Ragin' Cajuns Nickname Origin

Hello all.

So I’ve been reading a book entitled “The Cajuns: Americanization of a People” by Shane K. Bernard. I read an interesting passage today that I thought all Cajuns fans (of the University) should know:

“South Louisianans who comprised Marine reserve squadron VMF-143 expressed ethnic pride by nicknaming themselves the Ragin’ Cajuns, the earliest known use of this now familiar phrase. The squadron’s emblem was a charging cartoon pelican bedecked in boxing gloves and carrying a lighted bomb in its mouth. According to former squadron commander Carol Bernard, the Marine Corps activated several Ragin’ Cajun pilots during wartime, transferred them to other squadrons, and sent them on combat missions over Korea in new jet fighters.”

I thought yall might be interested in knowing where our beloved nickname originated.

Geaux Cajuns!

Faulkinberry, son of our former head football coach. There is a Faulkinberry Drive on our campus. Hence more MT/Cajun connection.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CajunCherokee

_ Hello all.

So I’ve been reading a book entitled “The Cajuns: Americanization of a People” by Shane K. Bernard. I read an interesting passage today that I thought all Cajuns fans (of the University) should know:

“South Louisianans who comprised Marine reserve squadron VMF-143 expressed ethnic pride by nicknaming themselves the Ragin’ Cajuns, the earliest known use of this now familiar phrase. The squadron’s emblem was a charging cartoon pelican bedecked in boxing gloves and carrying a lighted bomb in its mouth. According to former squadron commander Carol Bernard, the Marine Corps activated several Ragin’ Cajun pilots during wartime, transferred them to other squadrons, and sent them on combat missions over Korea in new jet fighters.”

I thought yall might be interested in knowing where our beloved nickname originated.

Geaux Cajuns! _

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CajunCherokee

_ Hello all.

So I’ve been reading a book entitled “The Cajuns: Americanization of a People” by Shane K. Bernard. I read an interesting passage today that I thought all Cajuns fans (of the University) should know:

“South Louisianans who comprised Marine reserve squadron VMF-143 expressed ethnic pride by nicknaming themselves the Ragin’ Cajuns, the earliest known use of this now familiar phrase. The squadron’s emblem was a charging cartoon pelican bedecked in boxing gloves and carrying a lighted bomb in its mouth. According to former squadron commander Carol Bernard, the Marine Corps activated several Ragin’ Cajun pilots during wartime, transferred them to other squadrons, and sent them on combat missions over Korea in new jet fighters.”

I thought yall might be interested in knowing where our beloved nickname originated.

Geaux Cajuns! _

---

Well now we know where we got the name from why don't we somewhat use the emblem as our own as well? Hate to bring up the subject again but I hate our mascot and this would be a pretty decent mascot!!!!

Haha Canaille, you just beat me to it. I was going to say thats a better logo/mascot that what we have now for sure. The pelican is a better representative of the state than an inanimate object like a pepper, and I'm sure it could be made into a fierce mascot.

Tulane uses a pelican, though. Don't get me wrong, as soon as I read it, I thought the same thing you guys did, but I'd hate to give those clowns any ammo and criticize us for copying off of them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rhineaux

_ Tulane uses a pelican, though. Don't get me wrong, as soon as I read it, I thought the same thing you guys did, but I'd hate to give those clowns any ammo and criticize us for copying off of them. _

---

I thought about that as soon as I submitted the post. Oh well....I still want a new damn mascot!!!!!!!!!!!

BRING BACK THE CHICKEN!!!!

Being back the rough rider. That guy was cool. The red pinstripes were the best.

There was a time when the majority of the world would to arrive here in Louisiana via the Gulf of Mexico. The Pelican was the natural representative.

Today, with I-49, I-55, I-10, and I-20 being Louisiana's main access points few would accidentally associate Louisiana with the pelican. In fact it takes a heap of association splainin as is. Of course there is the State flag but how many people actually see it and know what they are looking at?

jmo

when I was younger, about 10 or so I remember going to a cajuns game with our altar boy group. At halftime cajun man came out of the tunnel on a 4 wheeler and i thought it was just about the coolest thing I had ever seen. People loved it too. The chicken was fun, the pepper is downright embarrassing. Bring back the cajun man!!!

Cajun man was cool. I would be all for that!!!! A gator would be the best or bring back the Chicken!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turbine

Of course there is the State flag but how many people actually see it and know what they are looking at?

jmo

---

Yeah, everytime I see a Louisiana State flag I think of hummingbirds.
:???:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DestinCajun

_ Yeah, everytime I see a Louisiana State flag I think of hummingbirds.
:???: _

---

Please explain :) cause I think of chirping birds "FEED ME"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CajunCherokee

The squadron’s emblem was a charging cartoon pelican bedecked in boxing gloves and carrying a lighted bomb in its mouth.
Geaux Cajuns! _

---

In 1941 UL won the National Collegiate Heavyweght Boxing Title

I wonder if these characters ever crossed paths.
<center><i>
This is from UL's 1943 yearbook. </i>

Turbine, who was the boxer who won that heavyweight title? I know south Louisiana was a hotbed of amateur boxing in the 40s and 50s. Several of the local high schools had great teams at that time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Turbine

_ In 1941 UL won the National Collegiate Heavyweght Boxing Title

I wonder if these characters ever crossed paths.
<center><i>
This is from UL's 1943 yearbook. _

---

That's a cool picture but if there is a problems w/ using the Pelican due to it being Tulane's mascot, then bringing back the Bulldog would have some trouble. I'm pretty sure it was origionally taken away due to it being BLA TECH's mascot. And I don't want to have anything that is the same as BLA TECH!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Membertou

_ Turbine, who was the boxer who won that heavyweight title? I know south Louisiana was a hotbed of amateur boxing in the 40s and 50s. Several of the local high schools had great teams at that time. _

---

Louie Campbell

According one source, WWII prevented his legitimate shot in the pro ranks.

He later taught/coached at UL.