UL remains up in arms about name

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&nbsp; All you need to know about the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is that its semi-official fight song is "Respect."

That's why the school founded in 1900 as Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, and then was Southwestern Louisiana Institute from 1921 to '60 and then the University of Southwestern Louisiana from 1960 to '99, keeps changing its name in an effort to shed its image as a "directional school."

Nothing wrong with that.

Trouble is, athletically, respect is proving hard to come by.

And we're not talking about on the field.

It's all about what they want to be known as.

The official athletic name is Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns, but nobody uses that.

They'd prefer to be called Louisiana, or UL for short.

Three years ago, the Lafayette Advertiser in a front-page editorial declared it would do just that, and imprinting the brand has been a local success story since then.

But outside the Lafayette area, it has been an uphill climb.

None of the state's other major newspapers use Louisiana or UL. At The Times-Picayune, it's Louisiana - Lafayette or "ULL".

Outside the media, there are those, particularly LSU types, who resent the fact that somebody else wants to at least sound like it's the state's flagship university.

So they still call the school USL or "ULL" -- or worse.

And some folks in Lafayette don't like that a bit.

"We've got people who would rather go 0-12 as UL than 12-0 as "ULL"," said one member of the school's athletic advisory board. "This is a fight that's going to last for 100 years."

It has been going on for 60. Back in the 1930s, LSU appropriated the veterinary school from the then SLI, giving the animosity an unofficial starting point.

In the 1940s, McNeese Junior College in Lake Charles was elevated to four-year status, some claim, to inhibit SLI's growth.

And in 1984, when USL attempted to change its name to the University of Louisiana for the first time, according to some, "a bunch of LSU legislators" got it quashed.

<center><p><a href="http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-25/1157177008267380.xml&coll=1&thispage=1" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>

Time Picayune
Ted Lewis
tlewis@timespicayune.com
(504) 232-5071.

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Success finally was achieved when Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe went along with USL, changing its name to Louisiana-Monroe, although the other state Board of Trustees schools retained their names.

The LSU-UL debate has gained steam since USL graduate Kathleen Blanco became governor. Her husband, Raymond "Coach" Blanco, is the longtime dean of students at the school.

According to message board chatter, the Blancos are conspiring to weaken LSU by moving one or two of its campuses, possibly UNO, to the University of Louisiana umbrella.

What difference this would make athletically for LSU is hard to see, but the resentment is there nonetheless.

"Will Blanco help "ULL" win?" was a topic on one LSU message board Friday.

Plus, the Blancos are hosting a pregame tailgating party for UL - Lafayette fans on the grounds of the governor's mansion this afternoon.

Adding fuel to the fire was a recent article in The Times of Acadiana by former Louisiana - Lafayette student government member Susan Gonzales titled "Five Reasons I Hate LSU" (No. 2 -- "It is biologically impossible to bleed purple and gold . . . but all humans bleed red -- UL red.").

Gonzales reportedly has been receiving death threats.

Actually, all UL - Lafayette people don't hate LSU. They want to be like 'em.

"LSU is the state's flagship university," said UL Quarterback Club member Brandon Callet. "But calling ourselves UL means we want to get to that level, too."

And some LSU fans don't have a problem with it.

"I don't think it's a big deal," said Charles Duncan of Lafayette.

But then he added, "I call them UL because it stands for 'Universal Losers.' "

Sounds like that outside a Ragin' Cajuns victory tonight, R-E-S-P-E-C-T is still a long way away.

Louisiana - Lafayette at LSU

7 p.m., PPV

In 20 previous games against the Tigers, the Ragin' Cajuns have scored 19 points, none since 1924. The average rises after this one but not by much.

Spread: LSU by 31; Pick: LSU, 45-7
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Ho hum, notice the "note" on which the story ends - the typical and totally predictable slant.

Is it true that Susan Gonzales received death threats?:confused: That's the first that I've heard that.

I didn't know they stole the vet school as well.

They won't let a brother have anything.

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Originally Posted by Cajun Power

I didn't know they stole the vet school as well.

They won't let a brother have anything.

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Sure they will. They "let" ULM keep their Pharmacy School. :D Other than that, no, I guess you're right. :hot:

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Originally Posted by RaginFan2

Sure they will. They "let" ULM keep their Pharmacy School. :D Other than that, no, I guess you're right. :hot:

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I am still wondering how they allowed that!!!:confused:

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Originally Posted by CajunCharlie

I am still wondering how they allowed that!!!:confused:

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'Cause without the pharmacy school, there is very little reason to keep that school open.

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Originally Posted by HOTBOUDIN

'Cause without the pharmacy school, there is very little reason to keep that school open.

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My younger brother had a sticker on his ride when he was in school that said "LSU delenda est"...

you about 32-33?

L'Ronte'

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Originally Posted by HOTBOUDIN

'Cause without the pharmacy school, there is very little reason to keep that school open.

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True!! But I cannot imagine the "flagship" being that benevolent.

I decided to write a letter to the "Times-how ever you say that second word", I'm just sick of the ignorance of people in Louisiana. Here is what I wrote.

"I'm a graduate of UL-Lafayette and I read your article entitled "UL-Lafayette remains up in arms about name." I have to say that I'm very disappointed, the opening line stated "All you need to know about the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is that its semi-official fight song is "Respect." Funny, how that's all people need to know, I guess that's all we're good for. I seem to remember a little storm named Katrina about a year ago. I also remember our Cajundome being turned into a shelter for thousands of people from New Orleans. I remember the million dollars of damaged done to said Cajundome in those few months. I also remember UL students taking time out to volunteer at the Cajundome helping people from New Orleans. I remember friends having to graduate in a rodeo arena, because our usual venue was being repaired, because it housed people from New Orleans. I remember one of our dorms being openned to emergency personnel helping people from New Orleans. But, it seems that you people are just ungrateful. Because apparently we're good for nothing, not even to tie LSU's shoes. That viewpoint is expected, this is Louisiana, where everyone has their hands on money under the table and their lips on LSU's backside. Appreciation is defined as thankful recognition, maybe you would do good to learn some of that. Its just sad how quick you people forget who helped you out in your time of need. Instead of bashing our school, maybe you should try to show what we did for you people. Nobody likes an ungrateful neighbor. Next time a hurricane comes, maybe UL will realize how you really feel about us. Just evacuate to Baton Rouge where LSU's rear-end will be waiting there for you to kiss. Maybe that will be best for us all."