The Event Experience

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

There is nothing close to Troy Alabama and they draw decent crowds even when they are down.

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There my friend is your answer . . . way too much to do here . . .

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

I have to disagree with the growth and people moving to the smaller towns out side of Lafayette. That happens all across America. If it were a reason for people to not go to games it would happen every where. People have just lost interest and they need to figure out how to get them to drive from not only outer Lafayette parish but Iberia, Vermillion, Acadia….and so on. There is nothing close to Troy Alabama and they draw decent crowds even when they are down.

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Have you been to Troy, AL? There is more to do in Opelousas.
And it's surrounded by absolutely nothing.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Rearranging the student tailgate area resulted in a substantial drop in student attendance and participation. Why? I'm not really sure, but the results were clear.

Cheap or free tailgating (and listen, y'all have to understand, I'm speaking relative to the demographic that typically fill seats at CF) is a numbers game. If you get 40k inside the CF fences, you'd hope to get 25k (at very least) in the game. During Hud years, I'd argue it was closer to 50k on the grounds and 28-30k in the stands. Closer proximity customers are to your product, higher the probability they'll buy something. It's the foot traffic for coffee shops and retail model.

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Dang I am sorry I meant 8. I do agree and have always said there needs to be better options for the casual fan who may only attend a game or 2 for tailgating even if that means creating a whole other TG area.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Have you been to Troy, AL? There is more to do in Opelousas.
And it's surrounded by absolutely nothing.

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Yes. 3 times. That what I am saying most people drive from at least an hour or more to go to the games there. Much of their fan base lives in the Dothan area where there is plenty to do much like Lafayette, but they leave Dothan to drive to Troy. There is no place to park. All 3 times I paid someone to park in their yard and walked a mile.

Ok...so since we are known for our food, around the world, we should have a Cajun Food Cook-off for every home game. Each game would have a designated food category to be in the contest. For example, my six choices would be Gratons, Jambalaya, BBQ, Seafood, Crawfish Etouffee' and Gumbo...probably in that order or possibly switching Gumbo and Etouffee' depending on crawfish crop. Boudin may be too hard to pull off, no pun intended, for most folks not having the equipment to process the links. All food prep (except marinating meat) and cooking to be done on gameday.

All entries would be judged at Russo Park, 3 hours before Kick-off with a hefty cash prizes for winners, could even include parking passes! LOL!

Seriously, the food aspect of our culture is the attention grabber of the event day. We already know this, but we could put way more emphasis on our favorite dishes/heritage with a Cajun Cook-off to bring more attention to the games. There would have to be some ground rules established and entries would have to be limited by timing to submit and total number.

Other events to include on a game by game basis:
-Boudin eating contest
- Battle of the Bands contest
- Cajun half or quarter Marathon that includes a circuit around Cajun field, Greek area,
Blackham Coliseum and the main campus
- Classic Car / four wheeler contest
- HS 7 on 7 competition before the real game. Organized to include up to 16 teams over
2 game dates. 20 min run time games played on CF.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

Have you been to Troy, AL? There is more to do in Opelousas.
And it's surrounded by absolutely nothing.

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And they sold out of their season ticket allotment of 10k, which will probably be moved up to 12 or 15k, promoted heavily, well be reading about sold out Troy games, while the Maggard crew does nothing and are rewarded by being allowed to keep their jobs...

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Originally Posted by fanof71

And they sold out of their season ticket allotment of 10k, which will probably be moved up to 12 or 15k, promoted heavily, well be reading about sold out Troy games, while the Maggard crew does nothing and are rewarded by being allowed to keep their jobs...

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Troy football games ARE the only big thing to do there.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

Troy football games ARE the only big thing to do there.

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And people actually leave places where there are other things to do and drive over an hour to get there.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

Troy football games ARE the only big thing to do there.

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Curious how many Saturday games in the fall are there big events that rival a Cajuns game? I think I recall one gulf brew festival? Festival Acdadian happens every year not always a home game though. I don’t know of anything in September.

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

I have to disagree with the growth and people moving to the smaller towns out side of Lafayette. That happens all across America. If it were a reason for people to not go to games it would happen every where. People have just lost interest and they need to figure out how to get them to drive from not only outer Lafayette parish but Iberia, Vermillion, Acadia….and so on. There is nothing close to Troy Alabama and they draw decent crowds even when they are down.

