Would it split the fanbase even worse if June comes back?

by **ponyboy** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:20 pm

SMUer wrote:Bah! We were a floundering ship, not a sinking ship! #HistoryRewrite

I have now heard it all. I can go die. Bury me.

Foundering? In the twenty years before June Jones got here, your beloved Mustangs were 58-153 for a stunning win percentage of 27.8%.

TWENTY SEVEN POINT FREAKING EIGHT PERCENT

TWENTY FREAKING YEARS

Talk about revisionist history! Back to your previously scheduled crucifixion

by **Pony in SA** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:41 pm

Sorry this is long, but I don't post just to post on here. However, here are my thoughts because of text I got earlier today from SMU long time supporter.

Myself and 2 of my fraternity brothers when we graduated each bought season tickets and have stuck it out since then (1989) for the last 20 plus/close now to 25 years. From old Ownby to the Cotton Bowl and back to Ford, from multiple out of town games every season and Mustang Club trips, etc. As we married and had families we each now have 4 tickets to football games, and also season tickets to basketball. We have written additional checks for the building of the Crum Center when asked, and made donations available for other projects for athletics.

However, one of my brothers emailed me after the Houston game and said he is finally done. No commitment he feels to really be competitive and simply wants to invest his resources elsewhere. I actually got a text from my other brother just today that said if June is back he is done with season tickets for a variety of reasons. This text surprised me.

I have not made up my mind yet, but I know of these 2 individuals who have supported SMU thru thick and thin (mostly thin) as I have and stepped up with support in the past when asked and now they have said they are done. I think the frustration we all share and have discussed is there does not appear to be a coordinated plan long term for success, no effort from school for real support in terms of what needs to be done to really be competitive, etc. Almost like just going thru the motions.

As just one example, it is ridiculous there is no IPF still that could be used by many sports and not just football. Most high schools have them. If you read the Sports Illustrated article few weeks back on the Oregon/Stanford rivalry (one with Oregon QB on the cover), the Stanford people specifically site the building of their IPF and upgraded practice conditions, along with better salaries for assistants, etc. as reason their program has taken off.

I've said it before, if we are not going to win at least give max effort, look good in what we are doing and have a good product, and look like we have a plan we are working to improve. Objectively even us long timers have to admit we really look Mickey Mouse at times... and this is not all about June. Whether June is our coach or someone else, our lack of coordinated marketing, no real outreach plan to the fans, etc. is at times embarrassing.

I don't know if fanbase will be split, but I do think if there is not some evidence of a real commitment and plan to do things better (whether that involves June or not is for others to say) there is a risk of losing many, many long time supporters who will just say enough is enough and allocate their resources elsewhere.

by **LHS81** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 10:48 pm

ponyboy wrote:
SMUer wrote:Bah! We were a floundering ship, not a sinking ship! #HistoryRewrite

I have now heard it all. I can go die. Bury me.

Foundering? In the twenty years before June Jones got here, your beloved Mustangs were 58-153 for a stunning win percentage of 27.8%.

TWENTY SEVEN POINT FREAKING EIGHT PERCENT

TWENTY FREAKING YEARS

Talk about revisionist history! Back to your previously scheduled crucifixion

Noticed you didn't post the winning percentage from '80 - '86. . . No surprise there :roll:

by **stc9** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:27 pm

Pony in SA wrote:... I don't know if fanbase will be split, but I do think if there is not some evidence of a real commitment and plan to do things better (whether that involves June or not is for others to say) there is a risk of losing many, many long time supporters who will just say enough is enough and allocate their resources elsewhere.

Over my few years posting on this board, I have commented on the lack of visible plan. My question for the group at large (if a plan is developed), how do you communicate it to the fan base? How do you get us to buy in? Even if JJ is gone and we rejoice/cry/whatever. A new coach walks into a situation where we have to take it on faith that things will get better. All losses are not setbacks on the road, but catastrophes. This is where we are now with JJ. What is the plan and how does SMU/New HC get us to buy in? Discuss amongst yourselves.

by **SMUer** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 11:28 pm

ponyboy wrote:
SMUer wrote:Bah! We were a floundering ship, not a sinking ship! #HistoryRewrite

I have now heard it all. I can go die. Bury me.

Foundering? In the twenty years before June Jones got here, your beloved Mustangs were 58-153 for a stunning win percentage of 27.8%.

TWENTY SEVEN POINT FREAKING EIGHT PERCENT

TWENTY FREAKING YEARS

Talk about revisionist history! Back to your previously scheduled crucifixion

We are getting 2 extra wins per season despite playing in a vastly poopier conference...whoopideefreakingdoo...we weren't on our death bed, we were desperately looking for one or two more wins that our talent-level and admission policies denied us getting.

From what I saw last Friday (and most first halfs), 2006 SMU would have massacred 2013 SMU...and that's sad.

by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:02 am

stc9 wrote:
Pony in SA wrote:... I don't know if fanbase will be split, but I do think if there is not some evidence of a real commitment and plan to do things better (whether that involves June or not is for others to say) there is a risk of losing many, many long time supporters who will just say enough is enough and allocate their resources elsewhere.

Over my few years posting on this board, I have commented on the lack of visible plan. My question for the group at large (if a plan is developed), how do you communicate it to the fan base? How do you get us to buy in? Even if JJ is gone and we rejoice/cry/whatever. A new coach walks into a situation where we have to take it on faith that things will get better. All losses are not setbacks on the road, but catastrophes. This is where we are now with JJ. What is the plan and how does SMU/New HC get us to buy in? Discuss amongst yourselves.

