Mustangs pounded by Bulldogs
A new group of kids stormed the field at Saturday’sfootball showdown between the SMU Mustangs and the Louisiana TechBulldogs. And this time around, no one was tall enough to bringdown the goal post.
“Kids’ Day at Gerald J.” was a huge success atSaturday’s game for the kids who took part in the event.Although the players may not have seen a victory, the kids walkedaway feeling like winners.
Sponsored by the SMU Athletic Marketing department, the 2ndAnnual Kids’ Day at Ford Stadium provided the youngestMustang fans with the opportunity to work alongside SMU trainers,cameramen, announcers, helmet crew and more before and during thegame. Twenty kids ages six to 13 were chosen from more than 80applicants to take part in the day’s events and go behind thescenes to experience SMU football.
In addition to the 20 kids chosen to work during the game, avariety of local organizations and clubs such as Big Brothers BigSisters, Boy Scout troops and Girl Scout troops made the trip toFord Stadium to cheer on the Mustangs.
“Kids’ Day was a great opportunity for the kids tosee Mustang football in action,” Associate Director ofMarketing for Athletics Cherri Shaw, said. “It was awonderful experience for kids who wouldn’t normally get achance to come to an SMU football game.”
The “Jr. Mustangs” flooded the stadium on Saturday,and their presence was known everywhere as they took over theannouncer’s box, the water station behind the Mustangs’bench and the stands.
Hanging over the railings, fleets of screaming kids sported anassortment of red and blue SMU apparel — some even decked outin Mustang football jerseys. They showed SMU spirit by shoutingwords of encouragement to the players, high-fiving Peruna and evenholding up Pony ears during Varsity.
On the field, the kids were put to work and were assigned todifferent stations to assist SMU staff and students in a variety oftasks. With 27 minutes to kickoff, 9-year-old Griffin Knox and his7-year-old brother Graham worked side-by-side with the men ofLambda Chi Alpha fraternity setting up the inflatable helmet thatthe players storm through at the beginning of every game.
“I like to see the players run through the helmet,”Griffin said, beaming with excitement and ready to take on his jobto help inflate the helmet.
Every kid, both on the field and in the stands, seemed to enjoytheir up-close experience at Saturday’s game. Players andcoaches made a special effort to make them feel like a part of theteam and took the time to sign autographs, high-five the fans andget them pumped up for SMU football.
Immediately following the game, hundreds of kids and parentsenjoyed the free carnival on the field, complete with moonwalks andcarnival games. The carnival was a supplement event to Kids’Corral. Games, climbing walls and other activities decorate the topof the South end zone during every home game to entertain theMustangs’ youngest fans as they watch the game with theirparents.
According to Shaw, the event was part of the AthleticDepartment’s continuous efforts to increase communityinvolvement in SMU football. Ever since Mustang football returnedto campus in 2000, the University has strongly emphasized theimportance of making the games a community experience andencouraging the attendance of local fans and families.
“We’re trying to create a family-friendlyatmosphere,” Shaw said. “SMU football games are one ofthe few things in Dallas that a family of four can enjoy togetherfor under $100.”
Student Body President Chip Hiemenz said he couldn’t agreemore and has also made Mustang spirit and community support apriority throughout the year.
“Kids’ Day is a perfect example of SMU’songoing efforts to connect the local Dallas communities withMustang Athletics. It was great to see future Mustangs having sucha great time on the field,” Hiemenz said. “Now all wehave to do is get them coming back for more.”