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Well for one, actually showing face in those parishes would be a start. And not just once, but a few times during the year and creating fan clubs/chapters within those parishes to watch games and whatnot.

Do y'all think anybody from the administration reads this forum? I'm sure some do. And while most team forums are scum trash, I think reading some of it can give the admin an idea of what fans are looking for.

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Originally Posted by MountainDew

Do y'all think anybody from the administration reads this forum? I'm sure some do. And while most team forums are scum trash, I think reading some of it can give the admin an idea of what fans are looking for.

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Oh, they read.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

Ok...so since we are known for our food, around the world, we should have a Cajun Food Cook-off for every home game. Each game would have a designated food category to be in the contest. For example, my six choices would be Gratons, Jambalaya, BBQ, Seafood, Crawfish Etouffee' and Gumbo...probably in that order or possibly switching Gumbo and Etouffee' depending on crawfish crop. Boudin may be too hard to pull off, no pun intended, for most folks not having the equipment to process the links. All food prep (except marinating meat) and cooking to be done on gameday.

All entries would be judged at Russo Park, 3 hours before Kick-off with a hefty cash prizes for winners, could even include parking passes! LOL!

Seriously, the food aspect of our culture is the attention grabber of the event day. We already know this, but we could put way more emphasis on our favorite dishes/heritage with a Cajun Cook-off to bring more attention to the games. There would have to be some ground rules established and entries would have to be limited by timing to submit and total number.

Other events to include on a game by game basis:
-Boudin eating contest
- Battle of the Bands contest
- Cajun half or quarter Marathon that includes a circuit around Cajun field, Greek area,
Blackham Coliseum and the main campus
- Classic Car / four wheeler contest
- HS 7 on 7 competition before the real game. Organized to include up to 16 teams over
2 game dates. 20 min run time games played on CF.

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Cookoff idea - Some schools do have cookoffs but not every weekend. Usually their homecoming or alumni weekend. Would be a good add.

Running event - You're talking lots of planning, volunteers, and security. Plus, blocking of roads to get to Cajun Field.

Classic car event - Only question is where to have it? Many of those people aren't leaving their cars in a parking lot to enter the game.

7 on 7 - Flat out not happening. Saturday's are for rest, film, & treatment.

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Originally Posted by MountainDew

Do y'all think anybody from the administration reads this forum? I'm sure some do. And while most team forums are scum trash, I think reading some of it can give the admin an idea of what fans are looking for.

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They read and some post. Nothing gets implemented though.

Youth rec leagues having games on weekends now-a-days doesn’t help CF attendance either. When I was young, our games were on weeknights. Now Julien Park and Youngsville Sports Complex are packed the entire weekend with young families.

Would be a good place to advertise games at tbh.

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Originally Posted by RedTails

Youth rec leagues having games on weekends now-a-days doesn’t help CF attendance either. When I was young, our games were on weeknights. Now Julien Park and Youngsville Sports Complex are packed the entire weekend with young families.

Would be a good place to advertise games at tbh.

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I've said this since YSC and St. Julien Parks opened. I've yet to see a single Ragin Cajun tent or flag set up at either. Moncus Park is another spot we should be engaging families. It's a mile from campus. Nothing.

Want families at your events? Go meet them where they are and invite them, in person, to your event and tell them why your event is superior.

Want RVs at your RV tailgates? Why hasn't there been boots on the ground at Cajun Palms and every other RV mega spot, inviting campers to our RV Tailgating Village? Walk around with pamphlets, shake hands and sell. It's pretty freaking simple. Hire some damn Jehova's Witness to do it for you. They're ready, trained, willing and able.

Want justification for premium pricing? How about some premium ammenitites and I'm not just talking about faux box suites and the promise of a new stadium. Make being a premium season ticket holder or premium RCAF donor MEAN SOMETHING. There is no benefit to being an RCAF member right now. It is seen by most as a burden.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

I've said this since YSC and St. Julien Parks opened. I've yet to see a single Ragin Cajun tent or flag set up at either. Moncus Park is another spot we should be engaging families. It's a mile from campus. Nothing.

Want families at your events? Go meet them where they are and invite them, in person, to your event and tell them why your event is superior.

