The Mustangs’ first football game is still over five months away, but for a select group of students, the Red and Blue Scrimmage is just as important as the first game of the 2009 season.
Fifteen students from the Cox School of Business Honors Marketing Practicum class have dedicated themselves to taking full responsibility for planning the pre-game festivities for the SMU community.
“This class is what a real world marketing career would be like,” said Lauren Wright, the public relations department chair. “Nothing could prepare you for this career more than this practicum class. We have all been through so much and we are all so passionate about making the scrimmage a success since it involves something we all have in common.”
Judy Foxman, the class professor, explains the course as “a unique opportunity to apply the marketing concepts and theories learned in the classroom to a real-life business situation.”
The class’ advertising strategy will be centered on SMU alum and former football great, Doak Walker, celebrating the former success of the Mustangs’ football team from the 1940s. The Heisman Trophy winner and outstanding running back, defensive back and place kicker led SMU to the Cotton Bowl, later giving the stadium the name “The House That Doak Built.” Students in the marketing class believe by using Walker as the face of their campaign, it will help celebrate the team’s past successes and serve as a recognizable face for the SMU community.
“The [Public Relations department] has done a major push in getting the word out through every media outlet possible,” said Wright. “We have been aggressive and luckily everyone has helped us out in getting the word out. SMU has really shown that it takes coming together to get something done. Everyone I have spoken with and contacted has been extremely flexible and willing to go the extra step to include our event in their newspaper, blog, announcements, etc. This has really shown me how great SMU is in terms of school spirit!”
Events will begin on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. with free food, prize giveaways and a live performance by the Big Red Rooster. While the Boulevard will remain closed to activities, there will be a public garage sale inside Ford Stadium and athletic wear sales. A post-game barbecue will follow the scrimmage at 2:15 p.m. outside the stadium. The Red and Blue Scrimmage will begin at 1 p.m. at Ford Stadium. Admission is free for students, alumni and the community.
