In Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Campus, Joseph Esau proclaimed, “I don’t even know where to begin expressing my thanks to the student body, faculty, staff . . . for making Saturday a memorable day.” He went on to say that even without a win, the fans turned out in red, filled the stadium with noise and remained at the game to support our team.
College game day is a national experienced every Saturday in the fall. The University of Texas, Michigan, USC, Florida State and many more, fill their stadiums with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community whether in the top 10 or not.
As a staff member, I share Joseph’s enthusiasm for SMU football and affirm his view of the fans in the stadium at the TCU game. However, I have a very different view of the journey to the stadium that night and others since “June Cometh.” Those of us who did attend the last bowl appearance 25 years ago at the Cotton Bowl, continued to support SMU football (the soccer years), playing at Ownby Stadium, playing back at the Cotton Bowl, and attending the Kansas game in 110 degree weather when Ford Stadium opened – win, lose, hot, not hot, WAC or C-USA. The faculty, staff and students embraced the Boulevard, buying tents long before the community began to return to games. SMU folks purchased season tickets, joined the Mustang Club and the Athletic Department offered free tickets to SMU faculty and staff to fill seats.
During the June Jones years, faculty and staff have been told that free tickets will not be available. They were made available when ticket sales did not explode but on game day. Before the TCU game, e-mails sent to faculty and staff warned that free tickets would be distributed only if available and encouraged purchase. Remaining unsold ticket would be distributed 90 minutes before game time. The cost of space on the Boulevard skyrocketed, with faculty and staff “encouraged” to give up prime locations in favor of significant donors. A rumor is circulating that no one will be allowed on the Boulevard in future years without a ticket to the game.
Students, faculty and staff were sent communications regarding parking for Friday (a work and class day). Students had to relocate on Thursday night. Faculty and staff could park in their assigned (and paid for) spot until 5 p.m. Those in the lot after that would be charged the Event Parking Fee for that space. But without regard to this inconvenience, faculty and staff arrived on campus proudly wearing red.
Students, faculty, and staff began to enter the stadium beginning at 5:30pm – most in red and eager to Pony Up for the Mustangs. Those with the free faculty/staff tickets, asked several event staff, “Where are these seats?” finally to be told that these were tickets for the lawn. As game time approached, some “lawn fans” moved to the large section of empty seats in the west stands that had been free faculty and staff seats at past games. Not until half way through the second quarter, did the “lawn fans” have to vacate for ticket holders. On the way out of the stadium, the “lawn fans” observed the box office continuing to sell tickets to the formerly “free” seats for faculty and staff.
The current football program operates:
Without regard for one of the oldest traditions at SMU – Peruna.
Without acknowledgement of the support that faculty and staff provide.
Without learning from the two year loss of football.
Without understanding the values of this institution.
And without caring for the well-being and growth of SMU in the next 100 years.
The message is that SMU football does not need or want the support of the SMU faculty and staff.
I don’t want to win under these terms.
So, Joseph, you may not see another college game day like the Battle for the Iron Skillet 2010. Two thousand of the fans are not wanted.
Dr. Kathy Rowe is the director of operations and effectiveness planning in the Division of Enrollment Services. She can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].
