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http://www.csnbbs.com/showthread.php?tid=646144

The new AD at Memphis, Tom Bowen, has just hit upon an interesting idea. As a congratulations to new graduates, he has offered them two free season tickets. Simply show up with a printed copy of the e-mail sent out and an ID, and you get two free season tickets.

Could we do this for our grads their first year out to build a little 'brand loyalty?'

Granted, they have a stadium that's twice as big, but they also have a school over twice as big and their grads are much more likely to stay in Memphis. With, say, 1500 grads we would give out only 3000 tickets at most, and, of course, most likely it wouldn't come anywhere near that amount.

Should we steal this idea?

Don't see why not. And discount tickets for anyone who's graduated within five years, too.

There are cheapo young alumni season tickets. Got mine.

East Coast Mustang wrote:Don't see why not. And discount tickets for anyone who's graduated within five years, too.

We already do that. The free tickets for the first year is a good idea, but I'd be surprised if we ever did that. In the past it seems like we are not interested in anything that doesn't count as paid admission.

Yea that was something new they added this year. Great idea by the marketing team. I still think we need to fill up more seats with kids from area elementary and middle schools. A week or two before each game decide how many to allot and to which schools. This will build up our branding as Dallas' team quicker than anything else. I feel like I mention this every year. Hate seeing 10,000 empty seats that could go to 5,000 potential DFW kids, giving them a connection to SMU and an opportunity to become a lifelong fan

S....M....U wrote: Hate seeing 10,000 empty seats that could go to 5,000 potential DFW kids, giving them a connection to SMU and an opportunity to become a lifelong fan

You and me both.

what is the compliance issue with giving away tickets? I seem to recall we cannot do it for HS athletes, but what about middle school teams?

What about entire elementary / middle schools?

It seems like such a waste for games like Montana St where you absolutely know there will be 10k empty seats at Ford.

That's exactly what I'm saying. Kids in high school already have allegiances to other college brands, ie Texas, Alabama, Oregon. Not to mention the fact that you get into a gray area with NCAA compliance issues. You need to instill the connection between kids and the team early on. This is the way to do it. I hope the AD sees this thread and can explain if this is possible.

bump

S....M....U wrote:Yea that was something new they added this year. Great idea by the marketing team. I still think we need to fill up more seats with kids from area elementary and middle schools. A week or two before each game decide how many to allot and to which schools. This will build up our branding as Dallas' team quicker than anything else. I feel like I mention this every year. Hate seeing 10,000 empty seats that could go to 5,000 potential DFW kids, giving them a connection to SMU and an opportunity to become a lifelong fan

That's a great idea. We are bus kids in to give them tours of the school, why not send them to a game as well

blackoutpony wrote:

S....M....U wrote:Yea that was something new they added this year. Great idea by the marketing team. I still think we need to fill up more seats with kids from area elementary and middle schools. A week or two before each game decide how many to allot and to which schools. This will build up our branding as Dallas' team quicker than anything else. I feel like I mention this every year. Hate seeing 10,000 empty seats that could go to 5,000 potential DFW kids, giving them a connection to SMU and an opportunity to become a lifelong fan

That's a great idea. We are bus kids in to give them tours of the school, why not send them to a game as well

Just need to get the AD on board and figure out the logistics.

S....M....U wrote:

blackoutpony wrote:

S....M....U wrote:Yea that was something new they added this year. Great idea by the marketing team. I still think we need to fill up more seats with kids from area elementary and middle schools. A week or two before each game decide how many to allot and to which schools. This will build up our branding as Dallas' team quicker than anything else. I feel like I mention this every year. Hate seeing 10,000 empty seats that could go to 5,000 potential DFW kids, giving them a connection to SMU and an opportunity to become a lifelong fan

That's a great idea. We are bus kids in to give them tours of the school, why not send them to a game as well

Just need to get the AD on board and figure out the logistics.

Um, remember the bus brigades? We've been through this.

And I will never pay for the empty buses again.

The Bus brigades were more the Bust Brigades. Great idea, but didn't work. Not sure why.

What poor kids from the hood want to be bussed over to the rich kid school? Plus demographic statistics are such that those are kids are mostly without a preset dad. Moms are not going to take the boys that do want to go.

Now to give free game day tickets at the window to kids and immediate parents from a local DISD elementary/intermediate school that shows some form of ID may work.