SMU’s new point system to qualify for The Mob could be the answer to increasing school spirit. Hundreds of students are packing athletic events from volleyball to men’s soccer, mostly so they can earn points to get tickets to the winning men’s basketball team’s season.

Whether they’re at the games because they love the team may not matter. Just the crowded stands and added cheers help create the school spirit SMU desperately needs – and boosts the morale of the athletes.

“I feel like not a lot of students know or even care that we have a volleyball team, much less want to come support us,” said Caroline Young, a SMU senior and women’s volleyball player. “But the crowd we had [Saturday] night was one of the largest ever, and helped us to beat a team ranked 24th in the nation so I think that speaks for itself.”

Students who attend athletic events can gain up to 30 points per football game and 10 points per soccer and volleyball game. Students need a total of 130 points to gain access for the premier seating student section for men’s basketball known as The Mob. Only the first 600 students to collect the points and pay a fee of $80 will be allowed to enter The Mob.

With the basketball team on the rise and the demand for tickets increasing, students have been eagerly attending sporting events for a chance to get the most sought after tickets in all of Moody Coliseum. The increased attendance has helped increase the morale of athletes.