The Story of the MudBugs Football Team in Lafayette Louisiana

I was looking for new arena teams and seen this new league www.southernifl.com
Hopefully this would last along time because I like Arena football it would be great for the city. Would Love to see a basketball team & baseball team in Lafayette.

All I need in Lafayette is the Cajuns. Nothing else does it for me.

Bring it on! We need another source of entertainment here in Lafayette. Ice Hockey once filled that need! It sounds promising. Our city needs a semi-pro sport!

games to be played in blackhum i hear

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Originally Posted by Spydaman70507

_ I was looking for new arena teams and seen this new league www.southernifl.com
Hopefully this would last along time because I like Arena football it would be great for the city. Would Love to see a basketball team & baseball team in Lafayette. _

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Lafayette's had both an AFL2 team and a baseball team. Both didn't last past their 2nd season. The only professional team to enjoy real success in this city, like it or not, was the ICEGATORS.

The problem with semi-pro league and minor league teams is you need good managment to make the team thrive and a league that isn't looking to expand to every city in your state and is fiscally responsible in its own right. What made the Icegators great initially was they were the only hockey team in Louisiana. They had overnight success. People drove for miles to come see the Gators. Then the ECHL proceeded to expand in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, while the WPHL added teams in Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport, and Monroe. It didn't take long for fans who came to Lafayette for games from other cities to find a new team. Plus managment of the IceGators forgot they were a bottom tier minor league hockey franchise and needed to keep their prices low. My point in all of this is that it is hard to get minor league sports franchises to hang around year in and year out. We have seen a few teams come to Lafayette, only to be gone in a short amount of time. (Bayou Bullfrogs, Roughnecks)

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Originally Posted by NOCajun

_ Lafayette's had both an AFL2 team and a baseball team. Both didn't last past their 2nd season. The only professional team to enjoy real success in this city, like it or not, was the ICEGATORS. _

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It has a lot to do with how you market a team. Playing in the Blackham I am guessing you are only going to need a few thousand to make it a success. With a population of over 110,000 you would think it wouldn't be hard to find 3,000 people to attend an event.

I was wondering if they would try the Cajundome. By the looks of this they aren't trying to be too big playing at arenas no bigger than 7,000 capacity.

We'll see how it works out. These leagues seem to come and geaux pretty quickly. Hopefully someone can make it a success.

Arena football on the minor league level has been plagued with management problems, bad coaching, poor attendance and leagues that come and go almost daily. (Example: do some research on the team that played in Beaumont)

The game itself is almost cartoon-like and the quality of play is; well poor at best. It reminds me a lot of sand lot football.

The players are paid very poorly, (if at all, ask some of the players who were on the Beaumont team) so many potentially good players would go forego the opportunity to play this game on a minor league level in favor of pursuing a lucrative career outside of sports. Why get banged up to play for peanuts?

To me, this game is similar to wrestling and would attract a similar clientele.

The top level league version is more exciting, although the quality of play is still sometime iffy.

Just my opinion; some may love it.

I worked for the Roughnecks and I can say that the reason for them going under was both poor management and bad marketing. The owner had both the Lafayette team and the Baton Rouge team. He paid much more attention to his Baton Rouge team. That being said, I'm still not sure if a team that is not affiliated with the AFL would make it. The best scenario for arena football would be for the Voodoo to move to Lafayette. Heard that Benson sold them....

I would love for Lafayette to get an MLS (Major League Soccer) team........

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Originally Posted by snote

_ games to be played in blackhum i hear _

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Don't you think the roof in Blackham is a little low for this kind of thing? Would be nice for someone else to come in and pay for a Blackham facelift like the Bullfrogs did for UL Baseball.

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Originally Posted by CajunCanaille

_ Don't you think the roof in Blackham is a little low for this kind of thing? Would be nice for someone else to come in and pay for a Blackham facelift like the Bullfrogs did for UL Baseball. _

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1. Yes the roof is too low in Blackham unless they are changing the rules to no punting or kickoffs.

2. The one time I went to a roughnecks game was TERRIBLE! I never thought "fast paced" arena football could be so boring, and I find UL scrimmages entertaining.

3. With a semi-pro or professional franchise you have to have sustainability. Once you get the fan you have to be able to keep them drawn, entertained, and satisfied. I think what happend with the Icegators is that it was kind of a new fad in Lafayette and they had big crowds for about the first 4 or 5 seasons then what. It became old hat and kind of lost it's luster.

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Originally Posted by CajunCanaille

I would love for Lafayette to get an MLS (Major League Soccer) team........ _

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You might as well ask for an MLB or NHL team as well. MLS doesn't have huge attendances but still average well over 10K. Plus look at the cities they are in. There's not a lot of teams and they are all in major cities and they are looking to expand to cities like Seattle, St. Louis, etc.

I hope that you were just saying you hoped and you aren't seriously thinking there could ever be an MLS team in Lafayette. Maybe an indoor soccer team first.

Arena football isnt a bad idea, I just don't see it working. This is a college-only town it seems.

