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Johnny Utah wrote:Dutch, your living in fantasy land. If majority stayed in Dallas, we wouldn't struggle to fill ford. I disagree with the argument a winning team will bring the fans (Tulane went 12-0 in 98', didn't increase their fan base), play better teams etc.....

You have 25 years of alumni where a lot stayed in Dallas, but they don't give a damn about SMU athletics and never did. There are a few of us, but it is more than just one lost generation; it is 25 years of people that DO NOT CARE. No other school has a comparable dead period where they went from where we were to where we have been.

Winning is the only thing that will ever get these people interested in SMU athletics. Not some gimmicky marketing or advertising. Winning will bring them back and nothing else.

What's with all the comparisons to Tulane? Tulane grad?

Jutah doesn't have a clue what he's talking about.

I agree with some of the points raised. People that stay in Texas, especially in North Texas, are the schools largest financial donors. People from LA and Chicago just aren't as active in the university. We do need to retain and recruit a solid base of graduates from Texas. Dallas will certainly attract and retain a good number of our "out of staters", but except for taxes, California seems pretty successful in calling them home again.

As far as losing a generation of graduates, that greatly understates the loss. I still have close friends, my class and prior that remain angry at how donors, athletes and staff were treated by Pye. You can't overestimate the damage that was done to the alumni base--it was fractured!. We still have more non-graduates on the SMU board than graduates, and today's Chair is not an SMU alumn. The Prothros/Perkins have been major donors over the decades, so that is somewhat of a cheap shot, but the point is many alumns still have a feeling of alienation and feel someone owes them an apology. For every alumn that has returned prior to the dp, there is one that will never forgive.

I can't say enough about how June has recognized this problem and has addressed it. He even has included Ron Myer in some of his events. With Orsini's support, he has brought back those players on the teams from the early 80's.

By the way, in my vernacular, 20 years is two generations.

We have prided ourselves in the recuiting of foreign students. I would love for someone to provide us a study of these alumia giving history. It is my opinion, supported purely by hear-say from people within the university that their "giving" record, is dismal.

The vast majority of giving comes from Americans who are active in Greek life. Doubt it, give Mr. Cheves a call and ask him.

Do we have an invite yet? My Ouiji board is on the fritz

Nope.

I hear the B10 is in the mix now. Could be a little while longer as these conferences make their bids for us. Also heard rumors of the Sun Belt looking our way. One could only hope.

ericdickerson4life wrote:I hear the B10 is in the mix now. Could be a little while longer as these conferences make their bids for us. Also heard rumors of the Sun Belt looking our way. One could only hope.

WAC is better. Easy travel to San Antonio and San Marcos.

NFC east looking to replace the cowboys have also called to see if we have interest in making jump....

NickSMU17 wrote:NFC east looking to replace the cowboys have also called to see if we have interest in making jump....

We don't stand a chance on that one. We can't come near the payroll that the whorens offer.

GO PONIES!!!

What about paying people to go to games? At least till we get to an aq conf

Or a "hobo section" where we supply free loaves of bread and alcohol vouchers.

I want to sit in the hobo section.