Don’t be shy about school spirit

On behalf of the Mustang Band, welcome to SMU! We think this agreat campus and a terrific place to spend your college years. Wewant to encourage you to be proud you are a Mustang and to allowyourself to be infused with Mustang spirit!

Since the move into Ford Stadium three years ago, the studentsection has been increasing in population at every game. Last year,there were many who remained loyal Mustangs throughout the entireseason.

It helps us as well as the players to know there are folks whoare not afraid to stand up and be counted as SMU fans. We believethis year will provide even more reason to stick around for all thefootball games, as Coach Bennett and his team begin to turn thecorner. So come to the games — all of them — anddon’t be afraid to cheer for the Mustangs.

Learn the school songs and cheers, and join in when they arebeing performed. “Varsity”, our alma mater, is veryshort and easy to remember, so there should be no excuse for notknowing the words, even if you can’t sing. Although we nolonger sing to “Peruna”, our official fight song, thereis a rhythmic handclap that goes along with it. Plus, we have twoother fight songs: “Pony Battle Cry” has been aroundsince the 1960s, and “Mighty Mustangs Thunder” waswritten in 2001. You will have plenty of chances to hear thesesongs during the games, so join in. One cheer you will hear atevery game is the “Call to the Horses”, which begins:”Five—four—three—two — give a cheerfor SMU!” So please do!

The Mustang Band has been called “the hub of SMUSpirit,” and we take that title seriously. We cheer to theend in every contest, and it’s not because anyone makes us— it’s because we are genuinely into the game. Webecome a part of the game by unashamedly and enthusiasticallysupporting our teams. We try to establish a pro-Mustang atmospherewherever we are, including the times we go on the road. It can bedone — just ask any band member you meet.

So please join us in establishing a very pro-Mustang atmospherewherever SMU teams may play, especially at home. Learn the songsand cheers and come ready to cheer loudly and often for your fellowstudents on the field or on the court. They deserve your support,and you will definitely feel more connected to the Hilltop if youwill accept that infusion of Mustang spirit.

Welcome to SMU and go Mustangs!