SFA and Conference Realignment

It is what it is. Maybe if our fans were better... I don't really mind it. I don't think the students mind it. I haven't heard townspeople complain.

I have heard complaints from adults. Older ones turn off hearing aid and some also use ear plugs along with others who don't use hearing aids. I have never heard non ACU affiliated townspeople complain about this. I have never known one to attend a game. Of course the students don't mind since they aren't there. Otherwise, it's all just great. Many people that I know, myself included, who used to really enjoy going to the games now mostly tolerate going because they want to support the school and the players. It would seem to me that that can't be a good sign.

It is always a new age.  ACU does not have fans, we have observers.  They seem to confuse football games with attending the opera.  There are numerous people, both donors and season ticket holders who find this loud, artificial noise irritating and obnoxious rather than entertaining.  I want the largest crowds possible and for it to be an enjoyable experience for everyone in attendance as much as is possible.  I don't call the shots on this.  I do get to decide whether or not to donate and/or attend games.  

Personally, I would love to see us do more things like this, especially for an entrance. Would love to see the older ACU faithful jump up and down with excitement, besides the students. Start the bells off with the ACU bell tower (FULL BORE), then move the music intro to the stadium. Play it loud enough so the whole town knows that the Cats have taken the field and to take note.

There seems to be a bit of competition going on about who is Abilene's team. The ACU baseball team has some cool uniforms with Abilene across the chest, but Hardin Simmons has had a billboard up claiming to be Abilene's team as well. But I recognize several non-ACU people at our games. As to the loudness, I love the cheering and people supporting the team. A lot of the time I stand up and cheer and no one else is. What is painful is when someone is screaming into a handheld microphone about something going on with spectators competing during timeouts, not the athletes play. This is mostly at basketball games. I am amazed at the pom squad and the acrobatics they can do. When at UT or TCU games, the crowds are much larger of course, but the non-students are not much more rowdy that we are at ACU, but the students are. I wish the clubs would enter the stadium and cheer when games start, especially football, but baseball as well.

Agree 100%. ACU often comes across as aloof. I know people on campus argue it isn't true but it comes across that way from a distance. 

Off subject but an example of a poor decision in recruiting by ACU - I'm a retired high school counselor south of Houston and my former school (a 6A school) was having a college fair. I contacted ACU's admissions office and volunteered to represent ACU if they would send me some promotional materials since I knew they wouldn't send anyone down. They declined to even send me anything! When I questioned them about it they said their records showed not enough kids from my school applied to ACU and they only concentrated on schools that sent large numbers (probably DFW area). So even though I volunteered my time and the only cost would be some promotional literature, I was turned down. I was quite disappointed in such a short sighted decision. Who knows what future Jeff Bezos donator they may have missed.

I tell this story because I see it as an example of ACU not really wanting to promote themselves. You want Abilene to show up? Make tickets cheap and give out freebies to kids at local events. 

Agree with you 100% about the screaming into the microphone.  As to noise, I love noise, fans cheering and screaming, the louder the better.  Its the loud artificial noise, including "music" that I and many others that I know find unnecessary and irritating.  I am with you.  Stand up and cheer.  Yell.  Support the team.  Of course, my comments relate to the football games.  However, the same with basketball.  I wish that every ACU alum and fan could have been in Indianapolis for the game vs. UT.  We had a decent size crowd and everyone was really into it.  Will never forget it.  Not really familiar with what goes on at the baseball games.  Really wish them success, never go out for the games.