UL says No to community runners
Last week, I went to the University's track, where I've been going for years to get my afternoon run in. Upon arrival, I began to warm up, and was promptly greeted by an individual telling me to please run elsewhere, and that the track is no longer opened to the public. The reason was because of some "vandalism" that occurred, and that the executive decision had been made to no longer allow the community to use the track because of it..
Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone heard of such vandalism? I'm extremely bothered by this whole event. Afternoon runs are a big part of my day, and barring the community from using the track seems like a bit of an overreaction, if in fact this is true.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ Last week, I went to the University's track, where I've been going for years to get my afternoon run in. Upon arrival, I began to warm up, and was promptly greeted by an individual telling me to please run elsewhere, and that the track is no longer opened to the public. The reason was because of some "vandalism" that occurred, and that the executive decision had been made to no longer allow the community to use the track because of it..
Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone heard of such vandalism? I'm extremely bothered by this whole event. Afternoon runs are a big part of my day, and barring the community from using the track seems like a bit of an overreaction, if in fact this is true. _
Can the community use Cajun Field, Tigue Moore or Lamson Park?
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cajun4life
_ Can the community use Cajun Field, Tigue Moore or Lamson Park? _
Has the community EVER used those facilities.. This is a completely different situation, and you know that.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ Last week, I went to the University's track, where I've been going for years to get my afternoon run in. Upon arrival, I began to warm up, and was promptly greeted by an individual telling me to please run elsewhere, and that the track is no longer opened to the public. The reason was because of some "vandalism" that occurred, and that the executive decision had been made to no longer allow the community to use the track because of it..
Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone heard of such vandalism? I'm extremely bothered by this whole event. Afternoon runs are a big part of my day, and barring the community from using the track seems like a bit of an overreaction, if in fact this is true. _
Not sure if it makes sense, because I would imagine that the vandals probably came at night. But I know it is frustrating.
I just don't think that any of the community members should be allowed to use the track. It wears it down quicker and the school has to pay for it.
They have a jogging track around Bourgeois, but it is concrete.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ Has the community EVER used those facilities.. This is a completely different situation, and you know that. _
I know that the track is not a public track, period, it never has been. The coaches allowed people to utilize the track, but it was never a public track. And it is not different, it is part of the athletic complex and belongs to the university.
Re: UL says No to community runners
First of all, there are only a core group of about 15-20 people that use the truck on a regular basis. I doubt that "wears" it at any noticeably faster of a rate. Secondly, running on an outdoor track, and asking to borrow the court at the cajundome or playing a pick up football game at The Swamp is a completely different story. Give me a break.
Anyway, the majority of the people that use the track live in close proximity and contribute plenty of monetary funds (like me). Before you people start getting self righteous and saying "Oh just because you are a donor you think you should be able to use the facilities at your disposal", the answer to that is no. I'm just pointing out that I'm not some transplant that has come to this city looking to take advantage of its hospitable care takers of University facilities. I'm a long time member of the community, the University, and the group that patrons the track 6 afternoons a week.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ First of all, there are only a core group of about 15-20 people that use the truck on a regular basis. I doubt that "wears" it at any noticeably faster of a rate. Secondly, running on an outdoor track, and asking to borrow the court at the cajundome or playing a pick up football game at The Swamp is a completely different story. Give me a break.
Anyway, the majority of the people that use the track live in close proximity and contribute plenty of monetary funds (like me). Before you people start getting self righteous and saying "Oh just because you are a donor you think you should be able to use the facilities at your disposal", the answer to that is no. I'm just pointing out that I'm not some transplant that has come to this city looking to take advantage of its hospitable care takers of University facilities. I'm a long time member of the community, the University, and the group that patrons the track 6 afternoons a week. _
Do I think that there should be some place for people to go run in the afternoon. Yes. Do I think that it would be good to have this on campus. Yes. Do I think that it should be our NCAA D1 track complex. No.
Aside from potential liability issues with the general public using it, I just don't think that is what it is there for.
Hopefully, the school upgrades a jogging park or trail somewhere near Bourgeois park. Again, just my opinion.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ Last week, I went to the University's track, where I've been going for years to get my afternoon run in. Upon arrival, I began to warm up, and was promptly greeted by an individual telling me to please run elsewhere, and that the track is no longer opened to the public. The reason was because of some "vandalism" that occurred, and that the executive decision had been made to no longer allow the community to use the track because of it..
Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone heard of such vandalism? I'm extremely bothered by this whole event. Afternoon runs are a big part of my day, and barring the community from using the track seems like a bit of an overreaction, if in fact this is true. _
Do you know how many times the athletic dept has been vandalised. baseball, I know 2 times, the Ragin Cajun Metallic emblems in front of each gate, and so on. I don't think that they are pentalize you tracksters but how do you say "No" to others and not you loyal fans who use it. Vandalism is very much a problem at UL.
I would suggest calling Mr. Scott Farmer or John Dugas for an explanation. Their phone lines are always open to UL Fans and Friends.
GEAUX
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
USLJim
_ Do you know how many times the athletic dept has been vandalised. baseball, I know 2 times, the Ragin Cajun Metallic emblems in front of each gate, and so on. I don't think that they are pentalize you tracksters but how do you say "No" to others and not you loyal fans who use it. Vandalism is very much a problem at UL.
I would suggest calling Mr. Scott Farmer or John Dugas for an explanation. Their phone lines are always open to UL Fans and Friends.