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Originally Posted by wcd35

_ You might as well ask for an MLB or NHL team as well. MLS doesn't have huge attendances but still average well over 10K. Plus look at the cities they are in. There's not a lot of teams and they are all in major cities and they are looking to expand to cities like Seattle, St. Louis, etc.

I hope that you were just saying you hoped and you aren't seriously thinking there could ever be an MLS team in Lafayette. Maybe an indoor soccer team first.

Arena football isnt a bad idea, I just don't see it working. This is a college-only town it seems. _

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"This a college-only town it seems".

I wish about 40k fans would look at it that way.

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Originally Posted by ULtimateCajun

_ 1. Yes the roof is too low in Blackham unless they are changing the rules to no punting or kickoffs.

2. The one time I went to a roughnecks game was TERRIBLE! I never thought "fast paced" arena football could be so boring, and I find UL scrimmages entertaining.

3. With a semi-pro or professional franchise you have to have sustainability. Once you get the fan you have to be able to keep them drawn, entertained, and satisfied. I think what happend with the Icegators is that it was kind of a new fad in Lafayette and they had big crowds for about the first 4 or 5 seasons then what. It became old hat and kind of lost it's luster. _

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The Icegators lost the draw because of three things. Owner's getting greedy, Cajundome charging two and some case three times as much as the other barns ($8K/game) and the ECHL changing the game to a more familly style. In other words no fighting unless you want to be suspended. If you remember the team was call the goons of the ECHL. The other team hated to come to their barn and play because of that. The fans loved it. Being retired and living within walking distance of the dome and the love of hockey I never missed a game in ten years and was host to five of the players while they were here. And also attend UL football, baseball and basketball and all of the indoor soccer matches. You could say I had nothing to do but attend sports. So If UL decides to have a winning team in football and basketball they will hold the fans as well as attend pro. sports.....atleast I will.

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Originally Posted by Frenchie35

_ The Icegators lost the draw because of three things. Owner's getting greedy, Cajundome charging two and some case three times as much as the other barns ($8K/game) and the ECHL changing the game to a more familly style. In other words no fighting unless you want to be suspended. If you remember the team was call the goons of the ECHL. The other team hated to come to their barn and play because of that. The fans loved it. Being retired and living within walking distance of the dome and the love of hockey I never missed a game in ten years and was host to five of the players while they were here. And also attend UL football, baseball and basketball and all of the indoor soccer matches. You could say I had nothing to do but attend sports. So If UL decides to have a winning team in football and basketball they will hold the fans as well as attend pro. sports.....atleast I will. _

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As mentioned before the ECHL and WPHL opening up teams in ever city in Louisiana didn't help the IceGators. I love hockey and would like to see the Ragin Cajuns develop a team worth seeing.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ As mentioned before the ECHL and WPHL opening up teams in ever city in Louisiana didn't help the IceGators. I love hockey and would like to see the Ragin Cajuns develop a team worth seeing. _

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This is a major reason the Icegators attendance dropped. When it was the Louisiana Icegators we were unique. One of a kind. No other city in this state or for that fact the league could pull crowds like the Icegators. It's sad how it ended.

Another thing that became a problem is our lack of success in the playoffs. We would post records with 50+ wins and a handful of losses and lose in the playoffs. This happened every year! Pensacola always had our number. I also remember beating the Mobile Mysticks quite a bit. I was in 5th grade when the Gators started.

I attended several commission meetings and contract meetings during their stay. And I can tell you the main reason it went down was the cost of the dome. $8k/game. That does not include security and office space. Also converting from ice to Basket ball and back. Plus convertiong for any event that might rent the dome. All this was a cost the IceGators. This was the fall of the team in later years when attendance went down. the first four years was no problem with attendance around 11,000+. Even the ECHL commission said that the cost of the dome was two to three times more than other barns. A little secret...I was sitting in the back of RA at a basketball game and overheard him say that he was glad the the IceGators was folding. And that they would not go down on the cost of the dome. He was a member of the dome commission at he time. The team in Beaumont, Tx. was looking to come here but the cost of the dome was out of range.

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Originally Posted by CajunCanaille

I would love for Lafayette to get an MLS (Major League Soccer) team........ _

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Yeah me too! I've been to 3 Dynamo games in Houston and had a blast. There is really no atmosphere like a pro soccer game. Even non-soccer fans I've dragged along with me have enjoyed it. I'm still waiting for soccer to blow up in this country.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ As mentioned before the ECHL and WPHL opening up teams in ever city in Louisiana didn't help the IceGators. I love hockey and would like to see the Ragin Cajuns develop a team worth seeing. _

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I have a friend who plays on the UL club hockey team. Watching them play last season made me remember why the Ice Gators were so fun. It's in the hockeyplex and the players are just out there for fun but it's still really exciting to watch. Especially when they kick some tiger butt.

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Originally Posted by TheRaginCajun06

_ Bring it on! We need another source of entertainment here in Lafayette. Ice Hockey once filled that need! It sounds promising. Our city needs a semi-pro sport! _

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I respectfully disagree! We are trying to build an Overall Strong UL Athletic Program, and by having monies go to other teams like arena football, minor league baseball, is something the Cajun Movement does not need.

