Don’t fumble, go to the game

We’d like to first congratulate the Mustang football teamon their victory last weekend and say how great it was to see manyof you taking advantage of the new post-game procedures. For thoseon the field after the game, it was a truly unique and amazingexperience to sing “Varsity” with fellow studentscelebrating a win.

As many of you know, this Saturday marks the final home footballgame of the 2004 season, and this time there’s a lot more atstake than adding another exciting “W” to our record.In order to maintain NCAA Division I-A status, SMU must have atleast 15,000 in attendance at each game according to newrequirements set in place this fall. (To clarify: this is ticketstorn at the gate, not tickets sold.)

By being a Division I-A school, Mustang athletics receivesbenefits not afforded to other institutions. The advantages withregards to recruitment, retention, scholarship and overall standingare innumerable. In short: Division I-A status is not something theuniversity can lose.

Luckily, this is one situation upon which the outcome restsentirely upon you: the students of SMU. So do Peruna a favor andhead to the game tomorrow.

We’re sure many of you have heard about the alternative toBoulevard tailgating this weekend, which was put together by agroup of students dedicated to filling the student section attomorrow’s game. For those who decide to attend the event, wecan’t wait to see you at the game.

For those of you who will be participating in traditionalBoulevard tailgating, we also can’t wait to see your face inthe stadium and thank you for being patient with the evolvingpolicies of The Boulevard. Due to the diligence of state governmentagencies, SMU has been forced this year to take actions to preventus from losing one of the community’s favorite fallevents.

But please realize, though we cannot speak on behalf of theuniversity, we are confident that there are many individualsworking to improve the experience for everyone and make TheBoulevard a fun, safe place to be before home games.

Whatever it is you decide to do tomorrow, all that we ask of youis this: Step up to the challenge of being a member of the SMUcommunity and attend the football game vs. Nevada at 5 p.m. in FordStadium.

We hope you all stay through the game and participate in many ofthe exciting opportunities (including Senior Day and post-gamefestivities), but please take the effort to at least attend in thefirst place. You may not realize it, but SMU students are thecenter of that stadium’s spirited and lively atmosphere. Theteam, cheerleaders, dancers and band all need your support to maketomorrow the third win of the season.

So tomorrow as the clock approaches 5 p.m., take a moment toremind yourself and all your friends that you have the power tohelp the university maintain Division I-A status and cheer theMustangs on to victory. SMU’s future is in your hands.

Chip Hiemenz is the student body president. Liz Healy is thestudent body vice president. Gabe Travers is the student bodysecretary. They may be reached at [email protected].

Don’t fumble, go to the game

Don’t fumble, go to the game