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Any questions about midweek games, if you have plenty of time, go cruise the MAC board. MACTION happens in November, so not only a week night game, cold and wet come into play too. That’s something the whole SBC deals with. Yes, App for example, seems immune to this, but in time, they’ll be like the rest.
Basically, their fans have the same complaints as here, just years more experience. And acceptance the fans can’t over rule the presidents/money.
I didn’t say anything about not supporting. But complaining about everything isn’t being very supportive.Quote:
Originally Posted by zeppelincajun
I’m pretty suprised espn even had a home game on their radar this year. With the amenities and construction where they are…
I may be in the minority saying this, but if given the choice will choose Saturday, 11 a.m. kickoff versus the weeknight home games (except in Sept, too darn hot midday). Obviously a 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. or 7 p.m. kickoff is more ideal. When we become a contender for the conference championship again, ESPNU or 2 will want more of our games. If our athletic Administration's opinion counts for anything I'd rather see them push hard for Saturdays instead of weeknight home games. Just avoid the weeknight games like the plague. Right after our season concludes, the Administration should conduct a fan survey of season ticket holders/RCAF'ers/alumni to get a better read on fan preferences. Due to the current bummer reality of the college football industry, we've forever lost our traditional Saturday night gametime kick off as has other D-1 programs. But we should have a better chance at taking a strong stand that home games at Lourdes Cajun Field occur on Saturdays!
I told myself that I would never join this site, but as a frequent reader and proud alum, I feel like this thread has hit my breaking point.
As someone who has:
1. Recently finished a proud career in College Athletics (not at UL) that spanned for 12 years, THE UNIVERSITY NOR THE CONFERENCE DOES NOT SET THE GAMETIMES. Each University give recommendations or preference but ultimately, it’s up to the TV networks (not just ESPN, but also FOX, NBC, CW etc.). They all have to work together to plug and play based on conference contracts and yes, they also look at matchups when selecting kick-off times; however, in UL’s or Tulane’s case, we are not a very high on the list of potential marquee matchups. If we were, then we’d be on ESPN2, ESPN or very very rarely, and maybe one day, ABC. The networks decide the Saturday lineups two weeks out which is why we found out on Monday of our game time. This system was in place last year…and the year before that…and the year before that…and the year before that etc. I’m sure UL admin AND Tulane admin requested a different time, but again, it wasn’t either of their decision. Midweek game, including Friday games, are preset at the beginning of the year due to available inventory which is why we’d know before the season if a mid-week game is on ESPN2, ESPN or ESPNU (see our game vs. Texas State on Tuesday Oct. 29 on ESPN2). It wasn’t long ago when I had to listen on the radio for the game or download some sketchy website to watch any UL sport. Being on a national broadcast to showcase our program, conference, university AND our future with the visible redevelopment of Cajun Field allows me to see my alma mater.
The system is getting better. The SEC’s new contract with ESPN allows a handful of kickoff times to be set at the beginning of the season. Look at LSU at South Carolina, that kickoff time was set before the season started. But looking at both of their schedules, you’ll notice some “FLEX” games which means the kickoff time isn’t set and will be announce (again) two weeks in advance. I have reason to believe that this system will trickle down in the future to benefit all conferences. Both last weekend and this weekend, College Gameday will be at both noon/11am kickoff. Do you really think either one of those schools fan bases cared about an early kickoff time? Hell no. Yeah I’m sure it sucks _____, but they get up, rain or shine and support their teams. No. Matter. What.
2. I haven’t been able to see UL play in-person since 2016 when we hosted Arkansas State in late November. I currently live 10+ hours away and would do ANYTHING to be able to drive to Cajun Field to see my team play in-person. I’m excited about our TV deal and hope it continues to get better as the league continues to get stronger and stronger every season. Fans and Alums like myself get to be a part of the action being so far away. Quit **tching and go the game and support our boys and university no matter what and remember how blessed you are to not only be a Cajun fan, but also be able to go every home game. Those who are complaining and boycotting because they don’t get their way are the reason why our fan base is dying. Lead by example and show the students and younger generation how amazing it is to be a Cajun. If we don’t, then our students and young alumni turn into LSU fans after graduation. Something often joked about on here and in-person about the other in-state schools. Find some damn joy and pride.
