement.

If something like this wasn't planned by the university, why not? I think it would have been cool and a morale boost for all involved.

[malonish]

Jones doesn't give a crap about fan support. Why do you think he kept disrespecting Varsity after the worst games this season?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Very good point. I'm kind of surprised they didn't do anything.

Of course, SMU did say this bowl is for the team and not the fans.

[mr. pony]

Very good point. I'm kind of surprised they didn't do anything.

Of course, SMU did say this bowl is for the team and not the fans.

Yeah, isn't that ridiculous? That's straight from JJ too.
He's felt that way since '09.

[ponyte]

Not that it matters, but when we went to the Holiday Bowl, there was no send off or pep rally. We just boarded a plane and took off. See, school was out and the students weren't around and I guess the administration and Meyer just didn't give a hoot about SMU or fan support.

And there was nothing when we go back either.

[giacfsp]

I think they leave tomorrow.
Then again, school's out and most of us have jobs. How many would show up? No send-off event is far better than a send-off that nobody shows up for.

[BCS STANG]

The plane leaves around 5AM. If you want to send them off, have fun waking up at 3 or so.

[OR-See-Nee]

You all raise a good point about the possible lack of a crowd, and that's something I thought about, also. However, that is a possibility, not a certainty. If there was a pep rally-type event one evening earlier this week, I would have attended and would have brought some people to it. It could have been in Moody? I don't know.

And it's not a criticism of the school, per se, but one of those things where we are looking for community support, enthusiasm about 4 bowls in 4 years, a few social media blasts, a PF.com announcement, give the folks who are attending the HS playoff games at Ford a complimentary pass to the pep rally, etc., and hand out blue and red leis. Could have been fun and created a bit of an atmosphere.

But maybe we don't have the money for that. It's fun to plan with other people's money.

By not doing it, it seems to send a message that the school knows that we don't have a caring fan base, or the school doesn't care about the fans it does have.

[smumustang1980]

SMU had a substantial number of fans at the Holiday Bowl. The Mustang Band was there as well. The game was fairly sold-out as far as I can remember in the old Jack Murphy Stadium. I had seats in the upper deck. And then the damn fog rolled in...

[smumustang1980]

I think we need to work on the students first, and find incentives, as well as cultivate their enthusiasm for the team before we try this idea. In the very old days, when the Mustang Band did not attend an away game, we always met them at the airport when they returned -- especially if they won. The band was at DFW for the Ohio State game in 1978... although this was a tie, it was a moral victory and significant milestone in Ron Meyer's program.

[mrydel]

Not that it matters, but when we went to the Holiday Bowl, there was no send off or pep rally. We just boarded a plane and took off. See, school was out and the students weren't around and I guess the administration and Meyer just didn't give a hoot about SMU or fan support.

And there was nothing when we go back either.

Maybe you guys should have batted the ball down in the end zone.

[ponyte]

Not that it matters, but when we went to the Holiday Bowl, there was no send off or pep rally. We just boarded a plane and took off. See, school was out and the students weren't around and I guess the administration and Meyer just didn't give a hoot about SMU or fan support.

And there was nothing when we go back either.

Maybe you guys should have batted the ball down in the end zone.

Not my side of the ball so I have no clue what you mean.

[PonySnob]

I think they leave tomorrow.
Then again, school's out and most of us have jobs. How many would show up? No send-off event is far better than a send-off that nobody shows up for.

6-6..........

[Charleston Pony]

it seems we are really reaching to bash JJ

[gostangs]

man - someone had to bring up that holiday bowl. will never forget that pain. Rooted against jim mcmahon the entire rest of his career.