Mustang Nation –
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your overwhelming support this past Saturday, as Mustang Football returned to Ford Stadium. Because of you, we were able to sell out our stadium seating capacity, something many schools were not able to say for games on their campuses. We look forward to hosting you again this Saturday, as the defending AAC Champion Memphis Tigers come to the Hilltop.
 
As is the case every year, the season opener also allowed us to evaluate our stadium policies and procedures. Whether you attended in person or watched online, you could see that the majority of fans in the stadium behaved responsibly and were socially-distanced and masked. That said, we will be working to adjust the behavior of a small subsection of fans who did not follow our pledge to protect, which was sent to all ticketholders.
 
Although we have taken numerous preventative measures to protect you and your fellow attendees, we need you to be a good teammate by following these stadium protocols:
 

• Enter and exit at your designated gate
• Wear a facial covering; Particularly when moving about the stadium
• Sit in your assigned, marked seat
• Maintain at least six (6) feet of distance from others
• Practice good hygiene; Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer

 
It remains vitally important that our fans stick to our pledge and our stadium policies, particularly as it pertains to correct seating and masking. Per the Center for Disease Control, it is important that fans attending events and gatherings wear masks, especially when social distancing is difficult, like when fans move in and out of the stadium or about the concourse. Masks are strongly encouraged in settings where individuals might raise their voices, such as shouting, chanting or singing – like at an SMU Football game.
 
Security personnel will also be significantly increased throughout the stadium to make sure that we can get the right people in the right seats, checking tickets and directing fans.
 
We will also increase staffing in the student section to provide direction, monitor policy compliance and provide support. Student violators may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. We will add additional student-specific signage with safety reminders to that area as well to reinforce our masking and distancing message.
 
Boulevarding will again be suspended this week, but we remain hopeful that it can return at some point this season.
 
Again, thanks to all of you for your ongoing support of SMU Athletics and Mustang Football. We hope to see you all on Saturday.
 
Pony Up & Mask Up!
Rick Hart
Director of Athletics