Baton Rouge more than Triple the size of Lafayette is all about LSU, hell LSU football is bigger than the Saints football!

Lake Charles and other cities can have those teams so we can from time to time go watch them but keep the bulk of our bucks here building UL!!!

Thanks but Neaux Thanks!.~.

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Originally Posted by RCAJUN90

_ As mentioned before the ECHL and WPHL opening up teams in ever city in Louisiana didn't help the IceGators. I love hockey and would like to see the Ragin Cajuns develop a team worth seeing. _

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I agree that I too would love to see UL Soccer, Hockey, and Swimming/Diving, but not pro. No pro for me until the Cajuns are in a bigger stronger position money wise to not stifel their growth!

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Originally Posted by wcd35

_ You might as well ask for an MLB or NHL team as well. MLS doesn't have huge attendances but still average well over 10K. Plus look at the cities they are in. There's not a lot of teams and they are all in major cities and they are looking to expand to cities like Seattle, St. Louis, etc.

I hope that you were just saying you hoped and you aren't seriously thinking there could ever be an MLS team in Lafayette. Maybe an indoor soccer team first.


Arena football isnt a bad idea, I just don't see it working. This is a college-only town it seems. _

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Lafayette barely supports college sports, much less another semi-pro franchise. Let's get these people on board with UL and not divide their money with some meaningless semi-pro team. The only advantage I can see would be to have a minor league baseball team that would bring a new stadium for UL baseball. Otherwise, it should be UL exclusively.

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Originally Posted by wcd35

_ You might as well ask for an MLB or NHL team as well. MLS doesn't have huge attendances but still average well over 10K. Plus look at the cities they are in. There's not a lot of teams and they are all in major cities and they are looking to expand to cities like Seattle, St. Louis, etc.

I hope that you were just saying you hoped and you aren't seriously thinking there could ever be an MLS team in Lafayette. Maybe an indoor soccer team first.

Arena football isnt a bad idea, I just don't see it working. This is a college-only town it seems. _

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First off I want to inform everyone that I sent an email to the comissioner of the SIFL. He said that the team will be playing in Blackham. I still think the roof is way too low for that. And in case you were wondering, the team will be called the Acadiana Mudbugs and will be coached by Bentley Turner.

Now in response to your points.....MLS is needs no where near the support as an MLB team. I do think that it is close to a NHL team. I do think Lafayette can support an MLS team. Soccer is pretty big in Louisiana. I think there would be a lot of fans that can be pulled from Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria. Another thing is that not all of the pro soccer venues support other pro teams. Colombus, Salt Lake, San Jose, and Comerce City, CO. I think that an MLS team could turn out a good bit of fans.

On your second point about UL being able to support an Indoor Soccer team....We had one already in the Swampcats. They were okay but I think the league folded. Indoor soccer is just not too much fun to watch.

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Originally Posted by CajunCanaille

_ First off I want to inform everyone that I sent an email to the comissioner of the SIFL. He said that the team will be playing in Blackham. I still think the roof is way too low for that. And in case you were wondering, the team will be called the Acadiana Mudbugs and will be coached by Bentley Turner.

Now in response to your points.....MLS is needs no where near the support as an MLB team. I do think that it is close to a NHL team. I do think Lafayette can support an MLS team. Soccer is pretty big in Louisiana. I think there would be a lot of fans that can be pulled from Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Alexandria. Another thing is that not all of the pro soccer venues support other pro teams. Colombus, Salt Lake, San Jose, and Comerce City, CO. I think that an MLS team could turn out a good bit of fans.

On your second point about UL being able to support an Indoor Soccer team....We had one already in the Swampcats. They were okay but I think the league folded. Indoor soccer is just not too much fun to watch. _

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How can you kick a football in Blackham? I don't know what the SIFL is but they should really think things through a little better. That team will fold in about 2 weeks.

There is no possible way Lafayette would ever get an MLS team. I'm not joking when I tell you it would be easier for us to get an NFL team. Why would they pick a tiny city over cities like New York, Miami, Montreal, Atlanta, and Portland who are all begging for teams? And who would pay the $40 million franchise fee? And build the $100 million stadium?

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Originally Posted by TheRaginCajun06

_ It has a lot to do with how you market a team. Playing in the Blackham I am guessing you are only going to need a few thousand to make it a success. With a population of over 110,000 you would think it wouldn't be hard to find 3,000 people to attend an event.

I was wondering if they would try the Cajundome. By the looks of this they aren't trying to be too big playing at arenas no bigger than 7,000 capacity.

We'll see how it works out. These leagues seem to come and geaux pretty quickly. Hopefully someone can make it a success. _

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I live in Lake Charles and the Swashbucklers regulary had 3,000 people in the Civic Center. I feel the tickets are overpriced but it is a fun fast paced game. It was amazing to me that we could field better teams than Katy and Frisco which had the Houston area and Dallas area to draw from. I think you will enjoy it. Your team needs to get lessons from the LC owner Tom Hofer he has done a great job marketing the team here.