Weather dictates..

[ponyte]

Guess I have a different take. mrydel and I have attend a few of these post game Sr. events.

Jones introduces the player and his family. Jones talks a little about the player. It is more than a sterile introduction over a PA system. They walk through a crowd and meet Coach Jones. He talks to them, takes pictures, hugs them. He seems very comfortable with his players and their families.

The players mingle with the fans. They are happy, upbeat and seem to enjoy the attention. Then players start taking pictures in various groups.

The sense ins't as spectacular as being introduced in front of the crowd at a major university. But it is far more intimate and real for the coach and the players.

mrydel has his own views which may differ from mine so the above is strictly my thoughts.

I would prefer the Jones style as it gives kids one last time to be a part of something that is about to be gone forever.

Glitz is great but years later teammates and coaches mean a heck of a lot more than walking on the field to the blare of a PA announcer's introduction.

[Arkpony]

I agree with Ponyte in that Jones does seem to care in the way he greets each player. It's not a quick handshake. He holds the player and talks to him and you can tell it is very personal. However, i DO think it would be better before the game.

[skurtn]

If I were a football player, I'd also prefer the one-on-one with my coach and family, as opposed to being announced over the PA... or maybe BOTH!

[mrydel]

I like the after the game. I do not like that no one is there after the game. But no one is in the stands early before the game either. With the after the game we get to go down on the field and personally thank the players and talk with them and their families. It is the only chance I have to thank them face to face for the work they have put in for the school. There are personal remarks made by Jones or someone about each player and they are given a plaque or jersey or something, I do not recall. But it is a very nice event if anyone would stay around to witness.

[Grant Carter]

These seniors deserve our attendance and apprecation afterwards, win or lose. Especially since the coaching staff thinks so little of them. Other programs honor their senior players before the game in front of the crowd...June gives a handshake and pat on the back down in a corner of an endzone 30 minutes after the game in front of parents(he doesn't even know most of them) and friends pretty much. How many of those seniors and their parents are going back to their hometowns and high schools and recommend future players come to SMU and play for Jones? 0000000000000000000.

Seems like we have gotten two guys from Oxford, Michigan recently. I always assumed the current one from Oxford might have checked with the previous one from Oxford, but I am sure you are right and the previous one did not recommend that the current one come here.