Intro: Story about meeting my biological family.

Significance: Why is it important WHEN I met my biological family? B/c I met them at
our spring football game!
Thesis: Mustang football here at SMSU is important and has generated much support
from our community. Its important b/c

I.

1.) It supports the school

2.) Its Fun to go to football games
3.) Were pretty good
Supports the school
A. Revenue is generated from sponsors of our sporting events such as Lockwood
motors donating money every time we get a first down.
a. And thats another Lockwood Motors first down. You hear this phrase
a lot since we lead the nation in first downs.
b. These sponsors are also supporting other sports within our school, but
personally Im biased towards football
c. Food, merchandise, and other things that people buy at games all go
towards SMSU, not JUST the football/athletics department, but towards
staff salaries, money given to our various clubs, speakers brought in,
decorations, and music and other fine arts programs.

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II.

Its fun to go to football games

A. Classic Father-take-kid-out-to-a-ball-game ethos
a. Here at SMSU itd be cheaper and more convenient than going to a big
FBS or FCS school. (Logos.)
B. ESPN lists American football as the #1 pass-time in the US. It wouldnt be #1 if it
wasnt fun. (Logos.)
C. Theres more to do at football games than just watch the game.
a. Hang w/ friends
b. Get snacks/have dinner
c. Play games and buy tickets to gamble
d. Little kids like to run around behind the field and play football
themselves, at least, at my high school they did.
D. SMSU is a glorified HS to the Marshall community
a. Several restaurants and bars such as the Varsity Pub have Marshall High
Tiger memorabilia as well as SMSU Mustang memorabilia on display.
(Personally experienced when Ive been there.)
b. Inspires a sense of community pride
c. Good/Fun atmosphere to be around
d. HC Corey Sauter says our press boxes/suites have waiting lists on them
b/c theyre so popular

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III.

Were pretty good

A. 8-3 record, ranked 8th in the super region
a. Duluth a power-house in our conference, also 8-3, lost to only 2 national
playoff qualifiers (Mankato, Augustana), and a non-qualifier (Northern

b.
c.

d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

St.). Our schedule was tougher b/c our 3 losses were to 3 playoff
qualifiers (Mankato, Augustana, Souix Falls).
Tied w/ Duluth for 4th place. Duluth went to the bowl game b/c we had
been there more recently than them.
Twice in the past 3 years the SMSU running backs have led the NSIC in
rushing
i. Exception was the year I was coaching at Concordia-St. Paul. Our
running back that year led the conference
The NSIC website lists 5 of our players as All-conference, w/ an additional
5 more as All-conference honourable mentions.
The seattle seahawks sent scouts to our team. The seahawks are pretty
good at the professional level, having been to 2 of the last 3 superbowls
(Logos.)
In a conference game-of-the-week, and our homecoming, we (3-0) took
on Moorehead (3-0), and that game was over at halftime, with a 48-9
victory.
We beat Wayne State by 58 points, winning 61-3. Wayne was picked
preseason to be a top 5 team.
In a trophy game against winona state, we won 33-28, and in the second
half, controlled the ball for over 25 minutes of a 30 minute half.

Closing
In addition to having fun at football games, were also a lot of fun to watch, with our coaching
staff setting up a new trick play or two every week. We have a lot of fun as players and a staff,
and its a good environment to be around. Ive mentioned how its good to support the school,
its fun to go to games, and how good our football program is capable of. Last week, I was in IT,
and a guy I didnt even know saw my football polo and mentioned how excited he and other
SMSU staff are for the upcoming season, I hope Ive gotten you all fired up as well, Ill see you all
there, its a great day to be a mustang, horseshoes up! Weve got Duluth in the first week of next
season, I hope to see you all there!