UTSA seems to have sold a plan to their city and fan base, and it seems to be working.

by **gostangs** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:34 am

san antonio has nothing but a pro basketball team to compete with so not sure the analogy is a good one. That town is devoid of entertainment.

That said, it isn't that hard. You start by putting a competent team of assistants in place and start recruiting your guts outâ€¦.let everyone know we are hungry and not backing down - they can come be a pafrt of it or watch us do it without them. Everything else will follow. ALong the way, learn the 5 basic things about your school and fans and play to that. Than communicate with everyone that will gather 10 people together to listen - and don't every stop.

You are basically running for political office in a race that never ends. It should be fun, and you are paid well for it. Get to know your town and your fans. Have some fun. Change some kids lives for the better. Kick some [deleted]. Its a sport, after all.

by **feelthehorsepower** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:42 am

remember these? lol

by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:44 am

gostangs wrote:san antonio has nothing but a pro basketball team to compete with so not sure the analogy is a good one. That town is devoid of entertainment.

That said, it isn't that hard. You start by putting a competent team of assistants in place and start recruiting your guts outâ€¦.let everyone know we are hungry and not backing down - they can come be a pafrt of it or watch us do it without them. Everything else will follow. ALong the way, learn the 5 basic things about your school and fans and play to that. Than communicate with everyone that will gather 10 people together to listen - and don't every stop.

You are basically running for political office in a race that never ends. It should be fun, and you are paid well for it. Get to know your town and your fans. Have some fun. Change some kids lives for the better. Kick some [deleted]. Its a sport, after all.

Someone asked for an example of a plan and I gave one.
And I agree with you, it ain't that difficult.

by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:46 am

feelthehorsepower wrote:remember these? lol

Remember these?

by **Stallion** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:49 am

and again who cares if they are in San Antonio-they still may become a bigger player in the future. Nobody cares about our obstacles except our fans. Need a new mind set around. Ron Meyer came in and from Day 1 made our biggest obstacle-Dallas-our calling card. Big D is opportunity not a problem. Its a goldmine with more Division 1A prospects than any metro area in the Country. See Miami Hurricanes. Just need a Head Coach and Staff that can sell it like Larry Brown

by **smusic 00** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:50 am

Stallion wrote:and again who cares if they are in San Antonio-they still may become a bigger player in the future. Nobody cares about our obstacles except our fans. Need a new mind set around. Ron Meyer came in and from Day 1 made our biggest obstacle-Dallas-our calling card

Amen!

by **stc9** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:26 am

gostangs wrote:...That said, it isn't that hard. You start by putting a competent team of assistants in place and start recruiting your guts outâ€¦.let everyone know we are hungry and not backing down - they can come be a pafrt of it or watch us do it without them. Everything else will follow. ALong the way, learn the 5 basic things about your school and fans and play to that. Than communicate with everyone that will gather 10 people together to listen - and don't every stop.

Someone posted a link about Franklin several months ago. The gist of it was if he saw a pregnant woman and a large husband, he would offer the unborn baby a scholarship. Just walk right up to them and make the offer. He uses every opportunity to sell Vandy.

by **Pony in SA** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:28 am

[quote="smusic 00 UTSA seems to have sold a plan to their city and fan base, and it seems to be working.[/quote]

I have outlined before the 5 and 10 year plans laid out by UTSA, as well as the 3 phase plan for facilities for their student athletes. Phase 1 was completion of on-campus practice fields which they just finished, Phase 2 includes the IPF and increased weight training venues, and Phase 3 includes their own on-campus stadium at corner of 1604 and Hausman. They are progressing on schedule on all of those. My guess would be their IPF will be done well before any we may eventually have.

Part of what has been amazing about their quick success in only 3 years is they have been winning while practicing at high school stadium and facilities near campus. For a start up they have already developed winning mind set, winning on the road mind set (not from the coach "its too tough to win on the road"), and they are not afraid to schedule and play better teams OOC.

For marketing plan, Coker does his weekly radio show and live events in town, is visible in community at our rotary club and Kiwanis meetings, etc. and him and his staff are almost always in UTSA gear, shirts, UTSA ties and blazers, etc. when at events. Constantly talking about the plan they are working to build something great for the fans and the city. There are billboards on major roadways, not just a few, UTSA nights at local restuarants, etc.

Yes, there are limited options down here and their success has been in lower conferences but there are some things they are doing that are not unique and other schools do as well that for some reason we don't do. I just think we can do much better in communication to potential customers/fans. For example, having our student athletes as part of their scholarship sign 25 post cards a week after practice that are then mailed out to season ticket holders thanking them for attending events, or to others encouraging to attend events. Post card are relatively cheap from budget standpoint, we can track when they scan tickets who enters our stadiums, why not send quick thank you card with SMU logos all over it that is signed by a player saying simply "Thanks for coming to support us ?" There are many other cost effective things that could be done that other schools are engaged in that we are not.

I guess that's the overall point. If we are going to be in the game, lets at least try to do some things right, maybe use some of the things that work for other schools, etc. so we have a chance. Lets not Mickey Mouse things...

by **Harry0569** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:35 am

Call me a bad fan, but I couldn't even get myself to watch UH game. I am an extremely passionate sports fan (Bill Simmons published my e-mail about ATL sports in his article), but I just don't have the will to support the football team right now. There is no passion, no direction, no future with JJ at the helm. It's really, really sad.