The Book: 2003 Football

<blockquote><p align=justify>LOUISIANA La. — How excited are Louisiana fans about Rickey Bustle’s second year as Ragin’ Cajun head football coach?

Much of that interest will be gauged by season ticket sales for the six home games at 31,000-seat Cajun Field.

After that, the number of actual filled seats will likely depend on the Cajuns’ success on the field after a 3-9 record in Bustle’s first year.

“We’re right at 75 percent of the total of season tickets we sold last year,” said Kay Dischler, the Cajuns’ assistant athletic director for finance.

“We think it will start to pick up after the Saints game.”

The NFL’s New Orleans Saints will hold their annual Black-Gold Scrimmage at Cajun Field this Saturday, one day before the Cajuns report back to begin their fall drills.

“We just sent out a huge (18,000) mail-out to our alumni and to people in the area,” Dischler added. “We think that will have an impact.”

“I think it will grow as we get closer and people feel the energy of football,” said Eric Maron of the school’s marketing and promotions department. “We’re ahead of this time last year.”

UL officials are counting on Bustle’s charisma to boost what has been sagging interest, a process that began last year.

<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/sports/html/018540AF-D3DB-4543-B0C4-51873451CFDD.shtml">The rest of the story</a>

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com
<!--

The 2002 Cajuns were 3-2 at home, the first winning mark at Cajun Field since 1996, averaging 15,056 fans per game.

That was an increase of 1,733 per game over 2001’s 13,323 average for five contests.

A Sept. 7 visit by Minnesota drew 20,512 fans to Cajun Field, while just 8,413 fans viewed the Cajuns’ 27-0 home loss to Sun Belt Conference champion North Texas on Oct. 26.

Bustle’s Cajuns open the 2003 campaign on the road at SEC member South Carolina, then return for a pair of home games that will be critical to this year’s attendance — Sept. 6 against traditional rival Louisiana Tech and Sept. 13 against Houston.

Those two foes were a combined 9-15 in 2002, with one UH victory coming over the Cajuns, 36-17, in Houston.

The home slate, the first six-game Cajun Field package since 1997, lacks the impact visitor that Minnesota provided in 2002. Still, the Thursday night ESPN regional game against New Mexico State on Oct. 16 should provide an attendance spike.

Beyond that, it’s up to the Cajuns to create interest this fall.
-->

"“We’re right at 75 percent of the total of season tickets we sold last year,” said Kay Dischler, the Cajuns’ assistant athletic director for finance."

I had asked around and could never find out how many tickets were sold last year. Does anyone know why the secrecy? Seventy-five percent of an unknown number doesn't tell us much

With the two drafted players gone UL might get tested deep real early.

Looks like we may be able to red shirt every defensive frosh player you listed although I suspect Lamar Morgan may be a legitimate contributor. When you can RS all your freshmen, you are in pretty decent shape.:)

The school has never released actual numbers of season tickets sold in any sport, good or bad. I was told unofficially that last years numbers were in the 4,800-5,000 range.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by CDeb
. . . I was told unofficially that last years numbers were in the 4,800-5,000 range.

---

That sounds very close to the number (4500) I read in Phil Steel's preseason magazine.

I have no idea how he came up with the figure but since it's close to what you heard we are safe guessing a litle less than 5000.

Using the extremes, and the 75% figure, season tickets could currently be running anywhere from 3375 - 3750.

Some serious work needs to be done.

This is not good. Come on alumni and support the UL's football team. Tulane sold 15,000 season tickets. This is a disgrace.

Thanx! I only paid a PR company 95K for it! :D

Quote:

---

Originally posted by SwampFox
Rash, luv that new avatar. :D

---

Isn't that cool?

He is setting the bar high.

Besides KPEL what other radio stations (and cities) carry Cajun Football games? Please list the station, city, and number. Thanks, :D

I read this yesterday and it irked me. I found this on the Monroe board. "With just 36 days until the start of the 2003 college football season, Louisiana-Monroe's season ticket count has reached 3000 with renewals starting to arrive at a steady pace." I don't know how to link but it was post 3208.1 it also points out that last year they sold 6500 tickets. For ULM to sell more is a slap in the face and is a sure sign of having no ticket drive.

107.9

Quote:

---

Originally posted by NewsCopy
“We just sent out a huge (18,000) mail-out to our alumni and to people in the area,” Dischler added. “We think that will have an impact.”

---

How can 18,000 in a 31,000 seat stadium be considered HUGE? Seriously, what percentage usually respond to mailers? Why not send out 200,000 mailers or one to every home in Acadiana, that would be huge, then with a 15% return we could pack the stadium.

There was a mailout for season tickets several years ago. The mail out was sent to all of the UL alumni.
With nearly 50,000 sent out less than ten responded favoritely. There were more negatives than positives. This is sad but true. This can be verified by Nelson.


K

No need to panic just yet. They are ahead of where they were at this time last year. For example, I have yet to renew my seats, but I plan on doing it. I'm sure I am not the sole member of the procrastinators club.

I just ordered my six tickets. Give it a bit more time. We have to realize Cajun fans have been down for so long, that it will take a few games to make believers out of them. Watch Coach Bustle as he begins to win and the stadium will be packed. I researched what happened at Virgina Tech. The first 2 years were not pretty at all. But BAM! They begain to win and never looked back. They had to expand the stadium several times because of the crowds. The Cajuns are begining greatness now! Hang in there!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by CDeb
No need to panic just yet. They are ahead of where they were at this time last year. For example, I have yet to renew my seats, but I plan on doing it. I'm sure I am not the sole member of the procrastinators club.

---

Exactly right, it also does not affect the bottom line whether we sell 31,000 season tickets or 1500. What matters the most is how many people are actually at the games ;)

What about New Orleans and Baton Rouge?

LINK

I hope that Beth Holtz begins to feel better and that Lou is on the sideline on 8/30!

;)
He was off to a terrific start last year before the injury. If he picks up where he left off........

Quote:

---

Originally posted by rebel02
I hope that Beth Holtz begins to feel better and that Lou is on the sideline on 8/30!

---

That would be my wish as well.:D

the defense was much better with him there last year. We were better against the run and had a better pass rush which I think will help this year with our younger CBs.

Tuffguy

around 18,000. Not too bad :D Coach H seemed very pleased with the crowd.

not bad...and apparently it got the ball rolling on some badly needed facilities work. i saw that "C" missing awhile back and was hoping it would get fixed before the scrimmage.