Finally out in the open, UL season ticket sales marking gains

[rhineaux]

You know, I think if we get 40-50% of our student enrollment to attend games, we are doing great. That would be around 7,000 students per game. The problem is, we give them roughly 10-12,000 seats. I know the opposing team, finally, now sits on the student side, so that is maybe 3,000 - 5,000 seats. That still leaves over 5,000 seats that may not be filled.

I may stand corrected, but LSU for example only has about 9-10,000 seats for its students and that is 10% of the entire stadium and roughly 1/3 of its enrollment. Texas allows about 15,000 seats for its students, but has over 50,000 students, so roughly 1/3 of the students get to attend. Many more would very likely attend if they could get tickets. But neither LSU nor Texas will give up other revenue seats to accomodate students. Most of the other students either don't go or end up going with their families who already have season tickets. UL, on the other hand, gives 40-50% of its seats to its students and expects 75%+ of total student enrollment to attend. A lot of revenue is lost with this approach and too much is required of the students.

UL should put 50 yard line chair back seats on the student side of the stadium. Give the students 5,000 seats (roughly 1/3 of enrollment) on 1/3 of that side of the stadium. Sell the chair back seats and put general admission along with the opposing team seats. Overflow students can sit in the end zones and/or and general admission seats, if available. This will also create a much better atmosphere at Cajun Field when both lower decks are completely full.

If we make the ticket more valuable, it will be more cherished. We may be getting to a position, if we keep winning, of having more demand for seats and for season tickets. If so, it is imperative that we do something along the lines of what I recommended in order to accomodate more fans and increase attendance and, most importantly, increase revenue to grow our program.

First of all, if you want to put chairbacks on the student side and make those seats desirable, you're gonna need to mix in a weedeater or a bottle of roundup every now and again to dress it up.

Secondly, I think it might be a little challenging to put regulars on that side with the reputation the student side has.

Not to mention, more winning means more students. So, when these seats start filling up more, and the ticket is more desirable, then start opening up a season ticket package just for students.

I think that Cajun Field is unique because the students are right on the opponents and right on the field, not stuck in some corner just so the school can make more money on those seats. I know that making money is big, but, I guaruntee that those players are feeding off of the students, who are yelling, screaming and chanting, standing up on the benches, and everything else, with the band alongside, than they are feeding from all of the older crowd sitting in their chairbacks across the field. It adds a ton to the atmosphere.

[TheRaginCajun06]

First of all, if you want to put chairbacks on the student side and make those seats desirable, you're gonna need to mix in a weedeater or a bottle of roundup every now and again to dress it up.

Secondly, I think it might be a little challenging to put regulars on that side with the reputation the student side has.

Not to mention, more winning means more students. So, when these seats start filling up more, and the ticket is more desirable, then start opening up a season ticket package just for students.

I think that Cajun Field is unique because the students are right on the opponents and right on the field, not stuck in some corner just so the school can make more money on those seats. I know that making money is big, but, I guaruntee that those players are feeding off of the students, who are yelling, screaming and chanting, standing up on the benches, and everything else, with the band alongside, than they are feeding from all of the older crowd sitting in their chairbacks across the field. It adds a ton to the atmosphere.

Oh I agree! I am always there in time to sit right on the 50 yard line and I have rarely ever sat anywhere but on the field. We scream at the players and get in their heads. It's an awesome idea by the University to put the students right there. We've been through a lot there and you can't take that away. If they want more seating at UL.... open the grass to seating.