SMU football

We went to SMU's second home football game on Saturday. SMU's team is in a rebuilding phase, where they are playing better after many years of not doing well. The school hired a big-name coach a few years ago (June Jones) and the athletic department has worked hard to increase school spirit and student support of the football program.

Despite not having a good team for many years, one of the things that SMU students know how to do well is tailgate. A large area centered around the main drive through campus is roped off on game day, and student and academic organizations set up tailgating tents for a giant pre-game party. Students and fans throw elaborate parties with lots of food and drinks, and the people watching is bunches of fun. The students get dressed up for games (think cowboy boots and sundresses) and it's fun to watch all of the little kids wearing SMU gear and throwing footballs on the lawn. The business school sponsors its own tailgate, which we have attended for years.

About a half hour before game time the band and cheerleaders march in a parade towards the stadium (see below). You can barely make out a few tailgating tents behind the band. Yesterday's parade featured a few excited fans. I called these guys the blue crazies.

Yesterday' was John's first experience attending a live football game (Amelia went to a high school game with friends last fall). Every time we drive past SMU's stadium John asks when can we go to a game, so he was excited about going. The only bad part was the fact that the heat index was about 100 degrees yesterday and there was absolutely zero breeze inside the stadium. While tailgating under the large oak trees wasn't too bad because of the shade and slight breeze, being in the stadium was like baking in a giant oven. No shade, no breeze, just the hot sun baking down on the bleacher seats. I can only imagine how hot it was on the field. The kids were good sports about it, but after about a half hour we went home because they had had enough.

John figured out the pony cheer on his own (see right hand below). We sat in the back of the student section and I guess he imitated the gestures the students were making during the first touchdown drive. Love John's outfit of all blue and red, which John proudly put on in preparation for the game when I told him those were the school colors.

The first SMU drive we saw resulted in a touchdown, which was exciting for the kids to see. When we left the score was tied at 7-7, but SMU ultimately ended up winning the game.

We decided that we will probably go back to a game as the kids seemed to enjoy it, though we will wait for cooler weather.