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Could we be doing more to boost attendance? Probably.

Given the other events in town on Saturday, would any amount of marketing made a difference? Probably Not.

Unfortunately, our game was bookended by 2 major events in the Metroplex; the Komen Race & the ALCS Ranger game. In theory, one could have taken the family in the morning, jogged for boobies, gone to the SMU game, then hauled it out to Arlington to watch the Rangers clench their trip to the World Series. On paper you could have done all of those things and made a day of it.

Let's now take a look at REALITY:
"Honey, what do you say we take the kiddos out to an SMU game today? It's beautiful out, and the ponies are really putting themselves on the map! Plus I hear they have a really fun tailgate - the boulevard or some-such!"

"Oh that sounds nice, dear. But, remember? I'm running for the Cure tomorrow. Aren't you still going to support me? I just don't think I'll be up for standing around watching football after running all that way. Maybe next time?"

"Man, I'd really like to get out to watch SMU play a home game. Want to grab some tickets and check it out?"

"Dude, I'd be down for that, but I have Ranger tickets."

"Hey babe, let's do something different this weekend. What do you say we go watch SMU play?"

"No. You told me we'd go to the fair this year. I want to stuff my fat face with fried Oreos"

The Komen race had 22,334 participants in 2010, not to mention staff, volunteers, fans, family, etc. The Ranger game drew 51,508 on Saturday. I realize many die-hard SMU fans were able to participate in all 3 events, if they chose to. However, the home side is full & is not the issue. Bringing in casual fans will always be a challenge in Dallas. This last weekend, our game was the #3 event in town. No amount of marketing would have changed that.

Right now, we are doing the most valuable thing to boost attendance, and that's winning. Embrace it & enjoy it. We are making progress on all fronts.

Good post 11

mustangbill67 wrote:Several weeks ago, in the DMNs, a guy commented on a SMU story with a vintage Otter diatribe. He blasted the lack of a marketing effort by the athletic department as well as taking personal shots at Orsini and Jones. Since the comments gave the guy's apparent real name, I looked him up. Turns out he is SMU faculty, a marketing professor at Cox. I wonder if this is Otter, with a big axe to grind.

It has been stated on here before, but the marketing department should do major projects for the athletic department. Worthwhile case study/project for the students and it would benefit the university.

RGV Pony wrote:Good post 11

Yes agree good post 11, but speaking of posts...you just went over 12,000 RGV!

ericdickerson4life wrote:Why don't we have a marketing department like Texas? They are everywhere and never have attendance issues. They sell out games against Rice, why can't we?

About half the population of Austin is made up of UT grads or wannabes and UT is Austins "pro" team. They will fill up the stadium regardless who they play.

Part of my group hit tailgate and SMU game for the first 2 1/2 quarters and then booked it to the Rangers game. Maybe all the students had Rangers tickets and thats where they went.

peruna11 wrote: I want to stuff my fat face with fried Oreos"

I love how you added the word fat. Made the whole post twice as good.

ot·ter Noun: A fish-eating mammal (Lutra and other genera) of the weasel family, typically semiaquatic, with an elongated body, dense fur, and webbed feet. Its several species include the river otter (L. canadensis).

Weasel yo, where yea at today

He's down by the river where there's a rusted out van, with a fat [deleted] individual inside.

Wow -- such emotion ... such passion. Seems like I hit a nerve.

You're right -- don't worry about it. Why should anyone care if the hardcore fans and the Athletics Department doesn't.

Just you wait until SMU wins the National Championship and have consistent Top 10 finishes, THEN we'll draw more fans. Hopefully the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavs, Stars, FC Dallas and the Texas Legends don't have games at the same time (on the same day or even during the same month ), because we'll have a built-in excuse.

Until then, I guess I'll wonder why the hell they built a 32,000 seat stadium if they really only expected to draw 12,000 - 15,000 fans.

Listened to ESPN radio today and they talked for 10 minutes about the embarrassing crowd at Ford on Saturday. It's not just me noticing how bad it is.

