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Christian Landry walked out of Cajun Field early Sunday night with an autograph book and UL mini-football helmet in his hands and a permanent smile on his face.
Minutes earlier, the seventh-grader from St. Michael's in Crowley got the signature of senior Tyrell Fenroy, a record-setting running back for the Ragin' Cajuns. It was all Landry, 12, had talked about the previous two days.
"He's probably going to the NFL next year," Landry said of Fenroy, who needs 65 yards to become UL's career rushing leader. "He's strong."
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080811/SPORTS/808110324/1006" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
Joshua Parrott •
jparrott@theadvertiser.com • August 11, 2008
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Similar excitement was palpable regardless of where you turned on Fan Day for a Cajun football team that opens the season on Aug. 30 at Southern Miss. An estimated crowd of at least 3,000 showed up for Sunday's festivities, which included an autograph session with players and coaches from UL's football, soccer and volleyball teams. Fans also got a chance to walk on the newly installed turf at Cajun Field.
David Walker, UL's athletic director, shared his opinion for the large turnout.
"I think it's a reflection on the upcoming excitement for the season," Walker said. "People who have seen the scrimmages and the workouts are excited about the potential for this year."
Scott Farmer, UL's senior associate athletic director, credited Sunday's crowd to the recent buzz surrounding the Cajun athletic programs. The Leon Moncla Indoor Practice Facility opened this time a year ago. In February, the football team held a signing day party in the new indoor practice facility. This summer Cajun Field got new turf and the weight room was totally refurbished.
There's also been a strong push in the preseason to increase season-ticket sales for football and enhance the image of the overall athletic program. The football stadium is also set to be pressure-washed before the start of the season.
Put all that together, and there's more anticipation than you could imagine for a Cajun team trying to rebound from a 3-9 season.
"I think people are starting to see the changes," Farmer said. "It goes all the way back to the Signing Party in the Indoor Facility. That was the first time people had ever seen that. Now they know we redid the weight room and now they can see this field. I think they can sense the changes coming."
Jim Sterling, 59, enjoyed Sunday's electric atmosphere. It was a welcomed feeling for the 1976 graduate of the school.
"We're more than excited," he said. "This is like a new beginning. There's a lot of new enthusiasm. The field is going to save money. It's beautiful.
"I'm pumped. I'm ready for this season."
So is senior quarterback Michael Desormeaux.
And while the New Iberia native knows there is still work to be done before the season-opener, he is encouraged to know teammates share his optimistic approach in preseason camp.
"This year we've really made a conscious effort to be positive about everything," Desormeaux said. "Guys are really embracing that attitude. They're coming out every day ready to get better and ready to work hard. I think it's noticeable.
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