3. We ALL understand that this admin (both athletics and Martin Hall) have made very very questionable choices throughout all of UL history that include branding, conference affiliation, facilities, student engagement etc. The more we act like a bunch of spoiled 12-year-olds who complain and cry when we don’t get our way, doesn’t make the situation better and makes our fanbase look petty as hell. Stand up and voice your opinions when a situation requires it, but something like this is not it.
I’m proud as hell to be a Cajun and to see this on full display is embarrassing. This is a big game for us because it’s against a rival and I can't wait to watch it. When I go to the grocery store that morning to get my beer and snacks, I'll wear my new Cajun script t-shirt that my sister sent me with absolute pride.We might not be at the level we want to be at as an athletics department, but we’ll never get there if we continue to act this way. Like I said, find some joy and get out to Cajun Field on Saturday, because many of us who can’t wish they could.
Tulane played on a Thursday night then at 11:00am and now has a drivable road game but it’s at 11:00. Their board must be on fire.
Being school/classes are officially closed, can the football team hold meetings or practice today?
Tulane generally ok with change.
https://www.yogwf.com/viewtopic.php?t=58898
+1000Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81
A question for all of you saying this is just the way it is, we wanna be big time, this is so embarrassing, etc., etc.
At the time of the next espn contract negotiation, if the SBC demanded right of refusal for each member institution for weekday games and time changes for Saturday games, would you support it?
Looking backwards you have a great point.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81
Looking forward, complaining* the root of all improvements.
Now if nothing improvement wise was ever going to be done, you are right again, it's not being supportive.
Fortunately improvements are coming . thanks to the complainers. ;)
I joke, but there's some truth in there.
* making aware
Correct.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaxmc1023
First reaction is that I would support it. Then reality sets in and I understand there would be no SBC contract with such a stance. They simply would show more games from other leagues and none of ours. Being able to recognize what should be and what is are often not the same allows one to navigate life more effectively.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunNation
This!^Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81
I'm 60 years old now and I don't enjoy the heat. Tulane just hosted a home game against Kansas State this past weekend and the game time was 11:00AM. Their fan base showed up with no problems. Fans are constantly complaining about the schedule quality, well you play the game at the time the network wants it. Either show up, or do not. Either way if other fan bases can man up to play games at 11:00AM against quality opponents, Cajun fans should be able to do it as well.
Their fans absolutely did show up, and when you think about it, they used to not show up.Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunT
Being able to recognize what shouldn't be and what can be allows me to exceed very effectively in life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cajunsmike
11 AM is probably a very good kickoff time for THEM. NOLA is not a nice city after dark.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cajunrunner
CUSA would be more than happy to step up and take the SBC’s place. Such a stance would be treated like telling a bowl committee to hold on while waiting for other options…that never existed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cajunsmike
I think the midweek games are better for exposure than Saturday games on the network. Those dumb Tuesday/wed games are the only game in town. There’s football fans all around the country watching whatever game is available.
Do you have a weekend saturation pointQuote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81
They 100% complain. Every single LSU fan wants their big games to be under the lights at 7pm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81
Just like we should play every single game at 7pm until the time changes.
LSU is a bad example. They complain about everything. I was really referring to SC. They’re probably more than happy to be on tv at 11:00. Not sec+Quote:
Originally Posted by cajun4life
Good news it doesn't look like it will be hot. Bad news, they are currently projecting rain
Well is that stigma really true? They averaged around 20k a game in the Super Dome.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cajunrunner
So they built an appropriate sized stadium for their fan base and roughly the same show up. Now it just appears to be full. Creates a better atmosphere and it builds a demand.
Ha very trueQuote:
Originally Posted by Jacob81