Want RVs at your RV tailgates? Why hasn't there been boots on the ground at Cajun Palms and every other RV mega spot, inviting campers to our RV Tailgating Village? Walk around with pamphlets, shake hands and sell. It's pretty freaking simple. Hire some damn Jehova's Witness to do it for you. They're ready, trained, willing and able.

Want justification for premium pricing? How about some premium ammenitites and I'm not just talking about faux box suites and the promise of a new stadium. Make being a premium season ticket holder or premium RCAF donor MEAN SOMETHING. There is no benefit to being an RCAF member right now. It is seen by most as a burden.

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I am afraid the culture of can't is still entrenched in this administration. Fossil's protege is still in charge.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

Ok...so since we are known for our food, around the world, we should have a Cajun Food Cook-off for every home game. Each game would have a designated food category to be in the contest. For example, my six choices would be Gratons, Jambalaya, BBQ, Seafood, Crawfish Etouffee' and Gumbo...probably in that order or possibly switching Gumbo and Etouffee' depending on crawfish crop. Boudin may be too hard to pull off, no pun intended, for most folks not having the equipment to process the links. All food prep (except marinating meat) and cooking to be done on gameday.

All entries would be judged at Russo Park, 3 hours before Kick-off with a hefty cash prizes for winners, could even include parking passes! LOL!

Seriously, the food aspect of our culture is the attention grabber of the event day. We already know this, but we could put way more emphasis on our favorite dishes/heritage with a Cajun Cook-off to bring more attention to the games. There would have to be some ground rules established and entries would have to be limited by timing to submit and total number.

Other events to include on a game by game basis:
-Boudin eating contest
- Battle of the Bands contest
- Cajun half or quarter Marathon that includes a circuit around Cajun field, Greek area,
Blackham Coliseum and the main campus
- Classic Car / four wheeler contest
- HS 7 on 7 competition before the real game. Organized to include up to 16 teams over
2 game dates. 20 min run time games played on CF.

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All great ideas!

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Originally Posted by KajunKrazy

Right now a 500 dollar donation gets you a C lot pass for 10 dollars per game.

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A $500 donation only gives you the right to spend another $60 on Lot C parking pass. I assume that $60 is where you are getting the $10 per game price.

...but is it really $10 a game if you had to donate $500 and pay an additional $60.

To me it is comical that you can donate $100,000+, but still required to pay $60 for a parking pass. Shouldn't there be some donation level where they throw in a parking pass?

SOURCE: https://myrcaf.org/assets/pdf/2022-f...-pass-form.pdf

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Originally Posted by Big Poppa

In those bowl games many people went because of the party in NOLA and will never step foot in Cajun field. Heck some of them were my lsua&m supporting family members.

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Yes, because a party in Nola, you're right......an EVENT! There's no event in or around CF.

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Originally Posted by SlickRick

Ok...so since we are known for our food, around the world, we should have a Cajun Food Cook-off for every home game. Each game would have a designated food category to be in the contest. For example, my six choices would be Gratons, Jambalaya, BBQ, Seafood, Crawfish Etouffee' and Gumbo...probably in that order or possibly switching Gumbo and Etouffee' depending on crawfish crop. Boudin may be too hard to pull off, no pun intended, for most folks not having the equipment to process the links. All food prep (except marinating meat) and cooking to be done on gameday.

All entries would be judged at Russo Park, 3 hours before Kick-off with a hefty cash prizes for winners, could even include parking passes! LOL!

Seriously, the food aspect of our culture is the attention grabber of the event day. We already know this, but we could put way more emphasis on our favorite dishes/heritage with a Cajun Cook-off to bring more attention to the games. There would have to be some ground rules established and entries would have to be limited by timing to submit and total number.

Other events to include on a game by game basis:
-Boudin eating contest
- Battle of the Bands contest
- Cajun half or quarter Marathon that includes a circuit around Cajun field, Greek area,
Blackham Coliseum and the main campus
- Classic Car / four wheeler contest
- HS 7 on 7 competition before the real game. Organized to include up to 16 teams over
2 game dates. 20 min run time games played on CF.

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Good ideas. I just don't eat anything inside of a condom.

