Who started the student-inititative for the BBVA?

[SMUer]

I thought that was a really neat idea/generous effort. Was that a SMU thing or a Mustang Club thing? I would be very interested in talking with whoever started that idea because a coalition of this combined with groups like young MC and RBA could really start building a young/active fan base. PM me if you were involved.

[smubrooks]

there's a young Mustang Club?

[SMUer]

MC was trying to start something like that this year...IDK

[smubrooks]

If there isn't, there definitely needs to be one. Sign me up!

[BigT3x]

there's a young Mustang Club?

There's a young alumni organization but it's filled with all the insufferable RA types I had to hide my booze from back in the day.

[sacklunch]

They should make a greek / athlete young alumni club.....or just call it "The No RA's Alumni Club"

[SMUer]

What is an "RA"? Agree, there is a HUGE fan gap ages 22-40. I created RBA in part to try to steer recent grads into becoming season ticket holders by providing a fan association, with our own section in Ford, that tries to echo the enthusiasm of the student section. I just had so many recent grad friends that would bum tickets and go sit in the student section long after graduation because frankly they had more fun there.

[RyanSMU98]

What SMU desperately needs is a group for 30-40 year olds. It blows me away that nothing has been to address this huge hole in the fan base.

This is an excellent point as it makes up the bulk of the "lost generation" to which so many refer, not to mention these are folks that are coming into a position in their lives to be solid contributors and longtime fans. Both from an athletics perspective and just a general advancement perspective this group is largely ignored other than to get a pledge card in the mail from time to time. Once you stop being considered a "young alumn" at age 30 you literally drop off the face of the alumni map for the next 2 decades. Needs to change.

[Peruna94&07]

Once you stop being considered a "young alumn" at age 30 you literally drop off the face of the alumni map for the next 2 decades. Needs to change.

Exactly my experience and it's amazing. It would be amazing even if there weren't a "lost generation" issue. Don't get me wrong, I like the veteran fans. They just tend to generationally aggregate and you just kind of stand around wondering what am I doing here!

I am one of those lost generations and definitely can agree to the generational aggregation. Most folks are friendly but to really get into the game together or on the boulevard, just doesn't happen.

[SMUer]

I love that suddenly we have multiple groups and ventures (both school-driven and private) that are attacking problems in athletics...SMU2BCS...Red And Blue Army...Operation Sellout..."Your City, Your Team"...Dorm Storm...Students to BBVA... Things are changing.

[SMUer]

I don't want to make this an age warefare issue, as I love all of our fans -- of all ages. It would just be nice if SMU came up with an "Emerging Boosters" group for folks in their 30's and 40's. Maybe there is and I just don't know the secret handshake, but...

The secret handshake requires $1000 bills but I know what you mean...and thanks. One of the original name ideas for RBA was "The Boosters" but I figured that it would be too controversial. A lot of people feel the same way you do.

[SMUer]

Back to the topic at hand, anyone know how the student gas-hotel-swag for BBVA got going?

[smubrooks]

Once you stop being considered a "young alumn" at age 30 you literally drop off the face of the alumni map for the next 2 decades. Needs to change.

Exactly my experience and it's amazing. It would be amazing even if there weren't a "lost generation" issue. Don't get me wrong, I like the veteran fans. They just tend to generationally aggregate and you just kind of stand around wondering what am I doing here!

Haha, I totally know what you mean

[Eddie P]

there's a young Mustang Club?

There's a young alumni organization but it's filled with all the insufferable RA types I had to hide my booze from back in the day.

There was a thriving young mustang club several years ago but at some point they made the decision to have the alumni office take it over. Yes, there's absolutely a different vibe when things are run by young alumni who are employed by smu. And you can't expect a group like that to be wholly self financed and run by volunteers forever.

I understand the RA comments completely and agree to a certain extent. But it's not like these are bad people. On the contrary, I think they are wonderful people.

Ultimately, it probably needs to fall back under the athletic wing as opposed to the alumni/development office. Perhaps when the resources are available to staff a marketing department once again, that can happen.

[BigT3x]

I understand the RA comments completely and agree to a certain extent. But it's not like these are bad people. On the contrary, I think they are wonderful people.

These are the people who will go to SMU games anyway and turn into the typical SMU golf clapping blue hair. If you want a fun game environment, we need the people I used to do blow with in Boaz.