GEAUX _
And Jim, its a totally valid point. It's just unfortunate that some idiots are causing the coaches and admin to second guess the public use policy of the track. Like Slappy said, there should be some place to run. I also understand that we compete on this track, which is why the majority of us take the utmost care of the facility. I've stayed back plenty of times to help clean up, move things around, and different misc jobs, just to do my part. After years of enjoying something, you can understand how something like this would be frustrating. It would be the equivalent of your local corner bar, restaurant, or mom and pop shop closing the doors. Guess we all can relate to change..
Re: UL says No to community runners
Don't they have an outdoor jogging track across the street from Bougeois? Is it called Moore Park? Where the intramurals play flag football and stuff.
Re: UL says No to community runners
There are plenty of "tracks" around the complex, the intramural track, Girard Park is not very far from there.
I think what foofoo meant was the ability to run on a regulation track (400 yards). I used to do interval training on that track before I moved away. They have locked it on occasion, but this is the first I have heard of it.
To be really honest, the public should probably never have been able to use it anyway. Heck, you can't even go to a high school and use their track, so why would a university be any different.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Good for them. Glad they are protecting their property from future vandalism.
Re: UL says No to community runners
I wish this news wasn't breaking on the same weekend of the 30th annual Cajun Cup 10K Road Race.
The race where the community is asked to support Ragin Cajun Track.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cajun4life
_ I know that the track is not a public track, period, it never has been. The coaches allowed people to utilize the track, but it was never a public track. And it is not different, it is part of the athletic complex and belongs to the university. _
I'm pretty sure it was a public track...because there was a sign at the entrance that said the public could use it, but due to liability issues there could be no formal coaching of athletes or teams in the facility.
And Cajun Field was open to the public as well, and people were always walking the concourse and running the steps in the afternoon.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LSUConnMan
_ I'm pretty sure it was a public track...because there was a sign at the entrance that said the public could use it, but due to liability issues there could be no formal coaching of athletes or teams in the facility.
And Cajun Field was open to the public as well, and people were always walking the concourse and running the steps in the afternoon. _
None of the facilities are public, the athletic department failed to keep them secure and not allow people inside.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Interesting. I don't work in Lafayette anymore, so I haven't tried to use the complex since this past Spring.
During my marathon training the past couple years, I would usually park there early in the mornings, mostly to use the facility for restroom and putting clothes/water bottle on the bleachers. I don't really like running in a circle (something that was an issue during track season for me! LOL).
I can see their reasoning, though.
FWIW, for the past couple years, I would sometimes access Cajun Field to run stadiums in the morning, if the coaches were their with the gate unlocked. No one ever said anything.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ Last week, I went to the University's track, where I've been going for years to get my afternoon run in. Upon arrival, I began to warm up, and was promptly greeted by an individual telling me to please run elsewhere, and that the track is no longer opened to the public. The reason was because of some "vandalism" that occurred, and that the executive decision had been made to no longer allow the community to use the track because of it..
Can anyone confirm this? Has anyone heard of such vandalism? I'm extremely bothered by this whole event. Afternoon runs are a big part of my day, and barring the community from using the track seems like a bit of an overreaction, if in fact this is true. _
Just have patience. People who live near there can just go to the former horse farm once its turned into a park, I'm sure they'll have a long kitty litter track for the public to use. I agree with fellow poster, the track and field complex shouldn't be open for public use.
Re: UL says No to community runners
This is nothing new. It started with Silvey and passed on to the head soccer coach. It didn't bother Mahfouz as long as it didn't conflict with his teams training. He is now gone so I guess the soccer coach has got his wish and closed the facility to all.
The stadium has never been public but has historically been open to the public. I am sure that minor issues arise but I seriously doubt it had anything to do with the handful of people that use the track.
Cajun field and baseball field are not a true comparison. To me, this is a poor public relations move from a sport that has no real funding. If you build it they will come. If you run them off, they will not return.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Have they hired a new head coach yet? Surely they at least have a "short list" right now?
Indoor season starts in about two months.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
foofoochaisson
_ First of all, there are only a core group of about 15-20 people that use the truck on a regular basis. I doubt that "wears" it at any noticeably faster of a rate. Secondly, running on an outdoor track, and asking to borrow the court at the cajundome or playing a pick up football game at The Swamp is a completely different story. Give me a break.
Anyway, the majority of the people that use the track live in close proximity and contribute plenty of monetary funds (like me). Before you people start getting self righteous and saying "Oh just because you are a donor you think you should be able to use the facilities at your disposal", the answer to that is no. I'm just pointing out that I'm not some transplant that has come to this city looking to take advantage of its hospitable care takers of University facilities. I'm a long time member of the community, the University, and the group that patrons the track 6 afternoons a week. _
I don't think it ought to be open to the "public". It might be possible to go by the athletic department and request special status for use of the facility. I know you are disappointed with the change of circumstance with your prior open use of the facility... but you have to agree that we need to protect our facilities from unauthorized intruders. It isn't just the vandalism but the looming liability issues. Blame the rogue public... not the school.
Re: UL says No to community runners
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunRed
_ Are you saying that the 15 people that used the track supported the track program? Surely that's not what you mean.
igeaux.mobi _
Are you saying you have to be a graduate of UL to attend UL? Surely that's not what you mean.
Re: UL says No to community runners