Requiring an RCAF donation for everything was what kicked off this decline we are currently experiencing. RCAF donations could have possibly worked IF an RCAF donation had any kind of ROI.

The RCAF used to a few little have perks like license plates, parking passes, get togethers, etc. Sure they were small things, but at least you got SOMETHING.

These days, if you make an RCAF donation of $2,999 or less (I'm sure most of us are in this boat), here is what you receive:

1) Priority Points (which rank you for 3, 4, & 5 listed below)
2) RCAF Membership packet (includes membership card & RCAF sticker)
3) Opportunity to request* priority seating to home, away, post season games
4) Opportunity to request* baseball season tickets
5) Opportunity to request* football/basketball parking passes
*request means "spend more money"

SOURCE: https://myrcaf.org/assets/pdf/2022-2...s-chart-v4.pdf

For $2,999 you get no t-shirt, no baseball cap, no 1% off Ragin Cajun attire coupon, no single use voucher for a free popcorn, no Maruchan ramen noodle meet & great with the Sodexo assistant manager, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT THE RIGHTS TO SPEND MORE MONEY.

To be fair to the RCAF, when I was in 2nd grade they had a shot at reeling me in with a sticker, but not so much these days.

I donated $50 to Festival International and received a t-shirt and 10% off all Festival merchandise. Isn't it amazing how they could still afford to put on Festival International after giving donors a free t-shirt? Wouldn't that 10% off Festival International merchandise send them spiraling into bankruptcy? How is it possible to give these small perks to someone who only donated $50?

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Originally Posted by GreatestStory

Requiring an RCAF donation for everything was what kicked off this decline we are currently experiencing. RCAF donations could have possibly worked IF an RCAF donation had any kind of ROI.

The RCAF used to a few little have perks like license plates, parking passes, get togethers, etc. Sure they were small things, but at least you got SOMETHING.

These days, if you make an RCAF donation of $2,999 or less (I'm sure most of us are in this boat), here is what you receive:

1) Priority Points (which rank you for 3, 4, & 5 listed below)
2) RCAF Membership packet (includes membership card & RCAF sticker)
3) Opportunity to request* priority seating to home, away, post season games
4) Opportunity to request* baseball season tickets
5) Opportunity to request* football/basketball parking passes
*request means "spend more money"

SOURCE: https://myrcaf.org/assets/pdf/2022-2...s-chart-v4.pdf

For $2,999 you get no t-shirt, no baseball cap, no 1% off Ragin Cajun attire coupon, no single use voucher for a free popcorn, no Maruchan ramen noodle meet & great with the Sodexo assistant manager, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT THE RIGHTS TO SPEND MORE MONEY.

To be fair to the RCAF, when I was in 2nd grade they had a shot at reeling me in with a sticker, but not so much these days.

I donated $50 to Festival International and received a t-shirt and 10% off all Festival merchandise. Isn't it amazing how they could still afford to put on Festival International after giving donors a free t-shirt? Wouldn't that 10% off Festival International merchandise send them spiraling into bankruptcy? How is it possible to give these small perks to someone who only donated $50?

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And guess what happens when people wear RCAF shirts, hats, etc or display RCAF plates, stickers, etc...

A little something called free advertising.

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Originally Posted by GreatestStory

A $500 donation only gives you the right to spend another $60 on Lot C parking pass. I assume that $60 is where you are getting the $10 per game price.

...but is it really $10 a game if you had to donate $500 and pay an additional $60.

To me it is comical that you can donate $100,000+, but still required to pay $60 for a parking pass. Shouldn't there be some donation level where they throw in a parking pass?

SOURCE: https://myrcaf.org/assets/pdf/2022-f...-pass-form.pdf

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Yes as long as they continue to have 6 home games I pay 10 dollars a game to park. I also pay 500 dollars for a tailgate spot that comes with 2 parking passes that stay in the drawer. I don’t see like you. I see the 500 dollars as a donation to help the program and the 60 dollars as purchasing a parking pass for the year. It’s not I have to donate so I can park.

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Originally Posted by ManAboutTown

And guess what happens when people wear RCAF shirts, hats, etc or display RCAF plates, stickers, etc...

A little something called free advertising.

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Something I say every time these threads come up.....It's like they WANT it to fail. It's weird how completely inept they are at this. Always makes me question.