And why would I, or anyone else, offer a plan or even any suggestions to Orsini when he has made it clear that he doesn't want to put any resources into building a ticket sales infrastructure(which for you who don't understand the difference), is not the same as spending $$$ on marketing. I persnally know people who have offered to put together a strategic marketing and promotion, and ticket plan for Orsini only to be told that it wasn't a priority. Yeeesh. And no - it was not me and I didn't lose my job in Athletics, so stop trying to make me seem like a bitter ex-employee. The guys I know who offered their services are some of the leading experts in collegiate ticket sales and marketing and were offering to do this with no risk and minimal investment from the department. They were shocked at the level of indifference and our lack of market relevant and poor attendance has not gone unnoticed by conferences and other schools - believe me.

If they had spent as much money as it cost SMU to fly Liberty and Justice to Hawaii for the Bowl game two years ago on a ticket sales infrastructure, we'd have 10,000 - 15,000 more fansa at the games. It would actually have paid for itself and then some.

But I guess that requires too much effort.

To some of you, we shouldn't even be wasting time on this board on attendance issues. But for most of the general public, that was the story of the game Saturday - especially those who watched on television.

If you don't thing that's important, then I guess that is your right. But why are we the only school that doesn't do it?

And Orsini boasts about having the largest budget of any non-AQ school? Well anyone can spend $$, how about generating some revenue! Most of the schools in C-USA kick our butts in that area. And that is really inexcusable.

And by the way, aside from us on this site and a few hardcore SMU fans, nobody knows or seems to care what's happening with the football team. So winning doesn't really solve the problem when the message is not reasonating with anyone beyond the core fan.

One last thing ... if you are on campus anytime soon, check out the Upcoming Events Board on corner outside Westcott Field (soccer stadium). It has been empty forever and I don't think that I have ever seen anything posted on it. And you wonder why students don't know when the games are? Not saying that it would result in a significant increase, but presumably,, it was put there for a reason

I guess it is just too much to expect Athletics to buy a step-ladder and a few letters at Staples and post the upcoming sports events on the board. It seems like they are going out of their way to NOT connect with the students. Just a small example of many that shows that it is not about their lack of funds (similar to not printing posters and schedule cards), and just plain old lack of initiative.

It would be nearly impossible to convince anyone here or in SMU Athletics that there is even a reason to make an effort, so why would anyone bother to put in an effort when those in charge don't even view it as important?

Otter wrote:And why would I, or anyone else, offer a plan or even any suggestions to Orsini when he has made it clear that he doesn't want to put any resources into building a ticket sales infrastructure

Better question: why would you come on here and spout all this stuff, we can't help you here. If you want relief from your gripe, like it or not it will have to come from the AD.

And students know when the games are, it's the thing that they don't go to right after the boulevard party.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but for next year's Komen race (or any other big charity event like that and when it coincides with a home game), how about printing oversize postcards that say: "Thanks for what you're doing to make the world a better place. To show our appreciation, bring this card to today's game for _______________________ (free admission, reduced admission, a ticket and a coke--something game related)". Have students to put those cards underneath the windshield wipers of all the cars at Northpark Mall and anywhere else those folks park. That's exposure to 22k people we wouldn't otherwise have. Even if none of them go to the game, you've reached 22k people without the significant costs of television or radio. And they have something tangible with SMU's logo/schedule on it.

Assuming there is no legal or ethical violation in doing so, what a great way for SMU to show support for great causes, garner goodwill from the community, and publicize itself to a lot of people for not a whole lot of cash.

Just a thought.

Otter wrote:

Listened to ESPN radio today and they talked for 10 minutes about the embarrassing crowd at Ford on Saturday. It's not just me noticing how bad it is.

Orsini has made it clear that he doesn't want to put any resources into building a ticket sales infrastructure.

people have offered to put together a strategic marketing and promotion, and ticket plan for Orsini only to be told that it wasn't a priority. some of the leading experts in collegiate ticket sales and marketing and were offering to do this with no risk and minimal investment from the department. They were shocked at the level of indifference and our lack of market relevance.

If you don't thing that's important, then I guess that is your right. But why are we the only school that doesn't do it?

Just a small example of many that shows that it is not about their lack of funds (similar to not printing posters and schedule cards), and just plain old lack of initiative.

Edited for you, and what remains is a pretty good post with some fair points and questions

Otter I will read your posts if you can keep them say to a paragraph.